Avian ecological guilds determined by water quality parameters of ponds in the central plain agroclimatic zone of Punjab State

Abstract

Aim: The present study investigated the relationship between avian ecological guilds and water quality parameters at three selected village ponds (namely Pond A, B and C) falling in the central plain agroclimatic zone of Punjab State. Methodology: During the monsoon season (July-October 2022), bird populations and habitat utilization were assessed using point count/line transect methods. Water quality parameters were measured following the standard methods of APHA (2023). Results: Twenty-eight bird species comprising of 7 orders and 15 families were identified, representing 12 trophic guilds, 4 habitat guilds and 5 substrate guilds. Pond B showed the best water quality, harbored the most semi-aquatic/aquatic species (9) and highest trophic diversity. Conversely, Pond C revealed the poorest water quality and had the lowest number of aquatic species. Interpretation: Water quality in ponds seemed to play a crucial role in shaping avian community composition and ecological roles. This study underscores the importance of maintaining good water quality in ponds interspersed in an agroecosystem for the diversity of ecological guilds. Study findings have the potential to be extrapolated to thousands of ponds in the Indian agricultural landscape, thereby having far reaching ecological implications. Key words: Agroclimatic zones, Birds, Diversity, Guilds, Ponds, Water quality