Diversity and Conservation Status of Wetland Birds in Jagadispur Reservior Ram Site, Kapilvastu, Nepal
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Department of Zoology
Abstract
This study was carried out to understand the diversity and conservation status of birds in
Jagadishpur Reservoir Ramsar site and its associated areas. In order to accomplish these
objectives entire habitats were categorized into three types as wetland, forest and urban
areas. Bird survey was conducted in two different seasons of a single year from January
to July 2019 by using point count method. There were two transects were set around the
lake in which one was plotted in the immediate boundary of the lake and another was
plotted 500m far from first transect that covers forest, cropland and settlement areas.
Species richness and the abundance of the birds were calculated by using PAST (V.3.18),
factor for species diversity and abundance factor was calculated by using R (v.3.1.6)
software. Altogether 79 species of birds belonging 14 Orders and 33 Families recorded
during study period. Out of 79 species, 32 winter migrant, 2 summer migrant, 2 passage
migrant and 43 residential birds were recorded in the study period. Order Passeriformes
represent the highest species composition (36.71%) followed by order Ciconiiformes and
Anseriformes (15.18%) as compared to other. There was significant difference observed
in terms of species richness (t = 1.5, df = 54, p = 0.137) in both seasons. But species
abundance was found to vary significantly (t = 2.21, df = 54, p = 0.031). The study area
supports higher abundance in winter as compared to summer season. The species richness
was found higher in forest/urban area followed by wetland and forest/wetland ecotone.
Altogether 73 species were least concern, 3 species vulnerable, 3 near threatened species
were found to be listed in IUCN Red List. Presence of livestock pressure and human
disturbance caused a negative effect on bird species richness and abundance while full of
water and shallow water caused a significant relation with species richness and
abundance. Illegal hunting, excessive use of pesticides and fertilizers, grazing, cattle
bathing, washing clothes, developmental activities, invasive species, urbanization, over
harvesting of wetland resources only aggravate deteriorating ecological condition of
Jagadishpur Reservoir.