AVIFAUNAL SPECIES DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE IN THE LAS PINAS–PARANAQUE CRITICAL HABITAT AND ECOTOURISM AREA, 2004–2012

Manila Bay is recognized as an important critical habitat for a wide array of inhabitants, which provides numerous benefits to the people depending on its resources. This study aims to assess bird species abundance and diversity in a critical habitat at Manila Bay and was carried out during the months of January and February of 2004–2012. Bird monitoring surveys were consecutively conducted at different point locations during January and February of 2004–2012. Results showed that high species diversity was observed in 2006 (H = 2.33) and least species diversity in 2010 (H = 0.8). An average of 23 avifaunal species was recorded over the 9-year period. The birds that were commonly observed during this period were endemic (Anas luzonica) and migratory (Himantopus himantopus) birds. The avifaunal abundance and diversity observed in the critical habitat is a good indicator of the ecosystem revealing the state of the wetland. Continuous monitoring of the wetland should be carried out so as to continuously safeguard the state of the wetland ecosystem.