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Habitat preferences of the forest birds on the island of Príncipe, Gulf of Guinea
Author(s) -
Dallimer Martin,
King Tony
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
african journal of ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1365-2028
pISSN - 0141-6707
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2028.2007.00891.x
Subject(s) - threatened species , geography , national park , habitat , subspecies , conservation status , ecology , habitat destruction , near threatened species , biodiversity , fishery , biology , archaeology
Abstract The forests of southwest Príncipe are recognized as important for biodiversity conservation. Here, we study the distribution and density of fifteen of the island’s endemic bird species (including three Globally Threatened and one Near‐Threatened) within the National Park. The endemic subspecies of the Near‐Threatened Gulf of Guinea thrush occurred at a density of 0.08 birds ha −1 , which is far lower than its sister subspecies on the neighbouring island of São Tomé. We also present evidence that the effects of access routes around the protected area exert an influence on bird species within the National Park. The grey parrot, which still suffers from illegal hunting, was more likely to be encountered further away from roads, with 25% of variation in its occurrence explained by distance to the nearest road. In addition, the occurrence of all four threatened species was more likely further from access routes. Careful consideration must therefore be given to the potential impacts within the National Park of developments outside the currently protected area.