Patterns of Bird Diversity Across Forest Habitats in a Tropical Conservation Forest, University of Phayao, Northern Thailand

Abstract

Tropical forest landscapes are experiencing increasing pressure from urban expansion, resulting in the loss and fragmentation of wildlife habitats. Birds are widely recognized as effective ecological indicators because their diversity and distribution respond rapidly to environmental changes and habitat structure. However, biodiversity information from small conservation forests embedded within developing landscapes remains limited, particularly in Southeast Asia. This study examined patterns of bird diversity across forest and wetland habitats within a tropical university conservation forest in Northern Thailand. Bird surveys were conducted using line transect methods across three habitat types, including dry dipterocarp forest, mixed deciduous forest, and reservoir-associated wetlands. A total of 57 bird species belonging to 30 families were recorded, comprising resident, migratory, and partially migratory species. Species diversity varied among habitats, with the highest Shannon diversity index observed in wetland-associated forest areas. Bird occurrence showed clear seasonal patterns and was influenced by environmental factors, particularly light intensity and rainfall, which affected bird activity and detectability. The presence of heterogeneous habitats, including forest vegetation and aquatic environments, contributed significantly to supporting diverse bird communities within the conservation area. Our findings highlight the ecological importance of small conservation forests within institutional landscapes as refugia for avian biodiversity. These results provide baseline information for biodiversity conservation planning and emphasize the role of habitat heterogeneity in maintaining bird diversity in rapidly changing tropical environments.