Impact of ecological and anthropogenic factors on river birds

 Timeline: 2021-ongoing
People: Rohan Menzies, Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi, Rohit Naniwadekar
Collaborators: Vidyadhar Atkore
Funding: Rufford Small Grants

What We Do?

Himalayan rivers are impacted by human activities and in the eastern region, there are over 130 hydropower projects proposed across the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The river bird communities are shaped by certain drivers and certain species are likely to be impacted by human activities along these rivers. We broadly aim to determine which drivers are most important in shaping the river bird communities in this region and to identify the threats that negatively impact certain species. It is possible that particular species traits are influenced to a greater extent and these traits can also be used to identify the most vulnerable in the community.

Why This Matters?

By understanding these associations between the habitats and the river bird species, we would be able to determine those most impacted by anthropogenic activities and therefore identify how we can prevent the disappearance of these species from the community. It can inform conservation management of river birds. 

Key Findings:

• Elevation is the main driver of the river bird community in this region; however, individual species are associated with certain river characteristics which are tied into their behavioural and ecological preferences.

• Changes to the river will negatively impact those species most closely dependent on those habitat characteristics.