Species Diversity, Abundance, and Spatial Distribution of Birds in the Upper Vychegda Basin (Komi Republic)

Abstract Data on bird abundance and spatial distribution in the Upper Vychegda basin are presented for the first time. The study was conducted in June 2019. During boat-based surveys, the Vychegda River channel (from Voldino Village to Myeldino Village; 140 km in length) and its tributaries (the Timshor and Mylva rivers) were surveyed. In addition, walking transects were conducted during stopovers across a range of biotopes. The structure and abundance of bird assemblages are presented across different habitats within the study area. A total of 123 bird species from 11 orders were recorded in the upper reaches of the Vychegda River. The following densities and species richness values were obtained for the surveyed habitats: floodplain meadows—302 individuals per km2 (52 species); floodplain spruce–birch forests—202 (39); pine-dominated bogs—66 (15); burned pine forests—29 (6); pine forests—136 (18); Vychegda River floodplain—54 (52); and Timshor River floodplain—265 (14). The dominant species most frequently recorded were chaffinch, common sandpiper, sand martin, and tree pipit. The Shannon diversity index was relatively high in floodplain meadow ecosystems, near-channel spruce–birch forests, and the Vychegda River channel. In contrast, the dominance index increased in moss–dwarf-shrub bogs and burned pine forest communities.