Abstract

Species count is among inevitable inventory when it comes to understanding your biodiversity, population estimate, density, and distribution in an area. The Tanzanian Coastal Forests and Nature Reserves are composed of flora, and fauna species of biological importance. The forests serve the main part of the disturbed ecosystem in the area by hosting pollinators, and seed dispersal agents. Among these, birds are taken as good bio-indicators of ecosystem health, hence studying their population composition is important. In this study, a distance sampling technique was used to determine birds’ population estimate and density in the Pindiro Nature Forest Reserve. A total of 18 random transects (2 km each) were used to cover an area of 121 km2 during the exercise. A total of 75 birds species was identified in the area with a diversity of 3.681 and 88% evenness (Hmax=4.4). The Nature Reserve had a density of 0.008835/m2 vary from 1 to 11 km2. Despite the promising richness and diversity, the area is highly threatened by human activities includes mining, agriculture, and poaching. Initiatives were made to convert the Forest Conservation Status to become Nature Reserve but protection activities should be applied to ensure the total protection of the area.

Keywords: Species; Forest; Biological; Pollinators; Biodiversity