Avifaunal Assessment of Mindoro State University (MINSU) Forest Reservation

Abstract

Avian species are good indicators of ecosystem wealth. Its assessment is important to realize the important groups that play a vital role in both the structure and function of ecosystems. The Mindoro State University Forest Reservation avian diversity was assessed to update bird data useful for planning and conservation. Transect walks, sound recording and counting were done to gather data during the dry season at the foothills. A total of 143 individuals were recorded and identified which belongs to 23 species and 15 families with Family Columbidae as the most number in terms of species. 9 avian species are endemic in the Philippines, 3 in Mindoro island, and 1 Nearly Endemic. These are the Penelopides mindorensis, Hypsipetes mindorensis and Centropus viridis mindorensis (Philippine Coucal subspecies). Penelopides mindorensis is classified as Endangered while the rest of the species are categorized under the Least Concern status according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The calculated H’ is 2.69 indicates that the avian diversity is moderately diverse while the computed dominance index (D) is 0.08983 which indicates low dominance, respectively. Identified threats on MinSU Forest Reservation include natural hazards such as typhoon, earthquake and landslide, illegal logging, slash and burn agriculture, quarrying and the ongoing road project traversing the upland areas of Alcate, Victoria, Oriental Mindoro to Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro. Recommendations formanagement include continuous assessment of the Forest Reservation biodiversity and threats, education campaign, and effective reforestation projects.