الفهرس 
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Abstract
Saint Catherine protected area is an Important Bird Area and has unique natural and geographical conditions leading to rich biodiversity in both fauna and flora.
The present study aimed to investigate the structural patterns of migratory and resident bird communities and to evaluate the effectiveness of Saint Catherine protectorate management in biodiversity promotion. Human activities and human modified habitats impacts on bird’s community structures were an objective of our study. In order to achieve our objectives 16 transects were studied in the core area of the protectorate. The study transects were surveyed fore five seasons; summer of 2017, autumn 2017, winter 2017-2018, spring 2018 and summer 2018.
Point transects was chosen as the study technique to fit the topographic nature of the study area, so fixed transects were visited seasonally at the same time of the day over the study period. Soil samples were collected for each transect for the analysis for physical and chemical characteristics. Vegetation cover for each site was studied and plant species for each site were identified.
Statistical analysis were made using PC-ORD program. A total of 181 wild plant species and 29 cultivated species were recorded in the study sites.
The study recorded a total of 3860 bird individuals belonging to 65 bird species, 26 families and 11 orders. Resident birds were 3087 individuals belonging to 22 bird species, 14 families and 5 orders. Migratory birds were 773 individuals belonging to 43 bird species, 16 families and 8 orders. Family Columbidae was the most represented family with 677 individuals.
The Species richness highest value was recorded in site 16 (El Frea), while the lowest species richness value was recorded in site 12 (Tinia). Site 9 (wadi Gharba) showed the highest value for site evenness and Simpson diversity index, while site 8 (Wadi solaf) showed the lowest value for both.
Species richness were high for seasons S2 and S4 (Autumn 2017 and Spring 2018) the migration seasons, while species richness were relatively low and almost equal for S3 and S5 (winter 2017-2018 and summer 2018).
Indicator species analysis showed 8 bird species that had affinity towards deferent study groups.
The study highlighted the importance of the area for migratory birds passing by as refueling stopover because of the richness of plant cover and distribution of Bedouin Orchards in the valleys of the study area.
The attracting factors for passing migratory birds were found to be exposed water sources and dense vegetation cover specially high trees like case in site 16 (Agro Forest). While attracting factors for resident bird species were the availability of food sources.
The study concluded that the main factors affecting bird distribution were human activities, vegetation cover and open water resources; and recommended adaptive management for these factors in order to lower bird disturbance and provide better environmental conditions for birds.