BIRD COMMUNITIES IN THREE HABITATS OF THE TABASCO PLAIN, MÉXICO

Abstract

The wealth and diversity of the bird community in three ecosystems of the Tabasco plain, México, was evaluated, associated to habitats with flood influence (mangrove, arrowroot-tule and floodable grasslands). Four sampling stations were established in each habitat and observations were performed during drought and rainy seasons in 2010 with three sampling days in each station. The sampling method was through fixed-radius observation in eight spots for each season. The data were taken at sunrise, sundown and night. 23,926 individuals of 155 bird species were identified, showing greater wealth and abundance during the rainy season (141 species and 12,595 individuals), of which 123 species were resident, 22 migratory, seven transitory, two local migratory and one summer resident. According to the Clench, there is 89 % completeness in the community. The arrowroot-tule stands showed the highest wealth (122), followed by mangroves (177) and grasslands (110). The first ecosystem was the most diverse (H´=3.69), followed by mangroves (H´=3.58), and in these environments the greatest similarity was observed (S=0.951). Of the species, 13.54% are protected by NOM-059- SEMARNAT-2010. The low zones of the Tabasco plain are very important in maintaining bird communities, in addition to serving as feeding and refuge zones for resident and migratory species.