Using birds as biodindicators of forest restoration progress: A preliminary study

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Ecological restoration is vital for reversing declines in biodiversity, restoring ecological processes, and providing ecosystem services in disturbed or degraded lands globally. However, responses of wildlife to different forest restoration techniques is often uncertain and an improved understanding of wildlife activity during the early stages of forest restoration is important for restoration planning. Birds, in particular, are considered to be able to respond early to such habitat restoration efforts. This preliminary study documented bird species in a temperate mountain system of the western Himalayas in India which is currently subject to on-going restoration efforts. Birds were used as bioindicators to gauge responses of wildlife to restoration progress from natural regeneration. It also provides a valuable list of bird diversity for further assessments in the area especially in relation to responses of wildlife to forest restoration efforts. Of special significance was the sighting of the Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii), a species considered endemic to the Western Himalayan Endemic Bird Area, which along with other endemic birds, reflect the importance of this forest ecosystem. Furthermore, the presence of various species of birds of prey and frugivorous birds in these private forests is important as they are considered to be early responders to the return of ecological processes, indicating if forest health and ecosystem functioning are improving following restoration efforts.