Avifauna species richness and abundance in relation to habitat features in selected areas of Guinea Savanna Zone, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the avifaunal species richness and abundance in relation to habitat features in Guinea Savanna Zone of  Nigeria. Point count method was employed to record bird species in four stratified habitats – forest, woodland, grassland and riverside,  while Quadrats were used to record plant species and habitat features. Grassland habitat had the highest plant species abundance while  forest had the highest species richness. Among all the habitat features, only tree density showed a positive association with the bird  species abundance, richness and diversity because trees serve as the main niches for most bird species. However, water cover was the  only feature that showed significant positive correlation with bird abundance because most colonial species converge at such habitat for  the abundant food, water, nesting materials and breeding. In conclusion, the assessment of the vegetation composition and structure of  the Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria has revealed the impacts of habitat disturbance on the avifaunal diversity, and indices of climate  change have been recorded.