Comparing Bird Assemblages in Catchment Areas of Two Hydroelectric Dams in Terengganu, Malaysia

Abstract

The impact of dam construction on bird assemblages has been widely investigated in some regions, but bird diversity in catchment areas of hydroelectric dams during operation has been less studied. A high rate of forest regeneration around the affected area is expected to increase bird diversity. From September 2017 to February 2018, this study examined bird species richness and abundance in the Puah catchment area (PCA) and Tembat catchment area (TCA) in the Hulu Terengganu Hydroelectric Complex. PCA may be regarded as disturbed forest, while TCA comprises regenerating forest. This study conducted mist-netting and observations throughout the study period. This study recorded 204 individuals consisting of 62 bird species from 27 families. The Shannon diversity index for the birds captured was higher for TCA than for PCA, but the difference was insignificant. However, insectivorous bird diversity was significantly higher in TCA than in PCA, suggesting that feeding guilds are sensitive to habitat disturbance. Therefore, bird species diversity in both areas is expected to increase following habitat regeneration.