Comparison of Avian Species Community Assembly in Urban and Coastal Areas around Port Harcourt, Nigeria

As urbanization accelerates and coastal regions face distinct challenges, understanding the implications on avian species community is important. This study investigates the assembly of avian species communities in contrasting habitats within Port Harcourt, Rivers State, focusing on urban and coastal areas. Employing the “Birds of West Africa” field guide and binoculars, avian species were meticulously censured and recorded. The study focused on two distinct habitats: the urban region (GRA Phase 3) and the coastal area (Eagle Island). Abundance patterns and diversity indices were assessed, and soil analysis was conducted to understand physiochemical properties in each habitat. The result shows that urban region (GRA Phase 3) exhibited a Shannon diversity index of 1.75 with an evenness index of 0.59. In contrast, the coastal area (Eagle Island) displayed heightened diversity (Shannon index 2.30) and increased evenness (0.89). A total of 559 birds were identified across both habitats, with 159 birds in the coastal area and 400 in the urban environment. The Spurwinged lapwing (Vanellus spinosus) was the most abundant species in the coastal area (Relative abundance= 20.75), while the Intermediate egret (Egretta intermedia) dominated the urban landscape (Relative abundance = 55.77). The Ardeidae family was the most abundant in both areas, with GRA Phase 3 having the highest abundance. Soil analysis revealed variations in physiochemical properties, with higher Zinc concentrations observed in Eagle Island compared to GRA Phase 3. Subsequently, THC concentrations followed a similar trend. The study highlights distinct differences between avian communities in urban and coastal habitats, as evidenced by the low Sorenson similarity index value of 0.047. These findings emphasize the importance of habitat-specific factors in shaping avian community dynamics.This comprehensive exploration sheds light on avian community dynamics, offering valuable insights into biodiversity and environmental distinctions between urban and coastal ecosystems in the region. The findings contribute to our understanding of avian species distribution, emphasizing the importance of habitat-specific factors in shaping these communities.

Keywords: Urbanization, Coastal Development, Avian Species Communities, Biodiversity, Habitat-Specific Factors, Conservation, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.