A study of winter avifaunal diversity in Upper Lake, in the City of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Avifauna is an important constituent, as well as an important link in the food chain, of every ecosystem. Birds are regarded as important biological indicators since they can live in a variety of settings and are environmentally adaptive. Wetlands are important bird habitats and birds use them for breeding, nesting and rearing young. Upper Lake is a tropical wetland in Bhopal, the capital city of Madhya Pradesh, and harbors rich biodiversity. This study documents the avifaunal diversity around Upper Lake, Bhopal over a period of four successive years (2018–2021). To assess bird diversity, the point-count method was used but opportunistic spotting was also included. During the survey, a total of 158 avian species, belonging to 18 orders, 52 families and 115 genera were recorded. Out of 18 orders, Passeriformes had the highest avian species richness (67 species). At the family level, Muscicapidae and Anatidae were the most dominant families with 13 species each. The results, derived from various diversity indices (Shannon-Weiner, Margalef and Pielou), suggest that Upper Lake, Bhopal supports rich avifaunal diversity. However, certain anthropogenic threats pose serious threats to the avifaunal diversity. Habitat destruction and degradation pose the most significant threat With hunting of various migratory water birds and threatened species as a growing concern. Therefore, to ensure continued diversity within the region, it is recommended that these anthropogenic activities be regularly monitored and kept to a minimum.