Avian Diversity and Feeding Guild of Inland Wetland in a Semiarid Region: Implications for Wetland Conservation and Restoration
摘要
Wetlands provide numerous ecosystem services and are critical foraging, roosting, and breeding habitats for resident and migratory birds. Climate change, wetland fragmentation and degradation, and anthropogenic pressure continuously impose threats on avian diversity. This chapter covers a case study on avifaunal diversity and feeding guilds in the inland wetland of the semiarid region of the Deccan Plateau, India. A total of 81 bird species belonging to 15 orders and 37 families, from which 68 resident and 13 migratory species were recorded and identified. Among the avian species, two species—Black-headed Ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus) and Asian Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus)—are near threatened (NT), and one species (River tern Sterna aurantia) is vulnerable (VU), and four species—Black-winged Kite (Elanus caeruleus), Brahminy Kite (Haliastur indus), Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), and Eurasian Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)—are categorized as Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). An analysis of the feeding guilds of avifauna revealed that 33% (27 species) were carnivorous, 27% (22 species) were insectivorous, and 17% (14 species) were omnivorous. The present study is the first assessment of the avifaunal diversity in Koulasnala wetland. It provides a foundation for long-term studies on the conservation of the region’s VU and NT bird species through ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA). Then, conservation plans can be implemented in other wetlands located in semiarid regions.