Ecological Assessment Study Report 2010 – 2011 – Kharochann ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF FAUNA at Kharochann, District Thatta, Sindh Baseline Survey 2010 - 2011 Indus for All Programme, WWF – Pakistan 1 Ecological Assessment Study Report 2010 – 2011 – Kharochann Table of Contents List of Acronyms ................................................................................................................ 7 Chapter 1: Introduction ................................................................................................... 133 1.1.1 Introduction to Kharochann ................................................................................... 133 1.1.1State of biodiversity ................................................................................................ 144 1.1.2 Livelihood and Social aspects ................................................................................ 144 1.2 Rationale and objectives ........................................................................................ 155 1.2.1Large Mammals Survey .......................................................................................... 155 1.2.1.1 Rationale ............................................................................................................. 155 1.2.1.2Objectives of the study: ....................................................................................... 156 1.2.2 Small mammal survey.............................................................................................. 16 1.2.2.1 Rationale ............................................................................................................... 17 1.2.1.2 Objectives of the study: ....................................................................................... 18 1.2.2 Reptiles and amphibians .......................................................................................... 19 1.2.2.1 Rationale ............................................................................................................... 19 1.2.3.2 Objectives of the study: ........................................................................................ 19 1.2.4 Birds ....................................................................................................................... 200 1.2.4.1 Rationale ............................................................................................................. 200 1.2.4.2 Objectives of the study: ...................................................................................... 200 1.2. Physico-chemical properties of water ...................................................................... 201 1.2.5.1 Objectives of the study........................................................................................ 201 CHAPTER 2: Material and Methods .............................................................................. 212 2.1 Large Mammals ........................................................................................................ 212 2.1.1 Point surveys .......................................................................................................... 212 2.1.2 Roadside Counts .................................................................................................... 212 2.1.4 Track Counts .......................................................................................................... 213 2.1.5 Line transects ......................................................................................................... 223 2.1.6 Pellet counts ........................................................................................................... 223 2.1.7 Interviews with local residents............................................................................... 224 2.1.8 Equipments and Field Kit ...................................................................................... 234 2.2 Small Mammals ........................................................................................................ 234 2.2.1 Bait ......................................................................................................................... 234 2.2.2 Traps and trapping procedure ................................................................................ 235 2.2.3 Data collection ....................................................................................................... 245 2.3Reptiles and amphibians ............................................................................................ 245 2.3.1 Survey method ....................................................................................................... 245 2.3.2 Active searching..................................................................................................... 246 2.3.3 Trapping ............................................................................................................... 2526 2.3.4 Signs ......................................................................................................................... 26 2.3.5 Collection ................................................................................................................. 27 2.3.6 Data Records ............................................................................................................ 27 2.3.7Preservation............................................................................................................... 27 2.3.8 Identification of species ........................................................................................... 27 2.3.9 Data Analysis ........................................................................................................... 27 Indus for All Programme, WWF – Pakistan 2 Ecological Assessment Study Report 2010 – 2011 – Kharochann 2.4 Birds ............................................................................................................................ 28 2.4.1Survey Method .......................................................................................................... 28 2.4.2 Evaluation of water bird numbers ............................................................................ 29 2.4.3 Methods of accurate count ....................................................................................... 29 2.5 Physico-chemical Properties of Water ........................................................................ 30 CHAPTER 3: FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION .............................................................. 31 3.1 Large Mammals ........................................................................................................ 291 3.1 .1 Sampling loations .................................................................................................... 31 3.1.2 Species identified ..................................................................................................... 31 3.1.1 Observation Records ................................................................................................ 32 3.1.2 Conservation Status of Recorded Mammals ............................................................ 33 3.1.5 Threats and recommendations ............................................................................... 313 3.1.5.1 Threats................................................................................................................. 313 3.1.5.2 Recommendations .............................................................................................. 34 3.2 Small Mammals .......................................................................................................... 34 3.2.1 Sample locations ...................................................................................................... 35 3.2.2 Species account ...................................................................................................... 326 3.2.3 Feeding habits .......................................................................................................... 36 3.2.3 Habitat and occurrence ............................................................................................ 37 3.2.5 Threats and recommendations ................................................................................. 39 3.2.5.1 Threats................................................................................................................... 39 3.2.5.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................. 39 3.3 Reptiles and amphibians ............................................................................................. 39 3.3.1 Sample locations ...................................................................................................... 39 3.3.2 Summary .................................................................................................................. 40 3.3.3 Species richness ....................................................................................................... 42 3.3.4 Discussion ................................................................................................................ 48 3.3.5 Threats and recommendations ................................................................................. 48 3.3.5.1 Threats................................................................................................................... 48 3.3.5.2 Recommendations ................................................................................................