10.5061/DRYAD.RJDFN2ZBP
Miller, Steven
0000-0001-7944-8147
Drexel University
Wiethase, Joris
University of Glasgow
Etingue, Amancio
National University of Equatorial Guinea
Franklin, Elaine
Biodiversity Initiative
Fero, Maximiliano
0000-0002-5169-9355
National University of Equatorial Guinea
Wolfe, Jared
Michigan Technological University
Gonder, Mary
Drexel University
Powell, Luke
Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources
Avian community mist net survey data from Luba/Ureca road elevational
gradient, Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea
Dryad
dataset
2021
Community ecology
2021-07-12T00:00:00Z
2021-07-12T00:00:00Z
en
160619 bytes
4
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Understanding interactive effects between anthropogenic disturbance and
abiotic factors on species turnover can help identify and prioritize
conservation of potentially vulnerable tropical bird communities. We
investigated potential factors influencing avian understory community
composition along a recently constructed road across three elevations
(300, 800 and 1200 m), each with two sampling sites (road edge vs interior
forest), over a four-year period on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea.
Obligate ant following species were the most abundant guild sampled
accounting for 23% of total species diversity within the data set, which
increased to 40% when including occasional ant following species. Habitat
associated with elevation was the most significant factor influencing
the composition of avian communities at all three elevations.
Additionally, we identified species with clear statistical associations
for each elevation: the yellow-lored bristlebill (Bleda notatus), olive
sunbird (Cyanomitra obscura), and white-tailed
warbler (Poliolias lopezi). We found evidence for significant community
differences between the disturbance edge and interior forest transects at
300 m only. Likewise, understory insectivores were found at higher numbers
within the interior forest transect at this elevation. Based on the data
presented here, we suggest low elevation avian understory insectivores
should be considered focal species for future assessment studies in this
area. Furthermore, since many traditional protected areas focus on upland
habitat containing high species endemism, our findings emphasize
the importance of equally conserving lowland elevations as they may
house commonly overlooked yet important and diverse segments of the bird
community.
Data was collected via mist net capture and processed using mixed modeling
with the package "lme4" and ordination using non-metric
multidimensional scaling with the package "vegan" in R.
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