Deciduous forests hold conservation value for birds within South Andaman Island, India

Ecological Applications, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 35(2)

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Abstract Greater diversity of habitats on islands is often correlated with higher species richness (including endemic and threatened taxa), implying the need to understand species–habitat associations. Such habitat associations could also point toward role abiotic filtering competition in structuring communities, necessitating examination traits phylogenetic relationships intra‐island community organization, an aspect poorly examined literature. We investigated composition forest bird communities closely co‐occurring evergreen deciduous forests within South Andaman Island (Indian Ocean), wherein importance for birds undervalued. sampled 27 transects over 2 years compared across two habitats. species‐specific (forest) type, basal area, distance from human settlements, tested whether these were explained by functional signal after factoring effects environmental predictors. Bird compositions markedly distinct types, having greater taxonomic functional, but not phylogenetic, birds. The distribution birds, including several island, was largely type (with 39% analyzed showing occurrence probabilities forests), followed settlements area. did find evidence or mediating preferences, perhaps due a relatively impoverished pool, as typical islands. Nevertheless, our results underscore value harboring high islandic being preferred species. Given historic focus increasing anthropogenic pressure Andamans, we highlight critical include rapidly diminishing existing conservation plans.

Язык: Английский

Trait‐independent habitat associations explain low co‐occurrence in native and exotic birds on a tropical volcanic island

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 13(7)

Опубликована: Июль 1, 2023

On oceanic islands, strong human impacts on habitats, combined with introductions of exotic species, modify the composition terrestrial bird assemblages and threaten their ecological functions. In La Réunion, an island located in Madagascan region, a national park was established 2007 to counter ecosystem-level effects three centuries habitat conversion, native species destruction introductions. Here, we investigated how were structured these human-modified landscapes, 10 years before set out its first conservation measures. We used combination multivariate statistics generalized additive models describe variations taxonomic functional diversity 372 local assemblages, encompassing 20 along gradients configuration. found that tied habitats while associated urban areas man-modified landscape mosaics, some overlap at mid-elevations. Species' trophic preferences segregated gradients, but traits had overall weak role explaining assemblages. Hence, time survey, Réunion formed two spatially distinct contrasting trait suites benefited from antagonistic compositions dynamics. conclude our results support analysis historical data sets establish reference points monitor insular ecosystems.

Язык: Английский

Deciduous forests hold conservation value for birds within South Andaman Island, India

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 2, 2024

ABSTRACT Greater diversity of habitats on islands is often correlated with higher species richness (including endemic and threatened taxa), implying the need to understand species-habitat associations. Such habitat associations would also point towards role abiotic filtering competition in structuring communities, necessitating examination traits phylogenetic relationships intra-island community organisation, an aspect poorly examined literature. We investigated composition forest bird communities closely co-occurring evergreen deciduous forests within South Andaman Island (Indian Ocean), wherein importance for birds undervalued. sampled 27 transects over two years compared across habitats. species-specific (forest) type, basal area, distance from human settlements, tested if these responses were explained by functional niche conservatism after factoring effects environmental predictors. Bird compositions markedly distinct types, having greater taxonomic, but not or phylogenetic, birds. The distribution birds, including several island was largely type (with 39% analysed showing occurrence probabilities forests), followed settlements area. did find evidence mediating preferences, perhaps due a relatively impoverished pool, as typical islands. Nevertheless, our results underscore value harbouring high islandic diversity, being preferred species. Given historic focus increasing anthropogenic pressure Andamans, we highlight critical include rapidly diminishing existing conservation plans.

Язык: Английский