Effect of habitat characteristics on waterbird diversity along river ganga in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Riverine floodplains are a mosaic of different habitat available in the riverine area. It is extensively used by an array of flora and fauna. It supports a huge biodiversity by providing habitat as a resource to various taxa. Many waterbird species are directly and indirectly dependent on the riverine floodplains and use riverine habitat at a certain stage in their life cycle. The area also supports a high diversity of wintering waterbirds. Migratory bird takes refuge in the area during the severe winter in their native habitat. Habitat-specific species use different types of habitat present in the riverine floodplain. The riverine system also has an intricate relationship with the humans. Since a long time, these habitats are subjected to overexploitation that affects the natural ecological processes and the functioning of river. Degradations of floodplains of the major rivers of the world by alteration of water flow, encroachment in river islands and collection river bed materials, discharge of urban and industrial effluents, are threatening the biodiversity of rivers and their associated wetlands. The effect due to different levels of the disturbance is unknown on the diversity and abundance of waterbirds. On these lines, I conducted my study focused on identifying what are the habitat characteristics which is affecting the abundance and diversity of waterbirds and what are the anthropogenic factors affecting its diversity and abundance. The study was carried out in Allahabad District of Uttar Pradesh. It is known for the confluence of two major rivers of India, river Ganga, and its tributary river Yamuna