Department of Biology
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ItemDiversity, Abundance and Habitat Association of Avifauna in Gibe Sheleko National Park, Southwestern Ethiopia( 2019-10-10)This study was conducted from August 2017 to March 2018. In this study, both Transect count and point count methods were used. The observation was conducted by walking along the study area early in the morning and late in the afternoon. The collected data was analyzed by using different diversity indices and statistical methods such as the Chi-square test and correlation. The study area was stratified based on the vegetation types in which, each vegetation type was used as a sampling site. In this study observation, a total of 91 bird species that grouped under 19 orders and 41 families were recorded. The highest species diversity and evenness were recorded in November with H‟=3.53 and E=0.836. Variation in the abundance of bird species was statistically significant between seasons and months. The mean score of the relative abundance for the wet season count varied between 8.85 and 17.26; for the dry season, it varied between 14.79 and 27.00 among different habitats. The highest rank (mean score) was recorded from the Riverine vegetation with a value of 17.26 and 27.00 during the wet and dry seasons respectively. However, the lowest rank (mean score) was recorded from bushland with a value of 8.85 and 14.79 for both seasons. Birds such as Hamerkop, Malchiteking fisher, and Abyssinian Long claw are endemic bird species to Ethiopia. Shifting cultivation, grazing and poaching were considered major threats to the avifaunal diversity in this area. Awareness training should be given to the local community on a continuous basis. Keywords: - Birds, diversity, Gibe Sheleko National Park, habitat association and relative abundance.