Abstract

The effects of water level fluctuations on waterbirds distribution and aquatic vegetation composition was determined using distance sampling point count method and direct visual observation at Paya Indah Natural Wetland Reserve, Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 2563 waterbird individual of 28 species and 8 families were detected in three habitats, that is, marsh swamp (68.59%), open water body (18.42%), and lotus swamp (12.99%).Porphyrio porphyriowas the most dominant species in marsh swamp (45.39%), and lotus swamp (23.42%), whereasDendrocygna javanica(42.16%) was the most abundant in open water body. The highest water level for marsh swamp (2.313 m) and lotus swamp (2.249 m) was recorded in January, 2008 and for open water body (2.572 m) in January and April, 2008. In contrast, the lowest water level for marsh swamp (2.048 m) and lotus swamp (1.834 m) was determined in October, 2008 and for open water body (2.398 m) in January, 2009. Pearson test indicates weak linear correlationship between water level and waterbird abundance in lotus swamp habitat(r2=0.120,P>0.05)and in marsh swamp(r2=0.100,P>0.05)and negative linear correlationship(r2=−0.710,P>0.05)in open water body habitat. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated strong correlationship between waterbird abundance and vegetation (73.0%) in open water body, and weaker association (29.8%) in lotus swamp. The results of this study indicate that water level is a major factor that influences the relative abundance and distribution of ducks, swamphen, crakes, herons, jacanas, and moorhens directly and indirectly. In addition, it also effects on the dynamics of aquatic vegetation composition such as, emergent, submerged, and grasses in this wetland reserve.

Highlights

  • Malaysia is rich in aquatic resources such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, swamps, mangroves, estuaries, lagoons, and the sea

  • This natural wetland reserve comprises three major aquatic habitats that may vary in vegetation composition and structure, namely, (i) marsh swamp (ii) lotus swamp, and (iii) open water body

  • Interval apart from each other were established within marsh swamp (43 stations), lotus swamp (38 stations) and open water body (40 stations) (Figure 5)

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Malaysia is rich in aquatic resources such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, swamps, mangroves, estuaries, lagoons, and the sea. These aquatic resources provide diverse habitats for wildlife species waterbirds and are lifeline for Malaysian people that supply diverse food resources and water for domestic, agriculture, and industrial uses. “Waterbirds” refers to the bird species that entirely depend on wetlands for a variety of activities such as foraging, nesting, loafing, and moulting [2] They are bioindicators of wetland ecosystems, because they quickly respond to any changes in vegetation composition and water level fluctuation as compared to other animals [3, 4]. Single wetlands will not have similar attraction to waterbirds throughout the year or among years due to unpredictable fluctuation in water level that causes changes in aquatic vegetation composition

Objectives
Methods
Results
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call