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Density of waterbirds in relation to habitats of Pichavaram mangroves, Southern India

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Abstract

Tropical mangroves are one of vital coastal systems which support migratory and resident waterbird species round the year. Globally the potential of mangrove habitats in relation to support waterbirds is poorly understood. We examined density of waterbirds in five different habitats: mudflats, open water, emerging mangroves, well-grown mangroves and adjacent agriculture lands of Pichavaram mangroves of southeast coast of India between the years 2004 and 2007. Among the habitats, the density of waterbirds was high in the mudflats followed by agriculture land, emerging mangroves, open water and well-grown mangroves. The work suggested on improvement of the habitats for supporting considerable density of the waterbirds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. PG and Research Department of Wildlife Biology and Zoology, A. V. C. College, Mannampandal, 609 305, Mayiladuthurai, Tamilnadu, India

    S. Sandilyan

  2. Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University, Parangipettai, 608 502, Tamilnadu, India

    K. Kathiresan

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  1. S. Sandilyan
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  2. K. Kathiresan
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Sandilyan, S., Kathiresan, K. Density of waterbirds in relation to habitats of Pichavaram mangroves, Southern India. J Coast Conserv 19, 131–139 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-015-0376-x

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