Impact of Anthropogenic Noise on Bird Abundance in Urban Environment in Makurdi, Benue State Nigeria

Hangeior I. Stephen¹ , Mathew N. Adendem² , Basil V. Kashimana³

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.10 , Issue.12 , pp.107-112, Dec-2024

Online published on Dec 31, 2024

Copyright © Hangeior I. Stephen, Mathew N. Adendem, Basil V. Kashimana . 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 :
Anthropogenic noise is a pervasive feature of urban environments, posing significant challenges to avian populations by interfering with communication, foraging, and reproductive behaviors. This study examines the impact of noise pollution on bird abundance, species diversity, and behavior across different urban land-use types in Makurdi, Nigeria. Using point count surveys and noise measurements, 30 locations within commercial centers, residential areas, and urban parks were analyzed. Results revealed a strong negative correlation between noise levels and bird abundance, with the highest noise levels recorded in commercial centers and the lowest in urban parks. Bird behavior was notably disrupted in high-noise areas, with reduced feeding, vocalization, and social interaction. The findings highlight the critical need for integrating noise mitigation strategies into urban planning to conserve bird populations in rapidly urbanizing environments.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Noise pollution, Bird abundance, Urban environments, Species diversity, Behavioral disruption, Urban parks, Ecological conservation

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