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Comments can be submitted to [email protected] Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keti Bunder Table of contents i List of tables vi List of figures viii List of maps and images x List of Acronyms xi List of resource people/consultants xiii Acknowledgement xiv Executive summary xv Chapter 1 Introduction…………………..………………………………… 1 1.1 Introduction to Keti Bunder….……………………………… 2 1.1.1 State of natural resources…………………………………….. 4 1.1.2 Livelihood and social aspects…………………………………. 5 1.2 Rationale and Objectives…………………………………… 6 1.2.1 Large Mammals Survey……………………………………….. 6 1.2.1.1 Rationale………………………………………………………… 6 1.2.1.2 Objectives of the study………………………………………… 7 1.2.2 Small mammal survey…………………………………………. 7 1.2.2.1 Rationale………………………………………………………… 7 1.2.2.2 Objectives of the study………………………………………... 9 1.2.3 Reptiles and amphibians survey……………………………… 10 1.2.3.1 Rationale………………………………………………………… 10 1.2.3.2 Objectives of the study………………………………………... 10 1.2.4 Birds survey…………………………………………………….. 11 1.2.4.1 Rationale………………………………………………………… 11 1.2.4.2 Objectives of the study………………………………………… 11 1.2.5 Marine Fisheries…………………………………………... 11 1.2.5.1 Objective………………………………………………………… 11 1.2.6 Phytoplankton…………………………………………………... 12 1.2.6.1 Rationale………………………………………………………… 12 1.2.6.2 Objectives of the study………………………………………… 13 1.2.7 Zooplankton…………………………………………………….. 13 1.2.7.1 Rationale………………………………………………………… 13 1.2.7.2 Objectives of the study………………………………………… 14 1.2.8 Physicochemical properties of water………………………… 15 1.2.8.1 Objectives of the study………………………………………… 15 1.3 Literature Review……………………………………………. 15 1.3.1 Large Mammals ……………………………………………….. 15 1.3.2 Small Mammals………………………………………………… 16 1.3.3 Reptiles and amphibians……………………………………… 16 1.3.4 Birds …………………………………………………………….. 17 1.3.5 Freshwater Fisheries………………………………………….. 18 1.3.6 Phytoplankton………………………………………………….. 18 1.3.7 Zooplankton……………………………………………………... 20 1.3.8 Physico-chemical properties of water………………………... 20 Chapter 2 Material and methods………………………………………… 22 WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme i Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keti Bunder 2.1 Mammals……………………………………………………. 23 2.1. Team composition……………………………………………. 23 2.1.2 Point surveys……………………………………………………. 23 2.1.3 Roadside counts………………………………………………... 23 2.1.4 Track counts…………………………………………………….. 23 2.1.5 Line transects…………………………………………………… 24 2.1.6 Pellet counts……………………………………………………. 24 2.1.7 Interviews with local residents………………………………… 25 2.1.8 Equipments and Field Kit……………………………………… 25 2.2 Small Mammals……………………………………………… 25 2.2.1 Bait………………………………………………………………. 26 2.2.2 Traps and trapping procedure………………………………… 26 2.2.3 Data collection………………………………………………….. 26 2.3 Reptiles and amphibians……………………………………. 27 2.3.1 Survey Method………………………………………………….. 27 2.3.2 Active searching………………………………………………… 27 2.3.3 Trapping………………………………………………………….. 27 2.3.4 Signs…………………………………………………………….. 28 2.3.5 Collection………………………………………………………... 28 2.3.6 Data records…………………………………………………….. 28 2.3.7 Preservation…………………………………………………….. 28 2.3.8 Identification of species………………………………………... 28 2.3.9 Data analysis……………………………………………………. 28 2.4 Birds……………………………………………………………... 29 2.4.1 Survey method …………………………………………………. 29 2.4.2 Evaluation of water-bird numbers…………………………….. 29 2.5 Marine fisheries…………………………………………. 30 2.5.1 Methodology…………………………………………………….. 30 2.6 Phytoplankton………………………………………………… 31 2.6.1 Collection methodology………………………………………... 31 2.7 Zooplankton………………………………………………….. 31 2.7.1 Collection protocols and standardizing procedures………… 31 2.7.2 For aquatic invertebrate fauna - Plankton net and drag nets 31 2.7.3 Random sampling………………………………………………. 31 2.7.4 Precautions in field……………………………………………... 32 2.7.5 Precautions in taxonomic investigation………………………. 32 2.7.6 Hand picking and use of forceps……………………………… 32 2.7.7 Preservation and storage of the specimens…………………. 32 2.7.8 Counting and studying the zooplankton …………………….. 32 2.8 Physico-chemical properties of water……..……………… 33 Chapter 3 Findings and discussion…………………………………….. 34 3.1 Large Mammals……………………………………………… 35 3.1.1 Sampling locations……………………………………………… 35 3.1.2 Species Identified……………………………………………….. 36 3.1.3 Observation records …………………………………………… 37 3.1.4 Conservation status of mammal species…………………….. 37 3.1.5 Population estimations…………………………………………. 38 3.1.5.1 Population of Hump-backed Dolphin…………………………. 38 3.1.6 Threats and recommendations………………………………... 39 3.1.6.1 Threats…………………………………………………………… 39 3.1.6.2 Recommendations …………………………………………….. 39 3.2 Small mammals……………………………………………… 40 3.2.1 Sample locations………………………………………………... 40 3.2.2 Species account………………………………………………… 41 WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme ii Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keti Bunder 3.2.3 Feeding habits………………………………………………….. 42 3.2.4 Habitat and occurrence………………………………………… 42 3.2.5 Threats and recommendations……………………………….. 43 3.2.5.1 Threats…………………………………………………………… 43 3.2.5.2 Recommendations……………………………………………… 44 3.3 Reptiles and amphibians…………………………………… 45 3.3.1 Sample locations………………………………………………... 45 3.3.2 Summary ………………………………………………………... 46 3.3.3 Species richness……………………………………………….. 47 3.3.4 Discussion………………………………………………………. 49 3.3.5 Threats and recommendations ……………………………….. 49 3.3.5.1 Threats…………………………………………………………... 49 3.3.5.2 Recommendations……………………………………………… 50 3.4 Birds………………………………………………………….… 50 3.4.1 Sampling locations……………………………………………… 50 3.4.2 Summary………………………………………………………… 51 3.4.3 Species account………………………………………………… 51 3.4.3.1 Summer………………………………………………………….. 53 3.4.3.2 Winter……………………………………………………………. 57 3.4.4 Threats and recommendations………………………………... 59 3.4.4.1 Threats…………………………………………………………… 59 3.4.4.2 Recommendations……………………………………………… 59 3.5 Marine fisheries……………………………………………… 60 3.5.1 Sampling locations……………………………………………… 60 3.5.2 Summary………………………………………………………… 61 3.5.3 Species account………………………………………………… 63 3.5.4 Environmental features of Indus delta close to Keti 63 Bunder................................................................................... 3.5.5 Current velocities as reported to be bi-directional 63 simultaneous currents………………………………………….. 3.5.6 Occurrence and conservation status of fish species 75 recorded in winter……………………………………………….. 3.5.7 Threats and 76 recommendations……………………………………………….. 3.5.7.1 Threats…………………………………………………………… 76 3.5.7.2 Recommendations……………………………………………… 78 3.5.8 Notes on the marine fishing policy……………………………. 81 3.5.8.1 Deep sea Trawlers……………………………………………… 81 3.5.8.2 Exploitation of fishermen………………………………………. 81 3.5.8.3 Fishing boat owners…………………………………………….. 81 3.5.8.4 Moles (Moleholders)……………………………………………. 81 3.5.8.5 Middlemen………………………………………………………. 82 3.5.8.6 Independent Vessel Owners (bonded)………………………. 83 3.5.8.7 The contract system……………………………………………. 84 3.5.8.8 Tuna fisheries…………………………………………………… 84 3.5.8.9 Fishing fleet……………………………………………………… 85 3.5.8.10 Fishermen engaged…………………………………………….. 86 3.5.9 Palla – Tenualosa ilisha………………………………………... 86 3.5.9.1 Scientific classification…………………………………………. 86 3.5.9.2 Introduction ……………………………………………………… 87 3.5.9.3 Morphological and anatomical features………………………. 88 3.5.9.4 Feeding habits…………………………………………………... 88 3.5.9.5 Reproductive biology…………………………………………… 89 3.5.9.6 Migration patterns of T. ilisha ………………………………… 91 WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme iii Detailed Ecological Assessment Report 2008 – Keti Bunder 3.5.9.7 Construction of dams (G.M. Barrage)………………………… 92 3.5.10 Conclusions……………………………………………………… 93 3.6 Phytoplankton………………………………………………… 96 3.6.1 Sampling locations of water quality…………………………… 96 3.6.2 Summer………………………………………………………….. 97 3.6.3 Winter……………………………………………………………. 98 3.6.4 Winter and summer…………………………………………….. 99 3.6.5 Discussion………………………………………………………. 102 3.6.6 Threats and recommendations………………………………... 102 3.7 Zooplankton…………………………………………………… 103 3.7.1 Sampling locations……………………………………………… 103 3.7.2 Summary………………………………………………………… 103 3.7.3 Species account………………………………………………… 104 3.7.4 Zooplankton at Keti Bunder……………………………………. 107 3.7.5 Impact on the ecosystem………………………………………. 107 3.7.6 Discussion……………………………………………………….. 107 3.7.7 Threats and recommendations……………………………….. 110 3.8 Physico-chemical properties of water…………………… 111 3.8.1 Sample locations……………………………………………….. 111 3.8.2 Field observations during water sampling……………………. 112 3.8.3 Results…………………………………………………………… 112 3.8.3.1 Keti Bunder town area………………………………………….. 113 3.8.3.2 Keti Bunder creeks Area………………………………………. 113 3.8.4 Discussion 115 3.8.5 Threats and recommendations 115 3.8.5.1 Recommendations 115 Chapter 4 Comparison of the four study sites……………………… 116 4.1 Mammals………….…………………………………………… 117 4.1.1 Summary………………………………………………………… 117 4.1.2 Species identified 118 4.1.3 Observation records …………………………………………… 119 4.1.4 Conservation status of mammal species…………………….. 119 4.1.5 Species diversity……………………………………………….. 120 4.1.6 Comparison of species observed during summer