Abundance, Distribution and Population Trends of Waterbirds in the Usangu Wetland: A Biodiversity Hotspot Threatened by Human Activities

) 10.15%. The distribution patterns of waterbirds were determined by habitat type, geographical location, farm characteristics, and the specific rice scheme type, with a greater concentration in rice plantations and outgrowers rice schemes. Local accounts underscored a declining trend in waterbird populations over past 20 years due to illegal hunting and habitat conversion. Usangu wetland has a higher abundance of water birds with disproportionate distribution bias in rice farms. In spite of rice farms suitably holding a high assemblage of water birds, its sustainability is subject to owners' decision, vegetation cover changes after rice harvest characterized by illegal hunting.