Spatio-temporal variations and bottom Sedimental influence on the diversity of water birds in Koothiappar wetlands

Wetland is the land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally such that it takes on the characteristics and distinctiveness of that particular ecosystem. Koothaippar wetland ecosystemis one such highly potential wetland area, which attracts more number of water birds in and around the world. Data for this research was collected from August 2013 to January 2014, covering three seasons, Pre – Monsoon (August and September), Monsoon (October – December) and Post Monsoon (January). Significant species - wise and overall variations in the population size of (as highest count in a month and region) water birds belonging to different ecological groups were recorded in two regions of the lake during different months of 2013 and 2014. Totally 34 species of water birds were recorded in region 1 and 30 species of water birds recorded in region 2. Water birds were categorised into different ecological groups like 4 species of divers, 12 species of large waders, 8 species of swimming birds, 5 species of small waders, and 5 species of aerial foragers were present in region1 and 4 species of divers, 10 species of large waders, 7 species of swimming birds, 4 species of small waders, and 5 species of aerial foragers were present in region 2 which attracts more number of water birds in region 2. Present paper highlights the influence of water temperature, air temperature, and physico-chemical characteristics of bottom sediments of two regions of Koothaippar lake ecosystems. Among all the water parameters tested, Electrical Conductivity, PH, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sulphate, Chloride, Fluoride, Atmospheric temperature and Turbidity are the factors which influences significantly the distribution and diversity of water birds in the study area during the study period.