Comparison of avian species diversity and abundance in relation to habitat structure: toward using birds as indicators of ecosystem health at zone 8, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria

Avian species in relation to plant community can be used to determine the health status of the ecosystem. Habitat destruction can lead to extinction of many bird species as well as other plant communities. The study was conducted for three (3) months to determine the variation in avian species diversity and abundance in four different adjacent habitat structures: Farmland, Gallery Forest, Rocky Outcrops and Uncultivated Grassland, all located at Zone 8 area of Lokoja, Kogi State. The Line Transect method was used to collect data from the entire study area where 2000 m transect was marked and further divided into short sections of 100m with 50m distance apart. Each marked section was sampled ten (10) times from 6:30 am to 10:00 am. Birds’ species encountered were  identified using the field guide and songs. Species diversity was determined using the Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H). The study recorded a total number of 4,490 individuals of 110 species belonging to 32 families. Farmland had the highest number of individuals with a total of 1,228 individuals belonging to 92 species, followed by the Gallery Forest with a total of 652 belonging to 95 species, followed by uncultivated grassland with a total of 339 individuals belonging to 65 species and the Rocky outcrop with a total of 122 individuals belonging to 55 species. Bird species abundance between the habitat types differ significantly (p<0.05). The Gallery Forest was the most diverse in bird species with a mean diversity index (H=3.55), though diversity between the habitat was not statistically different (p>0.05). The findings from this study indicate that Zone 8 is rich in avian species diversity. Therefore, there is need to conserve this area from activities that might contribute to habitat loss, which can lead to extinction of some bird species and possibly plants community in the nearest future.