Photo: A snapshot of a greater bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea apoda) taken by the IPB University research team. This species eats fruits as part of its diet, making fruit-bearing trees vital to its habitat
SOUTH PAPUA – The survival of greater birds-of-paradise (Paradisaea apoda) is tied to their habitat — one which offers a plethora of food options like wild fruits, nectar, seeds, arthropods, and small animals.
Among these options, fruits are considered a key food source for the species. This prompted IPB University and TSE Group to delve into a research on fruit-bearing trees, specifically the kinds used by the local greater birds-of-paradise population.
Their efforts have culminated in an internationally published study titled “Fruiting Tree Used by Greater Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea apoda) in Logging Concession in South Papua”. Dr. Yeni Aryati Mulyani, Prof. Ani Mardiastuti, and a team of researchers from IPB University successfully identified six tree species that are vital for sustenance in TSE Group’s concession areas.
“Two of them — Myristica insipida and Oncosperma tigillarium — were identified through direct observation, while the other four — Calophyllum soulattri, Ficus obliqua, Myristica fatua, and Syzygium sp. — were identified based on indirect evidence,” the study stated.
All generally appear in clusters and possess structural features supporting foraging activities, such as dense crowns and extensive branching.
They are important to support the greater birds-of-paradise, which must adapt to the seasonal nature of fruits. With a wide variety of trees, the birds have plenty of food sources to choose from based on their needs and food availability.
Yet, the study notes a complicated relationship between this need for diversity and TSE Group’s vegetation management practices. Calophyllum soulattri and Myristica fatua, two of the aforementioned tree species, are classified as commercial timber.
Understanding food trees thus becomes crucial to preserve the habitat of local greater birds-of-paradise. But there’s not enough data — most of the study’s records are indirect evidence, which calls for further research and monitoring to corroborate the findings.
Nonetheless, the IPB University team recommends maintaining vegetation heterogeneity and habitat structure with a focus on riparian zones. These areas are known as major foraging hotspots for Paradisaea apoda.
In the process, long-term monitoring will be integral to establishing the effects of vegetation changes driven by concession management activities on the distribution patterns of the food trees.
Overall, IPB University and TSE Group’s work not only sheds light on these six species; it also lays the basis for understanding how food source availability, habitat structure, and forest area management connect.
For TSE Group, the study’s findings will inform its wildlife habitat management practices. Through vegetation diversity preservation and consistent monitoring, the company hopes to ensure habitat availability and the continuity of life for greater birds-of-paradise in South Papua. (PR)
