Seasonal dynamics of avifauna in the Bukovynian Carpathians: results of acoustic monitoring in natural and anthropogenically transformed areas

Abstract

The article presents the results of acoustic bird monitoring conducted in the Bukovynian Carpathians in April and May 2023 at nine locations, including both protected and anthropogenically transformed areas. A total of 96 bird species were identified, for which the phenological status of occurrence and the intensity of vocal activity were determined. The Shannon and Simpson diversity indices, Jaccard and Sørensen-Czekanowski similarity indices, and hierarchical clustering were used, and the results were visualised as heat maps and dendrograms. The obtained data indicate spatio-seasonal patterns in bird distribution depending on habitat type and the degree of its transformation. Three species were recorded in the region for the first time: Milvus migrans, Ficedula hypoleuca, and Acanthis flammea. The study confirms the effectiveness of acoustic monitoring in mountain ecosystems with logistical constraints and high biodiversity.

Keywords: birds; anthropogenic pressure; acoustic surveys; Bukovynian Carpathians; biodiversity