Abstract
In the Indian subcontinent there is hardly any study that compares the bird community structure of urban/suburban areas with those of forest habitat. The present survey identified diverse assemblages of birds in the Pauri district at different elevations. A total of 125 bird species belonging to 40 families including two least count species (Lophura leucomelanos and Pucrasia marcolopha) were recorded during this survey in the forest and urbanized habitats of Pauri District (Garhwal Hiamalaya) of Uttarakhand state, India. The high elevation (Pauri 1600–2100 m a.s.l.), mid elevation (Srikot-Khanda 900–1300 m a.s.l.) and low elevation (Srinagar 500–900 m a.s.l.) contributed 88.8%, 63.2% and 58.4% of the total species respectively. Rarefaction analysis and Shannon diversity index showed that the high elevation forest habitat had highest bird species richness (BSR) and bird species diversity (BSD) followed by the mid and then the low elevation forests. BSR and BSD fluctuated across seasons at all elevations but not across habitat types. Present study provides a base line data about avian community composition in urbanized and natural habitats along altitudinal gradient in the study area. This information may be useful to the conservation biologists for the better management and conservation of the avifauna in the Western Himalaya, a part of one of the hot biodiversity spots of the world.
[1] Able K.P. & Noon B.R. 1976. Avian community structure along elevational gradients in the Northeastern United States. Oecologia 26(3): 275–294. DOI: 10.1007/BF00345296 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF0034529610.1007/BF00345296Search in Google Scholar
[2] Acharya B.K. 2008. Bird communities: their distribution pattern along the elevation gradient of Teesta Valley, Sikkim. Ph.D. Thesis. Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India. Search in Google Scholar
[3] Acharya B.K., Sanders N.J., Vijayan L. & Chettri B. 2011. Elevational Gradients in bird diversity in the Eastern Himalaya: An evaluation of distribution patterns and their underlying mechanisms. PLoS ONE 6(12): e29097. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029097 http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.002909710.1371/journal.pone.0029097Search in Google Scholar
[4] Adamík P., Korňan M. & Vojtek J. 2003. The effect of habitat structure on guild patterns and the foraging strategies of insectivorous birds in forests. Biologia 58(2): 275–285. Search in Google Scholar
[5] Aldrich J.W. & Coffin R.W. 1980. Breeding bird population from forest suburban after 37 year. American Birds 34(1): 3–7. Search in Google Scholar
[6] Ali S. & Ripley S.D. 1983. Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. Compact ed. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 737 pp. ISBN: 0195612450 Search in Google Scholar
[7] Beissinger S.R. & Osborne D.R. 1982. Effects of urbanization on avian community organization. Condor 84: 75–83. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/136782510.2307/1367825Search in Google Scholar
[8] Bhatt D. & Joshi K.K. 2011. Bird assemblages in natural and urbanized habitats along elevational gradient in Nainital district (western Himalaya) of Uttarakhand state, India. Current Zoology (formerly Acta Zoologica Sinica) 57(3): 318–329. Search in Google Scholar
[9] Bisht M., Lakehra P. & Chandola-Saklani A. 1986. Behaviour ecology of White Kaleej pheasant Lophura leucomelanain Garhwal Himalaya, p. 835. In: Ouellet H. (ed.), Proc. of XIX International Ornithological Congress, University of Ottawa Press, Ottawa. Search in Google Scholar
[10] Bisht M., Lakehra P. & Chandola-Saklani A. 1990. The Monal Pheasant current status and habitat utilization in Kedarnath sanctuary, Garhwal Himalaya, pp. 205–208. In: Hill D.A. et al. (eds), Pheasant in Asia 1990, World Pheasant Association, Reading, U.K. http://www.nhbs.com/pheasants_in_asia1989_tefno_60184.html Search in Google Scholar
[11] Blair R.B. 1996. Land use and avian species diversity along an urban gradient. Ecol. Appl. 6(2): 506–519. DOI: 10.2307/2269387 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/226938710.2307/2269387Search in Google Scholar
[12] Blair R.B. 2001. Birds and butterflies along urban gradients in two ecoregions of the United States: Is urbanization creating a homogeneous fauna?, pp. 33–56. In: Lockwood J.L. & McKinney M.L. (eds), Biotic Homogenization, The Loss of Diversity through Invasion and Extinction, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston, 289 pp. ISBN: 0306465426 10.1007/978-1-4615-1261-5_3Search in Google Scholar
[13] Blair R.B. 2004. The effect of urban sprawl on birds at multiple level of biological organization. Ecol. Soc. 9(5): 10–11. Search in Google Scholar
[14] Bond R.R. 1957. Ecological distribution of breeding birds in the Upland Forests of Southern Wisconsin. Ecol. Monogr. 27(4): 351–384. DOI: 10.2307/1942269 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/194226910.2307/1942269Search in Google Scholar
[15] Chamberlain D.E., Toms M.P., McHarg R.C. & Banks A.N. 2007. House sparrow (Passer domesticus) habitat use in urbanized landscapes. J. Ornithol. 148(4): 453–462. DOI: 10.1007/s10336-007-0165-x http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10336-007-0165-x10.1007/s10336-007-0165-xSearch in Google Scholar
[16] Chettri N., Jackson R. & Sharma E. 2005. Birds of Khecheopalri and Yuksom-Dzongri trekking corridor west Sikkim. Journal of Hill Research 18(1): 16–25. Search in Google Scholar
[17] Chettri N., Sharma E. & Deb D.C. 2001. Bird community structure along a trekking corridor of Sikkim Himalaya a conservation perspective. Biol. Conserv. 102(1): 1–16. DOI: 10.1016/S0006-3207(01)00092-1 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0006-3207(01)00092-110.1016/S0006-3207(01)00092-1Search in Google Scholar
[18] Clergeau P., Savard J.P.L., Mennechex G. & Falardeau G. 1998. Bird abundance and diversity along an urban-rural gradients: A comparative study between two cities on different continents. Condor 100(3): 413–425. DOI: 10.2307/1369707 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/136970710.2307/1369707Search in Google Scholar
[19] Cody M.L. 1974. Competition and the Structure of Bird Communities. Monographs in Population Biology, Priceton Uni. Press, Priceton, New Jersey, 326 pp. ISBN: 0691081344 Search in Google Scholar
[20] Cody M.L. 1981. Habitat selection in birds: the roles of vegetation structure, competitors, and productivity. BioScience 31(2): 107–113. DOI: 10.2307/1308252 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/130825210.2307/1308252Search in Google Scholar
[21] Cody M.L. 2001. Bird diversity components in Australian Eucalyptus and North temperate Quercus woodlands. Auk 118(2): 443–456. DOI:10.1642/0004-8038 (2001)118[0443: BDCIAE]2.0.CO;2 http://dx.doi.org/10.1642/0004-8038(2001)118[0443:BDCIAE]2.0.CO;2Search in Google Scholar
[22] Colwell R.K. & Lees D.C. 2000. The mid-domain effect: geometric constraints on the geography of species richness. Trends Ecol. Evol. 15(2): 70–76. DOI: 10.1016/S0169-5347(99)01767-X http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0169-5347(99)01767-X10.1016/S0169-5347(99)01767-XSearch in Google Scholar
[23] Colwell R.K., Mao C.X. & Chang J. 2004. Interpolating, extrapolating, and comparing incidence-based species accumulation curves. Ecology 85(10): 2717–2727. DOI: 10.1890/03-0557 http://dx.doi.org/10.1890/03-055710.1890/03-0557Search in Google Scholar
[24] Ding T.S., Yuan H.E., Geng S., Lin Y.S. & Lee P.F. 2005. Energy flux, body size and density in relation to bird species richness along an elevational gradient in Taiwan. Global Ecol. Biogeogr. 14(4): 299–306. DOI: 10.1111/j.1466-822X.2005.00159.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-822X.2005.00159.x10.1111/j.1466-822X.2005.00159.xSearch in Google Scholar
[25] Emlen J.T. 1974. An urban bird community in Tucson, Arizona. Condor 76(2): 184–197. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/136672910.2307/1366729Search in Google Scholar
[26] Gaston K.J. 1994. Rarity, Population and Community Biology. Series 13. Chapman and Hall Ltd., London, 220 pp. ISBN: 9780412475108 10.1007/978-94-011-0701-3Search in Google Scholar
[27] Grimmett R., Inskipp C. & Inskipp T. 2002. Pocket Guide to the Birds of Indian Subcontinent. Christopher Helm Publishers Ltd, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 384 pp. ISBN: 0713663049, 978-0713663044 Search in Google Scholar
[28] Grimmett R., Inskipp C. & Inskipp T. 1998. Birds of the Indian Subcontinent. Oxford University Press, New Delhi, 888 pp. ISBN: 0195649079, 9780195649079 Search in Google Scholar
[29] Hole D., Whittingham M.J., Bradbury R., Anderson G., Lee T., Wilson J. & Krebs J. 2002. Widespread local house sparrow extinctions. Nature 418(6901): 931–932. DOI: 10.1038/418931a http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/418931a10.1038/418931aSearch in Google Scholar PubMed
[30] Huhtalo H. & Jarvinen O. 1977. Quantitative composition of the urban bird community in Tornio, Northern Finland. Bird Study 24(3): 179–185. DOI: 10.1080/00063657709476554 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0006365770947655410.1080/00063657709476554Search in Google Scholar
[31] Hulbert A.H. & Haskell J.P. 2003. The effect of energy and seasonality in avian species richness and community composition. Am. Nat. 161(1): 83–97. DOI: 10.1086/345459 http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/34545910.1086/345459Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[32] James F.C. 1971. Ordination of Habitat Relationships among Breeding Birds. Wilson Bull. 83(3): 215–236. Search in Google Scholar
[33] Jokimaki J., Clergeau P. & Kaisanlahti-Jokimaki M.L. 2002. Winter bird communities in urban habitats: a comparative study between central and northern Europe. J. Biogeogr. 29(1): 69–79. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2699.2002.00649.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2699.2002.00649.x10.1046/j.1365-2699.2002.00649.xSearch in Google Scholar
[34] Jokimaki J. & Suhonen J. 1993. Effects of urbanization on the breeding bird species richness in Finland: A biogeographical comparison. Ornis Fennica 70(2): 71–77. Search in Google Scholar
[35] Jokimaki J., Suhonen J., Inai K. & Jokinen S. 1996. Biogeographical comparison of winter bird assemblages in urban environment in Finland. J. Biogeogr. 23(3): 379–386. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2699.1996.00033.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2699.1996.00033.x10.1046/j.1365-2699.1996.00033.xSearch in Google Scholar
[36] Kai K.H. & Corlett R.T. 2002. Seasonality of forest in vertebrates in Hong Kong, South China. J. Trop. Ecol. 18(part 4): 637–644. DOI: 10.1017/S0266467402002419 10.1017/S0266467402002419Search in Google Scholar
[37] Karr J.A. 1976. Within and between habitat avian diversity in Africa and Neotropical lowland habitats. Ecol. Monogr. 46(4): 457–481. DOI: 10.2307/1942566 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/194256610.2307/1942566Search in Google Scholar
[38] Kattan G.H. & Franco P. 2004. Bird diversity along elevational gradients in the Andes of Colombia: area and mass effects. Global Ecol. Biogeogr. 13(5): 451–458. DOI: 10.1111/j.1466-822X.2004.00117.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1466-822X.2004.00117.x10.1111/j.1466-822X.2004.00117.xSearch in Google Scholar
[39] Kessler M., Herzog S.K., Fjeldsa J. & Bach K. 2001. Species richness and endemism of plant and bird communities along two gradients of elevation, humidity and land use in the Bolivian Andes. Divers. Distrib. 7(1–2): 61–77. DOI: 10.1046/j.1472-4642.2001.00097.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1472-4642.2001.00097.x10.1046/j.1472-4642.2001.00097.xSearch in Google Scholar
[40] Lancaster R.K. & Rees W.E. 1979. Bird communities and the structure of urban habitats. Can. J. Zool. 57(12): 2358–2368. DOI: 10.1139/z79-307 http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z79-30710.1139/z79-307Search in Google Scholar
[41] Landers P.B. & MacMahon J.A. 1983. Community organization of arboreal birds in some oak woodlands of western North America. Ecol. Monogr. 53(2): 183–208. DOI: 10.2307/1942494 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/194249410.2307/1942494Search in Google Scholar
[42] Lee P.F., Ding T.S., Hsu F.H. & Gerg S. 2004. Breeding bird species richness in Taiwan distribution on gradients of elevation, primary productivity and urbanization. J. Biogeogr. 31(2): 307–314. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.0305-0270.2003.00988.x10.1046/j.0305-0270.2003.00988.xSearch in Google Scholar
[43] Loiselle B.A. & Blake J.G. 1991. Temporal variation in birds and fruits along an elevation gradient in Costa Rica. Ecology 72(1): 180–193. DOI: 10.2307/1938913 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/193891310.2307/1938913Search in Google Scholar
[44] Lomolino M.V. 2001. Elevational gradients of species density: historical and prospective views. Global Ecol. Biogeogr. 10(1): 3–13. DOI: 10.1046/j.1466-822x.2001.00229.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1466-822x.2001.00229.x10.1046/j.1466-822x.2001.00229.xSearch in Google Scholar
[45] MacArthur R.H. & MacArthur J.W. 1961. On bird species diversity. Ecology 42(3): 594–598. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/193225410.2307/1932254Search in Google Scholar
[46] Magurran A.E. 2004. Measuring Biological Diversity. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford Australia, 256 pp. ISBN: 0-632-05633-9 Search in Google Scholar
[47] Maurer B.A. & Whitmore R.C. 1981. Foraging of five bird species in two forests with different vegetation structure. Wilson Bull. 93(4): 478–490. Search in Google Scholar
[48] McAleece N., Lambshead P.J.D., Paterson G.L.J. & Gage J.D. 1997. Biodiversity Professional: Free Statistics Software for Ecology. London: The Natural History Museum, London & The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Scotland. BioDiversity Pro, 1997 NHM & SAMS Search in Google Scholar
[49] McKinney M.L. & Lockwood J.L. 2001. Biotic homogenization: A sequential and selective process, pp. 1–17. In: Lockwood J.L. & McKinney M.L. (ed.), Biotic Homogenization. New York: Kluwer Academic, Plenum Publisher, 289 pp. ISBN: 0306465426, 9780306465420 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-1261-5_110.1007/978-1-4615-1261-5_1Search in Google Scholar
[50] McNeely J.A., Miller K.R., Reid W.V., Mittermeier R.A. & Werner T.B. 1990. Conserving the World’s Biological Diversity. IUCN, World Resources Institute, Conservation International, WWF-US and the World Bank: Washington, DC, 193 pp. ISBN: 0915825422, 9780915825424 Search in Google Scholar
[51] Norris D.R. & Marra P.P. 2007. Seasonal interactions, habitat quality and population dynamics in migratory birds. Condor 109(3): 535–547. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1650/8350.1 http://dx.doi.org/10.1650/8350.110.1650/8350.1Search in Google Scholar
[52] Nourteva P. 1971. The synanthropy of birds as an expression of the ecological cycle disorder caused by urbanization. Ann. Zool. Fenn. 8: 547–553. Search in Google Scholar
[53] Peach W., Vincent K., Ockendon N., Orsman C. & Noble D. 2006. Environmental causes of the decline of house sparrow: a review of the evidence. J. Ornithol. 147(5) Suppl. 1: 19. Search in Google Scholar
[54] Perrins C.M. & Birkhead T.R. 1983. Avian Ecology. New York: Blackie and Son Ltd., 221 pp. ISBN: 0216914779, 9780216914773 Search in Google Scholar
[55] Price T., Jennifer Z., Kartika J. & Nitin J. 2003. Bird species diversity along Himalaya: a comparison of Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 100: 394–408. Search in Google Scholar
[56] Rahbek C. 1995. The elevational gradient of species richness: a uniform pattern? Ecography 18(2): 200–205. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0587.1995.tb00341.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.1995.tb00341.x10.1111/j.1600-0587.1995.tb00341.xSearch in Google Scholar
[57] Rahbek C. 1997. The relationship among area, elevation and regional species richness in Neotropical birds. Am. Nat. 149(5): 875–902. DOI: 10.1086/286028 http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/28602810.1086/286028Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[58] Rahbek C. 2005. The role of spatial scale and the perception of large-scale species-richness patterns. Ecol. Lett. 8(2): 224–239. DOI: 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2004.00701.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2004.00701.x10.1111/j.1461-0248.2004.00701.xSearch in Google Scholar
[59] Raman T.R.S. 2006. Effects of habitat structure and adjacent habitats on birds in tropical rainforest fragments and shaded plantations in the Western Ghats, India. Biodiver.Conserv. 15(4): 1577–1607. DOI: 10.1007/s10531-005-2352-5 http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10531-005-2352-510.1007/s10531-005-2352-5Search in Google Scholar
[60] Raman T.R.S., Rawat G.S. & Johnsingh A.J.T. 1998. Recovery of tropical rainforest avifauna in relation to vegetation succession following shifting cultivation in Mizoram, Northeast India. J. Appl. Ecol. 35(2): 214–231. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2664.1998.00297.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.1998.00297.x10.1046/j.1365-2664.1998.00297.xSearch in Google Scholar
[61] Sabo S.R. & Holmes R.T. 1983. Foraging niches and the structure of forest bird communities in contrasting montane habitats. Condor 85(2): 121–138. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/136724510.2307/1367245Search in Google Scholar
[62] Safiq T., Javed S. & Khan J.A. 1997. Bird community structure of middle altitude oak forest in Kumaon Himalayas, India a preliminary investigation. Int. J. Ecol. Environ. Sci. 23(4): 389–400. Search in Google Scholar
[63] Siriwardena G.M., Baillie S.R., Buckland S.T., Fewster R.M., Marchant J.H. & Wilson J.D. 1998. Trends in the abundance of farmland birds: A quantative comparision of smmothed Common Birds Census indices. J. Appl. Ecol. 35(1): 24–43. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2664.1998.00275.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2664.1998.00275.x10.1046/j.1365-2664.1998.00275.xSearch in Google Scholar
[64] Smith W.J. 1977. The Behaviour of Communication. Havard University Press, Cambridge, MA, 545 pp. ISBN: 0674064658, 9780674064652 Search in Google Scholar
[65] Stevens G.C. 1992. The elevational gradient in altitudinal range: an extension of Rapoport’s latitudinal rule to altitude. Am. Nat. 140(6): 893–911. PMID: 19426029 http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/28544710.1086/285447Search in Google Scholar PubMed
[66] Sultana A., Hussain M.S. & Khan J.A. 2007. Bird communities of the proposed Naina and Pindari wildlife sanctuary in the Kumaon Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 104(1): 19–29. Search in Google Scholar
[67] Sultana A. & Khan J.A. 1999. Avian community in the Kumaon Himalaya, India — a preliminary study. Int. J. Ecol. Environ. Sci. 25(2): 167–176. Search in Google Scholar
[68] Sultana A. & Khan J.A. 2000. Birds of oak forests in the Kumaon Himalaya, Uttar Pradesh, India. Forktail 16: 131–146. Search in Google Scholar
[69] Summers-Smith J.D. 2003. Decline of the House Sparrow: A Review. Br. Birds 96: 439–446. Search in Google Scholar
[70] Terborgh J. 1971. Distribution on environmental gradients theory and a preliminary interpretation of distributional patterns in the avifauna of the Cordillera Vilcabamba, Peru. Ecology 52(1): 23–40. DOI: 10.2307/1934735 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/193473510.2307/1934735Search in Google Scholar
[71] Terborgh J. & Weske J.S. 1975. The role of competition in the distribution of Andean birds. Ecology 56(3): 562–576. DOI: 10.2307/1935491 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/193549110.2307/1935491Search in Google Scholar
[72] Terborgh J. 1977. Bird species diversity on an Andean elevational gradient. Ecology 58(5): 1007–1019. DOI: 10.2307/1936921 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/193692110.2307/1936921Search in Google Scholar
[73] Tiwari A.K., Agarwal A., Kumar S. & Tiwari S.C. 2005. Analysis of land use and biomass in Khanda watershed, Garhwal Himalaya, using satellite remote sensing data. Trop. Ecol. 46(2): 253–263. Search in Google Scholar
[74] Vazquez G.J.A. & Givnish T.J. 1998. Altitudinal gradients in tropical forest composition, structure and avian diversity in the Sierra de Manantlan. J. Ecol. 86(6): 999–1020. DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2745.1998.00325.x http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2745.1998.00325.x10.1046/j.1365-2745.1998.00325.xSearch in Google Scholar
[75] Verner J. 1985. Assessment of counting techniques. Curr. Ornithol. 2: 247–302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2385-3_810.1007/978-1-4613-2385-3_8Search in Google Scholar
[76] Whittaker R.H. 1960. Vegetation of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon and California. Ecol. Monogr. 30(3): 279–338. DOI: 10.2307/1943563 http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/194356310.2307/1943563Search in Google Scholar
[77] Wiens J.A. 1989. The Ecology of Bird Communities. Foundations and Patterns. Vol. 1, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 539 pp. ISBN:0521260302, 0521426340 e-book: http://www.amazon.com/Ecology-Communities-Foundations-Patterns-Cambridge/dp/0521426340#reader0521426340 http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/CBO978051160856810.1017/CBO9780511608568Search in Google Scholar
[78] Zar J.H. 1984. Biostatistical Analysis. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 718 pp. ISBN: 0130779253/0-13-077925-3. Search in Google Scholar
[79] www.nbaindia.org/faq.htm (accessed 15.05.2010) Search in Google Scholar
[80] www://pauri.nic.in/land.htm (accessed 15.05.2010) Search in Google Scholar
[81] oldwww.wii.gov.in/envis/rainforest/chapter12 (accessed 15.05. 2010) Search in Google Scholar
[82] www.mapsofindia.com (accessed 15.05.2010) Search in Google Scholar
© 2012 Slovak Academy of Sciences
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.