نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسنده
گروه محیط زیست، واحد میبد، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، میبد، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
موضوعات
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسنده [English]
In order to perform studies on the selection of the Syrian woodpecker nesting (Dendrocopus syriacus) in the natural region of Naeen township, the job of finding the nests of this bird was done by a multi-personnel team in the Spring of 2015 by establishing random transects with a length of 2000 meters on a map in the area during field operations. Sixtyfive nests of this bird were indentified on trees and the coordinates of the nests were registered by GPS. Initially, the height and diameter of the opening of the nests were measured and then the habitat variables including type, height, and diameter of plant species for each species, the distance of the nest to the nearest water source and road around the nests were calculated. By randomly distancing the nests from different directions, the job of finding the control points or their absence was done. In these areas, no trace of the Syrian woodpecker nests was found. Sixty- five absence points were also identified for the number of the nests and after registering the coordinates, the above variables were also measured. According to our observations, 75.38 percent of the nests had been established on mulberry trees (Morus alba). Due to its having more nectar, the mulberry tree is a more suitable food source for the Syrian woodpecker chicks. Furthermore, the soft bark of this tree is more economical and easier than that of walnut (Juglan nigra) and almond (Amygdalus sp) trees with hard barks. The results of the t-test showed that there was a meaningful difference between the presence and absence regions in terms of some habitat variables for the Syrian woodpecker’s nests. The average distance of the nests to the nearest water source in the presence regions was meaningfully less than that in the absence regions (p<0.05). Our study region was part of the desert areas of Iran and consequently the need for water was a vital parameter; furthermore, water sources absorb more insects to their surfaces which are a food source for the chicks of this bird bringing about their existence. No meaningful difference was obtained in terms of the height and diameter of mulberry trees as well as the average distance to the road between the presence and absence regions. It can be due to the aged mulberry trees (no obvious external difference) along with low traffic which do not have much effect on the nesting of Syrian woodpecker. To protect the Syrian woodpecker population by paying attention to the important ecological role of this bird in Naeen region for the control of insects and pests, it seems necessary to protect the mulberry trees and prevent the destruction of this bird’s habitat along with the protection and provision of new water sources.
کلیدواژهها [English]