Abstract
Natural riverine areas mark ecotonal habitats harbouring a characteristically diverse faunal assemblage, especially birds that also use these habitats as pathways crucial for their movement. Increasingly, riverine systems are subjected to large-scale habitat alterations due to climatic fluctuations and anthropogenic changes. Therefore, it is important to understand broad-scale community patterns for conservation planning and prioritisation for these ecotone habitats. The Bhagirathi river is one of the major headwaters of the river Ganges; despite its rich and diverse fauna, little is known about the bird species that inhabit this montane region. This study presents an extensive list of 281 bird species from 59 families, their seasonal distribution and habitat associations as recorded from field surveys along the riverine areas between April 2013 and May 2018. The present communication simultaneously discusses a few noteworthy sightings for the region and provides a baseline for future research on the distribution of birds in the Western Himalaya.
Highlights
Natural riverine areas encompass interfaces between land-aquatic systems with sharp environmental gradients representing the most diverse, dynamic and complex biophysical habitats on earth (Naiman et al 1993)
Riverine habitats are important for birds globally, with around 60 specialist species recognised and up to 23% of all bird species utilising freshwaters, including rivers, for part or all of their life cycles (Buckton 1998, Buckton and Ormerod 2002, Ormerod and Tyler 1993)
The present study reveals that riverine areas along Himalayan headwaters hold a rich avian community with a representation from 64 families
Summary
Natural riverine areas encompass interfaces between land-aquatic systems with sharp environmental gradients representing the most diverse, dynamic and complex biophysical habitats on earth (Naiman et al 1993). While riparian zones typically are a small component of the landscape, they provide an essential habitat for many species of birds (Knopf 1985, Stauffer and Best 1980, Stevens et al 1977). Operate at multiple scales and often occupy apex positions in food webs. They suffice as potential candidates for long-term monitoring purposes, especially through popular citizen-science programmes. Riverine forests support high densities and diversities of migratory birds providing pathways and edge cover during migration (Gergel et al 2002, Naiman et al 1993). Species may use riparian areas differentially throughout the season (Rice and Anderson 1980); habitat associations of different species need to be monitored across seasons to thoroughly appraise riparian zones for conservation
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