Rivero, Crisostomo S. University of Nueva Caceres, City of Naga, 2000
Keywords: Human and Environmental Factors Associated with Bird Population
This study sought to identify the different species of birds in the Nipa Delta at Ponong, Magarao, Camarines Sur and the different factors associated with the composition and population density of these species from December 1999 to May 2000. Specifically, the study sought to answer the following questions: 1) What are the different bird species and population density in Nipa Delta? 2) What are the human and environmental factors associated with bird species and population density? 3) To what extent has the human and environmental factors affected bird population and species composition?
The research method used in the study was the descriptive evaluative. As far as observation of birds in the area, this was done in four different occasions birds were identified and classified according to family as well as residency status. Similarly, the human and environmental factors believed to influence the composition and population density of these bird species were also noted during these occasions and time frame through the aid of unstructured questionnaires. Respondents included 15 residents living near the Nipa Delta and adjacent areas to the study site.
The findings were: 1) Resident birds had a population density of 12.92 with 26 species and 905 individuals; endemic birds had a population density of 0.77 with 15 species and 54 individuals. 2) Human factors associated with population status were: hunting, gathering of minor forest products, fishing and farming system; environmental factors associated were climatic conditions and tidal fluctuations. 3) Along human activities, hunting was the least damaging; along environmental factors, both climactic condition and tidal fluctuations were perceived as not necessarily damaging to bird population and species composition but affected feeding and nesting cycle behavior.
Major conclusions were: 1) that the resident bird were the most numerous and also the most populous in terms of species composition and population; the endemic bird placed second in terms of species composition, but had the least population; the migratory birds were the least in terms of species composition but second in rank in terms of population. 2) Along human activities, hunting was perceived to have the most negative impact; while collection of forest products had the least perceived impact; along environmental factors, climatic conditions had the most perceived impact on feeding and nesting behavior which is directly related to the species composition and population density in the Nipa Delta and surrounding wetland; while tidal fluctuations had the least perceived impact. 3) Only a few species were preferred for consumption and sports; that dry season reduced food base for birds in the nearby farms; and tidal fluctuations provided good feeding grounds for birds.