Avian richness of the Basanta Protected Forest, far-western lowland Nepal: Implication for conservation
Abstract
Birds are important components of biodiversity and acts as an indicator of habitat quality, productivity and stability. This study aimed to document species richness and assess the temporal distribution pattern of globally threatened bird species in the Basanta Protested forest, one of the largest corridor forests which connects Dudhwa National Park (India) with protected areas of western lowland Nepal. During study period of ten years from 2010 to 2019, a total of 381 bird species from 78 families of 19 orders were recorded. Order Passeriformes had the highest species richness (180) followed by order Accipitriformes and Charadriiformes. Among the families, the family Muscicapidae had the highest species richness (31) , followed by Accipitridae and Anatidae. Fifteen globally threatened species like Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus), White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis), Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris), Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) and Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) were recorded in Basanta forest. Results reveal decline on abundance of globally threatened species that might be due to anthropogenic factors like encroachment, road expansion, poaching and eutrophication. Extensive avian survey in the study area is important for further exploration of avian community along with its driving factors, which might play a crucial role in developing baseline information and implementing conservation implications.
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