Foraging guild status, diversity and population structure of waders of the River Ganges in district Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Present study was conducted from January 2015 to June 2016, using binoculars and SLR cameras at different sites along the River Ganges in District Rae Bareli. Waders were identified with the help of key reference books. Counting was executed by using point count method. A total of 19 species of waders were recorded and identified. River Lapwing outnumbered rest of species with a total count of 1363, while Purple Heron were least in number (48). At Gegaso maximum Shannon Diversity Index (H) was reported (2.59) followed by Unchahar (2.56) and minimum at Dalmau (2.53). Values of Simpson’s Diversity Index (1-D) of waders were estimated to be 0.8995 at Geagso, 0.8888 at Dalmau and 0.8899 at Unchahar. Among the recorded species of waders, 9 resident migrant, 8 resident and 2 were recorded as migrant. Foraging guild status reveals that 68.48% of waders were carnivorous, 15.78% omnivorous and 15.78% piscivorous. Moreover, the value of Marglef’s richness index and Equitability index (J) were also reported. Outcome of one way ANOVA reveals significant value (p>0.05) with reference to Gegaso (Site-A).