Avian community structure in two modified Malaysian habitats

A study was made to determine the impact of a plantation of rubber trees Hevea brasiliensis and an adjacent suburban environment on birds inhabiting the western lowlands of peninsular Malaysia. Results from six consecutive censuses in January 1980 showed that the plantation exceeded the suburban area in bird species richness ($\text{31}\text{19}$) and diversity ($\text{H}\text{′ = 2·796\&|;2·070,}\text{P}\text{< 0·01}$). Over a three-year period a total of 84 bird species was recorded in the plantation but only 25 species were found in the suburban area. Distribution of several bird species appeared to be influenced by local variation in tree density. Rubber tree plantations, and especially suburban areas, cause a drastic reduction in bird species richness where they replace lowland rainforest.