Abstract
The avian colonization of Anak Krakatau, an emergent volcanic island, is described for the period 1952–1991 with emphasis on the resident land birds. The few species that had colonized the island by 1952 were destroyed in a volcanic eruption. Recolonization has been rapid and extensive but only documented by regular surveys that began in the 1980s. The waves of avian colonists associated with the following stages of plant succession are described: pre-vegetation, beach and grassland pioneers, casuarina woodland and mixed forest. Rainforest frugivores first reached the island in 1985 coinciding with the fruiting of the first fig trees. The three stages of plant succession and the bird communities associated with them co-exit on three separate lowland sites with about a 10–15 year delay between them. The guilds of shorebirds, predators, nectarivores, frugivores and insectivores are described. Densities of insectivores are very high; however between 1986 and 1990, some generalist species have fallen in abundance whereas some specialists have increased. The establishment species have fallen in abundance whereas some specialists have increased. The establishment of new colonists, especially pigeons, has been limited by the arrival of two species of falcons.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Partomihardjo, T.; Mirmanto, E.; Whittaker, R.J.: Anak Krakatau's Vegetation and Flora circa 1991, with Observations on a Decade of Development and Change. GeoJournal 28,2, 233–248 (1992)
Rawlinson, P.A.; Zann, R.A.; van Balen, S.; Thornton, I.W.B.: Colonization of the Krakatau Islands by Vertebrates. GeoJournal 28,2, 225–231 (1992)
Thornton, I.W.B.; New, T.R.: Krakatau invertebrates: the 1980s fauna in the context of a century of recolonization. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B 322, 493–522 (1988)
Thornton, I.W.B.; New, T.R.; MacLaren, D.A.; Sudarmen, H.K.; Vaughan, P.J.: Air-borne arthropod fall-out on Krakatau and a possible prevegatation pioneer community. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B 322, 471–479 (1988)
Thornton, I.W.B.; Zann, R.A.; Stephenson, D.G.: Colonization of the Krakatau islands by land birds, and the approach to an equilibrium number of species. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B 327, 55–93 (1990)
Thornton, I.W.B.; Ward, S.A.; Zann, R. A.; New, T.R.: Anak Krakatau — a Colonization Model within a Colonization Model? 28,2, 271–286 (1992)
Whittaker, R.J.; Bush, M.B.; Richards, K.: Plant recolonization and vegetation succession on the Krakatau islands. Indonesia. Ecol. Monogr. 59, 59–123 (1989)
Weins, J.A.: The ecology of bird communities, Vol 1: Foundations and patterns. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1990.
Zann, R.A.; Male, E.B.; Darjono: Bird colonization of Anak Krakatau, an emergent volcanic island. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B 328, 95–121 (1990 a)
Zann, R.A.; Walker, M.V.; Adhikerana, A.; Davison, G.W.; Male, E.B.; Darjono: The birds of the Krakatau islands (Indonesia) 1984–1986. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B 328, 29–54 (1990 b)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zann, R.A., Darjono The birds of Anak Krakatau: the assembly of an avian community. GeoJournal 28, 261–270 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00177240
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00177240