Ecotourism potential of an urban forest fragment in western Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Birdwatching is a practice with high economic potential due to the rich diversity of birds; however, it remains largely unexplored in the far western Brazilian Amazon. This study presents the potential of birdwatching in a forest fragment located in the urban area of Cruzeiro do Sul, Acre, known as Mata do Educandário/Coração Verde. To record the local bird species, an active search census was conducted over 39 days, totalling 8 hours per week. Photography and audio recording equipment were used for documentation, following the Mackinnon list method. After all observations and identifications, an online form was created to assess the overall attractiveness and most appealing characteristics of the birds. A total of 50 participants evaluated 77 bird species. The Index of List Frequencies (ILFs) for each species was calculated, and chi-square statistical analysis was performed on the form responses. The results indicated that the overall attractiveness of birds for observation was rated as moderate, with singing and morphology considered the most attractive features. The surveyed fragment represents approximately 10% of the known bird species in the state of Acre, showcasing significant potential for birdwatching. This is attributed to both the high species richness and the attractive characteristics highlighted by the research participants, with an emphasis on singing, colours, and forms as the most appealing features.