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Migratory bird species benefit from traditional agricultural gardens in arid South Sinai

Norfolk, Olivia; Power, Andrew; Eichhorn, Markus P.; Gilbert, Francis

Authors

Olivia Norfolk

Andrew Power

Markus P. Eichhorn



Abstract

In temperate and tropical regions agricultural conversion of natural habitat typically has negative impacts upon the diversity and functional complexity of bird communities. In arid environments however, the irrigation associated with agricultural can lead to an increase in local abundances of plant and insect resources, so has the potential to benefit bird communities. South Sinai is a key migratory corridor for many birds making the annual journey from wintering sites in Africa to breeding sites in Europe. We assess the importance of traditional Bedouin agricultural gardens for both resident and migratory species by comparing the density and functional composition of birds within the irrigated gardens to those in the unmanaged desert habitat. Estimated bird densities were significantly higher within the gardens than the unmanaged habitat, with a higher estimated species richness within the gardens. Functional composition of bird communities differed between the two habitats, with gardens supporting a higher proportion of insectivorous and migratory birds in addition to the resident desert species that were associated with the unmanaged habitat. Migratory species were almost entirely absent from the unmanaged habitat, suggesting that this region may not be used as a migratory stop-off if not for the presence of traditional agricultural gardens.

Citation

Norfolk, O., Power, A., Eichhorn, M. P., & Gilbert, F. (2015). Migratory bird species benefit from traditional agricultural gardens in arid South Sinai. Journal of Arid Environments, 114, 110-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2014.12.004

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Dec 6, 2014
Online Publication Date Dec 12, 2014
Publication Date 2015-03
Deposit Date Jul 14, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Journal of Arid Environments
Print ISSN 0140-1963
Electronic ISSN 1095-922X
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 114
Pages 110-115
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2014.12.004
Keywords Birds; Desert; Functional richness; Migration; Oases
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/984766
Publisher URL http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140196314002493

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