Abstract

CRUZ BOJORGES-BANOS, José  and  LOPEZ-MATA, Lauro. Association of the richness and diversity of bird species and vegetation structure in semiervergreen forest from central Veracruz, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2006, vol.77, n.2, pp.235-249. ISSN 2007-8706.

We analyzed the degree of association of the birds species richness and diversity and the vegetation structure (richness and diversity of species and height); these attributes were quantified respectively with 12 points of count (4/area) and with point centred quarter method (40/area) in 3 areas with different degrees of succession. The species diversity was estimated (Shannon-Wiener) and the richness, abundance and diversity of both communities were statistically compared; the test of the relation between sets of variables was evaluated with correlation analysis. There was no correlation between the bird community and the vegetation height diversity but the quantitative evidence show relation between the richness and species diversity of vegetation and bird community. This suggests only floristic composition is important for the structure of the bird community in this habitat and on this scale of analysis. We suggested the conservation of patches of vegetation with different phases of natural regeneration since these would be taken by different feeding guilds as well as by species with specific habitats and could be necessary for the survival and reproduction of many birds species in Santa Gertrudis.

Keywords : habitat; birds of Veracruz; correlation.