Showing 7 results for Urban
Ma. Niña Regina M. Quibod, Kit Neil L. Alcantara, Nicole A. Bechayda, Christian Jay C. Estropia, Jonathan B. Guntinas, Mohammad Asar H. Asar Obin, Ryan M. Raymundo, Emmanuel P. Soniega,
Volume 3, Issue 3 (9-2021)
Abstract
Dinagat Islands hold most of the mineral deposits in the Philippines and have been among the largest mining contributors in the country since 1939. Aside from a massive mining industry, logging is also intensive in this group of islands potentially imperiling its remaining biodiversity. This study primarily aims to determine the species composition of terrestrial vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals) in two study areas categorized as modified habitats (mining area and logging area) in the Dinagat Islands. These wildlife species are important bio-indicators as they show sensitivity of the species to anthropogenic disturbances. Suitable field survey methods were conducted for the taxa established and a quantitative analysis was performed to determine the diversity and similarity of the species between the study areas. A total of 65 species were identified in the two study areas: 33 species were exclusively identified in the mining area, 49 species were exclusively identified in the logging area, and 17 species were found in both study areas. It should be noted that among the 65 species, 41 species are either endemic to Mindanao and/or the Philippines, and two species were endemic to Dinagat Islands. This study also recorded the newly described coral snake endemic to the island, Calliophis salitan Brown, Smart, Leviton and Smith. This study indicates that although Dinagat Islands is modified by anthropogenic activities, the terrestrial vertebrate species are thriving. Intensive survey in other modified habitats in Dinagat Islands is the next-step forward to take into account existing wildlife to improve conservation decisions, planning and management on the islands.
Laxmi Prasad Upadhyaya, Naresh Pandey, Laxman Khanal,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
The Kathmandu Valley, encompassing the capital city of Nepal, is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in South Asia. Rapid population growth and urbanization in Kathmandu have degraded the urban environment affecting the native biota. Therefore, a detailed assessment of avian species richness and its distribution in potential green spaces of the Kathmandu Valley is essential. We assessed the avian diversity in different habitats of the Tribhuvan University area, a potential refuge for birds in the urban landscape, by the point count method in the winter and summer of 2020. A total of 71 bird species from 39 genera and 32 families comprising 10 orders - ‘including the globally endangered Steppe eagle (Aquila nipalensis)’ - were recorded. Of the 10 orders, Passeriformes (44 species), had the highest richness followed by Columbiformes, Piciformes and Cuculiformes (with four species in each). Among the feeding guilds, the insectivorous guild (with 28 species) had the highest species richness followed by omnivores and carnivores. A higher Shannon’s diversity index was recorded in forest habitats (3.51) than built-up areas (3.45) or farmland (3.42). Despite the small size, our study has shown that the Tribhuvan University area is an important greenspace for birds in the Kathmandu Valley. An extensive exploration, monitoring and management of greenspaces are crucial for maintaining the ecological integrity of the urban landscape of the Kathmandu Valley.
Sujan Bohara, Rajeev Joshi, Bishow Poudel,
Volume 4, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract
The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), also known as the gavial or fish-eating crocodile, is a member of the family Gavialidae, is the most threatened of the two species of crocodilians found in Nepal. However, sufficient information on its habitat characteristics influencing population status, distribution, and threats to its existence are lacking. We studied the gharial population in the Narayani River that was carried out in the winter season during December 2019 to April of 2020. During our surveys, a total of 117 gharials were recorded, including an adult male, 56 adult females, 19 sub-adults, 32 immature and nine were unidentified. The gharial census recorded 57 gharials in Sikrauli-Amaltari (Chitwan branch) river section followed by 14 in Sikrauli-Amaltari (Nawalparasi branch), 16 in Amaltari-Baguwan and 30 in the Baguwan-Tribeni River sections. Of 117 individuals, the number of gharials sighted under the direct observation category was 112. The majority of respondents (129 of 140) during our questionnaire, considered gharial as an important species and displayed a favorable attitude towards gharial conservation. This study concludes that the population of gharial in the Narayani River has increased, as the present population is larger than recorded during previous surveys. Finally, regular surveys and monitoring of gharial in the area are recommended to investigate the status of gharial, the prevalence of any threats and disturbance along the habitat of this important species.
Brian Sabanal, Marion John Michael Achondo, Pedro Alviola Iv, Lief Erikson Gamalo, Mae Responte,
Volume 4, Issue 4 (12-2022)
Abstract
In addition to protected landscapes, anthropic land covers (ALCs) can also harbor spiders in human-modified landscapes (HMLs). This study determined the diversity of spiders in seven different ALCs within the University of the Philippines Mindanao campus in order to identify ALCs with the highest priority for spider conservation. Direct sampling methods were employed to collect specimens within 2,000 m2 belt transects. A total of 364 spider individuals belonging to 69 morphospecies from 40 genera and 13 families were documented. Highest species richness was observed from the family Araneidae. Nephila pilipes Fabricius (Araneidae) and Heteropoda venatoria Linnaeus (Sparassidae) were found across sampling sites. Among the ALCs, site 5OGSF (old- growth and secondary forest) had the highest species richness (q0 (26)) while site 7AF (agroforest) had the highest species diversity (q1 (17.16); q2 (13.83)). Site 3CTP (cacao tree plantation) was consistently the least species-rich (q0 (10)) and least diverse (q1 (6.92); q2 (5.54)). The different vegetation density and structural complexity of ALCs on the campus support spider communities in which the highest species richness and diversity were observed in the secondary forest and agroforest, respectively. This paper highlights that spider communities have varying levels of diversity in different small-scale ALCs.
Cyrell Ann Ruales, Christian Tripole, Joshua Donato, Marian Dara Tagoon, Elsa May Delima-Baron,
Volume 5, Issue 4 (10-2023)
Abstract
Published data on bats in green spaces in Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines, remains scarce. This study provides an additional account of fruit bats of the family Pteropodidae occurring in green spaces both in the center of Davao City and its fringe communities. Our survey ran from January to April 2019. Mist nets were installed in possible flyways within select green spaces of bats and were checked from 6:30 pm to 4:30 am. Eight fruit bat species were documented, four of which are endemic to the Philippines. Two species, Megaerops wetmorei Taylor, 1934 and Eonycteris robusta Miller, 1913, are currently listed as vulnerable (VU), while the rest are considered non-threatened in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The site in the Carmen Baguio district (Site 5) had the highest number of captures (n= 31), while the Mt. Talomo-Lipadas site (Site 6) had the highest species richness among surveyed green spaces. The inventory suggests that fruit bats occur in urban green spaces and could be supported by these urban green fragments. More studies are needed to determine how fruit bats utilize and benefit from urban green space fragments of the city.
Shalini Tudu, Amith S J, Chetan Nag K S,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
In this Anthropocene epoch, where every single ecosystem on Earth is heavily shaped, both in space and time, by human deeds, natural landscapes are being rapidly replaced by urbanization. Henceforth, a new urban biome has arisen displaying certain unique properties, making cities around the globe a perfect place to investigate “natural” processes like ecology, evolution, adaptation, and biodiversity, away from their more natural forested counterparts. Interestingly, despite conurbations, or extended urban habitats, being thought of as adversaries of Mother Nature, organisms in urban environments are learning to adapt and survive, making them novel sources for evolutionary variation. Regrettably, despite advancements in methods to answer questions in ecology and evolutionary biology, there is a lack of knowledge about how urbanization influences evolution and its processes in an urban milieu. There is a dire need to understand issues such as the operational repercussions of urbanization, and the roles of evolutionary transformation in urban community dynamics.
. Joseliph Abin, Padayatty Davis Samson,
Volume 6, Issue 1 (3-2024)
Abstract
Identification and characterisation of urban habitats and ascertaining their species associations are essential for the conservation and management of biodiversity in urban landscapes. The study attempts to identify, describe and categorise potential urban habitats in Kochi city, Kerala, India, and to explore the association of bird faunal assemblages within each of the habitats. The study was conducted from June 2018 to May 2020. The Urban Habitat Categories were identified, described and categorised as per the Urban Habitats Biodiversity Assessment (UrHBA) procedure and a sample biotope map was prepared. The habitat association of bird species was determined from each of the identified Urban Habitat Category by evaluating the species composition of each habitat. Species sharing between the identified habitats was also examined. Critical habitats of conservation concern were identified, and their specific features were ascertained. A total of 38 Urban Habitat Categories were characterised from the landscape of Kochi City with 162 species of birds to be found associated within the urban habitats. The wide variety of urban habitats provide excellent dwellings for a large number of birds including several threatened and migratory species. Out of the five major urban habitat categories, most of the species utilise Sparsely vegetated - Life form categories. Among the 38 urban habitats, Forest phanerophytes supports greater numbers of bird species. Vegetation structure is an important factor that determines bird diversity of the urban habitats. Together with the well-vegetated habitats, sparsely vegetated, non-vegetated and artificial built habitats also significantly contribute to biodiversity of urban centres. The diverse urban habitats and the associated bird species identified from Kochi city emphasise that modified urban landscapes are equally potent as natural landscapes in upholding diverse life forms. The study highlights the necessity of maintaining habitat complexity in urban landscapes for sustainable conservation of urban biodiversity. The baseline data on urban habitats and their species association will serve as a planning tool for safeguarding the critical habitats.
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