Seasonal variation in wetlands influence the dynamics of waterbird communities in Dungarpur district, Rajasthan, India

Abstract Human activities have rendered freshwater ecosystems among the most endangered in the globe, yet these ecosystems provide critical habitats for a variety of waterbird species. Semi-arid landscapes, characterized by variable climatic conditions and water availability, present unique challenges to these ecosystems. In our study, we investigated how wetland size and seasonal variations in a semi-arid climate influence waterbird populations, distribution, and habitat preferences. Using an a-priori field design, we surveyed areas with varying wetland extents across different seasons in the Dungarpur district, Rajasthan, western India. Between March 2021 and January 2022, we recorded 69 waterbird species belonging to 9 orders, including 10 species of global conservation concern. We found that both bird species diversity and richness were significantly higher in areas with high wetland extent. Interestingly, seasonal changes did not significantly affect waterbird diversity and richness. However, encounter rates were higher in winter than summer and monsoon seasons. The encounter rates of different feeding guilds varied across wetland classes, except for omnivores, which showed significant seasonal variation. Overall, our findings indicate that wetland extent is a major driver of waterbird population and distribution. Therefore, we strongly recommend the protection of extensive wetland areas to enhance waterbird conservation in the study area.