Water bird guilds and their feeding connections in the Bodrogzug, Hungary

Abstract

Species composition, number, species diversity, and evenness of nesting bird communities were surveyed in 2001 and 2002 in north-east Hungary. The survey was aimed at foraging birds. A higher number of species and species diversity was observed in the oxbows compared to that of the eupotamon-type areas, and was correlated with the more luxuriant vegetation covering the water surface. The species evenness value of the oxbows was lower than that of the flowing river. The number of species and species diversity in riparian areas covered with trees were higher than those in areas covered only by bushes. There was a negative correlation between evenness and the diversity of species for habitats covered with water, and habitats covered with trees and bushes along the banks. The following highly protected bird species nested in the study areas: black stork (Ciconia nigra), lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), saker falcon (Falco cherrug), red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), and corncrake (Crex crex). Compared to the total bird fauna of the investigated area, the highest ratio of aquatic bird species was present in the oxbow areas covered with aquatic vegetation. Considering the role of aquatic birds in material and energy cycles, three main species groups were distinguished: the material-transporting group (highest number of specimens); the bioturbing group (lowest number of specimens); and the decomposition-accelerating group (intermediate numbers).

Assessment of Wetland Water Quality and Avian Diversity of a Human-Modified Floodplain Wetland on River Yamuna

“…According to a study by Dunning et al (1992) in the Donavana wetland complex, the overall capacity of a wetland complex to support bird populations may be increased when the landscape comprises habitat patches in close proximity. Relative availability of habitats for different activities has a major influence on the size of wintering populations (Andrikovics et al, 2006;Dunning et al, 1992 Despite the poor quality of water, Anser indicus were recorded from the area. Security from predators and availability of food in adjacent areas could be the reason.…”

“…Diverse submerged plants within a waterbody form a number of microhabitats resulting in different assemblages of invertebrates providing them with shelter from predators (Dvork and Best, 1982;Linton and Goulder, 2000) and sites for attachment (Diehl, 1992;Rooke, 1986b). According to Chowdhury et al (2008) aquatic macrophytes exhibit a feeding relationship with fishes while the number of bird species and their diversity is positively correlated with the richer vegetation covering the water surface (Andrikovics et al, 2006). OBS, with its sub-merged and emergent macrophytic communities, provides food and habitat for many micro and macro fauna.…”

Plant species of Okhla Bird Sanctuary: a wetland of Upper Gangetic Plains, India [with erratum]

“…The number of bird species and their diversity is positively correlated with the richness of vegetation in and around a waterbody (Dvork and Best 1982;Andrikovics et al 2006). Stewart (2001) suggested that the selection of habitats by birds depends on factors such as depth and quality of water, the availability of food, presence of vegetation for shelter, presence of predators and inter-species competitors.…”