Effects of Waterbird Colonization on Limnochemical Features of a Natural Wetland on Buxa Tiger Reserve, India, During Wintering Period

Abstract

Present study recorded the effects of migratory bird congregation on the limnochemistry of a pristine wetland, devoid of anthropogenic activities, especially on nutrient loading. Nararthali wetland, on Buxa Tiger Reserve was studied for three consecutive years (October through March). Forty eight bird species belonging to thirty three genera and twelve families were recorded during study period. Winter visitors were 45.83 % of all species recorded. Nararthali wetland was characterized by high Shannon-Wiener diversity index (1.992 to 2.693) and Margalef’s richness index (6.666 to 9.333). Avian density increased with the decrease in day length. Changes in the differences between maximum and minimum temperatures were also observed to influence migration. However, guanotrophy of the wetland system was evident and a good number of migrants along with residents showed significant positive correlations with nutrients like phosphate, nitrate and biologically important divalent cations. As listed in IUCN Red List, one critically endangered species, three vulnerable and four near threatened species recorded from studied site pointed out the importance of such natural wetlands inside forested tracts at the foothills of Himalaya from conservation standpoint.

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