Importance Of Urban Green Spaces in Avian Conservation: The Status of Birds at the University of Dar es Salaam Main Campus Thickets After 30 Years, Tanzania

Abstract

Between 1986 and 1990, 77 species of birds were mist netted at the University of Dar es Salaam main campus thickets, in Dar es Salaam City, Tanzania. Thirty years later, due to various developments which resulted into decline in the overall cover of the vegetation, between 2016 and 2021 we conducted a similar mist netting study to assess whether there have been changes in bird species composition and abundance at the campus thickets. We mist netted 65 species of which 44 were also mist netted between 1986 and 1990, and seven species were new records for the campus thickets. The Sorensen Similarity Index between the two sampling periods was 61% suggesting a moderately high similarity in species composition between the two periods. Seventy-nine species out of 98 (from both studies) did not show any significant differences in probability of occurrence between 1986-1990 and 2016-2021. Our assessment revealed that the remaining thickets have continued to provide a habitat for a number of bird species including forest-dependent ones. Thus, given the ongoing loss of original habitats and urban sprawl in Dar es Salaam, the continued protection of these thickets is recommended as are any other thickets in urban and sub-urban environments in the country.