Landscape Pattern Impacts on the Population Density and Distribution of Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis Steere) in Argao Watershed Reserve, Argao, Cebu, Philippines
This study determined the impacts of landscape pattern on population density of C. cebuensis within AWR, a conservation priority in Cebu, Philippines. Three land uses were identified, namely, (a) cultivated (3,399？ha/45%); (b) forestlands (3,002？ha/40%); and (c) build-up (1,050？ha/15%). Forest patches at class have irregular/complex shapes; thus the forest areas in AWR are more fragmented and heterogeneous. Estimated population density of C. cebuensis was 52 and 53 individuals per hectare in mixed and natural forests. There were only three predictors at the landscape and four at the sampling site level, respectively have able to explain the behavior of the population density of C. cebuensis. Relative humidity and canopy cover were having high positive significant correlations while tree basal area has high negative correlation (at landscape). Elevation and canopy cover have positive high significant and significant correlations, while slope and shrub cover have negative significant correlation with C. cebuensis population density. The adjusted values were 0.345 and 0.212 (at landscape and sampling site). These suggest that about 34.5% of the variations of the population density of C. cebuensis have been accounted for by the former and only 21.2% by the latter. Preservation and protection of remaining forest fragments within AWR are paramount. 1. Introduction Landscape ecology explains landscape pattern and interprets its possible ecological impacts particularly on energy and material flow on flora and fauna found at the landscape [1]. Argao watershed is currently experiencing these various changes that threaten biodiversity. It is located at the southeastern part of Cebu, Philippines. Some of the limited natural forest patches of the watershed are sporadically distributed on upland barangays, which are pervasively threatened from sustained illegal cutting of trees, fuel wood gathering, and converting forest to other land uses such as agriculture [2]. In 2001, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared Mt. Lantoy, which is located within Argao watershed reserve (AWR), as 71st of the 117 Important Bird Areas (IBA) in the country [3], because of the presence of endangered Cebu Black Shama (Copsychus cebuensis) and Cebu Flowerpecker (Dicaeum quadricolor). C. cebuensis is an endemic bird species to the island of Cebu in the Philippines. It has always been considered rare and endangered as it has very small range and population [3]. Conducting detailed ecological research to determine threats and their level of impact, as a case
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