Effect of Human-Induced Activities on Waterbirds Diversity and Abundance in Three Wetlands of International Importance i
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ffect of Human-Induced Activities on Waterbirds Diversity and Abundance in Three Wetlands of International Importance in Iran E. Golzara, *, B. Shams Esfandabadb, **, J. Morshedic, ***, M. Naderid, e, ****, and S. A. Jozif, ***** a
Department of Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran bDepartment of Environment, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran c Department of Geography, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran dDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Arak University, Arak, 38156-8-8349 Iran eDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey f Department of Environment, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran *e-mail: [email protected] **e-mail: [email protected] ***e-mail: [email protected] ****e-mail: [email protected] *****e-mail: [email protected] Received August 1, 2019; revised August 28, 2019; accepted August 28, 2019
Abstract –Over six years from 2011 to 2015, direct field observations and waterbirds' surveys were performed in three Ramsar sites (Choghakhor, Shadegan and Parishan). Our results indicated that all three wetlands affected by developing intensive farming systems and lowered species richness. The most important difference existing among the wetlands points to the habitat of the specialist waterbirds, while we found no significant differences in the habitat of the generalist birds. Meanwhile, some completely dependent birds like White-headed Duck (Oxyura leucocephala) have completely disappeared. Our results indicated that 87 percent of the variation in the species richness and abundance can be justified by a combination of water depth, water area, sludge depth, conductivity, total phosphorus, newly developed farming areas and vegetation cover. Keywords: abundance, land use changes, point transect, Ramsar sites, remote sensing, species richness DOI: 10.1134/S199542551906012X
INTRODUCTION Wetland ecosystems of Iran, especially those located in drier parts of the country are under immense pressure to suffer from heavy groundwater extraction for agricultural uses, and many other unsustainable activities exploiting water resources. Climate change also intensified these pressures, so that degradation of such fragile ecosystems lead to new threats to the socio-economic conditions like poverty, losing farmlands and most importantly dust storms (Nazaridoust, 2010). Wetland ecosystems are one of the most threatened ecosystems on earth, mainly because of anthropogenic disturbances which considerably change the structural properties, water quality and volume (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005). Wetlands, especially in arid environments like Iran play a vital role in supporting fauna and flora in a variety of hydrologic settings, including seeps, springs, marshes, wet meadows, ponds and spring pools. They provide different kinds of services regulating micro-
climatic conditions. Wetlands are one of the world’s most productive habitats mainly
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