Monitoring bird species biodiversity & environmental threats in the agricultural landscape of tehsil Sahiwal, Punjab, Pakistan

<h2>Abstract</h2> This study aimed to assess bird diversity in rural Tehsil Sahiwal from September to November 2023, with a focus on species distribution, abundance, and IUCN status. Multiple line transects surveys were used to observe the birds in the research area, and the Shannon‒Wiener diversity index, Margalef richness index and species evenness index were used to calculate the diversity and abundance of the bird species. A comprehensive observation of 783 individual birds revealed their distribution across 29 species from 10 different orders, spanning 26 families at the study sites. Notably, the Ciconiidae family presented a minimum of only 3 individuals, and Corvidae had the maximum with 120 individuals. The Ciconiiformes order had the fewest individuals, with only 3, while Passeriformes showed the highest abundance, with 507 individuals. Among the observed birds, 634 were residents (81 %), 16 were winter visitors (2 %), and 133 were summer breeders (17 %). Evaluating their conservation status on the basis of the IUCN Red List, revealed 4 threatened species (2 vulnerable (Yellow-eyed pigeon and River tern) and 2 near threatened (Black-tailed Godwit and Painted Stork)), with 25 classified as least concern. The diversity index (H′ = 3.06) indicates high ecological diversity, suggesting that the area supports a wide range of bird species. The richness index (R = 4.20) reflects a high level of species richness relative to the number of individuals sampled, while the evenness index (E = 0.90) shows that individuals are uniformly distributed among species, which is indicative of a stable ecosystem. This study offers valuable insights into bird diversity and distribution in the agricultural landscape of Tehsil Sahiwal. While low-level threats like habitat destruction and lack of awareness were noted, timely interventions are essential. Long-term monitoring is needed to assess habitat changes, confirm conservation strategies, and maintain species diversity and evenness.