The use of the point count method for bird survey in the Atlantic forest

The point count method has been widely used in tropical forest for sampling bird communities. In the present study, we investigated if data on richness and abundance acquired using the point count method are different comparing spring/summer (breeding season) and fall/winter (non-breeding season) in three types of the Brazilian Atlantic forest. Twelve sites were sampled seasonally during one year. In general we recorded more species and individuals during the breeding seasons. However, bird communities vary seasonally among the forest types and functional groups. We demonstrate that the use of point counts in tropical forest should be adjusted considering the differences in forest types and feeding guilds

The importance of riparian forest for the maintenance of bird species richness in an Atlantic Forest remnant, southern Brazil

We compared the composition and guild structure of bird communities of riparian and upland forest in an Atlantic forest reserve, the Godoy State Park (GP), in northern Paraná State, southern Brazil. Unlimited distance point counts were sampled monthly from September-December 2001, along four trails. Two trails in upland forest (TA and TB) were parallel to each other and about 300 m apart. Two trails in riparian forest (TC and TD) were along the Apertados River, about 100 m away from the river. A total of 145 species were recorded: 81 species were recorded in both upland and riparian forests, 19 species were recorded only in upland forest and 45 species were recorded exclusively in riparian forest. Among the 81 species occurring in both forest types, 18 species had significantly higher numbers of contacts in the riparian forest while only 8 species had significantly higher numbers of contacts in the upland forest. Taking into account the contacts numbers of the species the large frugivores guild was closely associated to the upland forest, while bamboo and vine-tangles insectivore, canopy insectivores, edge omnivores, ground omnivore and midstory insectivores were those more closely related to the riparian forest.<br>Comparamos a composição e a estrutura de guilda da comunidade de aves da floresta ripária e alta em uma reserva de Floresta Atlântica, o Parque Estadual Mata dos Godoy (GP), no norte do Paraná, sul do Brasil. Pontos de escutas com distância ilimitada foram realizados mensalmente de setembro-dezembro de 2001, ao longo de quatro trilhas. Duas trilhas na floresta alta (TA e TB) paralelas uma a outra e com distância de 300 m. Duas trilhas na floresta ripária (TC e TD) ao longo do Rio Apertados, distantes 100 m do rio. Um total de 145 espécies foi registrado: 81 espécies foram registradas em ambas as florestas, 19 espécies foram registradas somente na floresta alta e 45 espécies foram registradas exclusivamente na floresta ripária. Entre as 81 espécies que ocorrem nos dois tipos de florestas, 18 espécies tiveram maior número significativo de contato na floresta ripária enquanto somente 8 espécies tiveram maior número significativo de contatos na floresta alta. Considerando o número de contato das espécies, a guilda grande frugívoros foi mais relacionada com a floresta alta, enquanto as guildas insetívoros de bambu e reboleira, insetívoros de copa, onívoros de bordas, onívoros de solo e insetívoros de sub-bosque foram relacionados com a floresta ripária