Response of a globally endangered canopy insectivore to habitat degradation in an East African tropical rainforest: The role of differential forest protection levels

This study examined the interplay between anthropogenic habitat degradation, forest protection level and density of Turner’s Eremomela (TE) (Eremomela turneri), a globally endangered bird in Kenya’s Kakamega forest. Sampling was conducted from May-June 2012 in two contiguous and one isolated forest blocks. Logging intensity, canopy height and cover, plant species richness and other key anthropogenic disturbance were used to characterize habitat quality. Density, encounter rates and TE spatial occurrence were determined using distance sampling. Combined TE density was 0.43 SE 0.09 ha-1(N = 7, p = 0.03) and was higher in the most protected north block. Estimated overall population in closed canopy forest was 4,282 (CI = 3,417 to 5,147). High canopy cover boosted TE density (R2 = 0.786, N = 7). Logging intensity was the key driver of forest disturbance (R = 0.742; p = 0.052) leading to reduced canopy cover (R = -0.658, p = 0.050) and reduced plant species richness (R = 0.771, p = 0.042). However, TE presence in the Kisere fragment suggests resilience to some level of isolation or forest disturbance provided sizeable near-primary forest is maintained. An effective medium term conservation strategy should include stricter forest protection and reforesting logged areas to reduce the impact of logging.     Key words: Eremomela turneri, human impact, habitat quality, forest protection.