Diversity and Conservation Status of Wetland Birds in Jagadispur Reservior Ram Site, Kapilvastu, Nepal

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.