Bird Diversity along an Elevational Gradient in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
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Department of Zoology
Abstract
This study assessed the diversity of bird along elevational gradient of Shivapuri Nagarjun
National Park though species richness of bird along an elevational gradient in Himalayan
region including Nepal is less explored till present. The diversity, distribution pattern and
habitat will help for biodiversity conservation. Understanding the habitat heterogeneity and
bird diversity along elevational gradient is the key required to conserve the diversity. The
major aims of this study were to explore diversity, habitat and distribution patterns of birds
along elevational gradient in two site i.e. Sundarijal and Panimuhan. The study was carried
out along the altitudinal gradients of Sundarijal and Panimuhan from 1300 m asl to 2700 m
asl and 1600 m to 2700 m respectively. Point count method was used for the field survey.
In both sites 15 and 12 point count locations were selected in every 100 m altitudinal
differences and recorded all the seen and heard birds in each point count locations for about
20 minutes by using binoculars. Direct observation method was used for the bird’s
identification with the help of field guide book (Birds of Nepal). Microsoft Excel 2010,
PAST, CANOCO software were used for data analysis. Shannon- Weiner (H) diversity
index was 2.994 in Sundarijal and 2.694 in Panimuhan which showed significant diversity
of bird. The highest bird species were recorded in lower mixed hardwood forest and least
in upper mixed hardwood forest in both sites which concluded that bird species richness
were significantly associated with habitat heterogeneity. The distribution pattern of bird
was monotonically decreasing species richness with increasing elevation in both sites.