Relationship between Vegetation Height and Species Richness of Birds in Some Wetlands of Sinnar State, Sudan

Abstract

Objectives of this study were to: identify the relationship between vegetation higheit and birds’ species at various wetlands of Sinnar State;

This study was conducted in Sinnar state, central Sudan (Latitudes 05º -

12º to 05º -14º N and longitudes 32.9º - 35.4º E), covering 12 wetlands

(mayas) during the wet and the dry season duration 2011 - 2013; the

wetlands are Ronga, Allahmaana, Gladeem, Elban, Rahad Kobri 45,

Lawni, Kinnaf Tura 5, Rigaba, Shamiya, Wad elggack, Homrani and

Sinnar Dam reservoir. The study focused on abundance of herbaceous

vegetation, Parameters of herbaceous vegetation were determined at

50-m intervals along line transects; these parameters were plant counts

and vegetation height in a 1-m circular quadrat. Birds were counted

twice a day (morning and evening) in all wetlands with the help of telescopes and binoculars, and species utilizing each site of the wetlands

are identified. Excel programme was used for data analysis. Vegetation

height is negatively correlated with birds’ species richness in wet seasons of 2011 - 2012 and 2012 - 2013, positively correlated in the dry

season when herbaceous vegetation is tall, but negatively correlated

when it is short.