Espécies de aves florestais sensíveis à perturbação antrópica da Ilha Grande, RJ

Abstract

Searching indicator species isimportant in ecological studies, as they are efficient tool in studies focused on biodiversity preservation. Birds are appropriate study model for being conspicuous and easy to quantify considering space and time.The Atlantic Forestis a biome of high biodiversity and conservation priority, due for having a richness of endangered and/or endemic species, as consequence of severe anthropic pressure. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate anddeterminate indicator bird species, having plants (trees) as background, known as indicators of environment quality. Those plants were chosen for being present in the survey site and in the Atlantic Forest, they are easy to detect and serve as reference for comparison of different succession stages. The present study is part of Programa de Biodiversidade (PPBio) da Mata Atlântica using RAPELD methodology (rapid assessment surveys at long term ecological research sites). Ilha Grande is aprotected remnant of Atlantic Forest that presents different succession stages, which were categorized by presence/absence and the age of the following trees species: Pradosia kuhlmanii, Virola gardneri, Miconiacinamomifolia, M. prasina and exotic trees. Three succession stages were considered: inmature, mature and climax. In this survey, they correspond to low , mid and high quality of the forest, respectively. Each forest category had eight sampling units(≥400 m. distant from each other)where bird samplings occurred once in breeding and once in non-breeding season. Two count points (distant ≥ 250m from each other) and a transect (350x100m) compose each sampling. The index used to detect indicator species (Indval) was based in presence and abundance of the birds. The three forest categories presented a similar bird richness and abundance, but clearly different compositions. The sensitive or high quality forest indicator species werethe following:Tinamus solitarius, Selenidera maculirostris, Chamaeza campanisona, Xiphorynchus fuscus, Procnias nudicollis, Oxyruncus cristatus, Thraupis cyanoptera and Saltator similis. The species are frequently documented as sensitive to disturbance or specialists that depends on the habitat of a high conserved forests; The most of birds in this category is frugivorous, whichmay be due to the fact that insectivorous species are less sensitive to continuous secondary forests that forest patches. Similarly, indicators birds of low quality are well known for being generalist species. This research demonstrates that using vegetation characteristics is an appropriate methodology to find indicator birds. Furthermore, this can also be applied on distinct taxas and biomes.