- 期刊
Bird Species Richness along an Elevational Gradient in a Forest at Jianfengling, Hainan Island, China
並列摘要
Bird species richness along an elevational gradient in a forest at Jianfengling, Hainan Island, China. Zoological Studies 51(3): 362-371. The avian communities of Hainan I., China are poorly known and under considerable threat. In our studies at Jianfengling, Hainan I. between May 2000 and Sept. 2004, 117 bird species were recorded using fixed-radius point counts and mist-netting at 3 elevations (200, 500, and 1000 m). Numbers of bird species recorded at the 3 elevations were 67 (200 m), 67 (500 m), and 89 (1000 m), of which 15 species were recorded exclusively at 200 m, 11 at 500 m, and 24 at 1000 m. The highest bird species richness occurred at the highest elevation (1000 m). The pattern of bird species richness differed from those of continental China and the island of Taiwan. Each elevation hosted a unique assemblage of special conservation concern. Species which require mature, full-canopy forest, and are often associated with mixed-species flocks were mainly distributed at 1000 m. The remnant forest at this elevation is clearly of high conservation importance. Illegal logging and hunting continue mainly at lower elevations (200 and 500 m). Frugivores, notably the pigeons Ducula spp. and Treron spp., are among bird species targeted by illegal hunters. We recommend that the Hainan Jianfengling National Nature Reserve be expanded to include this area of semi-deciduous monsoon forest at 200 m. Other coherent management strategies are training staff, increasing public awareness, providing incentives for conservation, and implementing conservation guidelines.