Browsing by Author "Katebaka, Raymond"

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    Availability and persistence of forest dependent avifauna population in deforested areas of Wakiso and Mpigi districts, Uganda
    (University of Dar es Salaam, 2014) Katebaka, Raymond
    Forest resources of Uganda have dwindled due to increasing deforestation. Bird populations that depend on forests have been affected due to increased habitat fragmentation and degradation associated with anthropogenic activities. These forests provide resources including nesting habitat, foraging for species survival among others. This study aimed at evaluating the availability and persistence of forest dependent avifauna population in deforested areas of Uganda. This study was carried out in Wakiso and Mpigi Districts, Uganda. Two sites were selected from Wakiso and four from Mpigi. Two methods were used in data collection namely (i) Point counts (PCs) and Timed Species counts (TSCs). Bird species were coded according to Uganda Bird Atlas, Briton codes and feeding strategy. The variables derived included density and species groups; bird species abundance, richness and were classified according to their habitat types and guilds. Findings indicated that Park Alexander and Namugobo sites were more deforested and intensively exploited. There were broad variations in abundance, and feeding variable responses to forest cover and fragmentation. Forest interior (FF) species showed more positive associations with forest management and negative associations with forest perimeter. Forest generalists were most dominant in Namugobo and Mpanga compared to other sites. Species guilds were significantly correlated using Bray-Curtis similarity, with all deforested sites showing a relationship above 50% and stabilised at 70%. This indicated that deforestation has less impact on the composition of guilds compared to spatial scale. The study concluded that while deforestation is continuous, degraded and fragmented habitats still maintain resources for forest persistent and dependent birds.