Avifaunal Diversity of Bharanikkavu Gramapanchayath , Alappuzha, Kerala Vaisakh
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AVIFAUNAL DIVERSITY OF BHARANIKKAVU GRAMAPANCHAYATH , ALAPPUZHA, KERALA VAISAKH. S., M.G. SANAL KUMAR., S NANDAKUMAR AND JAYALEKSHMI V. Postgraduate & Research Centre, Department of Zoology, N. S. S College, Pandalam, Kerala-689501, India. Correspondence to: [email protected] Abstract : Rich biodiversity is an indication of the health of a particular habitat and its potential to sustain life. Birds exhibit varied species diversity and work better as biodiversity indicator taxa in terrestrial habitats. Birds are very useful indicators of species richness and endemism patterns. Changes in bird populations tend to integrate a set of ecological factors and can provide a useful indication of environmental change. The present study aims to analyse the diversity and abundance of birds at selected sites of Bharanikkavu Gramapanchayath of Alappuzha district. Belt transects survey was conducted, aided by 10 x 40 super zenith binoculars. Alpha diversity indices were calculated to explain the avian diversity, dominance, abundance, richness, evenness distribution and species association. A total of 30 bird species belonging to 12 Orders were collected and identified from the study area of which 6 species are dominant, 20 species are predominant and 4 are submissive species according to IUCN norms. Log normal rank abundance value showed 10 classes, with 7 expected and observed abundance model for all the study months. The chi-square value is in the range of 49.97- 24.18. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H') value is in the range1.2-1.04. Hill's Number (H0) shows the range of 26-18.The Mergaleff’s species richness index (M) is in the range11.22- 10.73.Mackintosh territory Distance (U) value shows the range of 0.91-0.31. Mackintosh species Evenness (E) values shows the range of 1.22 which denotes uneven distribution in these sites. Mackintosh species diversity index (D) was almost same range(1.04) for all the months. Almost all numerical values in the present study shows statistical significance (P<0.05).The K- dominance value was highest for King Fisher, Wood pecker, Orange minivet, Oriole, Bulbul, Humming bird and swallow birds. The lowest K-dominance was for Common crow, Babblers, Magpic Robin and Myna. Random and aggregated distribution was obtained for different bird species. Common crow recorded the most abundant species where as Brahminy Kite, Orange minivet, King fisher, Spotted dove and Parrot were recorded the least abundant species in the studied months. The present study analysing the alpha diversity of the avian species in Bharanikkavu Gramapanchayath of Alappuzha district indicates the presence of about 30 bird species with moderate diversity, abundance, dominance and richness. Keywords: Bharanikkavu Gramapanchayath, Avifauna, Alpha diversity, Biodiversity indicator. .