Factors Influencing Wetland Bird Populations of Kachchh District of Gujarat

The present study was carried out in the Kachchh district, Gujarat. Kachchh falls under Central Asian Flyway (CAF). Virtually information is scanty on the waterbirds of Kachchh. Hence the present study was undertaken to assess the factors influencing the wetland bird populations in six different wetlands in Kachchh district. Standard methods (Direct and block count) were followed for enumerating the waterbird populations. The analysis of the water quality parameters was carried out as per the standard methods prescribed in APHA (1998). A total of 83 species of waterbirds were observed. Pearson correlation and Stepwise multiple regression analysis were carried out to find out the relationship between the waterbirds and physico-chemical parameters and factors influencing the density, diversity and richness of waterbirds, respectively. The density of waterbirds is influenced by water depth and sediment pH. The diversity of waterbirds is predicted by water conductivity and the richness of waterbirds is influenced by salinity and water temperature.