Bird species and traits associated with logged and unlogged forest in Borneo

• Published in: Ecological applications 2007-06, Vol.17 (4), p.1184-1197
• Main Authors: Cleary, D.F.R, Boyle, T.J.B, Setyawati, T, Anggraeni, C.D, Loon, E.E. van, Menken, S.B.J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal ecology; Animals; biodiversity; bird species composition; Birds; Birds - classification; Borneo; conservation areas; Conservation biology; environmental variation; Forest canopy; Forest ecology; Forest habitats; habitat destruction; Indonesia; Insectivores; Kalimantan; landscapes; Logging; Old growth forests; ordination; redundancy analysis (RDA); RLQ analysis; spatial variation; Species; species diversity; Species Specificity; Trees; tropical forests; Tropical rain forests; wild birds; wildlife habitats
• ISSN: 1051-0761; 1939-5582
• DOI: 10.1890/05-0878

The ecological consequences of logging have been and remain a focus of considerable debate. In this study, we assessed bird species composition within a logging concession in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Within the study area (~196 km²) a total of 9747 individuals of 177 bird species were recorded. Our goal was to identify associations between species traits and environmental variables. This can help us to understand the causes of disturbance and predict whether species with given traits will persist under changing environmental conditions. Logging, slope position, and a number of habitat structure variables including canopy cover and liana abundance were significantly related to variation in bird composition. In addition to environmental variables, spatial variables also explained a significant amount of variation. However, environmental variables, particularly in relation to logging, were of greater importance in structuring variation in composition. Environmental change following logging appeared to have a pronounced effect on the feeding guild and size class structure but there was little evidence of an effect on restricted range or threatened species although certain threatened species were adversely affected. For example, species such as the terrestrial insectivore Argusianus argus and the hornbill Buceros rhinoceros, both of which are threatened, were rare or absent in recently logged forest. In contrast, undergrowth insectivores such as Orthotomus atrogularis and Trichastoma rostratum were abundant in recently logged forest and rare in unlogged forest. Logging appeared to have the strongest negative effect on hornbills, terrestrial insectivores, and canopy bark-gleaning insectivores while moderately affecting canopy foliage-gleaning insectivores and frugivores, raptors, and large species in general. In contrast, undergrowth insectivores responded positively to logging while most understory guilds showed little pronounced effect. Despite the high species richness of logged forest, logging may still have a negative impact on extant diversity by adversely affecting key ecological guilds. The sensitivity of hornbills in particular to logging disturbance may be expected to alter rainforest dynamics by seriously reducing the effective seed dispersal of associated tree species. However, logged forest represents an increasingly important habitat for most bird species and needs to be protected from further degradation. Biodiversity management with