Mammals and birds of a peat swamp forest of Sarawak

Tuen A. A., . (2004) Mammals and birds of a peat swamp forest of Sarawak. [Proceedings Paper]

Mammal and bird trappings were carried out at a peat swamp forest PSF in Kota Samarahan Sarawak from 1994 to 1999. A total of 101 mammals mostly Short-Nose fruit bat Cynopterus brachyotis and 605 birds mainly Rufous-baked Kingfisher Little Spiderhunter Olive-winged Bulbul Red-tailed Tailorbird Striped Tit-babbler and Chestnut-winged Babbler were caught. Fifteen species of mammals were captured and ten of these including the Western Tarsier and Slow Loris are protected by law because they are considered to be rare and endangered. Sixty-five species of understorey birds were captured inside the forest and at the forest edge and fifteen of these including Kingfishers and Woodpeckers are proted by law. Twenty-seven species of birds are considered to be rare in the peat swamp forest with only one individual being netted during the whole study period. The presence of protected and rare species of mammals and birds augurs very well for the protection and preservation of this peat swamp forest for research into the ecology of these species. Examination of annual captures showed that it varies from year to year with the decline in captures being most significant between 1996 and 1997 square X 61.13 p 0.001. This may be attributed to the presence of haze 1997. Among the species which showed a dramatic decline in the number captured includes Pied Fantail Olive-winged Bilbul Little Spiderhunter Rufous Piculet and Short-tailed Babbler. Only Red-eyed Bulbul showed an increase in captures. Although the number of birds captured in 1999 was low the rates of capture bad actually increased from 0.40 in 1998 to 0.65 in 1999. Although the capture rate has not recovered to its 1996 value of 1.28 there is a sign of recovery in bird population in 1999. This study also shows that among the non-volant mammals squirrels and rats are edge loving species while treesbrews are comfortable in both the edge and interior of the forest. While most of the birds seems to use both the edge and interior of the forest Broadbill and Maroon Woodpecker were caught only at 150-200 m inside the forest and the Brown-throated Sunbird was caught only at the forest edge. Further studies on how peat swamp fauna distribute themselves with respect to edge habitat is currently is progress.

Full text available from:

Abstract

Mammal and bird trappings were carried out at a peat swamp forest PSF in Kota Samarahan Sarawak from 1994 to 1999. A total of 101 mammals mostly Short-Nose fruit bat Cynopterus brachyotis and 605 birds mainly Rufous-baked Kingfisher Little Spiderhunter Olive-winged Bulbul Red-tailed Tailorbird Striped Tit-babbler and Chestnut-winged Babbler were caught. Fifteen species of mammals were captured and ten of these including the Western Tarsier and Slow Loris are protected by law because they are considered to be rare and endangered. Sixty-five species of understorey birds were captured inside the forest and at the forest edge and fifteen of these including Kingfishers and Woodpeckers are proted by law. Twenty-seven species of birds are considered to be rare in the peat swamp forest with only one individual being netted during the whole study period. The presence of protected and rare species of mammals and birds augurs very well for the protection and preservation of this peat swamp forest for research into the ecology of these species. Examination of annual captures showed that it varies from year to year with the decline in captures being most significant between 1996 and 1997 square X 61.13 p 0.001. This may be attributed to the presence of haze 1997. Among the species which showed a dramatic decline in the number captured includes Pied Fantail Olive-winged Bilbul Little Spiderhunter Rufous Piculet and Short-tailed Babbler. Only Red-eyed Bulbul showed an increase in captures. Although the number of birds captured in 1999 was low the rates of capture bad actually increased from 0.40 in 1998 to 0.65 in 1999. Although the capture rate has not recovered to its 1996 value of 1.28 there is a sign of recovery in bird population in 1999. This study also shows that among the non-volant mammals squirrels and rats are edge loving species while treesbrews are comfortable in both the edge and interior of the forest. While most of the birds seems to use both the edge and interior of the forest Broadbill and Maroon Woodpecker were caught only at 150-200 m inside the forest and the Brown-throated Sunbird was caught only at the forest edge. Further studies on how peat swamp fauna distribute themselves with respect to edge habitat is currently is progress.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. QH87.3 I61 1999 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	MAMMALS
AGROVOC Term:	BIRDS
AGROVOC Term:	PEATLANDS
AGROVOC Term:	SWAMPS
AGROVOC Term:	FORESTS
AGROVOC Term:	TRAPPING
AGROVOC Term:	SITE PREPARATION
AGROVOC Term:	LOGGING
AGROVOC Term:	PROTECTED SPECIES
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:27
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/16394

Actions (login required)

View Item