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
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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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
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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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
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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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.
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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
5
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.
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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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
about 65% of the current forested
study area
2009
In 2009, the vegetation cover was
about 90% of the current forested
study area
2012
In 2012, the vegetation cover has
reached about 100% of the current
forested study area
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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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).
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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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.
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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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 ©
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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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
International Conference of Borneo Research Council, 5-7 August 2014, Universiti MalaysiaSabah, Kota Kinabalu
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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
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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.
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Ford, H. A. 1995. Plain Sunbird Anthreptes simplex feeding on arils of acacia seeds. Forktail 10,
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