Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment ›› 2020, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (5): 580-586.doi: 10.19741/j.issn.1673-4831.2019.0833

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Bird Diversity in Different Habitats During Breeding Season in Tacheng City, Xinjiang, China

DING Peng1,2, YIN Jun-qi2, LIU Wei3, SHI Lei1, YI Jian-feng3   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China;
    2. Xinjiang Academy of Environmental Protection Science, Urumqi 830011, China;
    3. Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China
  • Received:2019-10-22 Published:2020-05-23

Abstract: Birds form an important animal group in all ecosystems. Birds are sensitive to environmental change, relatively easily surveyed and are frequently used as indicators for environmental monitoring and evaluation. In order to understand the relationships between bird diversity and the environment, it is important to conduct bird community research during the breeding season. Twice a year during May-July in 2016-2019, the fixed line transect method was used to monitor bird diversity at four different habitats in Tacheng City, Xinjiang. 22 line transects through four typical habitats were surveyed. During the observation period, 15 orders, 40 families and 115 species of bird were recorded. The number of species and the number of adults were highest in the Kulusitai Steppe (KS), the Taerbahatai Mts. Shrub (TMSH) and the Taerbahatai Mts. Steppe (TMST). The Emin River Valley Forest (ERVS) had the fewest. In the same habitat, the number of adults (F=4.183,P=0.017) and the density (H=5.004,P=0.008) of KS had significant annual differences. The species richness index and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index of TMSH and TMST were higher. The Pielou evenness index of ERVS and the Simpson dominance index of TMST were the highest. The similarity of bird communities in different habitats was in medium level (0.33-0.58). The proportion of insectivorous birds was high in all habitats. A wide variety of bird foraging guilds were observed, these were distributed rather evenly with a relatively greater variety in KS. In summary the unique geographical location and the abundant natural resources in Tacheng City provide good habitat and a healthy breeding environment for birds.

Key words: biodiversity, bird community, foraging guilds, Kulusitai Steppe, Taerbahatai Mountain

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