Investigating the effect of roads on diversity and abundance of different species of birds (Case study: Zayandeh rood Park, Isfahan)

Development of transportation network and the increasing number of vehicles have become worldwide threat to wildlife habitats and birds. This study investigates the effect of road on the diversity and abundance of birds in an urban park located between Zayandeh-rood River and one of the main heavy traffic highways in Isfahan city. To do so, three transect were designed with 65, 335 and 605 m distance from the highway, 270 m distance from width and 150 m distance from length of each other. The number and distribution pattern of birds were recorded using point-counting method, every 5 minutes from sunrise to 2 PM o’clock and repeated 6 times during seasons. Birds were recorded, in each transect using binoculars and audio tracking and were identified filed guides. The Canon SX50 was used to take photos. In total, 39 species belonging to 20 families and 9 orders were identified. Based on the results of one-way ANOVA and Duncan's test, there was a significant difference in mean of species presence between transects. In transect 3, Jack-knife index comprises 73.8 percent of the species richness. Richness and evenness indices were higher in transect 3. Higher diversity and density of birds in transect 3 could be due to the longer distance of this transect to the highway, its safety, intense vegetation cover and adjacency to agricultural fields and Zayandeh-rood River.