Journal of Threatened Taxa |
www.threatenedtaxa.org | 26 August 2022 | 14(8): 21561–21578
ISSN 0974-7907 (Online) | ISSN 0974-7893
(Print)
https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7067.14.8.21561-21578
#7067 | Received 11 January 2021 | Final
received 09 August 2022 | Finally accepted 12 August 2022
Avifaunal diversity
in unprotected wetlands of Ayodhya District, Uttar Pradesh, India
Yashmita-Ulman 1
& Manoj Singh 2
1 Department of
Silviculture and Agroforestry, Acharya Narendra Deva University of Agriculture
and Technology, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh 224229, India.
2 Department of
Zoology, Kalinga University, Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh 492101, India.
1 yashmita2018@gmail.com,
2 msingh.zooku@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Editor: Hem S. Baral,
Charles Sturt University, Aldbury, Australia. Date
of publication: 26 August 2022 (online & print)
Citation: Yashmita-Ulman &
M. Singh (2022). Avifaunal diversity in unprotected wetlands of
Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal of Threatened
Taxa 14(8): 21561–21578. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.7067.14.8.21561-21578
Copyright: © Yashmita-Ulman
& Singh 2022. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
License. JoTT allows unrestricted use,
reproduction, and distribution of this article in any medium by providing
adequate credit to the author(s) and the source of publication.
Funding: Self-funded.
Competing interests: The authors declare no
competing interests.
Author details: Dr. Yashmita-Ulman, is an Assistant Professor at Department of
Silviculture & Agroforestry, ANDUAT, Ayodhya. She has been involved in
research on wildlife. Her current interests include plant-animal interactions
in agroforestry systems and forests. Dr.
Manoj Singh is an Assistant Professor at Department of Zoology, Kalinga
University, Chhattisgarh. He is working on bird acoustics and wildlife
conservation using GIS.
Author contributions:
Y-U was involved in data collection. Both the authors
were involved in data compilation, analysis, manuscript writing, editing and
finalizing the manuscript.
Acknowledgements: The authors are
thankful to the Dean, College of Horticulture and Forestry, ANDUAT, for
permitting to carry out this field research. Our special thanks to Mr. Abhishek
Kumar Pandey for translating the abstract in Hindi.
Abstract: Nine unprotected
wetlands of Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh, India were studied to assess the
bird species composition and richness from March 2019 to February 2020 using
point count method. A total of 105 species of birds belonging to 79 genera,
distributed among 35 families and 12 orders were recorded. Passeriformes had
the highest diversity with 25 species and 12 families. Anatidae was the most
dominant family with 15 species, constituting 14.29% of the wetland bird
community in the study area. These wetlands provided habitat for 62 residential
species, 42 winter migrants and one vagrant. The carnivore guild was the most
dominant with 46 species. The wetland sites under study were continuously used
by humans mainly for land encroachment, fishing activities and livestock
grazing apart from other minor uses. Out of the nine selected wetlands, three
wetlands (˂2 ha) had very few bird species (≤3), therefore were excluded from
further calculations. But the rest of the six selected wetlands (˃5 ha)
provided habitat for 12 bird species of conservation importance (one Endangered
species, five Vulnerable species, and six Near Threatened species) according to
the IUCN Red list. These wetlands also supported 39 species of birds having a
declining population trend globally. These findings highlight the role of
medium and large-sized unprotected wetlands in providing critical habitat to
the birds throughout the year in Ayodhya district. Future research must concentrate
on understanding the key factors influencing the presence and absence of birds
in such unprotected wetlands so that these wetlands can be managed effectively
to secure the potential habitat of birds.
Keywords: Birds, conservation
importance, feeding guild, relative diversity index, species richness.
INTRODUCTION
Wetlands are
transitional zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, which can be
permanently or seasonally flooded but retain saturated soils throughout the
unflooded period (TWI 2020). Wetlands occupy about 6% of the earth’s surface,
comprising bogs (30%), fens (26%), swamps (20%), and flood plains (15%) (Shine
& Klemm 1999). Wetlands are highly diverse and biologically rich, providing
habitats to many groups of species like waterbirds, fish, amphibians, reptiles,
invertebrates, mammals, and plants. Wetlands play an important role in
maintaining the hydrological cycle. The other services provided by wetlands
include flood protection, water purification and recreational opportunities
(Woodward & Wui 2001). Birds are an inseparable entity in wetland ecosystems
as they play an important role in nutrient recycling and occupy different
trophic levels in the food web (Custer & Osborn 1977; Rajashekara &
Venkatesha 2010). Birds also act as useful bio-indicators reflecting the
ecological health of the wetland ecosystems (Custer & Osborn 1977). Wetlands are important for resident as well
as migratory birds as they provide them with foraging, breeding, & nesting
habitats and sometimes also serve as stopover sites (Kumar et al. 2016). India
has around 4.7% of the total geographical area of the country under wetlands
(Bassi et al. 2014). Nearly 310 bird species are reported to be wetland
dependent in India (Kumar et al. 2005). Uttar Pradesh has 12,42,530 ha of area
under wetlands, i.e., 5.16% of the total geographical area, whereas Ayodhya
district has 23,050 ha, i.e., 1.86% of land under wetlands (NWA 2010). Many
wetlands in this region are under threat due to anthropogenic pressure like
conversion of wetlands into agricultural lands or for commercial fishing purposes,
fertilizers run-offs from surrounding agricultural lands, hunting,
unsustainable harvest of wetland resources, invasion of alien species,
eutrophication, extraction of edible nuts of Trapa natans, pumping out
water for agricultural purposes (Yashmita-Ulman pers. Comm. February 2020)
thus, threatening the very existence of the resident and migratory wetland
birds. Unprotected wetlands defined as those wetlands which have no official
protection or conservation status and are also open for public use (Blanckenberg
et al. 2020), are usually ignored, but such wetlands too provide the required
habitat to the birds. So, to understand the anthropogenic impacts on wetland
birds and their habitat in the future, it is necessary to have a baseline
information on the species occurrences and habitat choices. Such information
will also help in long term monitoring of the habitat and preparing
conservation and management strategies for the species as well as their
habitat. This exercise will also highlight the ecological health of the
wetlands. The bird species checklist thus generated will provide a base for
further research.
The state of Uttar
Pradesh has been reported to host 528 bird species (eBird 2021). It has eight
wetlands listed under Ramsar Sites, which is the highest in India as compared
to any other state. In addition to this, the state has many unprotected
wetlands. But most of the studies on biodiversity in wetlands of Uttar Pradesh
are concentrated on Ramsar and protected wetland sites. Studies have been
conducted on plant diversity (Reddy et al. 2009), land-use changes (Behera et
al. 2012) in Samaspur Bird Sanctuary, Rae Bareli, on plant diversity (Jha 2013)
in Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Hardoi, and on butterfly diversity (Sharma 2007),
medicinal plant diversity (Rani et al. 2009) & water quality monitoring
(Gopal et al. 2015) in Sur Sarovar wetlands. There has been a study on bird
diversity in agricultural landscapes of Ayodhya district (Yashmita-Ulman &
Singh 2021), but there are no studies on wetlands of this district. As most of
the wetlands present in Ayodhya district are either isolated, disturbed,
unprotected or not designated as Ramsar sites, the inventories of these
wetlands have not been done so far. So, this study is the first attempt to
prepare a checklist of birds present in some selected unprotected wetlands of
Ayodhya district.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Area
Depending upon
factors like easy accessibility and financial feasibility, three tehsils
namely, Milkipur, Sohawal and Sadar of Ayodhya district (Figure 1) were chosen
for the survey. Regular monitoring of the selected wetlands in these tehsils
was possible as these tehsils fell in the daily commute route of the authors,
i.e., from Rikabganj (Sadar tehsil) to Acharya Narendra Deva University of
Agriculture and Technology (Milkipur tehsil) via NH 330A. The areas under these
three tehsils were thoroughly searched for the presence of wetlands through
google maps. Once the wetlands were identified, the areas were visited for
ground truthing and preliminary bird survey. Depending on the presence of
motorable roads, preliminary bird surveys and information from local people, a
total of nine wetlands, three from each tehsil were selected for monthly bird
surveys. Out of these nine wetlands, three wetlands (˂2 ha) supported very few
bird species (≤3) and that too on an irregular basis (Table 1). So, data from
these wetlands was not included in further analysis to avoid discrepancies in
results. Therefore, this study reports the analyzed results only from six
unprotected wetlands, three from Milkipur tehsil (Udaila Talab (Figure 1 &
Image 1a), Sirsa Jheel (Figure 1 & Image 1b), & Barunshahganj Talab
(Figure 1 & Image 1c); two from Sohawal tehsil (Jagdishpur Talab (Figure 1
& Image 1d) & Samda Jheel (Figure 1 & Image 1e); and one from Sadar
tehsil (Kosiparikrama Nallah (Figure 1,2f) of Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh.
Ayodhya district is
situated between 26.7730 °N and 82.1458 °E, and has an elevation of 93 m (KVK
2021). This district has an area of around 2,764 km2 (KVK 2021).
Ayodhya city is situated on the banks of the river Ghagra locally known as
‘Saryu’. The climate is humid (Kumar 2018) and experiences summer season from
March to June, rainy season from July to October and winter season from November
to February (Sundar & Kittur 2012). The annual rainfall of the district is
around 1,067 mm. The average temperature is 32 0C during summer
season and 16 0C during winter season (KVK 2021). Oryza sativa –
Triticum aestivum is the main cropping system. Saccharum officinarum
and Brassica juncea are also grown in the area along with horticultural
crops (Mangifera indica, Psidium guajava, Phyllanthus emblica, and Musa
sp.) (KVK 2021). The detailed description of the selected unprotected wetlands
is given in Table 1.
Methods
Bird surveys were
conducted monthly using point-count method (Bibby et al. 2000) in the selected
study sites from March 2019 to February 2020. Two point counts were fixed on
the perimeter of each wetland making a total of 18 point counts in the whole
district. In the same wetland the distance between the two point counts was at
least 250 m. Each point count was surveyed 24 times during the entire study
duration. After arriving at each point count, the observations of the initial 5
mins were not recorded giving time for the birds to settle down. After the
initial 5 mins, bird species were recorded for the next 15 mins at the same
point. During winters, fog conditions affected visibility early in the morning,
so the observations were made whenever visibility was good (usually between
1000 to 1230 h) and for the rest of the seasons survey was conducted between
0600 to 0830 h. Birds were recorded directly with the help of field binoculars
(Nikon 7x35). On each sighting, the details such as, species name, number of
individuals and habitat were recorded. Birds flying across were not counted.
The opportunistic counts were also recorded during other times of the day by
scanning the periphery or banks of the wetlands. Grimmett et al. (2011) was used
for bird identification and for knowing the residential status of birds
(residents, winter visitor, summer visitor). Praveen et al. (2020) was followed
for the taxonomic position and names. The classification of birds into major
feeding guilds was done using Ali & Ripley (1987) and field observations.
The IWPA (1972) and CITES (2012) were followed for assigning the conservation
status of species. The Red List of IUCN (2021) was followed to compile the
conservation status and the global population trend (decreasing, increasing,
stable, unknown) of the recorded species.
Species richness was
calculated as total number of bird species recorded in the study area.
The following
community parameters were calculated using the below given formulae:
[i] Relative diversity of bird families (RDi)
(Torre-Cuadros et al. 2007)
Number
of bird species in a family
RDi =
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– x 100
Total number of species
[ii] Shannon Weiner
index (Shannon & Weiner 1963)
where, pi
is often the proportion of individuals belonging to the ‘i’th
species in the dataset and ‘s’ is the species richness. The values usually lies
between 1 and 4 where 1 shows less diversity and 4 shows high diversity.
[iii] Margalef
Richness Index (Margalef 1958)
S–1
Margalef Richness
Index (D) = –––––––
Log (n)
where, ‘S’ is the
total number of species and ‘n’ is the total number of individuals in the
sample.
[iv] Simpson’s index (Simpson 1949)
This was calculated according to Simpson (1949) to
measure the concentration of dominance (CD) of bird species.
where pi is the
proportion of the Importance Value Index (IVI) of the ‘i’th species
and IVI of all the species (ni/N). The values of Simpson’s index is limited to
1 where 1 shows dominance by a single species.
[v] Pielou’s evenness
index (Pielou 1966) = H’/log10N(S)
where H’ is the
Shanon Weiner Index of diversity and S is the total number of species.
This index ranges
from 0 (no evenness) to 1 (complete evenness).
[vi] Sorenson’s
similarity coefficient (Sorenson 1948)
2C
Sorenson similarity
coefficient = ––––
A+B
where C is the number
of species common to both sites, A is the total number of species in site A,
and B is the total number of species in site B. Sorenson’s coefficient gives a
value between 0 and 1, the closer the value is to 1, the more the communities have
in common.
RESULTS
Out
of nine wetlands, three wetlands (˂2 ha) had very few bird species (≤3) and
that too on an irregular basis and were not considered in calculations to avoid
discrepancies in results (Table 1). A total of 105 species of birds belonging
to 79 genera, distributed among 35 families and 12 orders were recorded from
the six unprotected wetlands of Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh during the
study period (Table 2). Out of 105 species found, 73 species were
wetland-associated and 32 species were terrestrial. Among the recorded bird
species, 45 species (42.85%) were found commonly at all the six unprotected
wetlands and 60 species (57.14%) were found at specific unprotected wetlands
sites (Table 2). Passeriformes had the highest diversity with 25 species and 12
families, followed by Charadriiformes with 22 species from eight families
(Figure 3). Anatidae was the most dominant family with 15 species and the
highest RDi value (14.29) (Table 3). This was followed by Accipitridae with 10
species (Figure 2). Acrocephalidae, Alaudidae, Anhingidae, Columbidae,
Dicruridae, Falconidae, Glareolidae, Gruidae, Laridae, Leiothrichidae,
Pandionidae, Passeridae, Phylloscopidae, Recurvirostridae, Rostratulidae were
represented by just a single genus and were the least represented (Figure 2).
Of
all the bird species recorded, 62 species (59.05%) were resident, 42 species
(40.00%) were winter visitors and one species (0.95%) was vagrant. As far as
the foraging habit of the bird community in the selected wetland sites were
concerned, five major feeding guilds were identified (Figure 3). The carnivore
guild was the most dominant with 46 species (43.81%), followed by omnivore 42
species (40.00%), insectivore 15 species (14.29%) and frugivore and granivore
with one species each (0.95%) (Figure 3). The maximum number of bird species
were recorded in the months of January and February (89 each) and the least was
recorded in the month of August (Figure 4). The unprotected wetland sites of
Ayodhya district supported one Endangered species—Aquila nipalensis,
five Vulnerable species—Antigone antigone, Aquila rapax, Aythya ferina,
Clanga hastata, & Sterna aurantia, and six Near
Threatened species—Anhinga melanogaster, Ciconia episcopus, Mycteria
leucocephala, Vanellus duvaucelii, Esacus recurvirostris, & Threskiornis
melanocephalus (Table 2). Moreover, these wetlands supported 39 species
(37.14%) of birds having a declining population trend globally (Table 2).
The
Shannon-Weiner index and Margalef richness index across the six unprotected
wetland sites revealed that Udaila Talab was the most diverse and species rich
wetland (3.86, 26.94) with 92 species (Table 4). This was followed by Samda
Jheel (3.82, 25.41), Sirsa Jheel (3.80, 24.52), Jagdishpur Jheel (3.63, 23.66),
Kosiparikrama Nallah (3.62, 23.82).
Barunshahganj Talab (3.55, 22.59) was found to be the least diverse of
all (Table 4). All the wetlands showed diverse species and no single species
showed dominancy (Table 4). The similarity in species composition of birds was
measured using Sorenson’s similarity index (Table 5), the results of which
highlighted that Udaila Talab and Samda Jheel showed the highest similarity
(0.91) in bird communities, followed by Udaila Talab and Sirsa Jheel (0.89) and
Samda Jheel and Sirsa Jheel (0.88) (Table 5). The least bird species similarity
was shown between Jagdishpur Jheel and Kosiparikrama Nallah (0.76) (Table 5).
DISCUSSION
In this survey, the
Passeriformes was the dominant order which conforms to the studies of Kumar
& Sharma (2018). Family Anatidae was the most dominant of all families of
bird species found in the selected unprotected wetlands of Ayodhya district.
Similar results were found by Kumar & Gupta (2009), Tak et al. (2010),
Chopra & Sharma (2012), and Kumar et al. (2016). Nearly 60% of the bird
species found were resident. This result conforms to the studies of Mazumdar
(2019) who also recorded the majority of birds to be resident in nature. In the
present study, it was found that the birds belonged to five feeding guilds, the
dominant guild being carnivores, followed by omnivores. This finding implies
that the wetlands catered to the needs of the birds providing them with diverse
food items like fish, crustaceans, invertebrates, water plants and plankton
(Basavarajappa 2006).
The highest species
richness was recorded in the months of January and February (89 species each)
which conforms to the observations of Mazumdar (2019) in Okhla Bird Sanctuary,
Uttar Pradesh. It was found that the bird species starts to increase from
October and reaches the maximum in the months of January and February (Figure
4). This is due to the migrating waterfowls which arrive in the wetlands during
this season as Uttar Pradesh is a part of the Central Asian Flyway serving as a
wintering ground for these species. This is also one of the reasons for
recording a high number of winter visitors (42 species) in this study. The
wetlands along with the agricultural landscapes in Ayodhya district prove to be
a good habitat for these migratory birds and therefore support a high
diversity, especially in winters (Yashmita-Ulman & Singh 2021). These
migratory species gradually start flying back to their breeding grounds from
March so, the species richness declines slowly from March and reaches the
lowest in the monsoon months (Figure 4).
The wetland avian
diversity and composition are influenced by factors like wetland size,
location, vegetation (Sundar & Kittur 2013), type and level of
anthropogenic activities, presence of additional and diverse foraging ground
(Yashmita-Ulman & Singh 2021), water depth and quality (Saygili et al.
2011). Moreover, water birds usually prefer shallow water bodies with
variations in depth (Helmers 1992; Colwell & Taft 2000). The Udaila Talab
was surrounded by agricultural fields and had diverse vegetation like floating
hydrophytes (Azolla pinnata, Eichhornia cracipes, Jussiaea repens, Ipomoea
aquatica) and submerged hydrophytes (Najas graminea, Potamogeton nodosus).
Trees like Eucalyptus tereticornis, Phyllanthus emblica, and Mangifera
indica were found on the edge of the water body. It was a large sized water
body with shallow water. Moreover, the undulating topography of the wetland
gave rise to natural mounds and small isolated islands which served as resting
places for the various bird species. As, Udaila Talab might have met all the
requirements of bird species like alternative and diverse food supply, water
depth variations, diverse microhabitats, it has registered as the wetland with
the highest species richness and diversity. As far as both Sirsa and Samda
Jheel were concerned, they both were surrounded with agricultural fields and
trees, haboured rooted and emergent plants and had large areas under shallow
water and marshy lands. Artificial mounds had been built in Samda Jheel by the
Forest department to provide resting places to the water birds. All these
factors might have attracted birds towards these jheels. So, both the wetlands
supported a high avian diversity after Udaila Talab.
Deep waters are less
preferred by waterbirds as they reduce the availability and accessibility of
invertebrates (Murkin & Kadlec 1986). The Jagdishpur Jheel and
Kosiparikrama Nallah therefore, had less to offer to the birds as they had
higher water depths. Most of the birds found in these sites were restricted to
the edge of the water bodies where the water was shallow. Only some ducks were
found foraging in deep water. Moreover, the sewage water of the city of Ayodhya
is drained into the Kosiparikrama Nallah and later this nallah merges with the
Saryu river. So, mainly the birds like Himantopus himantopus which
prefer feeding in polluted waters were found abundantly in this wetland. Both
these wetlands were also smaller in size as compared to the other six wetlands
in the study area. All these factors might be the reason for lower bird
diversity in these wetlands as compared to Udaila Talab. On the other hand,
though the Barunshahganj Talab has shallow water depth, it is a highly
disturbed site as it lies next to the state highway NH 330A and has increasing
land encroachment problems and is, therefore, shrinking in size and thus might
have resulted in the lowest avian diversity as compared to the other wetlands
in the study area.
It can be clearly
understood from this study that all the wetlands in the study area have a great
potential for conservation of avian communities. Though all the six wetlands
under study were unprotected and had tremendous anthropogenic pressure, they
were still capable of fulfilling the feeding, nesting and breeding requirements
of the birds, and thus proved to be an optimum habitat. All the six wetlands in
the study area had highly heterogeneous and mosaic of microhabitats as they
were surrounded either by agricultural fields, orchards or plantations. The
various tree species on the banks of wetlands provided the sites for perching,
roosting and nesting of kingfishers, egrets, raptors, herons, cormorants and
storks. The wading birds like storks, herons, ibises, snipe, redshank were
found in shallow water and marshes. The wagtails, swamphens, waterhens and
kingfishers were found in the adjoining agricultural fields as also reported by
Urfi (2003). The plovers and sandpipers were found in the marshes. The waders
like jacanas, egrets, herons, storks, ibises were found mostly feeding on Nymphea
sp. The swimming and diving birds like coots, swamphens, ducks, cormorants,
teal feasted on submerged vegetation (Vallisneria sp., Ceratophylum
sp.) and emergent hydrophytes (Oryza rufipogon, Polygonum barbatum). So,
all these might be the reasons for registering a high avian community
composition even though these sites are unprotected and highly disturbed.
This survey shows 12
bird species (11.42%) of conservation importance in six unprotected and
disturbed wetlands of Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh. In addition to this,
species like Sarkidiornis melanotos and other raptor species listed in
Appendix II of CITES are also found in these wetlands. All the species recorded
in these wetlands are also listed under Schedule of Indian Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972. Moreover, the global population trend of 39 bird
species recorded from these wetlands is declining. So, from a global bird
conservation point of view, the protection of these species and their habitat
is of utmost importance.
On the other hand,
three wetlands surveyed in this district yielded very few bird species (≤3)
(Table 1) due to which they were removed from further analysis. The size of all
three wetlands was less than 2 ha which was very less as compared to the other
wetlands currently under study. So, the size of the wetlands might have
influenced the bird diversity. This finding is well supported by Sarkar et al.
(2013) who found similar results. This study also brings to the notice that
though the medium and large sized wetlands in this area support sensitive
species, the existence of the wetlands is itself in peril due to invasion of
species like Eichhornia crassipes and anthropogenic activities such as
fishing, land encroachment for fishing and agriculture, cattle grazing,
fertilizer run-off, harvesting of Trapa natans, and urban development.
Thus, endangering the habitat and survival of these bird species.
CONCLUSION
The sighting of 12 bird
species of conservation importance and 39 species of birds having a declining
population trend globally, highlights the significance of the medium and large
sized unprotected and highly disturbed wetlands from the bird conservation
point of view. The wetlands intermingled with the adjacent agricultural
landscapes, orchards, plantations which created a congenial environment for
resident as well as migratory birds as both of them have been reported in high
numbers in the study area. But at the same time, small sized wetlands have
reported very few bird species (≤3). This finding puts emphasis on the need for
further research and replication of management activities like the ones taken
up by the Forest Department in Samda Jheel in other potential medium and large
sized unprotected wetlands of the district. So, this study acts as a reminder
that medium and large sized wetlands, though isolated, disturbed and not
designated as Ramsar sites, have the potential to be critical habitats for the
most endangered species. Therefore, such wetlands should be given conservation
and research priorities or else there is a possibility of losing these valuable
water bird habitats forever as is evident from the three wetlands which yielded
just three bird species.
Table 1. Brief
description about the surveyed unprotected wetlands of Ayodhya district, Uttar
Pradesh, India.
|
Name of wetland |
Name of tehsil |
Co-ordinates |
Size (ha) |
Features |
Species (No. of individuals) observed |
Remark |
1 |
Udaila Talab |
Milkipur |
26.598220 N 81.89370 E |
62 |
This wetland is surrounded by main road on one side and agricultural
land on the other side. There are aquatic plants and trees surrounding the
wetland. The undulating topography has created many natural bunds in this
wetland which are used as resting sites by the birds. Fishing and cattle
grazing activities are carried out in this wetland. This is a stagnant water
body. |
92 (2381) |
Data included in analysis |
2 |
Sirsa Jheel |
Milkipur |
26.61740 N 81.860630 E |
90 |
This wetland is surrounded by agricultural land and human habitation.
The wetland is also surrounded by trees and bushes in its vicinity and has
abundant aquatic weeds supporting aquatic zooplankton. This is a stagnant
water body. |
81 (1828) |
Data included in analysis |
3 |
Barun-shahganj Talab |
Milkipur |
26.681020 N 82.030810 E |
13.3 |
This wetland is surrounded by human habitations on one side and
agricultural land on other side and lies adjacent to state highway NH 330A.
The wetland is also surrounded by trees and bushes and has abundant aquatic
weeds supporting aquatic zooplankton. This wetland is used for fishing and
irrigation purposes. This is a stagnant water body. |
72 (1387) |
Data included in analysis |
4 |
Samda Jheel |
Sohawal |
26.7890 N 82.1850 E |
78 |
This wetland is surrounded by agricultural land and is bisected by a
road. The bisecting road on both the sides is lined with trees and the
wetland is also surrounded with trees and bushes and has plenty of aquatic
weeds. The forest department has recently developed raised platforms or bunds
to provide artificial resting and nesting sites for the wetland birds. This
is a stagnant water body. |
85 (2019) |
Data included in analysis |
5 |
Jagdishpur Talab |
Sohawal |
26.7320 N 82.0180 E |
12.6 |
This wetland is surrounded by agricultural land on one side and human
habitation on the other side. This wetland has trees planted on its periphery
and has abundant aquatic weeds. The water from this wetland is used for
irrigation purposes. This wetland is being encroached upon for paddy
cultivation. It is used for extraction of edible nuts of Trapa natans.
This is a stagnant water body. |
78 (1796) |
Data included in analysis |
6 |
Kharagpur Talab |
Sohawal |
26.733240 N 82.079410 E |
1.10 |
This wetland is surrounded by agricultural fields from three sides and
a village road on one side. Fishing and cattle grazing activities are carried
out in this wetland. This is a stagnant water body. |
Bubulcus ibis (8) Vanellus indicus (4) |
Data excluded from analysis |
7 |
Kosipari-krama Nallah |
Sadar |
26.748530 N 82.091770 E |
6.38 |
This wetland is surrounded by main road (Kosi-Parikrama road) on one
side and Psidium guajava orchard on the other side. This wetland in
some parts has high abundance of aquatic weeds and reeds, but in some areas
is devoid of aquatic vegetation as it has been cleared for fishing purposes.
This wetland is also used for cattle grazing and some area is being
encroached upon for conversion into agricultural land. The Nallah primarily is
used to dump the sewage of the city and finally meets with the Saryu river.
This is a flowing water body. |
76 (1404) |
Data included in analysis |
8 |
Central Jail Talab |
Sadar |
26.771130 N 82.138010 E |
0.69 |
This wetland is surrounded by the District Jail on one side,
plantation on two sides. A railway track is also present on one side of this
wetland creating high noise levels. This wetland is used by the locals for
fishing activities. This wetland has abundant aquatic weeds. This is a
stagnant water body. |
Bubulcus ibis (8) Microcarbo niger (5) |
Data excluded from analysis |
9 |
Civil Line Talab |
Sadar |
26.775860 N 82.134210 E |
1.75 |
This wetland is surrounded by human settlements (residential and
commercial) on all sides creating high noise levels. This is a stagnant water
body. |
Bubulcus ibis (6) Microcarbo niger (7) |
Data excluded from analysis |
Table 2. Checklist
and status of avifauna recorded in unprotected wetlands of Ayodhya district,
Uttar Pradesh, India
|
Order/Family/ Common name |
Scientific name |
Residential status |
Feeding guild |
Conservation status |
Global status |
Wetland sites |
Plate No. |
|||||||
IUCN (2021) |
CITES (2012) |
IWPA (1972) |
UDT |
SDJ |
SSJ |
JDJ |
KPN |
BST |
|||||||
Accipitriformes Accipitridae (10) |
|||||||||||||||
1 |
Black Kite |
Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) |
R |
C |
LC |
II |
I |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
2 |
Black-winged Kite |
Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines,
1789) |
R |
C |
LC |
II |
I |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
3 |
Indian Spotted Eagle |
Clanga hastata (Lesson, 1831) |
R |
C |
VU |
II |
I |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
× |
× |
|
4 |
Long-legged Buzzard |
Buteo rufinus (Cretzschmar,
1829) |
WV |
C |
LC |
II |
I |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
× |
|
5 |
Oriental Honey Buzzard |
Pernis ptilorhynchus (Temminck, 1821) |
R |
C |
LC |
II |
I |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
|
6 |
Shikra |
Accipiter badius (Gmelin, 1788) |
R |
C |
LC |
II |
I |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
7 |
Steppe Eagle |
Aquila nipalensis (Hodgson, 1833) |
WV |
C |
EN |
II |
I |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
× |
|
8 |
Tawny Eagle |
Aquila rapax (Temminck, 1828) |
R |
C |
VU |
II |
I |
↓ |
× |
× |
× |
√ |
× |
× |
|
9 |
Western Marsh Harrier |
Circus aeruginosus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
C |
LC |
II |
I |
→ |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
√ |
× |
|
10 |
White-eyed Buzzard |
Butastur teesa (Franklin, 1831) |
R |
C |
LC |
II |
I |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
|
Pandionidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
11 |
Osprey |
Pandion haliaetus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
C |
LC |
II |
I |
↑ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
|
Anseriformes Anatidae (15) |
|
||||||||||||||
12 |
Bar-headed Goose |
Anser indicus (Latham, 1790) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
× |
|
13 |
Common Pochard |
Aythya ferina (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
VU |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
× |
√ |
× |
× |
× |
|
14 |
Common Teal |
Anas crecca (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
× |
× |
|
15 |
Cotton Pygmy-goose |
Nettapus coromandelianus (Gmelin, 1789) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
16 |
Gadwall |
Mareca strepera (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
× |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
× |
|
17 |
Garganey |
Spatula querquedula (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
× |
× |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
|
18 |
Graylag Goose |
Anser anser (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
× |
× |
|
19 |
Indian Spot-billed Duck |
Anas poecilorhyncha (Forster, 1781) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
20 |
Knob-billed Duck |
Sarkidiornis melanotos (Pennant, 1769) |
R |
O |
LC |
II |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
× |
|
21 |
Lesser Whistling Duck |
Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield, 1821) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
22 |
Mallard |
Anas platyrhynchos (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
× |
× |
× |
× |
√ |
× |
|
23 |
Northern Pintail |
Anas acuta (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
|
24 |
Northern Shoveler |
Spatula clypeata (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
× |
|
25 |
Ruddy Shelduck |
Tadorna ferruginea (Pallas, 1764) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
× |
|
26 |
Tufted Duck |
Aythya fuligula (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
× |
× |
√ |
× |
× |
× |
|
Charadriiformes Burhinidae (2) |
|
||||||||||||||
27 |
Eurasian Thick-knee |
Burhinus oedicnemus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
28 |
Great Thick-knee |
Esacus recurvirostris (Cuvier, 1829) |
R |
C |
NT |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
|
Charadriidae (6) |
|
||||||||||||||
29 |
Grey-headed Lapwing |
Vanellus cinereus (Blyth, 1842) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
× |
× |
|
30 |
Kentish Plover |
Charadrius alexandrinus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
× |
× |
× |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
31 |
Little Ringed Plover |
Charadrius dubius (Scopoli, 1786) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
32 |
Red-wattled Lapwing |
Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
1a |
33 |
River Lapwing |
Vanellus duvaucelii (Lesson, 1826) |
R |
C |
NT |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
34 |
Yellow-wattled Lapwing |
Vanellus malabaricus (Boddaert, 1783) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Glareolidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
35 |
Small Pratincole |
Glareola lactea (Temminck, 1820) |
R |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
× |
× |
|
Jacanidae (2) |
|
||||||||||||||
36 |
Bronze-winged Jacana |
Metopidius indicus (Latham, 1790) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
1b |
37 |
Pheasant-tailed Jacana |
Hydrophasianus chirurgus (Scopoli, 1786) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Laridae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
38 |
River Tern |
Sterna aurantia (Gray, 1831) |
R |
C |
VU |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
|
Recurvirostridae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
39 |
Black-winged Stilt |
Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
1c |
Rostratulidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
40 |
Greater Painted-snipe |
Rostratula benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Scolopacidae (8) |
|
||||||||||||||
41 |
Common Greenshank |
Tringa nebularia (Gunnerus, 1767) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
42 |
Common Redshank |
Tringa totanus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
43 |
Common Sandpiper |
Actitis hypoleucos (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
44 |
Common Snipe |
Gallinago gallinago (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
× |
× |
× |
× |
√ |
√ |
|
45 |
Green Sandpiper |
Tringa ochropus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
|
46 |
Little Stint |
Calidris minuta (Leisler, 1812) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
× |
× |
× |
√ |
× |
× |
|
47 |
Temminck's Stint |
Calidris temminckii (Leisler, 1812) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
48 |
Wood Sandpiper |
Tringa glareola (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
|
Columbiformes Columbidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
49 |
Yellow-footed Green-pigeon |
Treron phoenicopterus (Latham, 1790) |
R |
F |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
|
Coraciiformes Alcedinidae (4) |
|||||||||||||||
50 |
Common Kingfisher |
Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
51 |
Pied Kingfisher |
Ceryle rudis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
52 |
Stork-billed Kingfisher |
Pelargopsis capensis (Linnaeus, 1766) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
53 |
White-throated Kingfisher |
Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Falconiformes Falconidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
54 |
Common Kestrel |
Falco tinnunculus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
C |
LC |
II |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
1g |
Gruiformes Gruidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
55 |
Sarus Crane |
Antigone antigone (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
VU |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
1h |
Rallidae (5) |
|
||||||||||||||
56 |
Common Coot |
Fulica atra (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
57 |
Common Moorhen |
Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
58 |
Purple Swamphen |
Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
2a |
59 |
Watercock |
Gallicrex cinerea (Gmelin, 1789) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
60 |
White-breasted Waterhen |
Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant, 1769) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
2b |
Passeriformes Acrocephalidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
61 |
Blyth's Reed Warbler |
Acrocephalus dumetorum (Blyth, 1849) |
WV |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Alaudidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
62 |
Sand Lark |
Alaudala raytal (Blyth, 1845) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Cisticolidae (2) |
|
||||||||||||||
63 |
Ashy Prinia |
Prinia socialis (Sykes, 1832) |
R |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
2c |
64 |
Plain Prinia |
Prinia inornata (Sykes, 1832) |
R |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
2d |
Dicruridae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
65 |
Black Drongo |
Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieillot, 1817) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Estrildidae (2) |
|
||||||||||||||
66 |
Indian Silverbill |
Euodice malabarica (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
G |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
|
67 |
Scaly-breasted Munia |
Lonchura punctulata (Linaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
|
Hirundinidae (4) |
|
||||||||||||||
68 |
Barn Swallow |
Hirundo rustica (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
× |
× |
× |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
69 |
Plain Martin |
Riparia paludicola (Vieillot, 1817) |
R |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
|
70 |
Streak-throated Swallow |
Petrochelidon fluvicola (Blyth, 1855) |
R |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
71 |
Wire-tailed Swallow |
Hirundo smithii (Leach, 1818) |
R |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Leiothrichidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
72 |
Common Babbler |
Argya caudata (Dumont, 1823) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
|
Motacillidae (5) |
|
||||||||||||||
73 |
Citrine Wagtail |
Motacilla citreola (Pallas, 1776) |
WV |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
74 |
Grey Wagtail |
Motacilla cinerea (Tunstall, 1771) |
WV |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
× |
√ |
× |
√ |
× |
× |
|
75 |
Western Yellow Wagtail |
Motacilla flava (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
76 |
White Wagtail |
Motacilla alba (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
|
77 |
White-browed Wagtail |
Motacilla maderaspatensis (Gmelin, 1789) |
R |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Muscicapidae (2) |
|
||||||||||||||
78 |
Black Redstart |
Phoenicurus ochruros (Gmelin, 1774) |
WV |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
× |
× |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
79 |
Bluethroat |
Luscinia svecica (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
× |
× |
2f |
Passeridae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
80 |
House Sparrow |
Passer domesticus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
|
Phylloscopidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
81 |
Hume's Warbler |
Phylloscopus humei (Brooks, 1878) |
WV |
I |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
× |
× |
× |
× |
√ |
× |
|
Sturnidae (4) |
|
||||||||||||||
82 |
Asian Pied Starling |
Gracupica contra (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
83 |
Bank Myna |
Acridotheres ginginianus (Latham, 1790) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
84 |
Brahminy Starling |
Sturnia pagodarum (Gmelin, 1789) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
× |
× |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
85 |
Common Myna |
Acridotheres tristis (Linnaeus, 1766) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Pelecaniformes Anhingidae (1) |
|
||||||||||||||
86 |
Oriental Darter |
Anhinga melanogaster (Pennant, 1769) |
WV |
O |
NT |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
|
Ardeidae (8) |
|||||||||||||||
87 |
Black-crowned Night Heron |
Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
O |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
88 |
Cattle Egret |
Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
89 |
Great Egret |
Ardea alba (Linnaeus, 1758) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
90 |
Grey Heron |
Ardea cinerea (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
× |
× |
√ |
√ |
× |
2f |
91 |
Indian Pond Heron |
Ardeola grayii (Sykes, 1832) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
92 |
Intermediate Egret |
Ardea intermedia (Wagler, 1829) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
|
93 |
Little Egret |
Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↑ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
94 |
Purple Heron |
Ardea purpurea (Linnaeus, 1766) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
2g |
Ciconiidae (3) |
|||||||||||||||
95 |
Asian Openbill |
Anastomus oscitans (Boddaert, 1783) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
1d |
96 |
Painted Stork |
Mycteria leucocephala (Pennant, 1769) |
WV |
C |
NT |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
× |
× |
1f |
97 |
Woolly-necked Stork |
Ciconia episcopus (Boddaert, 1783) |
R |
C |
NT |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
1e |
Phalacrocoracidae (2) |
|||||||||||||||
98 |
Indian Cormorant |
Phalacrocorax fuscicollis (Stephens, 1826) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
|
99 |
Little Cormorant |
Microcarbo niger (Vieillot, 1817) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Threskiornithidae (2) |
|
||||||||||||||
100 |
Black-headed Ibis |
Threskiornis melanocephalus (Latham, 1790) |
V |
C |
NT |
- |
IV |
↓ |
× |
√ |
√ |
× |
√ |
√ |
2h |
101 |
Red-naped Ibis |
Pseudibis papillosa (Temminck, 1824) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Phoenicopteriformes Podicipedidae (2) |
|||||||||||||||
102 |
Great Crested Grebe |
Podiceps cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
WV |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
? |
× |
√ |
× |
× |
√ |
× |
|
103 |
Little Grebe |
Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
↓ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
Strigiformes Strigidae (2) |
|
||||||||||||||
104 |
Jungle Owlet |
Glaucidium radiatum (Tickell, 1833) |
R |
C |
LC |
- |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
105 |
Spotted Owlet |
Athene brama (Temminck, 1821) |
R |
C |
LC |
II |
IV |
→ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
√ |
|
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources; CITES: Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora; IWPA: Indian Wildlife Protection Act; R: Resident, WV:
Winter Visitor, V: Vagrant; C: Carnivorous; O: Omnivorous; I: Insectivorous;
F: Frugivorous; G: Granivorous; LC: Least Concern; EN: Endangered; VU:
Vulnerable; NT: Near Threatened; CITES II: Appendix-II species of CITES are
the ones that are not necessarily threatened now with extinction but may
become so unless trade is closely controlled; IWPA I: Schedule - I species of
IWPA (high priority species); IV: Schedule - IV species of IWPA (relatively
low priority species); ?: Unknown; →: Stable; ↑: Increasing; ↓: Decreasing;
UDT: Udaila Talab; SDJ: Samda Jheel; SSJ: Sirsa Jheel; JDJ: Jagdishpur Jheel;
KPN: Kosiparikrama Nallah; BST: Barunshahganj Talab; √: Species recorded in
the site; ×: Species not recorded in the site. |
Table 3. Relative
diversity (Rdi) of various avian families in unprotected wetlands of Ayodhya
district, Uttar Pradesh, India
Avian family |
Number of species recorded |
Rdi value |
Anatidae |
15 |
14.29 |
Accipitridae |
10 |
9.52 |
Ardeidae |
9 |
8.57 |
Scolopacidae |
8 |
7.62 |
Charadriidae |
6 |
5.71 |
Rallidae |
5 |
4.76 |
Motacillidae |
5 |
4.76 |
Alcedinidae |
4 |
3.81 |
Hirundinidae |
4 |
3.81 |
Sturnidae |
4 |
3.81 |
Ciconiidae |
3 |
2.86 |
Burhinidae |
2 |
1.90 |
Jacanidae |
2 |
1.90 |
Cisticolidae |
2 |
1.90 |
Estrildidae |
2 |
1.90 |
Muscicapidae |
2 |
1.90 |
Phalacrocoracidae |
2 |
1.90 |
Threskiornithidae |
2 |
1.90 |
Podicipedidae |
2 |
1.90 |
Strigidae |
2 |
1.90 |
Pandionidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Glareolidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Laridae |
1 |
0.95 |
Recurvirostridae |
1 |
0.95 |
Rostratulidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Columbidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Falconidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Gruidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Acrocephalidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Alaudidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Dicruridae |
1 |
0.95 |
Leiothrichidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Passeridae |
1 |
0.95 |
Phylloscopidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Anhingidae |
1 |
0.95 |
Table 4. Measurements of avian diversity and richness
at unprotected wetland sites of Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Wetland sites |
Species richness |
Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index (SDI) |
Margalef's Richness Index (MRI) |
Simpson's Dominance Index |
Pielou's Evenness Index (PEI) |
Udaila Talab |
92 |
3.86 |
26.94 |
0.03 |
0.85 |
Samda Jheel |
85 |
3.82 |
25.41 |
0.03 |
0.86 |
Sirsa Jheel |
81 |
3.80 |
24.52 |
0.03 |
0.86 |
Jagdishpur Jheel |
78 |
3.63 |
23.66 |
0.05 |
0.83 |
Kosiparikrama Nallah |
76 |
3.62 |
23.82 |
0.03 |
0.83 |
Barunshahganj Talab |
72 |
3.55 |
22.59 |
0.04 |
0.83 |
Table 5. Sorenson’s Similarity Index of avian species
between selected unprotected wetland sites of Ayodhya district, Uttar Pradesh,
India.
Wetland sites |
Udaila talab |
Samda Jheel |
Sirsa Jheel |
Jagdishpur Jheel |
Kosiparikrama Nallah |
Barunshahganj Talab |
Udaila talab |
0.000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Samda Jheel |
0.915 |
0.000 |
|
|
|
|
Sirsa Jheel |
0.890 |
0.880 |
0.000 |
|
|
|
Jagdishpur Jheel |
0.847 |
0.798 |
0.830 |
0.000 |
|
|
Kosiparikrama Nallah |
0.810 |
0.795 |
0.803 |
0.766 |
0.000 |
|
Barunshahganj Talab |
0.817 |
0.803 |
0.850 |
0.853 |
0.824 |
0.000 |
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