THE METEOROLOGICAL ROLE ON THE SURVIVAL OF BIRDS IN LIMBE BOTANIC GARDEN, SOUTHWEST REGION, CAMEROON

The association of atmosphere and wildlife population is prominent in ecological management strategies. Meteorological changes do not only determine the behavioral activity of wildlife, rather also play a major role in surviving them in their habitats. Many bird species survive climatic conditions, such as extreme temperature situations through migratory movements to other areas with conducive climate. The coastal region of Cameroon is rich in bird population and species, but very little studies have been carried out on their inventory, social organization, and ecological impact on their behavior. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the impact of meteorological conditions on the behavioral activity of birds in Limbe Botanic Garden. Research data was collected each day from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, for three months. Both behavioral activity and atmospheric environmental factors were collected simultaneously. In the study meteorological conditions showed a significant association, X2 = 23.352 df=6 P=0.001, X2 = 5.751 df=6 P<0.05, and X2 = 43.227 df=45 P<0.05 on automobile traffic noise, food type, and bird type respectively. More so, meteorological conditions recorded 59% on sunshine, 24% on rainfall, 11% on cloud, and 6% on wind respectively. The most observed birde were African thrush (Turdus pelios) 18%, common bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus) 13%, and grey-backed camaroptera (Camaroptera brevicaudata) 11%, while the least observed were grey-crowned negrofinch (Nigrita canicapillus) 2%, black-and-white mannikin (Lonchura bicolor) 2%, and african palm swift (Cypsiurus parvus) 2% respectively. Also, bird type showed a positive significance X2 = 19.682 df=15 P<0.05 on landscape. Furthermore, landscape revealed a positive correlation significance r = 0.102 P<0.05, and r = 0,308 P=0.023 on meteorological conditions and food type respectively. The study examined three key birds' activity, feeding 39%, movement 37%, and roosting 24% respectively. However, the rich floral vegetation with many bird species is a key attraction to research and tourism in the garden. Most of the bird species in this garden are sea birds, since the garden is adjacent to the sea. Finally, the study recommends an inventory on the population of birds in the garden in order to enhance their conservation. Understanding the number of bird species, their population and ecology is important to wildlife conservation management plan.