GIS Based Evaluation of Population Density and Diversity of Birds of Prey of District Muzaffargarh, Punjab Pakistan

Muhammad Khalil; Nazakat Ali1; Ali Umar; Azhar Iqbal; Muhammad Ahmad; Muhammad Abdullah; Samina shakoor; Muhammad Wajid; Muhammad Saleem Khan; Arshad Javid; Hayat Ullah; Maliha Sarfraz; Majid Alhomrani

Abstract

Diversity and evaluation of populations of raptors were accomplished in District Muzaffargarh (South Punjab, Pakistan) by using belt transect (5 x 0.1Km) method. In current study we reported total 447 raptors, that related to 10 species present in 2 families (Accipitridae and Pandionidae) with a density of 34.38 birds/Km2. Values of dominance (0.185), Simpson 0.818, Shannon Wiener 2.00, and evenness (0.567) were measured, recommended in even distribution of the species Black Kite (Milvus migrans; relative abundance, RA 0.082) was most plentiful species, flowed by Shikra (Accipiter badius; RA 0.038), Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus; RA 0.0336), Black Shoulder Kite (Elanus caeruleus; RA 0.0537), Honey Buzzard (Pernis ptilorhynchus; RA 0.0201), and Brahminy's Kite (Haliastur indus; RA 0.0157). Another five species (Steppe Eagle, Aquila nipalensis; Common Buzzard, Buteo; Long Legged Buzzard, Buteo rufinus; White Eyed Buzzard, Butastur teesa; and Osprey, Pandion haliaetus) were uncommon (RA 0.0022).

Keywords: Biodiversity, Population density, Birds of Prey, GIS, Relative Abundance