Research Article, J Biodivers Manage Forestry Vol: 3 Issue: 1
Alpha, Beta and Gamma Diversity of the Birds in a Tropical Landscape of Southern Mexico
| Jorge E. Ramírez-Albores1,3*, José L. Rangel-Salazar1, Miguel A. Martínez-Morales2 and Jorge L. León1 | |
| 1El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR). Carr. Panamericana y Av. Periférico Sur s/n, Barrio María Auxiliadora, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas. C.P. 29290, México | |
| 2El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR). Av. Rancho Polígono 2-A, Col. Ciudad Industrial, Lerma Campeche, Campeche. C.P. 24500, México | |
| 3Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, A. C. Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Col. Lomas 4ª Sección. San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí. C.P. 78216, México | |
| Corresponding author : Jorge E. Ramírez-Albores Instituto Potosino de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica, A. C. Camino a la Presa San José 2055, Col. Lomas 4a Sección. San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí. C.P. 78216, México E-mail: jorgeramirez22@hotmail.com |
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| Received: July 12, 2013 Accepted: January 29, 2014 Published: February 03, 2014 | |
| Citation: Ramírez-Albores JE, Rangel-Salazar JL, Martínez-Morales MA, León JL (2014) Alpha, Beta and Gamma Diversity of the Birds in a Tropical Landscape of Southern Mexico. J Biodivers Manage Forestry 3:1. doi:10.4172/2327-4417.1000120 |
Abstract
Alpha, Beta and Gamma Diversity of the Birds in a Tropical Landscape of Southern Mexico
Understanding the relationships between bird diversity and landscape structure in tropical forest fragments is paramount for the conservation of its biodiversity, particularly when tropical forest is under management. In this study, the alpha diversity variation of the bird community was evaluated, and its relationships with area, forest cover, environmental heterogeneity and altitude in a fragmented landscape of tropical forest in southern Mexico. A total of 243 bird species were recorded in the entire landscape. Alpha diversity spatially varies between sites from 123 to 158 species; this variation was explained by habitat heterogeneity. Only five vulnerable species increased their abundance with area, tropical forest cover and habitat heterogeneity increases. Beta diversity between sites ranged from 3% to 57%, and the average turnover between the study sites was 43%. Gamma diversity was largely determined by beta diversity than alpha diversity.
