Avian diversity in the Naliya Grassland, Abdasa Taluka, Kachchh, India

Sandeep B. Munjpara ¹ & Indra R. Gadhvi ²

^1,2 Department of Marine Sciences, Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar, Gujarat 364001 India

Email: ¹ sandeepmunjpara@gmail.com (corresponding author),² indragadhvi@gmail.com

Date of publication (online):26 March 2012

Date of publication (print): 26 March 2012

ISSN 0974-7907 (online) | 0974-7893 (print)

Editor: Nishith A. Dharaiya

Manuscript details:

Ms # o2679

Received 24 January 2011

Final received 12 January 2012

Finally accepted 18 March 2012

Citation: Munjpara, S.B. & I.R. Gadhvi (2012). Avian diversity in the Naliya Grassland, Abdasa Taluka, Kachchh, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa3(4): 2454–2463.

Copyright: © Sandeep B. Munjpara & Indra R. Gadhvi 2012. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0Unported License. JoTT allows unrestricted use of this article in any medium for non-profit purposes, reproduction and distribution by providing adequate credit to the authors and the source of publication.

Author Details: Sandeep B. Munjparais a research scholar with Bhavnagar University and senior research fellow at Gujarat Ecological Education and Research (GEER) Foundation, Gandhinagar. Indra R. Gadhvi is an Associate Professor at department of Marine Sciences, Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar.

Author Contribution: SBM has carried out the field data collection, data analysis and draft the manuscript. IRG has guided the overall research and analysis. He has also critically assessed the manuscript and finalized the draft.

Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Ex Director GEER Foundation, Shri C.N. Pandey IFS, and Ex Dy. Director GEER Foundation, Shri. B.R. Rawal, GFS, for their kind help and constant encouragement and support. We are very thankful to Dr. Bharat Jethva, Coordinator, Wetlands International for his valuable support during fieldwork.

Abstract: Naliya Grassland is one of the significant grasslands of Gujarat. In this study the importance of the Naliya Grassland has been explored with special reference to avian diversity. Field work for the study was carried out throughout the year of 2007 on a monthly basis covering three distinct seasons to explore avian diversity. A total of 177 species belonging to 54 families were recorded wherein most species belonged to the family Accipitridae (20 species) followed by Alaudidae (11 species). Of the total families, five were represented by more than seven species, 18 families by 3–7 species and 31 families by one or two species respectively. Among the species observed, 16 species ware globally threatened (three Critically Endangered, four Endangered and nine Near Threatened). Most of the species were chiefly terrestrial (68.2%), about 23.9% species were freshwater dependant and 7.9% utilized mixed habitats. Maximum species richness was recorded in the monsoons and minimum in summer. Constant turnover and fluctuation in species richness occurred because of seasonal immigration and emigration. Maximum emigration took place during February and March and maximum immigration occurred during June and July. Many water dependant birds attracted to the flooded grassland during the monsoons explained the high species richness during this season. In winter, the area was inhabited by resident species as well as many migratory species.

Keywords: Habitat, Naliya grassland, species richness, threatened species.

For figures, images, tables -- click here

Introduction

Some of the most threatened species of wildlife of India like Blackbuck, Indian Gazelle, Wolf, Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican occur in grasslands and deserts (Geevan et al. 2003; Anonymous 2006). Grasslands are very fragile ecosystems; nowadays this ecosystem is facing major threats of decline due to industrialization, urbanization and agricultural development. Most of the grasslands are being converted into agricultural lands (Rahmani 2001, 2006; Anonymous 2006). The grassland that exists in Abdasa Taluka of Kachchh District in the state of Gujarat is one of the most important grasslands of the state because of its high biodiversity value (Geevan et al. 2003). Being a significant area for avifauna, BirdLife International (2009) has identified this area as an Important Bird Area (IBA). The area is well represented by resident and migratory species of terrestrial and wetland birds. Many of them are categorized as critically endangered as well as being globally threatened. It is also one of the rare breeding areas for the three globally endangered species of bustards i.e. Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican and the MacQueen (Geevan et al. 2003). The last surviving population of Indian Bustard of Gujarat is found in this grassland (Rahmani 2006; Pandey et al. 2009). Moreover, threatened wild animals like the Chinkara (Indian Gazelle) and Wolf extensively use this grassland (Geevan et al. 2003).

In spite of its global significance, detailed studies have not been undertaken. A detailed checklist is not available for this area. We documented avian diversity and seasonal variation in bird species richness of the Naliya Grassland.

Study area

The study has been conducted in the Naliya grassland of Abdasa Taluka and it is situated in the south westernprovince of Kachchh District (between 22⁰50’–23⁰15’N and 68⁰32’–69⁰91’E) in Gujarat (Image 1). This grassland is spread over more than 100km². The climate is very harsh; in summer the temperature reaches 40–45 ⁰C and in winter it sometimes goes below 5⁰C. The area falls under the ecological zone 5A/DS 4-dry grassland with a few scattered patches of 5A/DS 2-dry savannah (Champion & Seth 1968). The major habitat types in the area are grassland, scrubland, open land, permanent and temporary water bodies. However, some patches of dense Prosopis and planted shrub-cover also exist. Cymbopogon, Aristida and Dichanthium are some of the major grass genera and Acacia, Zizyphus, Prosopis etc. are major shrub/trees (Anonymous 1999). Many water bodies also exist in the study area. These water bodies include flooded areas, waterlogged areas and small village ponds of Berachiya, Kunathia, Naliya, Lala, Bhanada, Tera and Bara. This area supports a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate species. Important bird species include the Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, Lesser Florican Sypheotides indica, MacQueen’s Bustard, Chlamydotis macqueeni, Stoliczka’s Bushchat Saxicola macrorhynchus, Indian Courser Cursorius coromandelicus, Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus. The mammalian species occurring in the area include Chinkara Gazella gazella, Wolf Canis lupus, Caracal Caracal caracal, Honey Badger Mellivora capensis, Hyena Hyaena hyaena, Jackal Canis aureus, Jungle Cat Felis chaus and Indian Fox Vulpus bengalensis. Apart from the above mentionedbirds and mammals, the area is also home to a variety of reptiles.

Methods

Observations were made by conducting field visits at regular intervals. Fieldwork was conducted from January 2007 to December 2007. Field visits were made every month during the study period, to monitor three distinct seasons (i.e. winter, summer and monsoon). Observations were taken mainly from 0600hr (or sunrise) to 1200hr and 0300hr to 0630hr (sunset). In addition, many time observations were also taken between the 1200hr and 0300hr time block. The area was explored travelling on vehicles as well as on foot. The observations were carried out with a pair of binoculars (Nikon 10x50) and the species were identified using recognized field guides like those of Ali & Ripley (1983), Grimmett et al. (1998), Rasmussen & Anderton (2005), etc. Data analysis for species richness, diversity and models were carried out in Microsoft Excel 2007.

Results

A total of 177 species were recorded in the Naliya Grasslands belonging to 17 Orders, 54 families, and 117 genera (Appendix 1).

Family-wise species richness

Maximum species were recorded of family Accipitridae (20 spp.); which is composed of birds of prey (kites, eagles, vultures, buzzards, falcons), followed by Alaudidae [larks, (11 spp.)], Anatidae [ducks, teal, shoveler (10 spp.)], Muscicapidae [wheatear, chats, (9 spp.)] and Scolopacidae [sandpipers, godwit, shank (9 spp.)]. Of the remaining 49 families, 18 were represented by 3–7 species (Fig. 1) and 31 families were represented by one or two species (Table 1 & 2).

Threatened Species (as per IUCN 2010)

Of the total recorded species, 16 species of birds (about 9%) were globally threatened as per Red Data Book (Bird Life International 2010; IUCN 2010). Of these 16 species of birds, three species were Critically Endangered, four species were Endangered and nine species were Near Threatened (Table 3). The details of the status of those species are given in Table 3.

Proportion of terrestrial and water-birdspecies: Of the total, the maximum species were terrestrial (68.2%) and about 23.9% species were observed to be freshwater dependent. The rest of the 7.9% species were found to be utilizing both types of habitats (Fig. 2).

Seasonal variation in species richness: Species richness was observed to fluctuate seasonally (Fig. 3). The maximum richness of birds was recorded in the mid-monsoon period, followed by winter. The minimum numbers of species were recorded in summer.

Immigration and emigration (local as well as seasonal) of species was observed to be a continuous phenomenon in the area. The Naliya Grasslands bear many local migratory as well seasonal migratory bird species. Although the total number of species did not vary monthly, there was a turnover in bird species richness (Fig. 4). The maximum emigration of the species was observed from February to March and maximum immigration was seen from June to July. Immigration and emigration were seen in other months of the year also (Fig. 4).

Discussion

The Naliya Grasslands is very rich in avifauna and holds almost 33% bird species of Gujarat (526 sp.) (Parasharya et al. 2004). Varieties of habitat (viz. scrubland, plantations, sparse grassland, dense grassland, open lands, flooded grasslands, temporary water bodies and permanent water bodies) attract many birds to the area. Moreover, some reptilian species like Spiny-tailed Lizard Uromastryx hardwickii are abundant in the area (Pandey et al. 2009) which attract a number of raptor species. The maximum species has been recorded in the mid-monsoon period, probably because of the flooded grasslands which attracts water dependant birds as well. In winter, the area has been observed to be inhabited by resident species as well as migratory species; hence, species richness was reported higher in winter. In summer most parts of area become dry, thus, fewer numbers of species were encountered. The species which were found throughout the year in the Naliya Grasslands are few, most are either passage migrants or migratory. The migration is inducted based on their breeding cycle, food abundance, temperature and day-length. It is evident that the maximum emigration of species is during February–March, which accounts for the end of winter and the start of summer with long and dry days. Immigration peak was observed during the period June–July, probably due to the abundance of food during this period as well as the arrival of some early monsoon showers for breeding birds (eg. Lesser Florican). Most of the birds immigrate to the area for feeding and breeding in the late monsoon period. The number of immigrating birds falls by August and is re-established in late September–October, the onset of winter. Thus, the migratory pattern of the birds in this particular habitat is mainly dependent on the breeding ecology and food abundance as well as due to the dynamic nature of habitats in the area. Another interesting fact that can be determined is most local migratory birds arriving at the grasslands during the dry season of the year are diurnal, thus the longer days during this season provide them with long duration for feeding and dry land for roosting. Of the total, 16 species are threatened (Table 3), making Naliya Grasslands a very important area for bird conservation.

Conclusion

The grasslands of Naliya support many resident and migratory bird species, of which, some are threatened. Moreover, it is important especially for the birds of prey and larks. In addition, diversity of habitats such as temporary and permanent wetlands (viz., village ponds, flooded area and waterlogged), grassland, scrubland and human habitat supports divers groups of birds. Being an important area for a variety of avifauna it should receive immediate attention for conservation.

References

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