Diversity and ecological distribution of the urban avian fauna of Bobo-Dioulasso along the urbanisation gradient: Implications for sustainable urban development

Urbanisation must develop in a sustainable manner, first and foremost by protecting the biodiversity of urban environments, which first requires characterisation. Hence, the aim of this study was to analyse the diversity and distribution of urban and peri-urban birds in Bobo-Dioulasso, along the urbanisation gradient. The study, carried out in different habitat types in the city, used a point sampling method based on fixed 20-minute listening points, and examined the impact of environmental features on avifauna. The results revealed the presence of 8308 individuals divided into 108 species belonging to 43 families and 15 orders. The dominant families were Ploceidae (18.17%) and Colombidae (13.21%), with a variety of habitats influencing species richness. The habitat "Plantation-Garden" had the highest number of species (62), followed by "Green Building" and "Garden" (49 species each). The Shannon diversity index (H') varied between 2.09 and 3.65, showing greater diversity in the “Plantation-Garden” and “Farmland” habitats. Factor analysis identified habitat-specific species groups, such as degraded forests and plantations. Also, it was observed that bird diversity in Bobo-Dioulasso was influenced by habitat diversity and landscape heterogeneity. Ubiquitous species, such as the Garden Bulbul, were few in number, while accidental species were numerous and specific to certain environments. These results underline the importance of preserving habitat heterogeneity to maintain urban biodiversity. Increasing urbanisation, while beneficial for some species, may reduce bird diversity. It is crucial to implement developments that promote the conservation of avian biodiversity in urban environments. Using data on bird ecological groups and habitats, it is necessary to create natural zonings in the city, which will serve as a basis for Bobo-Dioulasso's urban development plans.