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International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation www.allmultidisciplinaryjournal.com
560
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation
ISSN: 2582-7138
Received: 28-06-2021; Accepted: 16-07-2021
www.allmultidisciplinaryjournal.com
Volume 2; Issue 4; July-August 2021; Page No. 560-567
Bird Species of Nyungwe National Park Buffer Zone, Rwanda
Imanishimwe Ange
Executive Director of the Biodiversity Conservation Organization (BIOCOOR), Rwanda
Corresponding Author: Imanishimwe Ange
Abstract
This study wasstrictly looking forbirds’ species in the Buffer
Zone of Nyungwe National Park(NNP) in Rwanda.The
Buffer Zone of Nyungwe National Park is one of the forests
that hostsdifferent biodiversity’s such as, plants and animals,
and most of them are indigenous to Nyungwe National Park.
The reason for the variety and vastspecies richness in the
Buffer Zone is because the habitat has become favorable for
biodiversity’s life. Among the existing biodiversity, includes
certain bird’s species which may serve as indicators of
biodiversity trends. There are birds found in the Buffer Zone
at a high number and most of the species of birds found in
Nyungwe National Park are also found in the Buffer Zone.
The main purpose of this study was to survey birds and it was
done in six months for the assessment of existing species of
birds, by monitoring their distribution, species richness and
abundance.During this study, transects were used to sample
data and total bird counts, opportunistic sampling, mis-
netting, camera trapping, point counts, observation methods,
andan opportunistic visual encounter to survey birds and
transect counts. And from the sampled and recorded data, a
total of 111 species were recorded of which 107species were
detected along transects, while 4 were recorded
opportunistically. The habitat types recorded were tall open,
tall crossedsmall open and small closed. The findings
revealed that 17 species, that is 15.3% of all detections, are
endemic to the Albertine Rift Valley. The results show that
the Buffer Zone is rich in birds’ species and there should be
an implementation of conservation concepts and its
management.
Keywords: Nyungwe National Park, Buffer Zone, birds, diversity, endemics, species richness
Introduction
Rwanda is a land locked countrywith a high population density, which explains why there are limited resources to satisfy the
needs of the people. Rwanda is challenged by the competition of people who cultivate the land for its resources, because it is the
main activity people do to develop themselves. This competition has affected the economy of the country in different corners
with different angles, such that it has led to the encroachments of forest reserves, national parks and water reserves. The major
cause of reduction and degradation of natural ecosystems in Rwanda is the human pressure resulting from population growth
(MINISANTE/ONAPO 2003; Rutagarama 2003.) [12, 20]. Population growth has led to an increased demand for new land for
cultivation, which could be found within the park (Plumptre et al. 2004) [19]. Population growth, along with the soil infertility,
has decreased the size of farms in Rwanda (Weber 1989) [27]. Wood for fire and construction, grazing, wildlife poaching, the
introduction of exotic species, as well as poverty and the lack of alternative income-generating opportunities, has led people to
harm the forest’s ecosystem and undermine biodiversity (USAID/Rwanda 2004.) [26].
Among the forest reserves affected by human activities, Nyungwe Forest Reserve, formally Nyungwe National Park, is
Rwanda’s newest and largest national park. Nyungwe is widely recognized as a global and national significance. NNP is situated
in the majestic hills of southwestern Rwanda (Musabe 2002) [14]. It is located between the latitude 2o15’ and 2o55’South and
longitude 29o00’ and 29o30’East (Plumptre et al. 2002.) The park lies within the Albertine Rift Valley on the Congo-Nile ridge
between 1 600 m and 2 950 m.
Nyungwe Forest contains a rich floral community, which consists of more than 1100 species with 137 endemic species (Plumptre
et al., 2002). Among the many species, more than 260 of the trees and shrubs species have been identified (Dowsett, 1990) [5].
Nyungwe National Park is harboring 47 local endemics, as well as 218 Albertine Rift endemics among flowering plants (Fischer
and Killmann, 2008) [6]. And there are 43 species of reptiles (8 species are endemic) and 31 species are amphibians with 15
endemic species (Menegon, 2008) [10]. The park has innumerable invertebrate species, but the ecosystem is especially known for
its abundant butterfly populations with 21 Albertine Rift.
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Species richness in Nyungwe National Park is vital to the
economy of Rwanda. The variety of species is a major factor
that attractsmany tourists. However, population increases,
and illegal encroachment of the park is a challenging factor
that is hurting the economy. Nyungwe National Park is
surrounded by densely populated areas and the community
has for a long time been in search for agricultural space and
forest products. These activities have contributed to the
reduction of the park’s size.
The protected areas establishment has been a major
worldwide conservation strategy (Budhathoki 2004) and
many parks biodiversity is threatened by surrounding human
populations which are looking for their subsistence needs
(DFID 2002) [4]. It is widely recognized that protected areas
affect the livelihoods of local people (Lynagh and Urich
2002). On the other hand,it has become evident that
successful protection is unavoidably linked with the
satisfaction of local needs (Shyamsundar and Kramer 1995).
To assure successful conservation of protected areas, the
buffer zone should be established, which can resolve the
conflict park-people and the needs of local people (Nayak
2003, Straeda and Treue 2006) [15, 24]. Buffer zones are areas
created to enhance the protection of a specific conservation
area, often peripheral to it. Within buffer zones, resource use
may be legally or customarily restricted, often to a lesser
degree than in the adjacent protected area to form a transition
zone. (Island Press, 1991).
Although the application of the buffer zone concept is quite
new in some countries, it has been emerging as a viable
strategy in linking ecological and economic objectives. In
Rwanda, the buffer zone around the Nyungwe Forest has
been planted with economically important species and it is a
source of building poles and firewood for local people
(Ndayambaje 2002) [16]. This buffer zone around Nyungwe
National Park was established in order to reduce the frequent
encroachments into the park, and marking the boundaries of
Nyungwe Forest (MINAGRI 1984, Weber 1989) [27].
Today, the local community interact with the Buffer Zone
where they collect forest products from there.The Buffer
Zone is also serving as a barrier to abuse of the core zone and
it is conciliating the interests of conservation and needs of the
local community. The awareness about the conservation of
biodiversity conservation has been raised. A need for a new
orientation of management of the Buffer Zone and the
improvement of conservation values of the park has been
expressed. From its establishment, the Buffer Zone was under
management of the government to ensure its integrity and to
control harvesting (Stainback 2004) [23]. Different activities
including crop production, grazing and timber harvesting
from thinning and marketing of timber products, were
conducted after the establishment of theBuffer Zone
(MINAGRI 1992). The zone is made with a variety of
species, including mainly the exotics Pinus patula, Cupressus
lusitanica and Acacia melanoxylon (USAID2003) [26].
The Buffer Zone of Nyungwe National Park spans 5 districts:
Nyamagabe, Karongi, Nyamasheke, Rusizi and Nyaruguru
District. The zone also surrounds Nyungwe National Park.
Due to the existing plant diversity, forest integrity and forest
cover density, different species are moving from the park to
the Buffer Zone. Other reasons includespecies breeding, such
as birds, as well as animal species searching for food and
shelter. This study was done for the aim of assessing bird
species diversity, abundance and species richness within
Nyungwe National Park Buffer Zone.
NYUNGWE NATIONAL PARK AND BUFFER ZONE
The Nyungwe Forest Buffer Zonesurrounds Nyungwe Nation
Park, anofficiallysheltered and globally recognized area. The
Nyungwe National Park represents abrilliant example of
Congo-Nile Afromontane forest, while its ecosystem is part
of the Albertine Rift, Afromontane forest. It constitutes
asignificant habitat of very high biodiversity value in terms
of endemic and range-restricted species. Similar to other
forests of the Albertine Rift, Nyungwe National Park shelters
a number of IUCN categorized as rare, vulnerable and
endangered species of birds.At least 150 species of birds are
known to be endemic to the Afromontane region (Dowsett,
1990) [5], a region that includes the Albertine Rift, as well as
several other hilly areas in sub-Saharan Africa. The Albertine
Rift is home to 80 of these Afromontane endemics (Dowsett,
1990) [5] and includes 37 species found only in the Albertine
Rift itself (Satterfield et al., 1998).
Nyungwe is one of several forests in the Albertine Rift that
are famous for its rich bird life and is of
substantialsignificance for the conservation of a number of
endemic bird species. At least 20 species and 5 races endemic
to the Albertine Rift are known to dwell in the Nyungwe
Forest making it the second richest forest for Albertine Rift
endemics after the Itombwe Massif in D.R. Congo (Dowsett
1990) [5]. In 1989 and 1990, Dowsett (1990) [5] conducted an
18-week survey of the birds at Nyungwe Forest. The data
collected would allow us to determine species distributions
and enable us to map the relative importance of different sites
within the forest for the conservation of Afromontane birds.
TheNyungwe National Parkis in the hills of southwestern
Rwanda (Musabe, 2002) [14] between a latitude of 2° 15' and
2°55’ South, and between 2°30’ and 29°29' East, at the
altitude of between 1,600m and 2,950 m (Plumper et al.,
2002). The forest is contiguous with the Kibira National Park
in Burundi (Budowski, 1976) [3] forming one of the largest
blocks of lower montane forest in Africa (Weber, 1989;
Dowsett, 1990) [5]. Nyungwe Forest is recognized
internationally for its role in the conservation of
birds.Nyungwe Forest Buffer Zone is rich in fauna and flora.
The flora facilitates the birds’ distribution, due to the
abundance of plants, and provide ahabitableenvironment.
The plants in the Buffer Zone are mainly exotic with a small
number of native species of birds.
The species richness of the 13 sites was plotted using a GIS
system (ARCVIEW) to analyze the spatial distribution of
species richness. It was obvious that high bird species
richness occurs in the western half of Nyungwe. However,
this does not necessarily mean that the western half of
Nyungwe is the most significant for conservation. We also
examined the distribution of birds considered to be of
conservation importance, the Albertine Rift endemic species.
This study recorded 22 Albertine Rift endemics of which 3
are susceptible under the IUCN criteria (IUCN/SSC 1994;
Collar et al. 1994; Stutters field et al. 1998). Which means
that there is a 10% probability that the species will be extinct
within 100 years. The relative encounter rates of each of the
Albertine Rift endemics that were observed were plotted to
analyze their spatial distribution. Despite the higher overall
species richness in the western part of the reserve, Albertine
Rift endemics are most species rich along the Zaire-Nile
divide (a chain of mountains running down the eastern part
of the reserve). From the above information for the bird
species richness in Nyungwe National Park, some species
have migrated to the Buffer Zone and are using its habitat for
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Growth Evaluation www.allmultidisciplinaryjournal.com
562
their ecosystem services. This study was to conduct bird’s
biodiversity baseline evaluation, and groundwork of
biodiversity monitoring plan. First there will be biodiversity
monitoring as training for New Forest Company staff. The
training will facilitate them to carry out the biodiversity
evaluation on a regular and permanent basis. This was done
in view of the company’s plan to achieve FSC certification
for its forestry operations in Nyungwe Forest Buffer Zone.
Important pre-requisites for achieving certification is a
biodiversity baseline evaluation and biodiversity monitoring
of the area.
Methodology
Study Area
The NNP is in the hills of southwestern Rwanda (Musabe,
2002) [14] between a latitude of 2° 15' and 2°55’ South, and
between 2°30’ and 29°29' East, at the altitude of between
1,600 m and 2,950 m (Plumptre et al., 2002). The forest is
contiguous with the Kibira National Park in Burundi
(Budowski, 1976) [3] forming one of the largest blocks of
lower montane forest in Africa (Weber, 1989; Dowsett, 1990)
[27, 5]. Nyungwe Forest is recognized internationally for its
role in the conservation of various animal species,
particularly birds, primates, and some invertebrates even
though invertebrates are not yet fully studied (Kanyamibwa,
1992) [7].
NFBZ is rich in fauna and flora due to the movement of
animals and seeds dispersal. Since it is the habitat of so many
species of both plants and animals, the proper implementation
of any activity should consider the conservation of biological
diversity within this area. Although the application of the
“buffer zone” concept is quite new in some countries, it has
been emerging as a viable strategy in linking ecological and
economic objectives. In the Rwandan case, the buffer zone
around the NNP has been planted with economically
important species and is a source of building poles and
firewood for local people (Ndayambaje, 2002) [16]. Due to the
animal dispersal, the Buffer Zone has become a habitat for
different biodiversity including birds, due to the favorable
habitat with open canopy and whether conditions. This study
was based on the assessment of the existing birds’ species
found around Nyungwe National Park and in the Buffer
Zone, to have a baseline of information on birdsthat exist in
Nyungwe National Park Buffer Zone.
Sampling Method
Birds are a migrating species and they can change habitat due
to their preferences, breeding season and climate change and
variation. Sometimes they migrate due to season variation
and this is one of the reasons that birds are shifting from
Nyungwe National Park to the Buffer Zone. This study was
to assess the existing species of birds within the Buffer Zone
of Nyungwe National Park and transects were used to collect
data and sampling activities. A total of 45 transects were set
and 149 Permanent Sample Plots were used to help conduct
the study.
Transects and Plots Design
During this study, transects were designed in the way that a
distance of 1.5km and above are kept between two transects.
A total of 45 transects and 37 transects were the only covered
transects in this study. All the transects were designed in the
4 Districts namely Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Nyamasheke and
Karongi.
Transects were designed using ArcMap software and the
NNPBZ shape files.
They were oriented from East to West and vice-versa, and
regular inter distance between them was maintained to avoid
biases. The Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to
take geographic coordinates (x, y and z) of plots in each 500
meters, and to localize the area where data on butterflies were
collected.
Fig 1: Transects distribution and orientation in NYAMAGABE District
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Fig 2: Transects distribution and orientation in NYAMASHEKE_KARONGI Districts
Fig 3: Transects distribution and orientation in NYARUGURU District
The data was collected in transects, but the data was below
sampling methods and was used during data collection.
The Opportunistic Sampling
The opportunistic sampling has helped the team record bird
species observed or heard outside of point counts and
transects at several times, especially during the night at the
camp site. Data was used to perform the species richness. The
type of habitat types at the point were also recorded using tall
closed, tall open, small closed, small open, March, and wood
land. The GPS point coordinates were also recorded, and the
map was done later in data analysis.
Camera Trapping
Camera trapping method was also used to compliment the
observation method. The camera was used opportunistically,
either in long transects or in particular sites. The purpose of
using the camera trapping method was to obtain some data on
species, which were not easy to survey by observational
method, such as those birds preferring nocturnal activities.
Point Counts
Point count technique is known to becost- effective and is a
popular technique in bird surveying (Bibby et al., 2000) [1]. It
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564
allows gives a collection of unbiased results, which can be
extrapolated to other areas of the same habitat type (Bibby et
al., 2000) [1] and used for a bird’s identification. The 26
transects with 183-point counts were set, for this purpose, and
the number of point counts per transect depended on transect
width at interval of 200m, where each point count was visited
once. The team would wait 2 minutes to let birds settle and
then record all birds heard and seen within a period of 10
minutes (Esquivel and Peris, 2008) and would move to the
next point count and replicate the same procedure. Other
records were micro-habitats along transects and Global
Poisoning System (GPS) point coordinates. The mammals
and human signs were recorded in observation areas. The bird
identification was done using Binoculars and Helm Field
Guides Birds of East Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda,
Rwanda and Burundi.
Transect Counts for Birds
During this survey, transect counts were used (Swaay at al.,
2015). This method is most popular and recommended for
monitoring of birds.Each site located at 200m was visited
once. At each survey point, individuals of birds were
recorded using sound hearing and visual technics with a high-
resolution camera and it was also used for further
identification.
Observational Methods
During this survey, birds were surveyed using observational
methods (Scare, 2014) along the same transects. Some birds
were observed while others were identified by dung,
furthermore others were identified by signs. The GPS
coordinates and the habitat types were also recorded using tall
closed, tall open, small closed, small open, march, wood land.
Opportunistic Visual Encounter Survey forBirds
The team walked during the day along transects and
opportunistically recorded any birds encountered. This
method was indicated to be popular in documenting the
presence.
Equipment and Materials
Materials Used
This assessment was based on the field activities and different
materials and equipment used for data collection and to
ensure better field activities. Such materials like GPS (Global
Positional System), Compass for direction and orientation of
a transect, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), Data sheets,
Binoculars and Digital camera.
Results Interpretation and Discussion
All data recorded were either in plot or transect depending on
the nature of data required. For birds, the record was both in
plot counts and in transects. Bird surveys provide key
information that helps the conservation of biodiversity
(Poulsen and Krabb, 1998, Bibby et al., 2000) [1] and birds
are indicators of ecological conditions (Nawaz and Zakaria
2011). During this assessment the team surveyed 183-point
counts along 26 transects.
Species Richness
A total of 111 species were recorded of which 107species
were detected along transects, while 4 were recorded
opportunistically. The habitat types recorded were tall open,
tall crossed, small open and small closed. The findings
revealed that 17 species, that is 15.3% of all detections, are
endemic to the Albertine Rift including: Alethepoliophrys
(Red-throated Alethe), Apalispersonata (Mountain Masked
Apalis), Apalisruwenzorii (Collared Apalis), Batisdiops
(Rwenzori Batis), Caprimulgus Ruwenzori (Ruwenzori
nightjar), Cinnyris regia (Regal Sunbird), Cinnyrisstuhlmanni
(Rwenzori Double-collared), Cryptospizajacksoni (Dusky
crimsonwing), Cyanomitraalinae (Blue-headed Sunbird),
Francolinusnoblis (Handsome francolin), Hemitesianeumanni
(Neumann's warbler), Kupeornisrufosinctus (Red-collared
Babbler), Melaenornisardesiacus (Yellow-eyed Black
Flycatcher), Parusfasciiventer (Stripe-breasted Tit),
Phylloscopuslaetus (Red-faced Woodland Warbler),
Sheppardiaaequatorialis (Equatorial akalat), Tauraco
johnstoni (Rwenzori Tauraco).
The presence of endemic and other species of special
conservation concern. Forest specialists show that some areas
of the Buffer Zone show a pray economic importance and
ecological importance. Therefore, all operations undertaken
within the Buffer Zone, include, but not limited to, harvesting
operations and road system development. It should be done
in a biodiversity friendly way to avoid the disturbances
associated with human activities.Forest harvesting is
sustainable when it encompasses social, ethical, ecological,
and economic aspects (Jacobson 2001). It also supports the
idea of initiation of other non-timber businesses within the
Buffer Zone, such as avi-tourism.
Species Classification
Species classification was done based on species habitat
preference. This allows species list and abundance to be
interpreted. For example, the number of FF species is an
initial measure of forest’s relative conservation importance
while the proportion of FF, F, f will change according to
changes in forest structure (Bennun at al., 1996) [8].
FF Forest specialist – species typical of forest interiors
F Forest generalist – less specialized also occur in small
patches of forest
f Forest visitor - birds which are often recorded in forest, but
are not dependent upon it
W Water bird specialist – normally restricted to wetlands or
open waters
w: Water bird non-specialist – often found near water,
N: Non-forest
P: Palearctic migrant – a species that breeds in Europe or Asia
NF: Non‐forest species
NC: Non-classified
The findings showed that forest generalist (F) richness
species was highest, followed by forest visitor (f). The
dominance of forest visitors could be attributed to the several
reasons: Natural habitat changes due to dominance of exotic
species and disappearance of native species in the buffer
zone, the high adaptability of generalist species to the habitat
change of forest generalist than forest specialist (FF) for this
reason they are among most conservation concern (Bennun at
al., 1996) [8].
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565
Fig 4: Species classification
Similarity Between Bird Communities Among Transects.
The similarity was computed using Biodiversity Professional
software. The transects 30 and 34 were most similar (60, 71),
followed by 23 and 24 (56, 25); 35 and 36, 4 and 3 (49, 34).
Species Accumulation Curves
Species accumulation curves can be used to measure the
effectiveness of the efforts released and the performance.
Rarefaction graphs were plotted for species richness for
transects (Figure 6).
The transect 26 showed the highest species richness (40
species), followed by transect 23 (29 species), 39 (25 species)
while the lowest was transect 33 (6species). In term of
abundance the transect 26 presented the highest number (127
individuals), followed by transect 17 (88 individuals) while
the lowest number was recorded a long transect 16 (16
individuals).Species were accumulating with the increase of
the point surveyed and curves did not attain asymptotes. This
implies that efforts used were not enough. According to Scott
et al., 2006, in some areas the asymptotes were attained after
five days of bird survey. Given that each transect was visited
once, it is possible that further sampling would yield more
species.
Species Diversity
In the reference data transect 26 showed the highest diversity
(3.278 Shannon-Weiner Index), followed by transect 23
(3.175 Shannon-Weiner Index) while the lowest diverse was
transect 16 with (1.637 Shannon-Weiner Index). However,
after rarefying the transect 24 (3.935 Shannon-Weiner Index)
is the richest followed by 32 transect 3.923 (Shannon-Weiner
Index) while the lowest is transect 3 (2.664 Shannon-Weiner
Index).
Figure 5: Similarity between bird’s communities
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566
Similarity of birds’ communities among transects has been
calculated based on data from transects.
The transect 30 and 34 are the most similar (60,71%),
followed by 23 and 24 (56,25%) and 35 and 36, 4 and 3
(49,34).
Fig 6: Species accumulation curves among of transects
Discussion
Among the forest reserves affected by human activities,
Nyungwe Forest Reserve, formal Nyungwe National Park, is
Rwanda’s newest and largest national park. Nyungwe is
widely recognized as being of global as well as national
significance. NNP is situated in the majestic hills of
southwestern Rwanda (Musabe 2002) [14]. It is located
between the latitude 2o15’ and 2o55’South and longitude
29o00’ and 29o30’East (Plumptre et al. 2002) and lies within
the Albertine Rift Valley on the Congo-Nile ridge between 1
600 m and 2 950 m. Nyungwe Forest is recognized
internationally for its role in the conservation of various
animal species, particularly birds, primates, and some
invertebrates despite the fact that invertebrates are not yet
fully studied (Kanyamibwa, 1992) [7]. From this, the Buffer
Zone of Nyungwe National Park was recognized as one of the
conservation areas. The zone was implemented for the sake
of ecosystem services to the local community around the
park. This was in such way to reduce human pressure on
natural resources from Nyungwe National Park (MINAGRI
1984, Weber 1989) [27]. Different studies were required in the
context of having baseline information on existing
biodiversity. This study was focused on bird’s diversity found
within NNP.
The study was conducted in Nyungwe National Park Buffer
Zone during asix-month span, from July to December 2017.
Transects were used to sample data, the team surveyed 183-
point counts along 26 transects.In this study we found and
recorded a total of 111 species, which 107species were
detected along transects, while 4 were recorded
opportunistically. The habitat types recorded were tall open,
tall crossed, small open and small closed. The findings
revealed that 17 species, that is 15.3% of all detections, are
endemic to the Albertine Rift. Which is good for biodiversity
conservation and the presence of endemic and other species
of special conservation concern. Forest specialist shows that
some areas of the Buffer Zone do not only pray economic
importance, but also ecological importance.
From the findings, it shows that the forest generalist (F)
richness species was highest, followed by forest visitor (f).
The dominance of forest visitors could be attributed to the
several reasons: Natural habitat changes due to dominance of
exotic species and disappearance of native species in the
Buffer Zone, the high adaptability of generalist species to the
habitat change of forest generalist than forest specialist (FF)
for this reason they are among most conservation concern
(Bennun at al., 1996) [8]. It is well known that Buffer Zone of
Nyungwe National Park consists of exotic tree species and
some of the area is used for agriculture and also more
frequently visited by human interaction. This is also a reason
for having high number of forest visitor’s species as there are
limited number of indigenous species and low environmental
stability.
The species richness and variability in species number from
this study has shown that transect 26 showed the highest
species richness (40 species), followed by transect 23 (29
species), 39 (25 species) while the lowest was transect 33
(6species). And from the transects location, Nyamasheke is
taken as the richest part of the Buffer Zone for bird’s species.
In term of abundance the transect 26 presented the highest
number (127 individuals), followed by transect 17 (88
individuals) while the lowest number was recorded a long
transect 16 (16 individuals) and from individual richness,
Nyamasheke and Nyamagabe District are the richest in bird’s
individuals.
In the reference data transect 26 has shown the highest
diversity (3.278 Shannon-Weiner Index), followed by
transect 23 (3.175 Shannon-Weiner Index) while the lowest
diverse was transect 16 with (1.637 Shannon-Weiner Index).
However, after rarefying the transect 24 (3.935 Shannon-
Weiner Index) is the richest followed by 32 transect 3.923
(Shannon-Weiner Index) while the lowest is transect 3 (2.664
Shannon-Weiner Index) and from this, all the results indicate
that the Buffer Zone is more rich in Birds diversity and given
that each transect was visited once, it is possible that further
sampling would yield more species.
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567
Conclusion
Biodiversity conservation is our future welfare and health; we
need to avail information about existing biodiversity for
decision makers to decide which conservation strategies to
use. This study from theNyungwe National Park Buffer Zone,
within Nyamagabe, Nyaruguru, Karongi and Nyamasheke
Districts, was to conduct an assessment ofbiodiversity more
specifically on birds. Results indicate the bird’s diversity
richness of Nyungwe National Park Buffer Zone and a total
of 111 species were recorded of which 107species were
detected along transects, while 4 were recorded
opportunistically. The habitat types recorded were tall open,
tall crossed, small open and small closed. The findings
revealed that 17 species, that is 15.3% of all detections, are
endemic to the Albertine Rift ecosystem. The availability of
the above number of species is an indication that the Buffer
Zone of Nyungwe National Park is a favorable habitat for
biodiversity species. The number also indicates the existing
bird species that is also found in Nyungwe National Park,
implies that most of them are originally from the park. The
total number of bird’s species reflects the richness of the site.
The high value of the site Shannon-Weiner Index shows the
high birds’ diversity of the site, the presence, or absence of
key species, such as threatened or endangered, serves as an
indicator of the importance of the conservation of the site and
area.
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