Factors affecting avifauna diversity in selected mangrove areas of Misamis Oriental, Philippines: Basis for conservation and management
Abstract
Ecological and anthropogenic factors may influence the distribution and diversity of birds. This study assessed the avifauna and mangrove species composition, abundance, and diversity as well as the socio-economic and institutional conditions in three coastal ecosystems of Molugan, El Salvador City; Baybay, Alubijid and Tubajon, Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental. Point count and mist-netting methods were used to survey birds, quadrat method to survey mangroves, household survey to 212 respondents and Geographic Information System (GIS) in mapping birds, mangroves and human activities. Results showed a total of nine (9) Orders, 19 Families, 22 species and 1,168 individuals were documented in three selected areas. Baybay had the highest diversity index (2.46), followed by Molugan (1.96) and Tubajon got the lowest (1.70). As for the mangroves, five (5) species were recorded namely: Rhizophora mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Avicennia alba, Avicennia rumphiana and Rhizophora apiculata. However, continuing threats such as growing human population, land-use changes and weak management in the coastal ecosystems led to its unsustainability. Thus, the diversity of birds is highly dependent on the mangrove species and zonation and human activities in the coastal areas. Hence, regular monitoring of programs and policies by stakeholders to ensure sustainability and conservation of birds and mangroves species is recommended.
Introduction
The Philippine archipelago which is composed of 7,100 distinct islands (Ambal et al., 2012) is recognized as one of the 17 mega diverse countries which contain two-thirds of the earth’s biodiversity and about 70-80% of the world’s flora and fauna species. Avifauna refers to a group of birds that are found almost everywhere on the planet which shows great diversity by their habitat and geographical conditions (Tandan et al., 2015). Birds are valuable indicators of global patterns in biodiversity conservation (Mallari et al., 2011). Avifauna provides several ecological functions such as pest control, pollination, seed dispersal, and plant reproduction in thousands of economically and culturally important plant species through its consumption of several terrestrial, marine, and aerial resources (Whelan et al., 2015). The bird population is a sign of environmental changes as they respond fast to threats and changing environmental conditions (Mallari et al., 2011). However, few are aware of the importance of birds and are greatly affected by human development which leads to the loss of its species. Mangroves belong to a higher group of plants which may exist as trees, shrub, palm, herb, or fern (Primavera et al., 2004). It is a habitat of different avifauna species where they can hatch their eggs (Duke et al., 2007). Mangrove is the one that lessens the impact of tsunamis, hurricanes, cyclonic storms on human lives, properties and helps to prevents flooding and it is the one who catches the waste generated by humans (Danielsen et al., 2005). The mangrove habitat loss caused by deforestation, urbanization, salt production, conversion into paddy fields and aquaculture ponds, over-harvesting of timber and fuel wood, pollution, dumping of domestic sewage and crude oil exploration (Giri, 2011), and degradation has posed major threats to a wide array of fauna bringing them among the ranks of endangered and extinct species (Sandilyan et al., 2010). Thus, there is an urgent demand to examine the avifauna diversity inhabiting mangrove habitats to know the impact of disturbance for future conservation and management.
Source : Factors affecting avifauna diversity in selected mangrove areas of Misamis Oriental, Philippines: Basis for conservation and management
