Avian diversity in forest gaps of Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda

Abstract

We studied gap avifaunal diversity in eight forest gaps within Kibale National

Park using point counts. A total of 348 individuals comprising 55 species were

recorded. A species-accumulation curve showed that, although not all possible

species were recorded, this was a reliable representation of the entire gap

avian diversity of Kibale forest. Next, we categorized the observed avifauna

in terms of forest dependence and feeding guilds. Whereas the proportions

based on forest-dependency were significantly different from the expected

proportions when considering the avian community for the entire forest,

those based on feeding guilds were not. Gap size and vegetation cover density

both had positive correlations with species richness and abundance, though

not always statistically significant. This study shows that gaps significantly

contribute to the overall avian species richness of Kibale forest. This could be

either through supporting entirely different species, or providing a burst of

new resources that enables forest species to extend their home ranges or live

at higher densities.