Checklist of avifauna at selected ecological corridors in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Thirty-seven ecological corridors have been identified in the Central Forest Spine (CFS) Master Plan. Of these, Panti Forest Reserve– Ulu Sedili Forest Reserve (PL3) and Sungai Yu Forest Reserve–Tanum Forest Reserve (PL1) which are located in Johor and Pahang respectively are among the important ecological corridors in Peninsular Malaysia. The main objective of this paper is to provide a preliminary checklist of avifauna at these corridors. Ten mist nets were set up at each forest reserve for fivesampling nights, respectively. Inventories were carried out from March to September 2017. Overall, from Panti and Ulu Sedili Forest Reserves, 203 individuals from 59 species were recorded while Sungai Yu and Tanum Forest Reserves documented 129 individuals from 45 species. Of these, 18 species are categorised as Near Threatened, and one species each under the Vulnerable category in PL3; while in PL1, 12 species under the Near Threatened category were recorded.  Weather, fruiting season and vast resources may affect the number of species captured. Based on this information, further action must be taken to conserve these fragmented forest reserves as a habitat for the valuable avifauna species.