Distribution and abundance of avifauna on the foothills of Mt. Pangasugan, Baybay, Leyte, Philippines

Teofanes  A. Patindol,; Maritess  B. Labrador,

Distribution and abundance of avifauna on the foothills of Mt. Pangasugan, Baybay, Leyte, Philippines

Maritess B. Labrador | Teofanes A. Patindol

Abstract:

Labrador, M. B. and T. A. Patindol. 2006. Distribution and abundance of avifauna on the foothills of Mt. Pangasugan, Baybay, Leyte. Ann. Trop._ Res. 28(2):111 ·128. This study determined the distribution and abundance of avifauna on the foothills of Mount Pangasugan using the standard transect method. A total of 46 avifaunal species belonging to 12 orders and 27 families with 24% endernism were found in the three selected sites based on habitat types, degree of disturbance and elevation range . .Most represented order is Passeriformes while the most represented family is Columbidae. Patterns of distribution and abundance of avifauna tend to be associatedwith habitat type and degree of disturbance. The most abundant and most frequently encountered species are the generalists, which can tolerate various degree of disturbance in a wide range of habitats; the least frequently occurring and least abundant species are mostly endemic interior species which prefer relatively intact forest at higher elevations where disturbance is very minimal. These specialist groups of avifaunal species, which are mostly internationally recognized as threatened, show unique association with particular habitat type, thus considered to be highly sensitive to habitat change. Protection-of the remaining forests in Mount Pangasugan is deemed necessary for the survival of these interior species.

References:

ASID, R. 2005. Avifaunal Survey in the Wetlands of Leyte State University Campus. Unpublished B. S. Forestry Field Practice Manuscript. Leyte State University, Baybay, Leyte. 25 pp.
ASIO, V. B. 1994. The geology, geomorphology and soils of Leyte. In: Lecture Notes for the Southeast Asian Island Ecosystem Workshop & Seminar, 4-15 April 1994, VISCA, Baybay, Leyte pp.64-73.
CORONAS, J. 1920. Climate and Weather of the Philippines. Bureau of Printing. Manila. 189 pp.
DUPONT, J. E. 1971. Philippine Birds. Monograph Series No. 2. Delaware Museum of Natural History. Greenville, Delaware, USA. 139pp.
FISHER, T. and N. HICKS, 2000. Birds of the Philippines: A Photographic Guide. New Holland Publishers, Ltd. UK. 144pp.
GONZALES, P. C. and C. P. REES, 1988. Birds of the Philippines. Haribon Foundation for the Conservation of Natural Resources, Inc. Manila, Philippines. 184p.
HARIBON FOUNDATION, Undated. Guidelines for Bird Surveys. Quezon City, Philippines. 4pp.
HEANEY, L. R., P. D. HEIDEMANN, E. A. RICKARF, R. B. UTZWIRUM, and J. S. KLOMPEN, 1989. Elevational zonation of mammals in the Central Philippines. Tropical Ecology 5:259-280.
KENNEY, R.S., P.C. GONZALES, E.H. DICKINSON, H.C. MIRANDA Jr., and T.H. FISHER. 2000. A Guide to the Birds of the Philippines. Oxford University Press, Oxford New York. 369р.
MAGURRAN, A. 1988. Ecological Diversity and Its Measurement. Chapman and Hall. Princeton University. 179pp.
MALLARI, N. A. D., B. R. TABARANZA and M. CROSBY. 2001. The Important Bird Areas in the Philippines. Haring Ibon. 485pp.
TICSAY, M. V. and M. M. LEDESMA. 1998. Faunal inventory of Naujan Lake Natural Park and its adjacent watershed, Oriental Mindoro, Philippine. Sylvatrop. Technical Journal of the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Resources. 8 (1&2); 62-78.