09_Hachour-1.indd UDC 598.2:591.521(65) DIVERSITY AND STRUCTURE OF NESTING BIRDS IN THE COASTAL RIPARIAN ZONES OF GREAT KABYLIA IN ALGERIA K. Hachour1,2*, N. Talmat-Chaouchi 1,3, R. Moulaï1 1Laboratoire de Zoologie Appliquée et d’Ecophysiologie Animale, Faculté des Sciences de la nature et de la vie, Université de Bejaia-06000 Bejaia, Algérie 2Laboratoire d’Ecologie et de Biologie des écosystèmes terrestres, Faculté des Sciences Biologiques et des Sciences Agronomiques, Université de Mouloud MAMMERI de Tizi-Ouzou 15600 Algérie 3Université de Mouloud MAMMERI de Tizi-Ouzou 15600, Algérie *Corresponding author E-mail: hachourkamal@gmail.com Diversity and Structure of Nesting Birds in the Coastal Riparian Zones of Great Kabylia in Algeria. Hachour, K., Talmat-Chaouchi, N., Moulaï, R. — Th e study of the nesting birds of the coastal riparian zones in Great Kabylia in Algeria, allowed us to identify 45 species of birds, belonging to 12 orders and 26 families. Th e richest site in terms of species is Takdempt (31 species). Th e lowest diversity is noted at the level of Boudouaou wadi with 16 species. Th e values of the Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H’) for all sites are quite high (≥ 3 bits). Concerning the global abundance of avifauna, the site that represents the highest centesimal frequency is that of Takdempt (20.87 %) and this is due to the presence of a colony of Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758). Th e bird communities of the sampled sites are not identical, but the degree of similarity, in general, is quite high (≥ 50 %). Th e main factors controlling the diversity and the structure of the avifauna of Great Kabylia coastal riparian zones are represented by vertical and horizontal vegetation structure. K e y w o r d s : Coastal riparian zones, nesting birds, structure, Algeria. Introduction Watercourse riparian zones or riparian forests are hotspots of biodiversity and constitute a corridor for migratory species (Décamps, 2003). Th ey have a role of great importance in regulating the dynamics of biological diversity (Décamps and Décamps, 2002). In the fl uvial landscape, riparian ecosystems occupy a small proportion, but they harbor more biodiversity than adjacent terrestrial ecosystems (Naiman et al., 1993; Naiman and Décamps, 1997). Its interface situation gives it particular ecological characteristics: elasticity, permeability, biodiversity and habitat connection (Piégay, 1994). Birds are excellent bio-indicators of the quality and functioning of habitats, as they are sensitive to environmental factors and disturbances (Blondel, 1995) as well as to the architecture of the vegetation and its fl oristic composition (Blondel, 1999). Within this context, Blondel (2003) distinguishes at least three groups of birds linked to riparian zones: forest birds, aquatic edge birds and terrestrial birds. Zoodiversity, 55(4): 351–360, 2021 DOI 10.15407/zoo2021.04.351 Ornithology 352 K. Hachour, N. Talmat-Chaouchi, R. Moulaï In Algeria, the diversity in riparian forests of watercourses, in general, has been approached mainly through the description of vegetation, especially in the North of the country (Bensettiti, 1985; Bensettiti, 1995; Bensettiti & Lacoste, 1999). Th ere are just few works which have been done on the birds frequenting the edges of watercourses. In this context, one can mention the contributions of Benyacoub and Chabi (2000) on the avifauna of the riparian zones of the El Kala National Park, in Northeast part of the country, and the study conducted by Dahmana (2003) on the birds of the riparian zones of Soumman watercourse. So, it is within this framework that our study is inscribed; in fact, this study aims at assessing the diversity and the structure of coastal riparian zones birds of Great Kabylia region. Th e composition and the organization of this avifauna are addressed in thirteen (13) watercourses in relation to the most determining environmental factors. Material and methods Th e study region is located on the coast of Great Kabylia, in Algeria. It extends over a coastal line of more than 100 km. Its geographical position is 36°52’54.82’’ N and 4°30’33.33’’ E to the East, 36°46’04.73’’ N and 3°24’42.38’’ E to the West. Th e sites on the west side have a maximum elevation of 11 meters. Th e eastern sites, however, are higher, up to 100 meters in altitude (fig. 1). Th irteen sites were visited to observe the birds. Th ese sites represent the main watercourses in the North of Great Kabylia. Th e fi rst study site (S1) is in Boumerdes region, located 35 km all along the fl ying area of birds, in eastern Algiers (the capital). It is distant from the last site (S13) situated in the east, the Azzefoun region, by a distance of 115 km (fig. 1). Our watercourses are located between two wetlands of international importance, classifi ed in the Ramsar Convention: the Soummam watercourse in the East (Bejaïa) and Reghaïa Lake in the West (Algiers). Th e region chosen for our study has a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters (Quézel, 2000). Th e description of the vegetation around the prospected watercourses is based only on the most abundant perennial and woody plant species. Herbaceous plants were not mentioned because of their minor role in the characterization of the physiognomy and structure of vegetal formations of riparian zones (Ater et al., 2008). Th e tree layer in our sites is mainly represented by Populus alba (L., 1753), Eucalyptus globulus (Labill., 1800), Fraxinus excelsior (L., 1753) and Olea europaea (L., 1753). Th e shrub layer is basically composed of Salix pedicellata (Desf., 1799), Tamarix galica (L., 1753), Nerium oleander (L., 1753), Juncus acutus (L., 1753), Arundo donax (L., 1753), Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud., 1841, Typha angustifolia (L., 1753) and Ricinus communis (L., 1753). Th e creepers are represented by Rubus ulmifolius (Schott, 1818), Rosa sempervirens (L., 1753), Hedera helix (L., 1753) and Convolvulus althaeoides (L., 1753). Environmental and other anthropogenic parameters which are considered in the study are mentioned in the description of the characteristics of the study region sites shown in table 1. Fig. 1. Geographical Location of the Study Sites. 353 Diversity and Structure of Nesting Birds in the Coastal Riparian Zones of Great Kabylia in Algeria Environmental parameters that can infl uence bird diversity and structure (table 1 ) are estimated on a numerical scale graded from least to greatest degree: bird specifi c richness (BSR) [1–7]; abundance of avifauna (AOA) [1–13]; width of riparian zone (WRZ) [1–4]; horizontal vegetation structure (HVS) [1–4], which is the diversity of plant species; vertical vegetation structure (VVS) [2–3], which is the presence of diff erent plant strata or layers; height of the canopy (HOC) [1–3]; degree of opening in the riparian zone (DO) [1–3], which means the volume occupied by the vegetation; water current velocity (WCV) [1–3]; width of the watercourse (WOW) [1–3]; water quality (WQ) [1–4], which is indicated by degrees (degree1 represents good water quality and degree 4 means that water is very polluted, i. e., wastewater); agricultural activity (AGA) [1–3], which is also indicated by degrees (degree 1 means that the land is almost virgin, degree 2 represents the traditional and medium agriculture, and degree 3 means the industrial agriculture); pollution caused by wild dump (WD) [1–3]; and the anthropogenic noise and the proximity of houses (ANPH) [1–3] (table 1 ). Th e counting of nesting avifauna frequenting the riparian zones of Great Kabylia watercourses is carried out using line transect method (Poilecot, 2002; Lamotte and Bourlière; 1969 and Blondel, 1975). It consists of a sampling of one kilometer line length for each site, from the mouth towards the upstream. All birds observed or heard are noted. Th e observation trips were carried out at least twice a month, for each site, from March to July. Concerning the counting of colonial birds, such as the Western Cattle Egret, Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758), a visual estimation was necessary because the number of birds exceeded 200 individuals. For the ecological analysis of the identifi ed avifauna, few ecological indices are used, such as species richness, relative abundance (centesimal frequency), Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H’), equitability, and Sorensen’s similarity index (Legendre & Legendre, 1979; Blondel, 1975). In order to determine the possible relationship between the structure of breeding avifauna and environmental parameters, a principal component analysis (PCA) is used (Saporta, 1990). Results and discussion Th e inventory of breeding avifauna in the coastal riparian zones of Great Kabylia has permitted to identify 45 species belonging to 12 orders and 26 families. Th e number of birds during the breeding period was 2583 (Appendix 1). We note that the order of Passeriformes dominates with 14 families (Passeridae, Troglodytidae, Turdidae, Paridae, Muscicapidae, Acrocephalidae, Cettiidae, Motacillidae, Sylviidae, Cisticolidae, Fringillidae, Pycnonotidae, Phylloscopidae, Malaconotidae). Th ese families are represented by 27 species. Th e order of pigeons with the family Colombidae is represented by three species. Concerning the order of Coraciiformes, two families (Alcedinidae and Meropidae) are recorded with two species. Focussing on the order of Gruiformes, the family Rallidae is recorded with two species. Th e order of Charadriiformes (Charadriidae) is also recorded with two species. However, the orders of Bucerotiformes (Upupidae), Piciformes (Picidae), Galliformes (Phasianidae), Podicipédiformes (Podicipedidae), Pelecaniformes (Ardeidae) and Anseriformes (Anatidae) are represented by only one species (Appendix 1). Th e species richness of the breeding birds recorded in each riparian zone site in the study area varies between 16 and 31 species. Th e average richness is of the order of 23.62 species. Th e site with the highest species richness T a b l e 1 . A table summarizing the ecological features of the coastal watercourses in Great Kabylia (Algeria) Parameters BSR AOA WRZ HVS VVS HOC DO WCV WOW WQ AGA WD ANPH Sites S1 6 9 3 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 S2 1 2 1 1 2 1 3 1 2 4 2 1 1 S3 4 8 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 3 3 1 2 S4 5 10 4 4 3 3 1 1 3 2 3 1 1 S5 4 11 2 3 2 2 2 1 2 2 3 2 1 S6 7 13 4 4 3 3 1 1 3 2 3 2 1 S7 2 7 2 3 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 1 S8 2 1 2 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 1 3 3 S9 2 3 2 3 2 1 1 2 1 1 2 3 1 S10 3 6 2 3 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 1 S11 2 5 2 3 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 1 S12 2 4 2 3 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 1 S13 5 12 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 1 354 K. Hachour, N. Talmat-Chaouchi, R. Moulaï is S6, the watercourse of Takdempt, (31 species). Th e lowest diversity is recorded at Oued Boudouaou with 16 species. Th e values of the Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H’) for all the sites are quite high (Appendix 1). Th ey exceed the value of 3 bits. Th e highest diversity is observed in S4, i. e., Oued Isser (4.52 bits). Th e diversities of the other sites are between 4.51 bits and 3.56 bits. Th e lowest value is recorded at Takdempt (3.56 bits). Equitability index values range from 0.72 to 0.97. Concerning the global abundance of avifauna, the site that represents the highest centesimal frequency is that of Takdempt, that is S6 (20.87  %) (fig. 2). Th e second position occupied by S13, Sidi khlifa, (9.45 %), followed by S5, Larebaa, (8.36 %) and S4, Isser, (8.09 %) (fig. 2). Th e sites S7, S9, S10, S11, S12 are with abundances ranging from 5.11 % to 6.16 %. It should be noted that the two sites with the lowest relative abundance are S2, Boudouaou, (4.37 %) and S8, Th assalasth, (3.91 %) (fig. 2). Th e birds communities in the sampled sites are not identical, but the degree of similarity is generally quite high. Th ey share a large number of species in common. Th e greatest similarity is noted between sites S10 and S11 (97.67 %), followed by S10 and S12 (88.37  %). Th e combinations S3-S6, S7-S11, S8-S12, S11-S12, and S5-S10 have the same degree of similarity (that is 85.71 %). Th e lowest degree of similarity is found between S2- S7 and S2-S12 with the same degree (48.65  %). Intermediate values range from 50 % to 85.19 % (table 2). P r i n c i p a l C o m p o n e n t s A n a l y s i s ( P C A ) Considering the complexity of the relationships between environmental features and bird population at the study site level, principal components analysis (PCA) allows a simultaneous study of a large number of variables and a visualization of the relationships Fig. 2. Centesimal Frequency of Great Kabylia Coastal Riparian Zones Avifauna. T a b l e 2 . Sorensen similarity (%) is applied to the bird diversity of watercourses of Great Kabylia (Algeria) Sites S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S2 57.78 S3 85.19 73.17 S4 77.19 63.64 83.02 S5 77.78 63.41 84 83.02 S6 83.33 59.57 85.71 81.36 78.57 S7 64 48.65 69.57 73.47 82.61 61.54 S8 64 54.05 69.57 69.39 73.91 65.38 76.19 S9 61.22 50 66.67 70.83 75.56 58.82 73.17 78.05 S10 70.59 57.89 76.6 76 85.11 71.7 83.72 83.72 71.43 S11 72 54.05 73.91 73.47 82.61 69.23 85.71 80.95 68.29 97.67 S12 60 48.65 69.57 73.47 78.26 69.23 80.95 85.71 78.05 88.37 85.71 S13 75 55.81 76.92 72.73 84.62 82.76 66.67 66.67 63.83 73.47 75 66.67 355 Diversity and Structure of Nesting Birds in the Coastal Riparian Zones of Great Kabylia in Algeria between the variables. Th is will help to show the organization of the structure of breeding avifauna according to the environmental variables and sites. Th e PCA data matrix is constructed departing from Appendix 1 and table 1 (fig. 3). Th e PCA in figure 3 shows that 51.20 % of information is retrieved from both axes (D1 and D2). However, axis D1 (29.34 %) carries more information than axis D2 (21.86 %). Th e positive correlations between environmental variables and factors D1 and D2 are as follows: the height of the canopy (HOC) is 0.91 %, width of riparian zone (WRZ) is 0.83 %, pollution caused by wild dump (WD) is 0.82 %, width of the watercourse (WOW) is 0.80 %, vertical vegetation structure (VVS) is 0.79 %, horizontal vegetation structure (HVS) is 0.75 %, water current velocity (WCV) is 0.75  % and the agricultural activity (AGA) is 0.67  %. Th ey are strongly and positively correlated with factors D1 and D2. Th is means that when these variables increase, bird specifi c richness (BSR) and its abundance (AOA) also increase. Th e variables water quality (WQ) and degree of opening in the riparian zone (DO) are strongly but negatively correlated with axis D1 (DO is –0.90 % and WQ is –0.82 %). Th is means that when the degree of opening (DO) and/or the water quality (WQ) decrease, the richness of the avifauna (BSR) and its abundance (AOA) increase. Th e anthropogenic noise and the proximity of houses (ANPH) have a weak and negative correlation with axis D1 (–0.35 %). When noise decreases, the richness of the avifauna (BSR) and its abundance (AOA) increase but with a rather low intensity. Concerning the analysis of bird groupings according to the diff erent watercourses, the scattered points can be separated into two groups: group 1 and group 2. Th e sites S7, S8, S9, S10, S11 and S12 belong to group 1 (G1); they are sites that have strong correlations between them. Site S8 is slightly distant from the group, i.e., this is a slight peculiarity of this site. Th e avifauna of the sites belonging to group 1 (G1) contains the following species: Accipiter nisus (Linnaeus, 1758) (AN), Hieraaetus pennatus (Gmelin, JF, 1788) (HP), Saxicola rubicola (Linnaeus, 1766) (SR), Alectoris barbara (Bonnaterre, 1790) (AB), Sylvia melanocephala (Gmelin, JF, 1789) (SM), Sylvia atricapilla (Linnaeus, 1758) (SA), Sylvia communis (Latham, 1787) (SC), Sylvia conspicillata (Temminck, 1820) (SCO), Troglodytes troglodytes (Linnaeus, 1758) (TT), Motacilla fl ava (Linnaeus, 1758) (MF), Motacilla cinerea (Tunstall, 1771) (MC), Pycnonotus barbatus (Desfontaines, 1789) (PB), Chloris chloris Fig. 3. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) Showing the Avifauna Organization According to the Study Sites and the Environmental Variables. 356 K. Hachour, N. Talmat-Chaouchi, R. Moulaï (Linnaeus, 1758) (CCH), Muscicapa striata (Pallas, 1764) (MS), Cyanites teneriff ae(Lesson, R, 1831) (CT), Parus major (Linnaeus, 1758) (PM), Luscinia megarhynchos (Brehm, CL, 1831) (LM), Fringilla coelebs (Linnaeus, 1758) (FC), Phylloscopus ibericus (Ticehurst, 1937) (PI), Phylloscopus bonelli (Vieillot, 1819) (PBO) and Tchagra senegalus (Linnaeus, 1766) (TS) (fig. 3 and Appendix 1). However, group 2 (G2) is formed by the following sites: S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 and S13, taking into consideration the fact that S6 is far from the center of group 2 but with a strong attraction to the scattered points and to the positive direction of axis 1. Th e site S2 is also very far from the center of group 2 and opposes S6, with a very weak capacity of attraction in regard to the scattered points. Th e avifauna of these riparian zones is essentially composed of Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789) (EC), Acrocephalus arundinaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) (AA), Turdus merula (Linnaeus, 1758) (TM), Serinus serinus (Linnaeus, 1766) (SS), Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) (BI), Linaria cannabina (Linnaeus, 1758) (LC), Hippolais polyglotta (Vieillot, 1817) (HP), Merops apiaster (Linnaeus, 1758) (MA), Upupa epops (Linnaeus, 1758) (UE), Charadrius alexandrinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (CA), Cisticola juncidis (Rafi nesque, 1810) (CJ), Passer hispaniolensis (Temminck, 1820) (PH), Streptopelia decaocto (Frivaldszky, 1838) (SD), Streptopelia turtur (Linnaeus, 1758) (ST), Columba palumbus (Linnaeus, 1758) (CP), Cettia cetti (Temminck, 1820) (CC), Picus vaillantii (Malherbe, 1847) (PV), Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, 1758) (AAT), Charadrius dubius (Scopoli, 1786) (CD), Acrocephalus scirpaceus (Hermann, 1804) (AS), Anas platyrhynchos (Linnaeus, 1758) (AP), Tachybaptus rufi collis (Pallas, 1764) (TR), Fulica atra (Linnaeus, 1758) (FA) and Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758) (GC) (fig. 3 and Appendix 1). In total 45 species of breeding birds can be observed in the coastal riparian areas of northern Great Kabylia in Algeria. Th is number seems important because it relates to a single habitat. It represents nearly 40 % of the breeding avifauna of Great Kabylia, which involves 116 species recorded in the entire territory of this region (Moali, 1999) and nearly 12 % of the breeding birds in Algeria (Bellatreche et al., 2002). Data on breeding birds in the Algerian riparian zones are scarce. In this context, we can mention the work of Dahmana (2003), who recorded a total of 52 breeding species in all riparian zones of Soummam valley in Small Kabylia, Bejaia, or the work of Bougaham and Moulaï (2014) who identifi ed 40 species in the riparian zones of the Western Babors in the same region. In North Africa, in Morocco, Ater et al. (2008) indicated the existence of 70 breeding species in the riparian zones of the entire hydrographic network of Laou stream. In the northern part of the Mediterranean, in Europe, 40 breeding species have been counted in two parcels of Oak- Elm forest in Weisweil region (Bade) (Ullrich, 2002). Th is kind of environment is quite similar to that of riparian zone from the side of physiognomy. In the south of France, Blondel (2003) made a list of 34 breeding species in the riparian areas of Camargue. Th e same number of breeding birds is given by Dronneau (2007) in Alluvial forest of Rhine. Th e latter author indicates that the composition of the avifauna of the mature Rhine Oak-Elm is similar to that of all European Deciduous forests. Th e same observation is made by Blondel (2003) concerning deciduous forests and riparian zones in the Mediterranean. For the present study, the two sites S2 and S8 have the lowest values of bird species richness and abundance. For the latter site, the low bird abundance (3.91 %) is explained by the factor of noise resulting from nearby construction works. Despite the small infl uence of the anthropogenic noise and the proximity of houses (ANPH) (–0.35 %) in general, it probably disturbed the avifauna at the level of this riparian zone (fig. 3). However, the bird species richness is higher in S8 (21 species) compared to S2 (16 species) (table 1). Th is is explained by the greater diversity of vegetation (horizontal and vertical structures) in S8 compared to S2. We make the same observation in PCA, where it has been shown that S2 has a very low attraction capacity towards bird species (fig. 3). S2 is a site characterized by weak horizontal and vertical structures, the width of riparian zone (WRZ) is small, the degree of opening (DO) is the highest of all sites and the watercourse is extremely polluted by wastewater. Plant diversity is also low, dominated by Phragmites australis which is quite 357 Diversity and Structure of Nesting Birds in the Coastal Riparian Zones of Great Kabylia in Algeria resistant to water pollution. It is also illustrated in the PCA graph in fi gure 3 that this site has a very low attraction capacity towards avifauna. Site S6 has a colony of Bubulcus ibis, which explains the high abundance of birds recorded at this site (20.87  %) and justifi es particularly its distant position in the PCA graph (fig. 3). Th e grouping of sites S7, S8, S9, S10, S11 and S12 (G1) is explained by the great degree of similarity in environmental characteristics, which are the width of riparian zone, horizontal and vertical vegetation structures, height of the canopy, degree of opening in the riparian zone, water quality, width of the watercourse and water current velocity (table 1). Th ese sites are all on the eastern side of the study area, with a mountain profi le. Consequently, they attract avifauna with similar requirements. Th e grouping of sites S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 and S13 (G2) also have very similar environmental characteristics represented by the vertical structure of the vegetation, the velocity of water in the watercourse and the agricultural activity (table 1). Th e majority of these sites are located in the western part of the study area, with plains profi le. As a result, they also attract avifauna with similar ecological requirements. Th e factors governing the organization of the riparian avifauna in this study are mainly the height of the canopy (HOC) which has a great infl uence on the richness of the breeding avifauna, as the presence of large trees of considerable height means a contribution in the vertical structure of the habitat, providing additional ecological niches for bird species. Th e degree of opening in the riparian zone (DO) expresses the volume occupied by the vegetation; its contribution is explained by its role in providing ecological niches and shelter against predators. Th e width of riparian zone (WRZ) plays a role in the carrying capacity of the avifauna. Th e more it becomes wide, the more it off ers a multitude of ecological niches. Th e wild dump (WD) occupies a portion of the riparian zone that is proportional to the size of the dump. Its impact lies in the limitation of bird habitat, thus limiting the richness of the avifauna. Th e water quality (WQ) and its pollution by wastewater has a great infl uence on the richness of the riparian vegetation (the horizontal structure), as previously mentioned in the description of site S2. Th us, the low diversity of vegetation attracts a low bird specifi c richness (BSR). In addition to that, high water pollution by wastewater decreases the visibility for fi shing, diving and wading birds leading to a lower presence of this category of waterfowl. Concerning the width of the watercourse (WOW), we noticed that the watercourses are wider in the west sites of the study area (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6) which is a lowland area. Th e width of the watercourse in these sites in combination with the relatively calm water velocity with a slight slope makes these sites areas of fl ooding and sedimentation. Consequently, this favors the installation of a multitude of plant species (the horizontal structure). Th e clearing for agricultural needs in order to have easy access to pumping water from the watercourses has a direct impact on the degree of opening (DO) of the riparian zones. Th us, by reducing the volume of vegetation, we decrease the number of ecological niches. As for the water current velocity (WCV) of the watercourses, it has a great infl uence on the banks which are the supports of the riparian vegetation and their water supply. Th is means that as long as the water current velocity is stable, the riparian zone remains stable. In case of bad weather, the banks will be reshaped and the riparian zone will be modifi ed or even disappear temporarily in extreme cases. All the environmental parameters mentioned above are closely linked to two main factors: the suppliers of ecological niches for the installation of avifauna. Th ese are the vertical vegetation structure (VVS) (diff erent plant strata) and the horizontal vegetation structure (HVS) that is the diversity of plant species. Th us, the diff erences observed in terms of diversity and abundance of nesting avifauna between the 13 riparian zones surveyed are linked fi rst of all to the structure and physiognomy of the vegetation, which will determine the number of ecological niches available for birds. Th e other mentioned factors (HC, WRZ, WD, WOW, WCV, AGA, WQ, DO and ANPH) may also intervene. Th e results of the present study are in line with some fi ndings of similar ornithological works; for example, the work of Denis (2009) in Rhineland-Alsatian forests in France, where 358 K. Hachour, N. Talmat-Chaouchi, R. Moulaï he notes that the fi rst criterion for diff erentiating avifauna is the volume of tree vegetation. Roche (1995) notes along the course of the Allier in France that in the highly forested upstream part of the river, the degree of opening of the habitat is the main factor of avifauna variations. Conclusion Th e architectural complexity of the riparian zones of the diff erent sites in Great Kabylia has provided a signifi cant capacity for birds. Th is has allowed sedentary and migratory species, whether forest, aquatic or edge species, to nest there. Th e results of this study showed that the riparian zones of the northern part of Great Kabylia have a diversifi ed avifauna. Th e settlement of the avifauna is generally balanced, with the exception of Takdempt site, because of the dominance of colonial species, namely Bubulcus ibis. It becomes clear that the conditions that determine bird diversity in the coastal riparian zones of Great Kabylia are related to the mosaic of biotopes. Th e presence of three types of edges (forest edge, terrestrial edge and aquatic edge) off ers a great diversity of ecological niches. However, the anthropogenic impact limits the bird specifi c richness, whatever the nature of the disturbance (clearing, agriculture, wild dumps, contamination of the watercourses by wastewater, proximity to houses and the lack of quietness due to the noise resulting from construction works). Th e diversity and numbers of bird species recorded at these thirteen (13) sites will serve as basic data for monitoring bird population dynamics in eventual future studies, particularly in terms of the evolution of the diversity and the abundance of the present avifauna according to anthropogenic disturbances. Th e authors would like to thank all those who contributed to this study, mainly Mr. Mouhous Azedine, Mr. Bennaman Abdellah and Mrs. Berdjane ouiza. Th e authors would also like to thank the stuff of the General Direction of Scientifi c Research and Technological Development (DGRSDT) and the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education for its contribution. A p p e n d i x 1 . List of breeding avifauna in the coastal riparian zones of Great Kabylia (Algeria) List of nesting birds Sc ie nt ifi c na m es ’ ab br ev ia tio n Study sites Accipitridae - S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9 S10 S11 S12 S13 Accipiter nisus AN 2 2   Elanus caeruleus EC 2   Hieraaetus pennatus HP 2   Passeridae                           Passer hispaniolensis PH 11 8 26 18 17 Troglodytidae                           Troglodytes troglodytes TT 4 4 3 5 4 2 2 4 6 4 Turdidae                           Turdus merula TM 8 8 6 8 10 14 10 6 7 8 8 9 12 Paridae                           Cyanites teneriff ae CT 2 2 4 4 5 6 5 4 4 6 6 6 4 Parus major PM 1 3 2 2 4 2 2 5 2 2 2 2 Muscicapidae                           Luscinia megarhynchos LM 6 7 11 7 12 16 8 8 14 9 16 8 13 Muscicapa striata MS 7 7 13 5 5 8 Saxicola rubicola SR 2   Acrocephalidae                           Acrocephalus scirpaceus AS 7 8 11 6 8 12 4 3 3 9 Acrocephalus arundinaceus AA 2 2 2 2   Hippolais polyglotta HP 3 6 5 3 6 8 3 2 3 9   359 Diversity and Structure of Nesting Birds in the Coastal Riparian Zones of Great Kabylia in Algeria Cettiidae                             Cettia cetti CC 11 6 8 8 6 14 7 5 6 6 6 5 12 Motacillidae                           Motacilla cinerea MC 4 6 5 5 7 8 7   Motacilla fl ava MF 2   Sylviidae                           Sylvia melanocephala SM 5 6 10 9 12 11 7 8 10 9 8 8 Sylvia atricapilla SA 4 8 6 2 8 6 8 7 6   Sylvia communis SC 2 2   Sylvia conspicillata SCO 2   Cisticolidae                           Cisticola juncidis CJ 13 12 12 6 9 11 7 6 12 8 8 7 11 Fringillidae                           Chloris chloris CCH 8 7 8 11 11 9 13 5 9 9 14 12 6 Fringilla coelebs FC 3 7 14 12 12 14 6 7 15 8 8 9 Linaria cannabina LC 12 8 8 Serinus serinus SS 14 11 14 15 18 24 16 8 16 16 9 15 16 Pycnonotidae                           Pycnonotus barbatus PB 8 7 9 8 14 9 6 9 8 11 8 12 Phylloscopidae                           Phylloscopus bonelli PBO 7 6 8 6 13 7 6 7 8 7 11 7 Phylloscopus ibericus PI 5 3 6 4 6 6 3 6 5 5 6 5 Malaconotidae                           Tchagra senegalus TS 2 5 4   Upupidae                           Upupa epops UE 4   Charadriidae                           Charadrius dubius CD 5 4 2 6 5 Charadrius alexandrinus CA 28 5 4   Picidae                           Picus vaillantii PV 2 2 2 Alcedinidae                           Alcedo atthis AAT 2 2 1 Meropidae                           Merops apiaster MA 3 10 Columbidae                           Streptopelia turtur ST 6 6 12 7 6 5 5 2 5 Streptopelia decaocto SD 5 5 10 3 19 12 5 4 9 Columba palumbus CP 11 8 18 16 16 24 12 10 34 Phasianidae                           Alectoris barbara AB 3 4 5 2 5 4 Podicipedidae                           Tachybaptus rufi collis TR 2 6   Ardeidae                           Bubulcus ibis BI 240   Anatidae                           Anas platyrhynchos AP 6 4 5 8 11   Rallidae                           Gallinula chloropus GC 15 12 16 18 12 16 11 Fulica atra FA 5 9 6   Total headcount N 208 113 206 209 216 539 159 101 132 157 150 149 244 Species richness S 29 16 25 28 25 31 21 21 20 22 21 21 27 Shannon-Weaver diversity index H’ 4.52 3.9 4.37 4.54 4.5 3.57 4.2 4.3 4.1 4.3 4.2 4.3 4.45 Equitability E 0.93 1 0.94 0.94 1 0.72 1 1 1 1 1 1 0.94 References Ater, M., Radi, M., Kadiri, M., Hmimsa, Y., Achtak, H. & Qninba, A. 2008. Structure et diversité de l’avifaune des ripisylves du bassin versant de l’Oued Laou. Travaux de l’Institut Scientifi que. Rabat, série générale, n°5 , 27–35. Bellatreche, M., Bensaid, S., Bouznoune, A. & Djebbara, M. 2002. Les zones de développements durables. Rapport MATE-GEF/PNUD (Projet ALG/G13), 1–52 . 360 K. Hachour, N. Talmat-Chaouchi, R. Moulaï Bensettiti, F. 1985. Étude phytosociologique des forêts riveraines à Peuplier blanc (Populus alba L.) dans l’Algérois. Th èse de magister INA, Alger, 1–136 . Bensettiti, F. 1995. Contribution à l’étude phytosociologique des ripisylves du Nord de l’Algérie. Essai de synthèse à l’échelle de la Méditerranée occidentale. Th èse de doctorat en sciences, Université Paris-Sud-Centre d’Orsay, 1–140. Bensettiti, F. & Lacoste, A. 1999. Les ripisylves du nord de l’Algérie: essai de synthèse synsystématique à l’échelle de la Méditerranée occidentale. Ecologia mediterranea, 25 (1), 13–39. Benyacoub, S. & Chabi, Y. 2000. Diagnose écologique de l’avifaune du Parc National d’El-Kala. Synthèse, Publication de l’Université de Annaba, 7, 1–98. Blondel, J. 1975. L’analyse des peuplements d’oiseaux, éléments d’un diagnostic écologique. I. La méthode des échantillonnages fréquentiels progressifs (E.F.P.). Rev. Ecol. (Terre et vie), 29 (4), 533–589. Blondel, J. 1995. Biogéographie, approche écologique et évolutive. Masson, Paris, 1–297. Blondel, J. 1999. Peuplements d’oiseaux des cédraies méditerranéennes. Forêt méditerranéenne, 20 (4), 191–197. Blondel, J. 2003. L’avifaune des ripisylves méditerranéennes. Forêt Méditerranéenne, 24 (3), 249–256. Bougaham, A-F. & Moulaï, R., 2014. Analyse Écologique et Aspects Patrimoniaux des Oiseaux Nicheurs de la Région des Babors Occidentales (Bejaïa, Algérie). Alauda, 82 (2), 125–134. Dahmana, A. 2003. Caractérisation de la biodiversité dans la ripisylve de l’Oued Soummam : cas de la végétation et des oiseaux. Memo. Magister en Biologie, Université de Bejaia, 1–102 . Décamps, H. & Décamps, O. 2002. Ripisylves méditerranéennes. Conservation des zones humides méditerranéennes. Numéro 12. Tour du Valat, Arles, 1–140. Décamps, H. 2003. Ripisylves  : La Biodiversité Par l’Instabilité. L’écologie de la ripisylve. Les ripisylves méditerranéennes. Forêt méditerranéenne. 24 (3), 221–230. Denis, P. 2009. L’Avifaune Nicheuse Des Forets Rhenanes Alsaciennes : Relations Avec Le Milieu Et Mise En Perspective Geographique Et Historique. Ministere De L’Enseignement Superieur Et De La Recherche Ecole Pratique Des Hautes Etudes Sciences de la Vie et de la terre. Mémoire, 1–118. Dronneau, C. 2007. Peuplement d’oiseaux nicheurs d’une forêt alluviale du Rhin. Alauda, 75 (4), 373–388. Lamotte, M. & Bourlière, F. 1969. Problèmes d’écologie: l’échantillonnage des peuplements animaux des milieux terrestres. Masson, Paris, 1–151. Legendre, L. & Legendre, P. 1979. Écologie numérique: la structure des données écologiques. Masson, Paris, T. 2, 1–255. Moali, A. 1999. Déterminisme écologique de la distribution et biologie des populations des oiseaux nicheurs en Kabylie. Th èse doctorat d’Etat, Uni. Tizi-Ouzou, 1–221. Naiman, R-J., Decamps, H. & Pollock, M. 1993. Th e role of riparian corridors in maintaining regional biodiversity. Ecological Applications, 3, 209–212. Naiman, R-J. & Decamps, H. 1997. Th e ecology of interfaces: Riparian zones. Annual Review of Ecoogy and Systematics, 28, 621–658. Piégay, H. 1994. Quelques éléments de réfl exion pour une gestion équilibrée des marges boisées des cours d’eau de plaines alluviales. Rapport d’étude. CEMAGREF de Lyon, Agence de l’Eau Rhône-Méditerranée-Corse (France), 1–130. Poilecot, P. 2002. Contribution à la défi nition de méthodologies d’inventaires biologiques dans le cadre du projet interactions élevage — faune sauvage — environnement autour des aires protégées dans le sud-est du Tchad. Laboratoire De Recherches Vétérinaires Et Zootechniques De Farcha. Tchad, 1–74. Quézel, P. 2000. Réfl exions sur l’évolution de la fl ore et de la végétation au Maghreb méditerranéen. Ibis Press, Paris, 1–117. Roche, J. 1995. Diversité et valeur patrimoniale des peuplements d’oiseaux nicheurs de l’Allier sur l’ensemble de son cours; de l’écologie à la conservation. Rapport non publié, Ministère de l’Environnement. Université de Bourgogne, 1–64 . Saporta, G. 1990. Simultaneous analysis of qualitative and quantitative data. Atti XXXV Riunione Scientifica della Societa Italiana di Statistica, 63–72. Ullrich, T. 2002. Avifaunistische Untersuchungen im Bannwald Weisweiler Rheinwald. Ein Beitrag zur Benennung von Leitarten für naturnahe Wälder in den Oberrheinauen. Ornithologische Jahresheft e für Baden-Württemberg, 18, 305–302. Received 17 February 2021 Accepted 1 July 2021