| I studied bird species diversity in ten different land-use types in the human-modified and fragmented Path of the Tapir Biological Corridor, Costa Rica. The ten land-use types were wildlife refuges, biological reserves, tree plantations, forest fallows, forest edges, villages, residential tourism projects, homegardens, agrosilvopastoral systems, and oil palm plantations. I was interested in determining how important the ten different habitat types are for maintaining the bird diversity of the corridor and how these land uses can be managed to enhance their conservation value. To address these questions I selected 20 different sampling point counts for each habitat type. Bird surveys were carried out over a two-year period. Each point was surveyed three times over the summer and three times over the winter periods of each year, total 12 visits per point. Total observation time for all surveys was 400 hours. Aside from bird identification, I also recorded bird activities (e.g. foraging, nesting) and microhabitats where they registered (e.g. tree, shrub, ground).;I found a total of 44,917 birds from 48 families, and 334 species. Eighty one percent of the birds were recorded utilizing forested habitats. However, also 77% of the registered birds were found in the human-modified land-use types. Moreover, 44.5% of species were classified as forest specialist, 38.9% forest generalist, and 16.6% open area specialist. Regarding feeding guilds, 53.8% of species were classified as insectivores, 21.2% frugivores, 9% nectarivores, and carnivores and granivores 8% each. I also identified 32 threatened species and 22 endemic species. Eight of the 22 endemic species were also under threat, and three endangered species were registered: Ara macao, Amazilia boucardi, and Icterus mesomelas. Overall, 64% and 75% of endemic and threatened species, respectively, were forest-dependent species. It is suggested managing the landscape in three units (protected areas, integrated management areas, and tree plantations) that allow habitat for most species while proving income to local people. Payment for environmental services, ecotourism, reforestation, environmental education programs, and private investment, among others, could provide the incentives and infrastructure that local people need to practice the suggested management effectively. |
