Affiliation:
1. Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka, 50300 Mihintale, Sri Lanka
2. Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, 20400 Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Abstract
Distribution patterns corresponding to habitat characteristics in tropical forests have not been largely studied. Natural forest structure as well as the anthropogenic alterations to the forests equally affects the distribution patterns of wet zone avifauna. The study reveals the importance of % canopy closure, distance from the forest edge, tree density, diversity, and elevation to the community composition of local forest birds inhabiting Gannoruwa Forest Reserve, Sri Lanka. The most important factors resulting in the study for shaping the avian distribution pattern are distance from the edge,elevation, and the % canopy closure. With the increase of favouring resources to the avian fauna at the edges and the juxtaposition of the edge, many forest loving species were observed to move towards the edge. The pattern is proven advantageous, but harmful in the long run. Thus, it is advisable that the conservation plans should focus on habitat destruction and the anthropogenic disturbance along forest edges.
Subject
Cell Biology,Developmental Biology,Embryology,Anatomy