Population Status and Threats to Galliform Bird in the Arjo-Didessa River Valley, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted to assess the species composition, population size, public knowledge, and threats to Galliform birds in the Arjo-Didessa River Valley, Southwestern Ethiopia. Data were collected from January 2018 to December 2020, covering both the dry and wet seasons. The study area was classified into four habitat categories: farmland, forest, grassland, and riverine areas. A line transects survey and point count routes were employed in the open habitats and dense habitats, respectively, to collect data. The species’ composition and relative abundance of Galliformes were estimated by timed species counting and encounter rates. To assess public knowledge and threats, direct inventories, questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews, and informal communications were employed. Three Galliform species, namely, Clapperton’s Francolin (Pternistis clappertoni), Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris), and Stone Partridge (Ptilopachus petrosus), were recorded in the area. The Helmeted Guineafowl were abundant (66.83%), Clapperton’s Francolin was common (30.14%), and Stone Partridge was a rare (3.03%) species. The population size of Galliformes recorded in the area was 461 during the dry season and 365 during the wet season, with a mean population size of 124.5 ± 11.5, 276 ± 33, and 12.5 ± 3.50 individuals of Clapperton’s Francolin, Helmeted Guineafowl, and Stone Partridge, respectively. The recorded flock size of Galliformes ranged from 1 to 22 individuals per flock. There was a statistically significant difference (F = 90.06, df = 3, and p < 0.05 ) in the population size of Galliformes between habitats, where the highest mean was recorded in the farmland (141.5 ± 7.5) and the lowest in the riverine (61.5 ± 43.5) habitats. The majority of the respondents (86.36%, n = 286) have prior knowledge and awareness about guineafowl and francolin species. They use these species mainly as a source of food (55.06%), eggs and meat consumption, a source of income (28.48%), and other values (16.45%), including foster-rearing and medical practices. In addition, guarding, trapping, scarecrows, and related crop raid protection measures were employed in the area to protect crops from crop damage by these birds. Although there is factual public understanding and a positive attitude towards Galliformes in the study area, habitat destruction and loss, agricultural intensification, overgrazing, fire, fuelwood collection, agrochemicals, and hunting and egg collection were observed as major threats affecting the species and their habitats. Further research and community-based conservation interventions are, therefore, essential to thoroughly monitor the population trends of Galliformes and maintain their habitats in the region.