Diversity and abundance of avian species of Loburo Forest (redemption camp), Ogun State, Nigeria

Impact of religious tourism on avian species composition and abundance of Loburo Forest (Redemption camp area), Ogun State Nigeria was assessed. Bird survey was conducted using both Line transect and Area search methods. A total of Eight (8) transect lines with lengths ranging from 1km to 1.5km were walked during the survey. The survey spanned three months May, June and July with 6 repeat visits. Data obtained were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. PAST Software (version 16) was used to compute bird diversity indices while differences in birds mean number between the developed and undeveloped areas were analysed using T-test. A total of 876 individual birds from 63 species, 27 families and 11 Orders were recorded in the study area. The developed area had 46 species from 24 families while the undeveloped area had 20 species from 12 families. The family Pycnonotidae had the highest number of species both in the developed (6, 13.04%) and undeveloped (6, 10.34%) areas. Mean bird density of 17.01 ±2.51 was recorded (developed area had 19.52bird/km2 while undeveloped area had 14.5 bird/km2). Similarly bird diversity indices (Simpson, Shannon and Evenness) was higher in the developed area than the undeveloped area (0.94, 0.69; 3.15, 1.935; 0.51, 0.3462) respectively. It can be concluded that urbanization and deforestation as a result of religious tourism has changed bird species composition to favour generalist and open habitat birds. It is therefore suggested that there should be policy that will compel such tourism to set aside conservation areas and to encourage greenness of the environment.Keywords: Avian species, religious tourism, Loburo forest, urbanization, conservation are