The diversity of resident Passerine bird in the East Yunnan-Guizhou
Plateau is closely related to plant species richness, vertical altitude
difference and habitat area
Abstract
East Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is rich in biodiversity in China. Complex
geographical and climatic conditions, and rich bird resources made this
area an ideal system for studying the spatial distribution mechanism and
influencing factors of birds, which were still unknown. Bird community
data from 37 sites in this region were collected, including 505 bird
species and 164 species of resident passerine bird analyzed. The
taxonomic diversity, phylogenetic diversity, functional diversity, and
community structure index were calculated. Redundancy analysis (RDA),
ordinary least square (OLS), and structural equation model (SEM), were
used to explore the relationship between bird diversity index and 12
environmental factors used to describe the habitat conditions of birds.
Results indicated that the vascular plant species richness, habitat
area, and vertical altitude difference were the three most critical
factors affecting bird diversity. The phylogenetic structure of bird
community was dispersed in west and clustered in east, and significantly
related to latitude, habitat area, and vertical altitude difference. The
functional structure was dispersed in all sites, and significantly
related to mean annual precipitation and longitude. This suggest that
the distribution pattern of bird diversity was caused by the
comprehensive action of various habitat factors which were mainly
related to food availability and habitat heterogeneity. Considering the
protection of birds in this area, it is necessary to continuously
promote the construction of nature reserve system proposed by the
Chinese government, and pay attention to the protection of urban green
space such as campus and urban parks, to maintain the area and integrity
of bird habitat, while only a high plant species and area is not enough,
improving the habitat heterogeneity is of great significance.