The abundance and species richness of insectivorous birds in relation to arthropods assemblages along a distance gradient from secondary forest into oil palm plantation in SALCRA , Sarawak

Soon, Vivian and Mohd Azlan, Jayasilan and Betty, Copa Amit and Andrew, Alek Tuen (2022) The abundance and species richness of insectivorous birds in relation to arthropods assemblages along a distance gradient from secondary forest into oil palm plantation in SALCRA , Sarawak. Malayan Nature Journal, 74 (3). pp. 347-363. ISSN 0025-1291

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Abstract

Predation by insectivorous birds is naturally considered as an important biological pest control in oil palm plantations. The abundance and species richness of insectivorous birds and their arthropod preys were examined along a distance gradient from secondary forest into the oil palm plantation at SALCRA Stenggang Oil Palm Estate in Bau, Sarawak between March to August 2020. The point count survey (total effort of 600 minutes), recorded 318 insectivorous birds representing 35 species from 18 families. Pitfall traps and sticky traps (total effort of 300 trap nights) collectively recorded the highest arthropod count in secondary forests. The results suggested that the decline in the abundance and diversity of insectivorous birds are mostly due to the increasing distance from the forest edge, while it diminishes the predation pressure on arthropod prey. The increase in insectivorous birds has a negative effect on arthropod abundance at secondary forests and forest edge, but not within the interior of oil palm plantations. This study proposed retaining natural forest found within and surrounding the oil palm plantation, as this is imperative for the ecological biodiversity to naturally spill over the predator movement into the oil palm plantation for the provision of important ecosystem services.

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