Avifaunal Diversity, Dynamics and their Significance as a Tool to Assess Habitat Status: A Review

Abstract

Birds provide essential services for ecological balance by serving as pollinators, seed dispersers, and natural pest controllers, which help maintain the health of ecosystems. Degradation of their habitats, for any reason, would disturb this balance. Every cause of climate change is known to trigger changes in the composition, structure, and function of avian community. The loss and fragmentation of forest habitats leads to decline in bird populations at both micro and macro levels. This review was aimed to identify research studies, whose findings highlight the significance of avifaunal dynamics as a tool to evaluate the health of the habitats and ecosystems. Research outcomes from various field studies carried out across different parts of the world were reviewed. Assessments related to changes in birds’ distribution ranges, diets, nesting behaviours, breeding practices, and habitat occupancy have reflected significant changes in habitat quality. Numerous studies have shown a declining trend in bird populations within forests that are experiencing degradation. These research aid in monitoring habitat degradation and helps in evaluating the effects of climate change. This review revealed that Ecologists worldwide have reached a consensus, based on extensive field experiments, that studying avifaunal diversity and dynamics reflects the status of the habitat and can be an effective tool to assess habitat status.