Avian Diversity Across Three Distinct Agricultural Landscapes in Guadalupe, Chiriquí Highlands, Panama

Class Year

2015

Document Type

Student Research Paper

Date of Creation

Fall 2014

Department 1

Center for Global Education

Abstract

Deforestation of tropical forest for agricultural purposes threatens habitat loss of native species. The value of various agricultural landscapes in conserving avian populations is useful in determining diversity-conscious development plans. However, generalized results from regionalscale studies cannot be implemented to insular avian habitats. This study serves as the only current avian diversity study of the Chiriquí Highlands. To determine the effect of agricultural land use within an insular avian habitat, I compared avian diversity and site population similarity in Guadalupe, Chiriquí Highlands of the Talamanca Range, Panama. I hypothesized that avian diversity is greatest at forest edge followed by forest corridor and pasture sites. Standard fixed point-counts were used across three sites: contiguous forest edge, cultivated land with minimal shrubby cover, and forest corridor. In total 734 birds, 44 species, and 21 endemic species were recorded. Avian diversity was greatest at the forest edge followed by forest corridor and pasture, respectively. Many endemic and threatened species were recorded at the highest frequency at edge habitats. While both pasture and corridor sites supported nearly equal amounts of endemic species, forest corridor sustained higher species richness. This study suggests that Finca (small farm) owners within Guadalupe should maximize forest edge and bound property limitations with forest corridors. This study reveals the need for more extensive study of Guadalupian bird populations and landscapes.

This paper was written for the Panama: Tropical Ecology, Marine Ecosystems, and Biodiversity Conservation program.

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