Impact of shade management on avifaunal diversity Case study of the coffee agroforestry systems of Kodagu, Western Ghats (India) Harish T.T., Prakash,, C.G. Kushalappa WAC Conference – Nairobi 2009

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi2 Introduction  Avian community studies as tools for monitoring forest and agroforest ecosystems.  Few reports available on bird diversity of Western Ghats.  Landscape level dynamics question the ecological sustainability of the production system  Complementing existing tree biodiversity assessments

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi3 Objectives To determine and compare the similarity in bird species composition across semi- evergreen and moist deciduous vegetation types. To assess the impact changes on the canopy cover have on bird species diversity. To study the community structure and organization of bird species based on their food and feeding habitat. To prepare a checklist of birds of Cauvery watershed area.

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi4 Study Area

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi5 Sampling 500m 50m

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi6 Methods The bird numbers on either side of the transect while on a walk along the transect was recorded between 7.00 A.M to 9.00 A.M and 4.00 A.M to 6.00 P.M The species identification based on Ali (1996) and Grimmett et al., (1999). 25 m 200m 25 m Line Transect method

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi7 Distribution of species among habitats

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi8 Comparison of biodiversity measures Diversity Parameters Moist Deciduous Semi-evergreen Native plantations Silver oak plantations Native plantation Silver oak plantation Shannon's Diversity Species Richness Evenness Index Beta Diversity

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi9 Canopy diversity and bird diversity

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi10 Canopy density and bird diversity

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi11 Impact of G. robusta on bird diversity

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi12 Food Guild Moist deciduousSemi-evergreen Native plantation Silver oak plantation Native plantations Silver oak plantation Aquatic Feeder 1000 Birds of Prey4010 Frugivorous Granivorous 4141 Insectivorous Nectarivorous 4020 Omnivorous95115 Food Guild across habitats The birds such as the Spotted Dove, Green Bee-eater, Greater Coucal, Red- vented Bulbul, Scarlet Minivet, House Crow were more abundant in moist deciduous region. The birds such as Large-billed Crow, Scarlet Minivet, Red-whiskered Bulbul, White-cheeked Barbet, Brown-headed Barbet, Hill Myna, Indian Grey Hornbill, Spotted Dove and House Crow were more abundant in SEG.

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi13 Foraging Guild Moist deciduousSemi-evergreen Native plantation Silver oak plantation Native plantation Silver oak plantation Bark Gleaner 7364 Foliage Gleaner Ground Gleaner Hawker9242 Water / Wet-mud prober 1000 Perch-to-site species 5152 Sallying species Foraging Guild of Birds found in different habitats Foliage gleaners, ground gleaner, sallying bird species were more abundant in SEG. Foliage gleaners, ground gleaner were more in plantations with native tree cover. Ground gleaner and foliage gleaner were abundant in silver oak plantations in moist deciduous region. Foliage gleaner, ground gleaner and sallying bird species were more abundant in plantations with native tree cover Foliage gleaner and ground gleaner were more in silver oak plantations in semi-evergreen area.

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi14 Endemic Birds of Western Ghats Endemic Birds of Western Ghats Endemic SpeciesHabitats HornbillSEG, MD Malabar ParakeetSEG, MD Nilgiri FlycatcherSEG, MD White-bellied TreepieSEG, MD Out of 16 endemic bird species of Western Ghats, 4 endemic species viz., Malabar Grey Hornbill, Malabar Parakeet, Nilgiri Flycatcher, White-bellied Treepie were recognised in both SEG & MD. Nilgiri Flycatcher is one of the Threatened species was recognised in both SEG & MD as per Islam and Rahmani (2002 ).

August 27, 2009WCA Conference, Nairobi15 In a nutshell The management practices in coffee plantation to give importance for retention of native tree species in the shade layer and native forests in the landscape are necessary. Coffee plantations play an important role in the maintenance of diverse bird populations in Kodagu, and as a dry season refuge for mobile populations of omnivores, frugivores and nectarivores.