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<p>Indian wetlands face significant risks from habitat loss and climate change, necessitating long-term ecological assessments. This study, conducted over five breeding seasons (2016–2017 to 2019–2020 and 2022–2023), assessed the temporal variations in the diversity and abundance of breeding waterbirds in the Melselvanoor-Kelselvanoor Bird Sanctuary (MKBS), Tamil Nadu, India. Waterbird populations were counted using direct count and block count methods, with perimeter count techniques employed for nest counts. Among the 20 breeding waterbird species recorded, one species Spot-billed Pelican <i>Pelecanus philippensis</i> was Near Threatened as per IUCN Red List. Relative abundance and SIMPER results showed four species—Black-headed Ibis <i>Threskiornis melanocephalus</i>, Spot-billed Pelican, Asian Openbill <i>Anastomus oscitans</i>, and Painted Stork <i>Mycteria leucocephala</i> were the most abundant in the breeding seasons across study periods. A significant decline in breeding waterbirds (89.8%) and total nests (90.5%) were observed from 2016–17 to 2022–23. Rainfall showed a significant negative correlation with both the abundance of the breeding population and the number of nests. November registered the lowest species abundance of nest counts, whereas January and February were the highest in all the study years. Key threats include cattle grazing, the use of forest wood for fuel, fluctuating water levels, and the decline of <i>Acacia nilotica</i>, a major nesting tree. Protecting habitats and ensuring hydrological stability are vital for waterbird conservation. This short-term study highlights the importance of the sanctuary in supporting breeding waterbirds, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation measures.</p>

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Disappearing colonies: temporal decline in abundance and nesting of waterbirds in a key Indian wetland

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年6月24日

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  • H. Byju,
  • H. Maitreyi,
  • K. M. Aarif,
  • N. Raveendran

摘要

Indian wetlands face significant risks from habitat loss and climate change, necessitating long-term ecological assessments. This study, conducted over five breeding seasons (2016–2017 to 2019–2020 and 2022–2023), assessed the temporal variations in the diversity and abundance of breeding waterbirds in the Melselvanoor-Kelselvanoor Bird Sanctuary (MKBS), Tamil Nadu, India. Waterbird populations were counted using direct count and block count methods, with perimeter count techniques employed for nest counts. Among the 20 breeding waterbird species recorded, one species Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis was Near Threatened as per IUCN Red List. Relative abundance and SIMPER results showed four species—Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Spot-billed Pelican, Asian Openbill Anastomus oscitans, and Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala were the most abundant in the breeding seasons across study periods. A significant decline in breeding waterbirds (89.8%) and total nests (90.5%) were observed from 2016–17 to 2022–23. Rainfall showed a significant negative correlation with both the abundance of the breeding population and the number of nests. November registered the lowest species abundance of nest counts, whereas January and February were the highest in all the study years. Key threats include cattle grazing, the use of forest wood for fuel, fluctuating water levels, and the decline of Acacia nilotica, a major nesting tree. Protecting habitats and ensuring hydrological stability are vital for waterbird conservation. This short-term study highlights the importance of the sanctuary in supporting breeding waterbirds, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation measures.