Species diversity and abundance of birds on Bharathiar University Campus, Tamil Nadu, India

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Published: May 26, 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.2965.10.6.11725-11731
Keywords:
Birds, India, point counts, Shannon diversity, University campus.

Main Article Content

L. Arul Pragasan
Environmental Ecology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641046, India
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8543-4267
M. Madesh
Environmental Ecology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641046, India
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6256-0391

Abstract

University campuses play a significant role in the conservation of avifaunal diversity, but there are very few studies on birds of such local biodiversity hotspots in India.  Here, we document the patterns of abundance and species diversity of birds in Bharathiar University campus located in western Tamil Nadu, India.  Birds were sampled using point counts.  A total of 37 species belonging to 23 families were recorded from 144 point count samples.  Mean species richness per point count sample was 13.85±0.47 species (±SD), and Shannon diversity index (Hʹ) was 0.74.  This study provides baseline data for monitoring the avifauna in the university campus, and demonstrates the importance of university campuses in bird conservation.

 

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 10 No. 6 (2018)
Section
Communications

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Author Biographies

L. Arul Pragasan, Environmental Ecology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641046, India

L. Arul Pragasan is serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University since March 2011. His area of research is on environmental ecology, particularly on biodiversity conservation, functional ecology, carbon stock assessment, experimental research on climate change impacts. He is guiding PhD, MPhil and MSc students for  their reseach projects. 

M. Madesh, Environmental Ecology Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641046, India

M. Madesh is a MPhil student, has succussfully completed MPhil in Environmental Sciences, and currently looking for research position in a reputed institution. His area of research interest is on avifaunal ecology.


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