Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have studied the effects of forest logging and climate change on bird communities in tropical mountains, by examining over 10 years of data.
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have studied the effects of forest logging and climate change on bird communities in tropical mountains, by examining over 10 years of data. In a study published in Global Ecology and Conservation, the team used mist netting and bird ringing data to answer how the composition of the mid-elevation Eastern Himalayan understorey bird community changed in primary (undisturbed) forests as well as in logged forests.
Tropical montane forests are unique ecosystems that can start at about 150-200 m and reach up to 3,500 m high up on mountains around the world. They are critical centres of biodiversity. “In tropical mountains, each species has a particular niche where it is found. This restriction creates much more diversity in a small space,” explains Ritobroto Chanda, former Project Associate at the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), IISc, and corresponding author of the study.
Forest loss and climate change present major threats to these ecosystems. “Birds – and indeed much of the flora and fauna – of tropical mountain ranges are extremely temperature-sensitive and are responding to global heating rapidly. Also, most of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity is concentrated in tropical mountains,” says Umesh Srinivasan, Assistant Professor at CES and another author. However, very few studies have explored the joint influence of these threats.
Read more at: Indian Institute of Science
A Yellow-throated fulvetta with metal and colour rings (Photo Credit: Micah Rai)
