The Preliminary Survey of the Understory Birds in UMS Campus

International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu

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The Preliminary Survey of the Understory Birds

in UMS Campus

Jephte Sompud, Andy Russel Mojiol, Emily A. Gilbert, and Megat Amir

Forestry Complex, Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Jalan

UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu Sabah

ABSTRACT

Birds are amongst the important agent of maintaining the forest ecological balance. They are

known to be a potential bioindicator of forest ecosystem health. This study focuses to document

the diversity of understory birds at the proposed arboretum (about 3.1 hectare) of UMS Campus.

It elapsed from the 19 February to 14 March 2014 for the period of 24 days of survey.

Vegetation survey and bird surveys were conducted during this study. The vegetation survey was

conducted using sampling plot that enumerates trees with DHB 10cm and above. Trees were

identified up to species level. Mist netting was employed the bird survey to capture diurnal and

nocturnal birds. Captured birds were identified, measured according to standard methods and

ring banded. The results of this study show that the vegetation at the proposed arboretum is

naturally regenerated acacia forest. The results of the study shows nine families of birds

occurring in the arboretum, of which seven families were diurnal birds and two families were

nocturnal birds. The family Alcedinidae was the most abundance (48%), was followed by

Rhipiduridae (16%), Pycnonotiidae (12%) and Timaliidae (12%). There were 10 species of birds

recorded and 28 individuals were captured. Nocturnal birds documented were the Reddish Scoop

Owl (Otus rufescens) and Savannah nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis) Studies of birds diversity in

naturally regenerated acacia forest in Sabah is still lacking. The proposed Arboretum plays a

significant role as a green corridor habitat for birds in providing food and shelter by the

displayed high biodiversity of birds. This small forest island should be conserved for biodiversity

conservation as well as an educational ground for students and tourist.

Keywords: Avifauna, Diurnal bird, Nocturnal bird, UMS campus, Proposed Arboretum, Sabah


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INTRODUCTION

Borneo Island consists of more than 300 species of birds (Lambert & Collar, 2002), found

usually at lowland forest inclusive those species classified as endemic (Edwards et al., 2009).

Birds are a group of mammal that has a distinct relationship with trees and its environment. They

depend on the surrounding trees as their shelter and food source. As such, bird has become one

of the famous biodiversity indicators. The selection of bird as a bioindicator is due to its

sensitivity in detecting the changes that occurs within the habitat through the changes of its

population diversity (Zakaria et al., 2005).

Development is inevitable as human civilization progresses. One of the impacts of development

is forest fragmentation affecting biodiversity (Hartley, 2002). This is especially true in urban

areas. This study was conducted with the aim to assess the diurnal and nocturnal of understory

bird population diversity in an urban area, namely within Universiti Malaysia (UMS) Campus

compound.

Available published information regarding the avifauna community in UMS campus is very

scarce. Several studies were conducted in the recent decade but they were conducted only for

academic training and archived as undergraduate dissertations. UMS is heading towards an Eco-

Campus by 2018 and One of the seven research key areas set by UMS is ‘Committing to

environmental sustainability’ by cultivating environmental citizenship among the students and

staff through university activities, practice and operations. This study supports UMS aspirations

by systematically documenting its biodiversity.

The objective of this study is to (1) to assess the vegetation at the proposed arboretum (2) to

document the understory bird community that is present in the study site.

STUDY SITE

The study site of this research was at the proposed Arboretum of Forestry Complex (formerly

known as School of International Tropical Forestry, SITF) in UMS Campus. The arboretum is

located at N6o02’6” and E116o07’30” with the elevation ranging from 12-33m a.s.l. with hilly

terrain. A permanent pool exists in this site.

This site was proposed by SITF staff in 2010 to become as an Arboretum for the educational

ground for the School. However, there is no decision yet from the UMS top management to

endorse it as an Arboretum. This site is being used by the academicians at the Forestry Complex

for the learning activities. Among the recent one was the indigenous species tree planting by


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students and the staff in September 2013 that is known as MYTREE as part of the activity of

welcoming the new student in SITF.

FIGURE 1: The Location of the study site.

MATERIALS & METHODS

This study elapsed for 24 days from the 19 February to 14 March 2014. The methods employed

during the study were namely, vegetation survey and bird survey. Each of the survey elapsed for

12 days respectively.

The vegetation survey was conducted using secondary and primary data collection. The

secondary data collection was performed through literature review inclusive of satellite image

downloaded Google Earth Professional based on time series. The primary data collection for

vegetation was conducted from 5th March to 14 March 2014 for 12 days. A vegetation plot of 20

x 20 metres with 5 replicates was established randomly in the forested area. The total area of

vegetation sampled was 0.2 hectare. Newton (2007) stated that a total of 0.1 hectare is sufficient

to represent the vegetation of an area. We chose to double this minimum sampling area to ensure

that our sample represents the true vegetation of the study site. Trees with the measurement of 10


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DBH and above were enumerated in those vegetation plots, as follows (Herrera-Montes, 2011).

A standard data form was used to document the tree identifications. Tree samples such as leaves,

fruits and/or flower were taken for identification. The tree samples were compared with the

herbarium collection from Kinabalu Park with the aid of the Botany Unit.

For bird survey, mist netting was conducted to sample diurnal and nocturnal birds. The mist netused was of 2.5 x 6 x 4 feet (no.4). Three mist nets were installed with the distance intervals of50 metres were established. These mist nets were relocated every three days according to thestandard methods done by Zakaria et al. (2005) to ensure maximum capture success. Diurnalunderstory bird sampling was conducted from 6 am until 5 pm. The nets were checked every twohours intervals. Meanwhile, for nocturnal bird survey, it was conducted from 6 pm until 6 am,the next day. The net was checked for every hour from 6 pm until 10 pm and was left openeduntil 6 am the next morning for check up. This means that the mist net was opened for 24 hourseach day to capture diurnal and nocturnal birds. Captured birds were identified, measuredaccording to standard methods and ring banded.

The data analysis conducted were mainly descriptive analysis for both vegetation and bird data.

Diversity index of Shannon-wiener was calculated to quantify the population diversity of birds to

enable comparisons with past studies.

The study scope and limitations

The scope of the study focuses only on the understory diurnal and nocturnal birds at the study

site known as the proposed Arboretum. The method used for bird sampling was strictly using

mist netting. This study was only a preliminary study elapsing for only 12 days of bird survey, as

there were no published study on bird community in this study site.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Vegetation

The results derived from the primary data collection on the vegetation recorded 79 individual

trees with 15 families. The highest species found at the proposed Arboretum was the Acacia sp.

This species consisted of about 80% of the total standing trees that were sampled.


Figure 1: Five most dominant species in the proposed Arboretum in UMS campus.

The satellite image derived from the Goog

2002, 2005, 2009 and 2012 (Figure 2) sho

UMS campus was established in 1994 (S

cleared for built environment; however the

study area was completely cleared. The veg

regenerated acacia forest of about 12 years

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Acacia sp. Eleocarpus sp Syzygium sp. Mangifera indica Fissistigma sp.

77%

4% 3% 1% 1%

s

Per

cen

tag

esof

tota

ln

umbe

ro

fin

div

idu

als

Tree specie

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le earth pro based on time series on four years, i.e.,

ws the steady natural regeneration of tree stands. The

ugawara et al. 2009), most of the forested area was

re was no evidence that suggests that the trees in the

etation results show that the study site was a naturally

old.


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Figure 2: Satellite Image of the Forest Regeneration in the Proposed Arboretum at Four Time

Lines.

Bird

2002

In 2002 the vegetation cover was

about 50% of the current forested

study area.

2005

In 2005, the vegetation cover was


study area

2009

In 2009, the vegetation cover was


study area

2012

In 2012, the vegetation cover has

reached about 100% of the current

forested study area


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There were 28 individual birds captured, of which consisted from nine families. Recorded

families for diurnal birds were six and two families were nocturnal birds. The family Alcedinidae

was the most abundance (42.9%), was followed by Rhipiduridae (14.3%), Pycnonotiidae

(10.7%) and Timaliidae (10.7%).

Table 1: The Diurnal bird family that was present at the study site

Family Number of Individuals Percentage (%)

Alcedinidae 12 48

Rhipiduridae 4 16

Pycnonotidae 3 12

Timaliidae 3 12

Columbidae 2 8

Nectariniidae 1 4

Total 25 100

There were 8 species of diurnal birds recorded (Table 2). Collared kingfisher were the highest

(36%), followed by Pied fantail (16%), Blue eared Kingfisher (12%), Yellow vented bulbul

(12%) and Bold-striped tit-Babbler (12%). All of these bird species are common resident birds

(Phillips & Phillips, 2009).


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Table 2: Diurnal bird list captured at the proposed Arboretum.

Local name Scientific nameNumber ofIndividuals

Percentage (%)

Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris 9 36

Pied Fantail Rhipidura javanica 4 16

Blue-eared Kingfisher Alcedo meninting 3 12

Yellow Vented Bulbul Pycnonotus goiavier 3 12

Bold-Striped Tit-Babbler

Macronous bornensisbornensis

3 12

Spotted Dove Streptopelia chinensis 1 4

Zebra Dove Geopelia striata 1 4

Eastern CrimsonSunbird

Aethopyga siparaja 1 4

Total 25 100

For nocturnal birds, only two families were recorded that belongs to the Caprimulgidae &

Strigidae. One Savannah nightjar (Caprimulgus affinis) and two the Reddish Scoop Owl (Otus

rufescens) were mist netted. The images of these birds were shown in plate 1 and 2.


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To date, there is no study that has been conducted on the nocturnal bird in UMS campus. The

savannah nightjar is a common nocturnal species in dry coastal areas including cities

(MacKinnon & Phillips, 1993). The reddish scoop owl can be found throughout Borneo in

lowland forest but it is a scarce resident (Phillips & Phillips, 2009). Its’ habitat is poorly known

(MacKinnon & Phillips, 1993). The result of this study shows that reddish scoop owl occupies

naturally regenerated Acacia forest. It has been reported that scoop owl nests inside a cavity of

standing trees (Severinghaus, 2007; Martin, 1986). There are several dead standing trees found at

the study sites. As such, these dead standing acacia trees with cavity might provide nesting place

for this bird here.

Plate 1: Reddish Scoop Owl

Plate 2: Savannah Nightjar

J. Sompud ©

J. Sompud ©


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The result for the Shannon-Wiener diversity index for the bird was H = 1.811. The study of the

bird community in naturally regenerated acacia forest in Sabah is still lacking. Sheldon et al.

(2010) reported that bird community in a mature Acacia plantation was H = 2.89. This is higher

compared to bird community in the naturally regenerated Acacia forest in this study.

Nevertheless, diversity index for birds in this proposed Arboretum falls within the range of

category of high diversity, as the value falls in between the range of 1.5 to 3.5. (Magurran,

2004).

There are a few studies of bird that were conducted in UMS campus. They were all

undergraduate dissertation. George (2002) conducted a study on the bird composition of birds in

opened area and disturbed forest of UMS campus. She reported that there were 35 species of

birds with 22 families that were found in UMS campus. In 2007, C’hng studied the seasonal and

migratory bird at the coast of UMS Campus, while Norfathiah (2007) conducted a study on the

population of the white breasted water hen (Amaurornis phoenicurus).

Acacia tree seed has been reported to be the source of food for birds (Ford, 1995; Van Balen,

1998). As such, the proposed Arboretum plays a significant role as a habitat for birds in

providing food and shelter by the displayed high diversity of birds. This small forest island

should be conserved for biodiversity conservation as well as an educational ground for students

and tourist.

CONCLUSIONAs a conclusion, the study shows that the vegetation in the proposed Arboretum was a naturally

regenerated acacia forest of approximately 12 years of age. The bird community that is present at

the study site exhibit high species diversity. As such, the proposed arboretum plays an important

role as an important habitat in supporting the rich bird biodiversity.

RECOMMENDATIONS

We would like to recommended that this site to be endorsed either as an arboretum or preserved

as a conservation area in UMS Campus for the of education, biodiversity conservation and also

for tourism activity like bird watching.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe authors would like to express their gratitude to the UMS Research and Innovation Centre for

making this study possible. This research was fully funded by UMS seed money research grant


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SLB0061-STWN-2013. The Kinabalu Sabah Park personnel have been very helpful during this

course of study especially to Mr. Alim who verified the bird identification and to Mr. Dolois and

his botany team for their help in the tree samples identifications.

REFERENCES

C’hng, G. G., 2007. Kajian Burung Bermigrasi dan Bermusim di Pantai UMS. Sarjana Muda

Sains dengan Kepujian (Biologi Pemuliharaan), Sekolah Sains dan Teknologi,

Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

Edwards, D. P., Ansell, F. A., Ahmad, A. H., Nilus, R. & Hamer, K. C. 2009. The Value of

rehabilitating logged rainforest for birds. Journal of Conservation Biology 23 (6), pp.

628-1633.

Ford, H. A. 1995. Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex feeding on arils of acacia seeds. Forktail 10,

pp. 181-182.

George, J., 2002. Kajian Mengenai Komposisi Burung di Kawasan Lapangan Terbuka dan Hutan

Terganggu di UMS. Disertasi Sarjana Muda Sains, Program Perhutanan dan

Antarabangsa, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.

Hartley, M. J. 2002. Rationale and methods for conserving biodiversity in plantation forest.

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Lambert, F. R. & Collar, N. J. 2002. The future for sundaic lowland forest birds: long-term effect

of commercial logging and fragmentation. Forktail 18, pp. 127-146.

MacKinnon, J. & Phillips, K. 1993. A Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo Sumatra, Java and

Bali. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

Magurran, A. E. (2004). Measuring biological diversity. Blackwell Publishing, Malden.

Martin, G. R. 1986. Sensory capacities and the nocturnal habit of owls (Strigiformes). Ibis, 128

(2), 266-277.

Newton, A.C., 2007. Forest Ecology and Conservation: A Handbook of Techniques. Oxford

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Norfathiah S. 2007. Kajian Populasi Burung Ruak-ruak (Amaurornis phoenicurus) di kawasan

Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Disertasi Sarjana Muda Sains, Sekolah Sains dan Teknologi,

Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu.


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Phillips, Q. & Phillips, K. 2009. Phillips’ Field Guide to the Birds of Borneo. John Beaufoy

Publishing, UK.

Sheldon, F.H., Styring, A. & Hosner, P.A. 2010. Bird species richness in a Bornean exotic tree

plantation: a long-term perspective. Journal of Biological Conservation 143, pp. 399-

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Severinghaus, L. L. (2007). Cavity dynamics and breeding success of the Lanyu Scops Owl

(Otus elegans). Journal of Ornithology, 148(2), 407-416.

Van Balen, S. 1998. More birds feeding on arils of acacia seed. Forktail 13, pp. 121-122.

Zakaria, M., Chong, L. & Yusuf, M.E. 2005. Comparison of species composition in three forest

types: towards using bird as indicator of forest ecosystem health. Journal of Biological

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The Preliminary Survey of the Understory Birds in UMS Campus

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