Urbanization and its Impact on Birds of Prey in Makurdi Metropolis, Benue State, Nigeria

Isah O. Yakubu¹ , Hangeior I. Stephen² , Adzaagee J. Paul³

1. Dept of Environmental science and policy, University of South Florida, USA.
2. Dept of Wildlife and Range Mgt, Joseph Sarwuan Tarkaa University, Makurdi, Nigeria.
3. Dept of Wildlife and Range Mgt, Joseph Sarwuan Tarkaa University, Makurdi, Nigeria.

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.10 , Issue.3 , pp.1-7, Mar-2024

Online published on Mar 31, 2024

Copyright © Isah O. Yakubu, Hangeior I. Stephen, Adzaagee J. Paul . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

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Abstract :
Urbanization is rapidly altering ecosystems worldwide, presenting both challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation. Birds of prey, as top predators and indicators of environmental health, are particularly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances. This study investigates Urbanization and its impact on birds of prey in the Makurdi metropolis of Benue State, Nigeria, across several categories of land usage. The Timed Species Count technique was applied across various urban land-use types, including Highways, Residential areas, Tertiary institutions, Commercial centers, and the Airport. Diversity among avian species was assessed by means of the Shannon Diversity Index, Simpson`s Index, Gini-Simpson Diversity Index, and Pielou`s Evenness Index. Results indicate the occurrence of various, raptor species including the Lizard Buzzard, Black Kite, Marsh Harrier, African Goshawk, and Pearl Spotted Owlet. The Black Kite was the most abundant species, with the airport exhibiting the highest abundance of birds of prey. Infrastructure such as masts, electric poles, and rooftops were utilized by these birds for perching while tree species were used for nesting. Diversity indices varied across different land-use types, suggesting habitat-specific preferences among bird of prey species. It highlights the adaptability of some bird of prey species to urban environments, likely due to the availability of resources and nesting habitats. Although urbanization poses threats to biodiversity, birds of prey create new habitats within urban landscapes, contributing to their resilience. Understanding species habitat behavior is crucial for effective habitat management, conservation, and ecosystem preservation in the face of environmental changes. Urbanization influences the spatial arrangement and population size of raptors, with some species thriving in urban environments. The study underscores the importance of green spaces and noise levels in urban areas for avian diversity. Recommendations include the conservation of green areas and the implementation of measures to mitigate anthropogenic impacts on bird of prey populations.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Birds of Prey, Urbanization, Impact, Habitat disturbance, Diversity indices, Conservation, Raptors

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