Sains Malaysiana 48(9)(2019): 1811–1821

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2019-4809-02

Contribution of Rice Fields to Bird Diversity in Peninsular Malaysia

(Sumbangan Sawah Padi kepada Kepelbagaian Burung di Semenanjung Malaysia)

NUR MUNIRA AZMAN¹*, SHAHRUL ANUAR MOHD SAH¹, AMIRRUDIN AHMAD² & NIK FADZLY N ROSELY¹

¹School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

²School of Marine and Environmental Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Darul Iman, Malaysia

Received: 1 August 2018/Accepted: 11 June 2019

ABSTRACT

There is a lack of documentation on rice fields as an important habitat that harbour different bird diversity compared to natural habitats in Peninsular Malaysia. This study investigated the contribution of rice fields to bird diversity in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 83 rice fields and 53 natural habitats throughout Peninsular Malaysia were included in this study. Birds were observed and counted using point-count and mist-netting methods. A total of 10,707 bird-sightings, with rice fields, recorded 129 species from 15 orders and 50 families from October 2013 to December 2014; whilst natural forests recorded a total of 438 species from 14 order and 59 families from February 1992 to January 2015. Diversity t-test showed a significant difference in the species richness between the two different habitats (t=11.009, p<0.05). The high values of Δ+and ʌ+ in many areas of rice fields were significantly influenced by the presence of waterbirds, albeit low species richness. This temporary wetland habitat harbours land birds and waterbirds in one place. The data presented here suggest that waterbirds and migratory birds in rice fields contribute significantly to the total bird species found in Peninsular Malaysia.

Keywords: Bird diversity; natural habitats; rice fields; taxonomic variation

ABSTRAK

Tidak banyak kajian yang telah dijalankan untuk mengenal pasti sawah padi sebagai habitat penting yang mampu menempatkan kepelbagaian burung yang berbeza berbanding habitat semula jadi di Semenanjung Malaysia. Kajian ini bertujuan mengetahui sumbangan sawah padi terhadap kepelbagaian burung di Semenanjung Malaysia. Sejumlah 83 tapak kajian sawah padi dan 53 habitat semulajadi di seluruh Semenanjung Malaysia telah dikaji. Burung diperhatikan dan dihitung dengan menggunakan kaedah titik kiraan dan jaring kabut. Sejumlah 10,707 cerapan burung, dengan sawah padi merekodkan 129 spesies daripada 15 order dan 50 famili dari Oktober 2013-Disember 2014; manakala habitat semula jadi merekodkan sejumlah 438 spesies daripada 14 order dan 59 famili dari Februari 1992-Januari 2015. Ujian ‘kepelbagaian t’ menunjukkan perbezaan bererti dalam bilangan spesies antara dua habitat yang berbeza (t=11.009, p=<0.05). Nilai Δ+ dan ʌ+ yang tinggi dalam kebanyakan kawasan sawah padi adalah bererti dan amat dipengaruhi oleh burung air walaupun bilangan spesies di sawah padi adalah rendah. Habitat tanah lembab sementara ini mampu menempatkan burung daratan dan air dalam satu kawasan. Hasil kajian mencadangkan burung air dan hijrah di sawah padi memberi sumbangan yang bererti kepada kepelbagaian burung yang diperhatikan di Semenanjung Malaysia.

Kata kunci: Habitat semula jadi; kepelbagaian burung; sawah padi; variasi taksonomi

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*Corresponding author; email: munirazman86@gmail.com