Kyonjola, George Nsajigwa2020-05-142020-05-142017Kyonjola, G. N. (2017) Response of birds to vegetation re-growth in east usambara mountains, Tanzania, Master dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam.http://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/11013Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF QL692.T32K96)A study was done to determine response of birds to vegetation re-growth. Six farms were selected along the edge of the forest. Five farms had Re-growth (Br), Shamba (Sh) (Farms in English) and Control (Cont) plots of 30 m x60 m and one farm with 25 m x50 m in size. Each plot had two parallel lines spaced 10 m apart, running along the length. Each line had six sampling points that were laid 10 m apart. A sampling point was a circle of 2.5 m radius. Disturbances like cultivation were stopped in Br and allowed in Cont and Sh plots. Sampling effort was eight visits paid to each plot. Vegetation and bird sampling were conducted in August, October 2012, February, June, August, October, December 2013 and February 2014. Sampling was done for two plant species with highest percentage cover in bush layer within a radius of 2.5 m and height of vegetation at the centre and four cardinal directions of a circle. Birds were sampled for 15 minutes between 06:30-09:30 am. A playback of A. moreaui voice was done for 1 minute at 0, 5, and 10 minutes. Highest abundance of birds was in Br, than Cont and Sh plots. Differences in abundance across plots was significant (H=12.2, df=2, p= 0.0012). The diversity index of the area was 3.8. Br plots were the most diverse in bird species (H' = 3.7), than Cont (H' = 3.5) and Sh plots (H'=3.4). Differences in bird species diversity between Br and Cont (t=-4.9,df=486, p< 0.001), and between Br and Sh plots (t= 1.53, df=486, p= 0.13). All plots had high abundance of birds in hot than in cold seasons owing to altitudinal migration. The Spearman Coefficient showed a weak negative correlation between vegetation height and bird species diversity in re-growth and Cont plots. A. moreaui did not colonise the plot, perhaps more time was needed. High bird abundance and diversity in Br and low in Sh plots resulted from re-growth and disturbances, respectively. More plots, sampling effort, public awareness and close stakeholder’s collaboration are recommended.enBirdsVegetation classificationUsambara, Mountain (Tanzania)TanzaniaThesis