Spatiotemporal patterns in an Afrotropical montane forest bird community

Afrotropical montane bird communities exhibit significant spatial and temporal structuring along elevational gradients, with high-elevation assemblages showing fewer species compared to lower and middle elevations. Despite the absence of geographic barriers, regional differences in species composition and richness were observed in Nyungwe National Park, Rwanda. The study, conducted between 2001 and 2011, found overall stability in species richness but noted season-specific trends, such as a wet-season increase in high-elevation richness, suggesting upslope shifts for low and middle elevation species. These findings underscore the need for protected areas that encompass full geographic and elevational gradients to effectively conserve Afromontane bird communities, particularly in the face of anthropogenic threats.

Morton, E. R., Robinson, S. K., Mulindahabi, F., Masozera, M., Singh, A., & Oli, M. K. (2022). Spatiotemporal patterns in an Afrotropical montane forest bird community. Global Ecology and Conservation, 40, e02333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02333