Assessment of riverine ecosystem for habitat suitability of swamp francolin in Koshi Tappu wildlife reserve, Nepal
Student name: Ms Tuhina Katti
Guide: Dr Joachim Schmerbeck
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: ICIMOD, Nepal
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Gopal Rawat and Dr Nakul Chettri
Abstract: Swamp francolin (Francolinus gularis), a globally threatened bird species endemic
to the wetlands of the Indian subcontinent, is showing a declining trend mainly due
to habitat loss, and rapid decline in the quality of its specialized habitat. In the study
conducted, the prominent ecosystem parameters for the habitat quality of the swamp
francolin were selected, and its distribution along anthropogenic impact gradient
was noted. The swamp francolin call count carried out on the eastern embankment
of the river provided information about the distribution of these birds in different
vegetation types during its breeding season (February-March).This bird is found in
the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve of Nepal, which is also an Important Bird Area of
Nepal supporting many resident and migratory birds. A considerably large
population of swamp francolin in this reserve makes it necessary to manage and
maintain the habitat of this species in the reserve. The communities in the buffer
zone of this reserve have an influence on the reserve for extraction of resources.
This not only causes disturbance to the habitat but also affects the quality of the
habitat. Based on the resource dependency of the local communities and the
anthropogenic disturbance observed at the site, the habitats were categorized along
anthropogenic impact gradient. These distributions were co-related with the
anthropogenic pressure on these areas, and the presence of ecosystem variables,
with the help of multiple regression carried out in Minitab 14. The regression will
highlight the parameters necessary for the habitat of swamp francolin.
Keywords: Swamp Francolin, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, anthropogenic
pressure, habitat quality, wetland.
