Abundance and distribution of waterbirds in Boyo wetland, Central Rift Valley region of Ethiopia: changes in abundance and distribution

Abstract

Waterbirds depend on wetland ecosystems. The present study aimed to investigate the species abundance and composition of waterbird species in the Boyo wetland. A bird survey was conducted from September 2022 to February 2023. There is a significance seasonal variation in waterbird distribution (Mann-Whitney U tests, P < 0.05). The ANOSIM test shown a significant difference in species composition and abundance of waterbirds among the study microhabitats (R = 0.811, p < 0.001). Analysis of similarity percentages also reveals dissimilarity in waterbird communities among microhabitats. Relatively higher species richness (R = 19) and diversity (H' = 2.75, J' = 0.93) recorded in shallow habitat. Open water habitat supports higher waterbird belong to a carnivore feeding guild. A particular importance of the wetland is the presence of the two vulnerable species, the wattled crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) and the black-crowned crane (Balearica pavonina), along with one globally threatened black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa). Some bird species such as Wattled crane showed preference for farmland environments. This shift suggests that the destruction of natural wetland habitats may be forcing this vulnerable species to seek alternative feeding grounds. Therefore, an immediate restoration action should be taken to maintain the role of this natural wetland to serve as a wintering site for waterbird species.