Avian Richness, Assemblages and Migration Connectivity of Geese Species with Habitat Suitability in Wetlands of the Punjab, Pakistan
Avian Richness, Assemblages and Migration Connectivity of Geese Species with Habitat Suitability in Wetlands of the Punjab, Pakistan
Ghulam Rasool1, Ayesha Aihetasham1*, Zulfiqar Ali1* and Rida Ahmad1,2
ABSTRACT
Understanding the species assemblages and migration connectivity of geese species is crucial for their conservation and management. It helps identify important stopover sites, breeding grounds, and wintering areas, allowing for targeted conservation efforts and the preservation of key habitats along their migratory routes. This study was designed to investigate the avian richness and habitat suitability of geese species at wetlands of Punjab, Pakistan. The surveys were conducted from October 2020 to March 2021 and October 2021 to March 2022 on monthly basis using point count method. Five species of geese were recorded at the wetlands including bar-headed goose Anser indicus, with the highest number of individuals (2,701 at eleven sites) followed by greylag goose Anser anser (1,224 at nine sites), cotton pygmy-goose Nettapus coromandelianus (74 at eleven sites), greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons (46 at five sites) and lesser white-fronted goose Anser erythropus (seven at three sites). Overall, 175 species were recorded at the study sites belonging to 13 orders and 39 families. According to the IUCN red list, 148 species were least concern, 16 were near threatened and 11 were threatened (vulnerable (06), endangered (04) and critically endangered (01)). Habitat suitability index was used to rank the suitability of geese species at various sites from highly suitable to least suitable. Marala Headworks was found to be at the top as per habitat suitability score for all geese species, followed by Chashma, Taunsa and Bajwat. Even if these sites are suitable, they fall short of being highly suitable. Thus, maintenance of these locations must be given top priority in order to conserve the goose species that rely on them.
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