Research article

Effects of anthropogenic activities on Bird diversity and abundance at the Hadejia – Nguru Wetlands, Nigeria

^*1Sulaiman IM, ²Apeverga PT, ¹Ringim AS and ³Ibrahim KM

¹Biological Sciences Department, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa state

²Environmental Sciences and Toxicology, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa State

³Works Department, Federal University Dutse, Jigawa state

*Corresponding Author E-mail: sulaiman.muhd@yahoo.com; Tel: +234 80 33239823

Accepted 28 October 2014

Abstract

Human pressures continue to change and affect natural wetland habitats. Bird diversity and abundance in relation to anthropogenic activities at the Hadejia – Nguru Wetlands, Nigeria was studied within an eleven-week period in 2011 to determine the effects of anthropogenic activities such as farming and hunting pressures. Thirty two wetlands within the Hadejia – Nguru Wetlands complex were surveyed. Point counts were used to survey birds. Bird diversity and abundance determined by counting birds was related to anthropogenic activities. A total of 110,162 of 119 bird species were recorded. Farms around the wetlands increased bird abundance and bird diversity increased in wetlands without hunting. Although the wetlands face pressures from anthropogenic activities, their effect on bird diversity and abundance is apparently of small biological effect. Continued research is needed to confirm this surprising result to allow the successful conservation and management of both the wetlands and its birds.

Keywords: Hunting, Farming, Wetlands, Bird Diversity and abundance