The Wetland Habitat Quality Parameters Association with Waterbird Species Distribution at Asan Barrage in Doon Valley, Dehradun District of Uttarakhand

Wetland ecosystems play a crucial role to conservation flora and fauna and provide an exclusive habitat for the waterbird species. Anthropogenic activities and water quality also influence the waterbird species population. A study was conducted at Asan wetland of Dehradun to recognize the waterbird distribution, composition and association with wetland quality. Total twenty five waterbird species, high abundance of dabbling ducks including three winter visitor and two threaten species recorded. The waterbird species composition was significant positive correlated with the wetland water Dissolved oxygen (r = 0.72, p = 0.007) and significantly negative relationship (r = –0.78, p = 0.003) with the wetland water temperature. This study indicates the variety of food availability is major influencing factors as compare the wetland water quality parameters in the study area. We would suggest a regular interval monitoring is required to understand the habitat quality and atmospheric changes effect on waterbird species distribution.