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Comments can be submitted to [email protected] Detailed Ecological Assessment Study Report 2008 – Chotiari Reservoir TABLE OF CONTENTS 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 Acknowledgment………………………………………….. xiv Executive summary……………………………………….. xv Chapter 1 Introduction……………………………………..………… 1 1.1 Introduction to Chotiari Reservoir……………………… 2 1.1.1 State of natural resources………………………………… 4 1.1.2 Socio-economic status of communities 5 …………………………………………………………. 1.1.3 Infrastructure and social services………………………… 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 Freshwater Fisheries………………..……………………... 12 1.2.5.1 Objective……………………………..……………………… 12 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…………………………………... 17 1.3.4 Birds ………………………………..………………………... 17 1.3.5 Freshwater Fisheries…………………………..…………… 18 WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme i Detailed Ecological Assessment Study Report 2008 – Chotiari Reservoir 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 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………………………………………………. 23 2.1.6 Pellet counts…………………….………………………….. 24 2.1.7 Interviews with local residents…………………………. 24 2.1.8 Capture-mark-recapture…………………………………... 25 2.1.9 Live trapping of nocturnal mammals…………………….. 25 2.1.10 Equipments and Field Kit…………………………………. 25 2.2 Small Mammals…………………………………………… 26 2.2.1 Bait……………………………………………………………. 26 2.2.2 Traps and trapping procedure…………………………….. 26 2.2.3 Data collection………………………………………………. 27 2.3 Reptiles and amphibians………………………………… 27 2.3.1 Survey Method…………………………………………........ 27 2.3.2 Active 27 searching…………………………………………………..… 2.3.3 Signs………………………………………………………… 28 2.3.4 Collection……………………………………….................... 28 2.3.5 Data records…………………………………………………. 28 2.3.5 Preservation………….…………………………………….. 28 2.3.6 Identification of species……………………………............. 29 2.3.7 Data 29 analysis……………………………………………………… 2.4 Birds……………………………………………………….. 29 2.4.1 Survey method …………………………………………….. 29 2.4.2 Evaluation of water-bird numbers………………………… 30 2.5 Freshwater fisheries…………………………………….. 30 2.5.1 Fish surveys………………………………………………... 30 2.5.2 Cast-netting technique……………………………………. 31 2.6 Phytoplankton……………………………………………… 31 2.6.1 Collection 31 methodology………………………………………............... 2.7 Zooplankton……………………………………………….. 31 2.7.1 Collection protocols and standardizing procedures…… 31 2.7.2 Aquatic invertebrate fauna - Plankton net and drag nets 32 2.7.3 Random sampling…………………………………………. 32 2.7.4 Precautions in field………………………………………… 32 2.7.5 Precautions in taxonomic investigation…………………. 32 2.7.6 Hand picking and use of forceps………………………… 33 2.7.7 Preservation and storage of the specimens…………….. 33 2.7.8 Counting and studying the zooplankton ………………… 33 2.8 Physico-chemical properties of water………………… 33 Chapter 3: Findings and discussion………………………………… 36 3.1 Large Mammals……………………………………………. 37 3.1.1 Sampling Sites……………………………………………… 37 3.1.2 Species identified…………………………………………… 37 3.1.3 Observation Records ……….……………………………… 38 WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme ii Detailed Ecological Assessment Study Report 2008 – Chotiari Reservoir 3.1.4 Conservation Status of Recorded Mammals…………… 38 3.1.5 Population Estimations…………………………………… 39 3.1.5.1 Population of Indian otter ………………………………… 39 3.1.5.2 Population of feral donkey ………………………………… 41 3.1.5.3 Population of Chinkara (Indian gazelle)………………… 42 3.1.5.4 Population of Hog deer…………………………………… 42 3.1.6 Threats and recommendations…………………………… 43 3.1.6.1 Threats……………………………………………………… 43 3.1.6.2 Recommendations…………………………………………. 43 3.2 Small mammals…………………………………………….. 44 3.2.1 Sampling locations………………………………………… 45 3.2.2 Species account 45 ……………………………………………………………....... 3.2.3 Habitats and feeding types…………………………………. 46 3.2.4 Threats and recommendations…………………………….. 47 3.2.4.1 Threats……………………………………………………….. 47 3.2.4.2 Recommendations………………………………………….. 48 3.3 Reptiles and Amphibians………………………………… 48 3.3.1 Sample points……………………………………………...... 48 3.3.2 Summary……………………………………………………... 48 3.3.3 Species account for summer and winter………………..... 50 3.3.4 Species evenness and diversity………………………….... 51 3.3.5 Threats and recommendations ……………………………. 53 3.3.5.1 Threats ……………………………………………………..... 53 3.3.5.2 Recommendations …………………………………………. 54 3.4 Avifauna…………………………………………………… 55 3.4.1 Sampling points……………….…………………………….. 55 3.4.2 Summary …………………………………………………….. 56 3.4.3 Species account …………………………………….……… 56 3.4.3.1 Summer……………………………………………………… 56 3.4.3.2 Winter ………………………………………………………... 58 3.4.4 Summer and winter comparison…………………………… 61 3.4.5 Conservation status…………………………………………. 62 3.4.6 Habitat………………………………………………………... 63 3.4.7 Threats and recommendations…………………………..... 63 3.4.7.1 Threats……………………………………...……………….. 63 3.4.7.2 Recommendations……………………………………......... 63 3.5 Fisheries …………………………………........................ 64 3.5.1 Species account …………………………………………..... 64 3.5.2 Distribution of orders and families…..…………………….. 68 3.5.3 Feeding habits……………………………………………….. 69 3.5.4 Commercial importance of fish recorded at Chotiari 69 Reservoir……………………………………………………... 3.5.5 Relative abundance…………………………………..…….. 70 3.5.6 Threats and recommendation …………………………...... 73 3.5.6.1 Threats ………………………………………………..……... 73 3.5.6.2 Recommendations………………………………………….. 73 3.6 Phytoplankton…………………………………………..... 74 3.6.1 Summer Flora……………………………………………...... 74 3.6.2 Discussion (summer)…………………………………..…… 75 3.6.3 Winter ………………………………………....................... 76 3.6.4 Discussions (winter)……………………………………….... 77 3.6.5 Summer and winter………………………………………..... 78 3.6.6 Threats and recommendations…………………………..... 82 WWF Pakistan – Indus for All Programme iii Detailed Ecological Assessment Study Report 2008 – Chotiari Reservoir 3.7 Zooplankton……………………………………................ 83 3.7.1 Sample details……………………………………………….. 83 3.7.2 Summary……………………………………………….......... 83 3.7.3 Aquatic micro-invertebrates found in Chotiari Reservoir... 86 3.7.3.1 Midge fly………………………………................................ 86 3.7.3.2 Oligochaeta………………………………………................ 86 3.7.3.3 Ecological role of Oligochaetes……………………………. 86 3.7.3.4 Rotifera …………………………………………………….... 87 3.7.3.5 Ecological role of rotifers……...……………………………. 88 3.7.4 Some terrestrial invertebrates……………………………… 88 3.7.4.1 Class Arachnida………………………………….…………. 88 3.7.4.2 Order 88 Solifugae…………………………………............................ 3.7.4.3 Ecological role of Solifugids………………………………... 88 3.7.4.4 Araneae………………………………………….................. 88 3.7.4.5 Genus Arctosa………………………………………............ 88 3.7.4.6 Genus Pardosa……………………………………............... 89 3.7.5 Threats and discussion …………………………………….. 89 3.8 Physico-chemical properties of water…………..…… 90 3.8.1 Sampling locations………………………………………….. 90 3.8.2 Observations during field investigation…………………... 91 3.8.3 Results and discussion…………………………………...… 92 3.8.4 Drinking Water……………………………………...……….. 93 3.8.5 Agriculture and livestock……………………………..…….. 94 3.8.6 Fisheries…………………………………………………….. 94 3.8.7 Threats and 98 recommendations…………………………………………... Chapter 4 Comparison of the four study sites…………………… 100 4.1 Mammals……………………………………………………. 101 4.1.1 Summary…………………………………………………….. 101 4.1.2 Species identified………………………………………….... 102 4.1.3 Observation records ……………………………………….. 103 4.1.4 Conservation status of mammal species…………………. 103 4.1.5