Norfolk et al_AJE_v3.pdf (754.38 kB)
Birds in the matrix: the role of agriculture in avian conservation in the Taita Hills, Kenya
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 00:12 authored by Olivia Norfolk, Martin Jung, Philip J Platts, Phillista Malaki, Dickens Odeny, Rob MarchantAgricultural conversion of tropical forests is a major driver of biodiversity loss. Slowing rates of deforestation is a conservation priority, but it is also useful to consider how species diversity is retained across the agricultural matrix. Here we assess how bird diversity varies in relation to land use in the Taita Hills, Kenya. We used point counts to survey birds along a land-use gradient that included primary forest, secondary vegetation, agroforest, timber plantation and cropland. We found that the agricultural matrix supports an abundant and diverse bird community with high levels of species turnover, but that forest specialists are confined predominantly to primary forest, with the matrix dominated by forest visitors. Ordination analyses showed that representation of forest specialists decreases with distance from primary forest. With the exception of forest generalists, bird abundance and diversity are lowest in timber plantations. Contrary to expectation, we found feeding guilds at similar abundances in all land-use types. We conclude that while the agricultural matrix, and agroforest in particular, makes a strong contribution to observed bird diversity at the landscape scale, intact primary forest is essential for maintaining this diversity, especially among species of conservation concern.
Funding
MSc Travel Grant; DANIDA; A26811
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Accepted version
Journal
African Journal of EcologyISSN
0141-6707Publisher
WileyExternal DOI
Issue
4Volume
55Page range
530-540Department affiliated with
- Biology and Environmental Science Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2016-11-21First Open Access (FOA) Date
2018-02-25First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2016-11-19Usage metrics
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