Urban Avifaunal Diversity: An Indicator of Anthropogenic Pressures in Southern Ridge of Delhi

摘要

South Ridge of Delhi is a flagship ecosystem of Delhi and is an important natural heritage of our country. The Ridge has witnessed countless disturbances due to excessive anthropogenic pressures. The capital has suffered many interruptions in the form of land overuse, habitat fragmentation, deforestation, mining, landscape alteration, Habitat destruction, encroachment, predation and invasion. The capital is a proof of rapid urbanization and developmental activities which has posed a severe threat on city’s biodiversity. The study is restricted to birds because birds are the best indicator of a healthy ecosystem and they quickly react to the changing environmental and ecological conditions. City’s expansion and boost in the urban sprawl are major threats to the avian biodiversity of the South Ridge of Delhi. The study identified 40 families of native and migratory birds with 81 species in monsoon followed by 44 families with 122 species. There are also presence of around 130 plant species belonging to Fabaceae, Verbenaceae, Apocyanaceae, Meliaceae, Rubiaceae, Moracaea, Myrtaceae, Bignoniaceae and many other families. Though the Ridge provides a variety of habitat to the birds and also attracts migratory species yet there are also problems of suitable habitat and environmental conditions.