Sains Malaysiana 43(4)(2014): 513–520

Diversity and Temporal Distribution of Birds in Rice-Growing Landscape,

Northern Peninsular Malaysia

(Kepelbagaian dan Taburan Temporal Burung di Landskap Pertumbuhan Padi,

Utara Semenanjung Malaysia)

A.  NUR MUNIRA¹*, A.L. NURUL SALMI¹², M.S. SHAHRUL ANUAR¹, M.A. MOHD ABDUL MUIN³,  A. AMIRRUDIN⁴& S. NUR JULIANI¹

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

Malaysia

²Center for marine and coastal studies (CEMACS), Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)

11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

³Center for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)11800 USM, Pulau Pinang

Malaysia

⁴Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST)

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia

Diserahkan: 9 Oktober 2012/Diterima: 15 Julai 2013

ABSTRACT

Rice fields are traditional landscape in Malaysia that sustains various species of birds. Waterbirds, raptors, Passeriformes and Columbiformes were observed and counted using point count method at rice fields in Bandar Baharu, Kedah from March 2009 to February 2010. The current status of birds in the rice fields of Malaysia has not been widely researched. The objective of this study was to document the bird species richness and diversity and temporal bird distribution during the annual rice growing cycle. There were 5120 birds representing 67 species belonging to 29 families being recorded. The diversity index (Shannon-Wiener) varied monthly between 2.154 and 3.321. The most abundant bird family observed was Ardeidae (29.09%), followed by Sturnidae (10.15%) and Hirundinidae (7.86%). Rice growing seasons involve three main stages; direct seedling/transplanting, growing and harvesting. Each stage attracts different bird species to exist in the rice field and surrounding areas. Statistical analysis showed the alternative hypothesis that states abundance of bird species is different monthly was accepted (F11, 24 = 3.033, p< 0.05). Farming activities and rice growing seasons regularly influenced birds’ presence in the rice fields and attracted different bird species. Reclamation and urban development on the rice fields is a major concern. Conservation efforts and strict regulation of pesticide use should be implemented to develop sustainable agriculture practices that are beneficial to human and wildlife communities.

Keywords: Bird species; human activities; rice fields; rice growing season

ABSTRAK

Sawah padi merupakan landskap tradisi di Malaysia yang menampung pelbagai spesies burung. Burung air, burung pemangsa, Passerines dan Columbiformes telah diperhatikan dan dikira dengan menggunakan kaedah bilang titik di sawah padi, Bandar Baharu, Kedah dari Mac 2009 hingga Februari 2010. Status terkini burung di sawah padi Malaysia masih tidak meluas dikaji. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mendokumentasi kekayaan dan kepelbagaian spesies burung dan taburan temporal burung semasa kitaran pertumbuhan padi tahunan. Terdapat 5120 individu mewakili 67 spesies dan 29 famili telah direkodkan. Indeks kepelbagaian (Shannon-Weiner) berubah pada setiap bulan antara 2.154 hingga 3.321. Kelimpahan famili burung tertinggi yang diperhatikan adalah Ardeidae (29.09%), diikuti oleh Sturnidae (10.15%) dan Hirundinidae (7.86%). Musim pertumbuhan padi melibatkan tiga peringkat utama; tabur terus/pemindahan anak benih, tumbesaran dan menuai. Setiap peringkat menarik spesies burung berlainan di sawah padi dan kawasan-kawasan sekitarnya. Analisis statistik menunjukkan hipotesis alternatif yang menyatakan kelimpahan spesies burung berbeza mengikut bulan diterima (F11, 24 = 3.033, p<0.05). Aktiviti pertanian dan musim pertumbuhan padi sentiasa mempengaruhi kehadiran burung di sawah padi dan menarik spesies burung yang berbeza. Penambakan dan pembangunan bandar terhadap sawah padi merupakan kebimbangan utama. Usaha pemuliharaan dan peraturan ketat terhadap penggunaan racun perosak perlu dikuatkuasakan bagi membentuk amalan pertanian lestari yang berfaedah kepada manusia dan komuniti haiwan liar.

Kata kunci: Aktiviti manusia; musim pertumbuhan padi; sawah padi; spesies burung

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*Pengarang untuk surat-menyurat; email: munirazman86@gmail.com