Effects of Vegetation Variables and Anthropogenic Activities on Threatened Bird Species in Fragmented Forest Patches of the Obudu Plateau, South Eastern Nigeria

*^1,2Dami Filibus Danjuma, ²Mwansat Georgina Samuel, ^1,2Shiiwua A. Manu and ^1,2Chaskda Adams

¹A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Jos, P.O. Box 13404, Laminga, Jos-east, Plateau State, Nigeria.

²Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B 2084, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author’s Contact Details: E-mail Address ✉: damidanjuma@yahoo.com; Phone no ☎: +(234)803973266

Accepted August 26, 2020

The present investigation was conducted in Obudu Plateau which is one of the most important single sites in Nigeria for the globally-threatened bird species: White-throated Mountain Babbler Kupeornis gilberti, Bannerman’s Weaver Ploceus bannermani and Green-breasted Bush-shrike Malaconotus gladiator between 2014 and 2015. The result showed that vegetation height had a significant effect on the number of Bannerman’s weaver and this increased with increase in forest productivity and anthropogenic activity while the number decrease with increase in forest compactness. Forest compactness had a significant effect on the number of White-throated mountain babblers and increased with increase in forest productivity but decreased with increase in anthropogenic activity and vegetation height. Vegetation variables are a reflection of the different land types on the Obudu plateau e.g. farming, felling of trees, grazing that reduces vegetation cover and complexity thus negatively affecting the threatened species. Alternatives should be provided to the communities to ease pressure on the forest as well as continued environmental education.

Key words: Birds, Fragmentation, Obudu, Threatened, Vegetation, Variables.

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