Abstract

BARRERA-CAUSIL, Carlos; GALEANO, Edwar Guarín; MONCADA, Paula Salazar  and  ROJAS, Jessica María. Estimation of Diversity Curves of Birds in Colombian Andean Forest Fragments. TecnoL. [online]. 2023, vol.26, n.58, e206.  Epub Mar 06, 2024. ISSN 0123-7799.  https://doi.org/10.22430/22565337.2830.

The bird species worldwide have faced threats from human or natural factors affecting their habitat. Some of these factors result in forest fragmentation, directly impacting biodiversity. Therefore, estimating bird richness and abundance is necessary to have mathematical tools for assessing environmental impact, designing sustainable projects, and monitoring ecosystem health. This study used Hill indices to evaluate bird richness and abundance in Andean forest fragments located in the municipality of Belmira, Antioquia, Colombia, aiming to identify their potential for birdwatching. The methodology included species sampling using transects as the main method for data collection and analysis. Subsequently, models of accumulation curves, rarefaction curves, and extrapolation were carried out, along with the calculation of birdwatching potential in the study area. Additionally, correlations between landscape variables and Hill index estimates were explored. The results revealed Hill diversity indices with medium to high values in the examined forest fragments, concluding that especially fragment 3 showed a higher potential for birdwatching based on observed trends in accumulation curves. A significant negative correlation was observed between calculated diversity indices and the distance to water bodies, indicating that species richness and abundance increase as the observation point gets closer to water bodies. Furthermore, a potential for birdwatching exceeding 24 points for more than 23 species in the study area was identified, indicating high attractiveness for birdwatching according to the employed methodology.

Keywords : Accumulation curves; deforestation; extrapolation; Hill numbers; biodiversity; species richness..

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