The study of bird diversity and distribution along the Sunkosh River, Tsirang and Dagana District, Bhutan was carried out in the winter months to provide comprehensive data on both aquatic and terrestrial birds. This paper focuses on providing some information on the composition, diversity and abundance of various bird species recorded along the Sunkosh River. In order to accomplish this aim, point count survey method was used to generate data for ecological analysis.
A total of 59 bird species belonging to 30 families were recorded during the study. The study was divided into three major habitats: River confluence (Site 1), settlement (Site 2) and undisturbed forest (Site 3). The instruments used were Garmin etrek Global Positioning System (GPS), a pair of binoculars for bird’s identification, a field guide (Birds of Bhutan), survey data sheet and a 300 meters measuring tape. The data were tested with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov method to determine distribution level and bird diversity was assessed using Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index, while parametric tests were applied for all data.
The results showed that bird species diversity was normally distributed in all the sites, site 3 ensured the highest diversity (3.16) compared to site 1: (2.53) and site 2: (3.05). Bird species composition in three habitat types was found statistically significant; correlation result revealed that bird species composition and bird species diversity were negatively correlated with altitude.The most abundant bird species along the River confluence and Settlement area was Red-vented Bulbul, but it was White-crested Laughingthrush in the undisturbed forest.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Problem Statement
1.3 Research Question
1.4 Objectives
1.5 Scope and Limitation
2. Literature Review
2.1 Evolutionary History
2.2 Ecological Importance of Birds
2.3 Diversity
2.4 Distribution
2.5 Conservation Threat
3. Materials and Methods
3.1 Study Area
3.2 Materials
3.3 Methods
3.4 Data analysis
4. Results and Discussion
4.1 Bird Species Composition
4.2 Bird Species Diversity
4.3 Relationship between altitude and BSC, BSD, SE
4.4 Relationship between Species composition, species diversity and species evenness
4.5 Species Distribution
4.6 Bird abundance in the entire study area
5. Conclusion and Recommendation
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to provide comprehensive baseline data on bird species diversity, richness, and evenness along the Sunkosh River in the Tsirang and Dagana districts of Bhutan, specifically assessing how different habitat types influence avian distribution in a region currently threatened by planned industrial development.
- Assessment of bird species diversity and distribution across aquatic and terrestrial habitats.
- Comparative analysis of biodiversity between river confluence, human settlement, and undisturbed forest sites.
- Correlation analysis between altitude, habitat modification, and bird community composition.
- Evaluation of the potential ecological impacts of large-scale infrastructure projects on local avian populations.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background
Bhutan has been fairly well shielded by ornithological surveys (Choudhury, 2007) and the intact country forms a part of Eastern Himalaya Endemic Bird area (Stattersfield et al., 1998). Dagana District is positioned in the southern part of Bhutan with an imprecise area of 1389 kilometers. The elevation ranges from 600 meters to 3800 meters above the sea level with a total population estimate about 25,070. The District falls within the temperate zone in the north and sub-tropical zone in the south (Dagana Dzongkhag Administration, 2015).
As per United Nations Environment Program [UNEP] and Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (UNEP, 2009), 9856 bird species are documented worldwide. Over 800 species of birds are estimated to be found in Bhutan of which frequent numbers of winter visitors, such as migrant thrushes are found in addition to 450 species of resident birds (Sherpa, 2000). Forest is the most significant habitat for birds by supporting around 75% of all bird species while only 45% of all bird species have adapted to humans modified habitats (Birdlife International, 2008). Human activities such as farming, settlement, charcoal making, pole cutting and firewood collection have contributed in removal of forests (degradation) which has extensively damaged the natural habitat of birds, affecting their variety and variability (Storch et al., 2003).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the ecological importance of birds in Bhutan and establishes the need for baseline biodiversity data in the Sunkosh River region due to planned infrastructure projects.
2. Literature Review: Provides a theoretical overview of bird evolutionary history, their ecological roles as indicators, and the threats posed by anthropogenic landscape changes.
3. Materials and Methods: Details the site characteristics and the point count survey techniques used to collect data across three distinct habitat types.
4. Results and Discussion: Presents the recorded species composition and diversity indices, analyzing the significant correlations between altitude and species distribution.
5. Conclusion and Recommendation: Summarizes findings on the habitat preferences of birds and emphasizes the necessity for long-term monitoring to mitigate the ecological risks of reservoir construction.
Keywords
Birds, Distribution, Diversity, Habitat, Species Richness, Sunkosh River, Bhutan, Shannon-Weiner Index, Conservation, Ornithology, Altitude, Anthropogenic Impact, Avifauna, Biodiversity, Ecosystem Monitoring
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research study?
The study focuses on establishing baseline data for bird diversity, richness, and species evenness along the Sunkosh River in the Tsirang and Dagana districts of Bhutan.
What are the central themes of the research?
The key themes include the impact of habitat type (river, settlement, forest) on bird populations, the influence of altitude on biodiversity, and the potential threats from planned hydropower infrastructure.
What is the core research question addressed by the author?
The research asks what the specific species diversity, richness, and evenness levels of birds are within the three different habitats along the Sunkosh River.
Which scientific methodology was employed?
The author utilized the point count survey method, conducting observations over a fixed period and analyzing the data using the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index and parametric statistical tests.
What does the main body of the work cover?
It covers literature on bird ecology, a detailed methodology of field data collection, an analysis of species composition and diversity across different sites, and the correlations found between environmental variables and bird populations.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Important keywords include Birds, Distribution, Diversity, Habitat, Species Richness, Bhutan, Conservation, and Ecological Indicators.
Why were specific bird sites like "undisturbed forest" chosen for comparison?
These sites were chosen to represent a gradient of disturbance levels—from highly modified settlement areas to pristine forests—to better understand how human activity affects bird distribution.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding the planned reservoir?
The author concludes that the planned construction of a reservoir poses a significant threat to the ecosystem and bird populations, particularly for sensitive species, and recommends long-term monitoring.
How does altitude impact the findings of the study?
The study found a strong, statistically significant negative correlation between altitude and both bird species diversity and composition.
- Citar trabajo
- Sonam Tobgay (Autor), 2016, Bird diversity and distribution along the Sunkosh River, Tsirang and Dagana District in southern Bhutan, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/347025
