Diversity and community structure of the agroecosystem avifauna in the Cauvery delta region, South India

Menon, Manjula and Mohanraj, Rangaswamy (2022) Diversity and community structure of the agroecosystem avifauna in the Cauvery delta region, South India. COMMUNITY ECOLOGY, 23 (3). pp. 365-376. ISSN 1585-8553 (print); 1588-2756 (online)

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Abstract

Farmland bird populations have declined globally raising concerns over habitat loss for a wide range of species. In this study, we explored the significance of agroecosystems for birds at different temporal and spatial scales along the Cauvery delta region, South India. Our results recorded a wide range of 102 species, with passerines and wetland birds dominating the landscapes. Among the guild types, omnivores and insectivores were the well-represented groups followed by carnivores, granivores, frugivores, and nectarivores. Species richness and diversity were recorded higher during winter which could be associated with the maturing phase of rice paddies in the agroecosystem. There were significant differences recorded in spe- cies diversity and richness between the cropping period and the non-cropping periods, thus recognizing the high potential of paddy ecosystems in biodiversity conservation. The results of the multivariate analysis revealed that the diversity of birds in the agroecosystem was more influenced by the woody vegetation cover, crop cover, and field size; however, bird abundance was related to farm activities, plantations, and herbaceous cover surrounding the agroecosystem. Fewer generalist species revealed an interesting pattern of taxonomic homogenization with monoculture cropping patterns that could influence the adaptability and functional traits of the other species. The results of the study highlight that both HNV and the non-HNV zones attract a rich diversity of birds and the conservation of this traditional agricultural belt would aid in the conservation of threatened species and biodiversity globally.

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