FULL-BLOWN RESEARCH PROPOSAL

I. Basic Information

Program/Project Title: Bird Species Diversity, Abundance and Distribution in Ulot

Watershed, Can-avid, Eastern Samar

Project Leader/Co-researchers: Ma. Joy O. Jocosol

Cristita O. Subere
Dennis C. Afable

Implementing College/Campus: College of Agriculture

Cooperating College(s)/Agency(ies)/Office(s): OPRE

Project duration: February – July 2021

Budget PS: MOOE:

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 INTRODUCTION

The Philippines harbors a wide variety of plant and animal species and some are
endemic to the country. It is in fact one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world (Robert
et al. 2002) which caters 70-80% of the world’s biodiversity (Ong 2002). Moreover, it is
abundantly rich in birdlife (Rabor 1977). The Wild Birds Club of the Philippines listed 626
species of birds, 206 of which are endemic and 79 are globally threatened (Jensen and Allen
2009). Nevertheless, the country ranks first in the number of threatened endemic bird
species (Collar et al. 1994) and fourth in globally threatened birds (Collar et al. 1994).
Furthermore, Samar has a total of 310 bird species, 2 are introduced species and 17 are
globally threatened (Lepage 2016).

Several studies have been conducted on birds in highlands and mountains (Sucaldito
and Nuheza 2008), but only few on wetlands (e.g. rivers). Ulot River is Samar’s longest river
with a total length of 90 km. Ulot Watershed is a significant site for birds which covers 52,
930 hectares. However, current understanding of ecological association of wildlife
communities through biological researchers in the area remains poor. Several sightings of
birds were reported around the area but no specific study has explored avifaunal survey.
Furthermore, official documents necessary to describe the status of wildlife in the area are
lacking. Given that birds are good indicators of overall biodiversity (Mallari et al. 2001;
Pathak 2005), This study attempts to investigate the current status, importance and treats to
the birds in Ulot River.

This study will be conducted to produce a list of birds in the area to serve as
invaluable input into the decision-making process involve in prioritization and usage of
resources in Ulot River.

This study specifically aims to:

1. To identify and qualitatively describe the bird species found in Ulot Watershed;
2. To quantify the bird species’ diversity, richness, abundance and distribution; and,
3. To qualitatively describe each station plots included in the study site.

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 METHODOLOGY

Study Area

The study will be conducted in Ulot Watershed located in Can-avid, Eastern Samar.
The area will be mapped using Garmin 78s GPS receiver. Ten station points will establish
within the study site.

Birds Surveys

The point-count method bird survey will be used in this study. An observer stands at
a strategic point and will observe the bird species using Celestron binoculars within 50m
distance. The bird observation will be taken for 20 minutes, in which the observer surveys
the station point for 10 minutes. A 5 minute interval will allow. The observation will begin
again on the area for 10 minutes. This survey is between 6:00-9:00h and 16:00-18:00h when
bird detectability is high and mobility is low, reducing the chance of multiple recording and
encounters (Wunderle 1994; Marsden 1999). Fast counting reduces the chances of multiple
counts of an individual while covering the perimeter. The avifaunal surveys will be conducted
once a month for each station points over the period of January to April 2016. Bird species,
sighting frequencies, general movements, and behavior across routes will be recorded in
bull’s-eye and standardize frequency data sheets.

Photo-documentation

To supplement the identification of birds observed, a Nikon D5200 Digital Single

Lens Reflex Camera will be used for photo-documentation. Also an Elite spotting scope
equipped with a camera will photograph the birds observation around the station plots. The
conduct of this documentation will perform simultaneously with the survey with the help of an
assistant.

Habitat Assessment

A qualitative assessment of the station points will be conducted for the study. Each
station point will characterize as either an open area or a wooden area. For further
classification of the habitat, the type of vegetation present will be recorded. It will also noted
if the station points will frequently disturbe by humans and influence by establishments or
buildings. Furthermore, ethnobiological interviews will be conducted to supplement the
observation and actual data gathering during the surveys.

Data Analyses

To analyze the bird community diversity, Menhinick’s Shannon-Weiner’s and Pielou’s

Evenness indices will be used. Menhinick’s index is generally use to quantify the species
richness of a study site. Shannon-Weiner index is generally use in ecological studies

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concern with the number and abundance of rare species (Peet 1974; Colwell 2009). For the
species evenness, Pielou’s Evenness Index will be used to measure the general distribution
of bird species among plots.

Menhinick’s Species Richness Index is calculated as:

(Eq.1)

where s is the number of different species represent in your sample and N is the total
number of individual organisms in your sample.

Shannon-Weiner Species Diversity Index can be computed as:

(Eq.2)

where H’ is the species diversity index, S is the number of species, pi is the portion of
individuals of each bird species belonging to the ith species of the total number of individuals.

Pielou’s Eveness Index is computed as:

J’
(Eq. 3)

where H’ is the number derived from the Shannon diversity index, and H’max is the maximun
value of H’.

Abundance of each species:

% Abundance= N/Ntotal x 100 (Eq. 4)

where N is the numbet of birds for each species and Ntotal is the total number of birds for all
species.

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References

Collar NJ, Crosby MJ, Stattersfield AJ. 1994. Birds to watch 2: the world list of threatened
birds. Birdlife International (Series No.4). Cambridge, U.K.

Jensen AE, Allen D. 2009. Wild bird club of the Phlilippines. Checklist of birds of the
Philippines.

Lepage D, Warnier J. 2016. The Peters’ check-list of the birds of the world (1931-1987)
database. Available from: http://avibase.bsceoc.org/peterschecklist.jsp.

Mallari NAD, Tabaranza BR, Crosby MJ. 2001. Key conservation site in the Philippines. A
haribon foundation and birdlife international directory of important bird areas. Bookmark, Inc.
Makati City, Philippines.

Ong PS, Afuang LE, Rosell-Ambal RG. 2002. Philippines biodervirsity strategy and action
plan. DENRPAWB, CI-Philippines, Biodiversity Conservation Program (BCP) – University of
the Philippines Center for Integrative and development Studies (UCIDS) and Foundation for
the Philippines Environment (FPE), Quezon City, Philippines

Roberts CM, Colin Jm, Veron JEN, Hawkins JP, Allen GR, McAllister Mittermeir CG,
Schueller FW, Spadind M, Wells F, Vynne C. Werner TB. 2002. Marine biodiversity hotspots
and conservation priorities for topical reefs 18:307-31 9pp.

Rabor DS. 1977. Philippine birds and mammals. University of the Philippines Press, Quezon
City.

Sucaldito MP, Wilting A, Gaveau DLA, Meijaard E. Smith RJ. 2015. Targeted conservation to
safeguard a biodiversity hotspot from climate and land-cover change. Current Biology 25,
372-378.

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