Effect of habitat alteration on density and distribution of Turner's Eremomela Eremomela turneri in south Nandi forest, Kenya

摘要

Turner’s Eremomela Eremomela turneri is an Endangered (IUCN, 2010) forest canopy bird restricted to the Guinea-Congolean forests of east and central Africa. Its eastern race Eremomela badiceps turneri (van Someren 1920) is mainly found in the western Kenya forests of South Nandi and Kakamega (Bennun & Njoroge 1999) while the less common western race (Eremomela turneri kalindei (Prigogine 1958) is associated with the forests of central to northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (BirdLife International, 2010). South Nandi forest (0°8′N, 35°0′E) is the main stronghold for the species (Kosgey 1998). The forest is of mid altitude, halfway between the lowland forest of the neighbouring Kakamega forest in western Kenya and the highland forests of central Kenya (Bennun & Njoroge 1999). Its biodiversity reflects such transitory qualities and it is also one of Kenya’s key Important Bird Areas. Its relatively rich soils and mild climate have attracted considerable human encroachment over the past three decades. This encroachment is the main conservation challenge for Turner’s Eremomela.