Spatial variation and biogeography of sand forest avian assemblages in South Africa

摘要: Aim  To examine biogeographical affiliations, habitat-associated heterogeneity and endemism of avian assemblages in sand forest patches the savanna-like mixed woodland matrix. Location  Two reserves Maputaland Centre Endemism (MC) on southern Mozambique Coastal Plain northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods  Replicated surveys were undertaken each two habitat types reserve, providing species abundance data over a full year. Vegetation structure at survey sites was also quantified. Differences between bird extent to which vegetation explained these differences assessed using multi-variate techniques. Biogeographical comparisons based presence/absence clustering techniques. Results  Bird differed significantly habitats both within given reserve reserves, for habitat. contributed substantially assemblages. Of four endemic MC, three (Neergaard’s sunbird, Rudd’s apalis, Woodward’s batis) consistently present forest. The fourth (pink-throated twinspot) preferred woodland. None classed as rare. In analysis, most similar found biome or Afromontane biome, depending classification used. Main conclusions  close affinities those are likely due similarities forests. differ These extend MC. Thus, conservation variety areas is necessary ensure long-term persistence biota.