Comparative Analysis of the Avifauna of Rural Settlements in the Podilske Pobuzhzhia Region

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of the results of bird population studies conducted in rural settlements (RS) of the Khmelnytskyi District, Khmelnytskyi region, and the Zhmerynka and Tulchyn Districts of Vinnytsia region during 2014–2016. Research at each monitoring site was carried out in three categories of villages, which differed in population size, degree of urbanization, and other parameters. Over the course of these studies, a total of 174 bird species were recorded on monitoring sites of the Podilske Pobuzhzhia region. Of these, 145 species were noted in Category I RS, 162 species in Category II RS, and 158 species in Category III RS. The highest number of limnophilous species was recorded in Category I RS, campophilous and sclerophilous species were most prevalent in Category II RS, while dendrophilous species dominated in Category III RS. The highest similarity between the ornithofauna of rural settlements and some biotopes was observed in the winter period, while the lowest similarity occurred during the breeding season. Among typical biotopes outside rural settlements, the greatest resemblance to the RS ornithofauna was noted in the Southern Bug River valley in almost all seasons, as well as in pond habitats during the spring migration and breeding periods. The avifauna of RS during the spring migration and breeding season showed a high degree of similarity. During autumn migration, RS of Categories II and III were more similar to each other, while in winter, RS of Categories I and II were more alike than either was to Category III. Bird density was highest in Category III RS in all seasons except winter, where it was lowest in Category I RS. However, in winter, this trend reversed, with Category I RS showing the highest bird density. According to the Shannon diversity index, avifaunal diversity was highest in Category III RS in all seasons except winter, and lowest in Category I RS. In winter, however, the highest diversity was recorded in Category I RS.