Seasonal variation in water bird community structure in Shekha wetland an IBA site and their association with physico-chemical parameters

Abstract

Wetlands are the key habitats for water birds and its wealth is influenced by various environmental factors, hydrological condition and anthropogenic pressure and birds are the most important component to understand the health of wetland. This study was conducted at Shekha, an IBA site of Aligarh district, for abundance assessment and factors affecting the population characteristics of water birds. there were 91 species recorded and found significant variations in the waterbird composition among the seasons (One way ANOVA). The density of Ducks & Geese was found maximum whereas richness of large waders was maximum. Cluster analysis used to grouping the months based on birds abundance, and rarefaction curve revealed that January was the richest month. Physicochemical parameters of water showed significant variations with water bird density, diversity, richness, and evenness. It play as a vital role to regulate the bird community structure in the wetland ecosystem.