Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

AVIAN DIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF AN URBAN POND

Hamli Alouia, Maazi Mohamed-Cherif and Houhamdi Moussa

Abstract

From September 2015 to August 2016, we carried out an inventory of the population of waterbirds in Tamlouka pond's, and determine their phenological status. In total, 36 species, belonging to 12 families, were recorded, 08 sedentary breeding, 03 Summer breeding, 12 wintering, 01 summer non-breeding, and 12 species use the pond only during meadow and post nuptial passage, of which the Ardea ibis (Ardéidae) (7480 individuals) was the dominant species. These birds use the lake in various ways related mainly to their biology. The results of species richness showed an imbalance in the stand of waterbirds, the avifauna of the winter period was more diversified than that of the breeding season and dominated by two families (Anatidae and Scolopacidae), Furthermore the highest values of the ecological indices of population balance were recorded during the winter period (Shannon weaver H'= 2,966; and Equitability E= 0,617 ; in January). This pond was also facing tremendous conservation risks by the human activities, disorderly exploitation of water resources and hydrological and climatic conditions.