Journal article
Interactive effects of elevation and newly paved road on avian community composition in a scientific reserve, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea
Biotropica, v 53(6), pp 1646-1663
Nov 2021
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Understanding interactive effects between anthropogenic disturbance and abiotic factors on species turnover can help to identify and prioritize conservation of potentially vulnerable tropical bird communities. We investigated the potential factors influencing avian understory community composition along with a recently constructed road across three elevations (300, 800, and 1200 m), each with two sampling sites (road edge vs. interior forest), over a four‐year period on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. Insectivorous species were the most abundant guild‐sampled accounting for 55% of total species diversity within the dataset followed by frequent mixed‐flock followers (48%). Habitat associated with elevation was the most significant factor influencing the composition of avian communities. Additionally, we identified species with clear statistical associations for each elevation: the yellow‐lored bristlebill (Bleda notatus), olive sunbird (Cyanomitra obscura), and white‐tailed warbler (Poliolias lopezi). We found evidence for significant community differences between the disturbance edge and interior forest transects at 300 m only. Likewise, understory insectivores were found at higher numbers within the interior forest transect at this elevation. Based on the data presented here, we suggest low elevation avian understory insectivores should be considered focal species for future assessment studies in this area. Furthermore, since many traditional protected areas focus on upland habitat containing high species endemism, our findings emphasize the importance of equally conserving lowland elevations as they may house commonly overlooked, yet important and diverse segments of the bird community.
in Spanish is available with online material.
Resumen
Comprender los efectos interactivos entre la perturbación antropogénica y los factores abióticos en el recambio de especies puede ayudar an identificar y priorizar la conservación de comunidades de aves tropicales potencialmente vulnerables. Investigamos los factores potenciales que influyen en la composición de la comunidad del sotobosque de aves a lo largo de una carretera recientemente construida a lo largo de tres elevaciones (300, 800 y 1200 m), cada una con dos sitios de muestreo (borde de la carretera vs bosque interior), durante un período de cuatro años en la isla de Bioko, Ecuatorial Guinea. Las especies insectívoras fueron el gremio más abundante muestreado y representaron el 55% de la diversidad total de especies dentro del conjunto de datos, seguidas por seguidores frecuentes de bandadas mixtas (48%). El hábitat asociado con la elevación fue el factor más importante que influyó en la composición de las comunidades de aves. Además, identificamos especies con asociaciones estadísticas claras para cada elevación: el pico erizado amarillo (Bleda notatus), el pájaro sol verde oliva (Cyanomitra obscura) y la reinita de cola blanca (Poliolias lopezi). Encontramos evidencia de diferencias comunitarias significativas entre el borde de la perturbación y los transectos del bosque interior a solo 300 m. Asimismo, los insectívoros del sotobosque se encontraron en mayor número dentro del transecto del bosque interior a esta elevación. Con base en los datos presentados aquí, sugerimos que los insectívoros aviares del sotobosque de baja elevación deben ser considerados especies focales para futuros estudios de evaluación en esta área. Además, dado que muchas áreas protegidas tradicionales se enfocan en hábitats de tierras altas que contienen un alto endemismo de especies, nuestros hallazgos enfatizan la importancia de conservar igualmente las elevaciones de las tierras bajas, ya que pueden albergar segmentos comúnmente pasados por alto, pero importantes y diversos de la comunidad de aves.
We investigated potential factors influencing avian understory community composition along a recently constructed road across three elevations (300, 800 and 1200 m), each with two sampling sites (road edge vs. interior forest), over a four‐year period on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea. We found evidence for significant community differences between the disturbance edge and interior forest transects at 300 m, specifically, understory insectivores were found at higher numbers within the interior forest transect at this elevation. Based on the data presented here, we suggest low elevation avian understory insectivores should be considered focal species for future assessment studies in this area.
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Details
- Title
- Interactive effects of elevation and newly paved road on avian community composition in a scientific reserve, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea
- Creators
- Steven C. Miller - Drexel UniversityJoris H. Wiethase - University of GlasgowAmancio Motove Etingue - Universidad Nacional de Guinea EcuatorialElaine Franklin - Biodiversity Initiative Houghton Michigan USAMaximilliano Fero - Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program Philadelphia Pennsylvania USAJared D. Wolfe - Michigan Technological UniversityMary K. Gonder - Drexel UniversityLuke L. Powell - University of Porto
- Publication Details
- Biotropica, v 53(6), pp 1646-1663
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Number of pages
- 18
- Grant note
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service (F15AP00748; F17AP00425)
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Biology
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000695053400001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85114722431
- Other Identifier
- 991019169570204721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Ecology