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BIRD DIVERSITY AND

DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE
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GOMTI RIVER, LUCKNOW,
UTTTAR PRADESH, INDIA

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OUTLINE
Background
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Introduction
Problem Statement and Rational
Objectives
Research Question
Study Area
Methods
Materials used
Data Analysis
Results and Discussion
Conclusion
Suggestions

BACKGROUND
9856 bird species in the world.
Central Uttar Pradesh bird area.
180 bird species in Uttar Pradesh.

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Anthropogenic activities affected their variety and

variability

Page | 3 Their specific habitat requirement leads to intolerance of

even slight ecosystem disturbance.
Need to study for future monitoring and implementation

INTRODUCTION
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 habitat. Human activities
such as farming, settlement, charcoal making, pole cutting and
firewood collection have contributed in degradation which has
extensively damaged the natural habitat of birds, affecting their
variety and variability. The threats to bird populations are
immeasurable including habitat loss, fragmentation and severe
anthropogenic pressures. Therefore the need to study the
current composition and status of bird species as a basis for
future monitoring and implementation of appropriate
conservation measures. Birds constitute one of the common
fauna of all habitat types, and because they are responsive to
change, their diversity and abundance can reflect ecological
trends in other biodiversity.

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PROBLEM STATEMENT AND RATIONAL

Conservation based actions are focused only on critically
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endangered bird species.
Construction of reservoir in the future.
To generate baseline data for more intensive research.
To assess diversity and distributions quantitatively.

OBJECTIVES
To assess the bird species diversity and its distribution
along the Gomti River, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
To compare bird species diversity between river
confluence, settlement area and undisturbed forest.

RESEARCH QUESTION
What are the species diversity, species composition and
evenness of birds in three different habitats along the
Gomti River, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

STUDY AREA
Gomti river, Nishatganj,Llucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.

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One of the main rivers of Uttar Pradesh.

Semi natural areas along Gomti river..
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Data deficient area in terms of birds.

• Gomti river has a total length of about 475 kilometers

from its source in Pilibhit district in uttar Pradesh.
Therefore its river basin is one of the major river basins in
Uttar Pradesh and lucknow. The human Population density
in this basin is only 1815 persons per km². The study site
falls in lucknow, uttar pradesh. The Gomti river flows only
in uttar Pradesh
• Settlement area lies between 26°51'47.5"N 80°57'16.2"E,
and the altitude ranges from 123 to 130 meters above sea
level. Compared to forested area, river confluence and
settlement area were observed as most disturbed due to
human activities like stone crushing plant, sand dredging
works and agricultural activities.

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STUDY AREA

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STUDY SITE (NISHATGANJ RIVER BANK, LUCKNOW)

SEMI NATURAL AREA ON THE BANK OF GOMTI RIVER

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SEMI NATURAL AREA ON THE BANK OF GOMTI RIVER

RIVER CONFLUENCE

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RIVER CONFLUENCE

SETTLEMENT AREA

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HUMAN SETTLEMENT

` METHODS
 Point count (Gibbons & Gregory).
 Illustration plot laid at an systematic interval of 200 meters
 Both terrestrial and aquatic birds were recorded within
360 degree from each point
 Survey started from 5 am till 10 am and 3 pm to 6 pm. The
count lasted for at least 15 minutes in each point

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Owing to the site condition, point count survey method

Page | 10 was followed by data collection.. A binocular (Olympus),
camera (Canon EOS 5D) and guide books were used to
confirm the identification of the birds. Birds were
identified to the species level and their taxonomic groups
were properly categorized based on field guides. This
study was expanded to all birds. For every bird species the
following parameters were recorded: (i) name of the bird;
(ii) the number of bird species at every sighting; (iii)
habitat types.
The plots were visited twice and the survey was
conducted when the birds are more active. The plots are
laid out along the river bank at a systematic interval of 200
meters. In total, 30 number of plots were obtained along
the river covering 6 kilometers of distance in the entire
study area. The number of birds on the ground, water and
overhead resting were recorded within 3600 from each
point. Before moving to the next plot, the count lasted for
15 minutes in each plot as supported by stating that
longer periods are preferred for multiple species than
single species which is usually (5-10) minutes.

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MATERIALS

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 Global Positioning System (GPS)

 Canon EOS 550D
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 Binocular
 Measuring tape
 Reference books (Birds of Bhutan)

The materials used for this research include: - Suunto

altimeter for recording altitude at the point count along
the river with uniform interval of 200 m. Global Positioning
System (GPS, Garmin etreks) was used for recording
latitude and longitude coordinates in the point count and
measuring tape for measuring the uniform distance
between the point counts. Digital camera (Canon EOS
550D) was utilized to take images of unidentified bird
species for identification and binocular for observation
and reference books on birds. Survey data sheet, pencils,
eraser and field books were also used for recording birds
and vegetation data

DATA ANALYSIS
 Shannon diversity index

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 Microsoft Excel 2013

 Statistical Package for Social Science
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Compilation and analysis of data were done using

Microsoft Excel and SPSS. SPSS program was also used to
produce graphs and figures.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

40
36
35 32
30
Species Composition

25
20 19

15
10
5
0
Undisturbed Forest Settlement River Confluence

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 Higher bird species composition in the settlement area

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 Species composition is greatly influenced by habitat
heterogeneity

SPECIES COMPOSITION

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1.69% 5.10%

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93.21%

SPECIES DIVERSITY

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3.5 [VALUE]
3.05
3
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2.53
2.5
Species Diversity

2
1.5
1
0.5
0
River Settlement Undisturbed
Confluence Forest
Habitat Types

 High bird diversity recorded in the undisturbed forest site

 Abundant food resources and wetland ecosystem plays
vital role in determining species diversity
SPECIES DIVERSITY
Slight difference in bird species diversity in different three
habitats is due to similar vegetation structure
Elevation creates microclimate

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Negatively correlated with altitude

Diversity index generally lies between 1.5 to 3.5 in most
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Lower altitude has more bird species than higher altitude
Developmental activities decreases the amount of
resources available

BIRD SPECIES COMPOSITION

 The population structure pattern in percent had shown
that Red-vented Bulbul from the Pycnonotidae family has
the highest relative abundance of 15.27% followed by
Plumbeous water redstart (Rhyacornis fuliginosus) from
Muscicapidae family with 10.69%. A total of 59 bird
species distributed to 30 families were recorded from the
study area with an altitude range of 267 to 360 m during
the study period. The Bird Species Composition (BSC) in
each of the three habitat types varied from 19 to 36
species. The highest bird species composition was
recorded in the settlement area with 36 species followed
by undisturbed forest with 32 species. River confluence
was recorded as the lowest in bird species composition
with 19 bird species.

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 During the survey period, White-bellied Heron was

recorded at an altitude of 125 meters above sea level
which is listed as critically endangered species under the
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International Union for Conservation of Nature Redlist.
 Nineteen families were represented only by one species
each. The number of bird species recorded at a single
point with uniform plot distance varied from 2 to the
maximum of 9 species of birds.The dominant family of
birds were Muscicapidae contributing to 9 species
(15.25%), followed by Pycnonotidae, Sylviidae and
Timalidae contributing 5 species each (8.47%), Dicruridae
and Nectariniidae contributingspecies(5.08%).
 Sittidae, Picidae, Megalaimidae, Campephagidae and
Alcedinidae contributing 2 species each (3.39%). Apodidae,
Ardeidae, Bucerotidae, Charadriidae, Chloropseidae,
Columbidae, Cuculidae, Hirundinidae, Laniidae,
Motacillidae, Paridae, Passeridae, Phalacrocoracidae,
Phasianidae, Psittacidae, Rhipiduridae, Stumidae,
Trogonidae and Upupidae contributes 1 species each in
the community comprising of 1.69%.
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION
 River confluence recorded 113 birds in total, settlement
has 137 birds and undisturbed forest had 143 birds

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 Undisturbed forest site was most evenly distributed

 Some species had occurred in all three habitat types while
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 Birds select habitats that fit their requirements for
successful reproduction and survival
 The overall species signifies even distribution in the study
area

Myophonus caeruleus, Phalacro coraxniger,

Rhyacornis fuliginosus, Pycnonotuscafer, Enicurus
schistaceus, White-crested Laughingthrush and
Phoenicurus erythrogaster were recorded in all habitat
type. On the contrary, Passer domesticus, Aethopyga
siparaja, Acridothere stristis, Columba livia, Dicrurus
macrocercus, Pycnonotus melanicterus and Psittacula
eupatriawere recorded in settlement.
Although human settlement areas have mixtures
of built habitats and green patches, bird species have
managed to exist and thrive in this complex habitat. This is
explained by the availability of ecological requirements for
the species offered by a mixture of an environment with
settlement and garden patches. In general, smaller
population size is associated with greater risk of extinction

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locally, regionally, or globally. Other than White bellied

Heron, bird species like River Lapwing, Alexandrine
Parakeet and Great hornbill were some of the species
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sighted in limited number. Therefore more study is
required to confirm the conservation status of these bird
species whose population seems to be minimal in
comparing with other species in the study area.

CONCLUSION
 59 bird species, 30 families recorded
 Bird diversity – Highest in undisturbed forest
 Bird composition – Highest in settlement area (36)
 Birds are evenly distributed in the entire study area
 Supports both terrestrial and aquatic birds for feeding and
foraging
To grasp better knowledge on bird species composition and diversity, it is felt necessary to take
into account of other possible factors that might have greater influence on bird species composition and
diversity. It is also felt that such studies should encompass all the season of the year. So, long term study
should be considered to really understand birds and its relationship with altitude, habitat variables and
surrounding environment. The observations indicate that this river support both terrestrial and aquatic
birds like White-bellied Heron (Critically endangered), Great Hornbill, Alexandrine Parakeet and River
Lapwing (Near threatened)for feeding and foraging in open water zone. Hence a habitat with open
water having submerged vegetation and reed bed is the most suitable habitats and makes them free
from human interference. Therefore, the need of proper studies on ecological behaviors of above
mentioned birds for appropriate conservation is suggested as highly crucial before the establishment of
hydropower reserve in the study area.

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SUGGESTIONS
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 Studies should encompass all the seasons of the year
 Create win-win situation between developmental activities
and conservation of biodiversity
I suggest Gomti river as one of the important birding areas in
lucknow, uttar predesh and the planned construction of
reservoir in the vicinity will be a serious threat to ecosystem
and birds as well. The river area, and the adjacent agricultural
fields act as potential foraging ground offering a wide variety of
roosting and nesting places for several migratory and resident
bird species. Hence, Policy makers should keep all these things
in view and develop the vicinity as important bird habitat and
environmentally conscious segment of ecotourism and to
provide economic benefit for local community.

THE END

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