Division Forest Office, Jumla, Nepal
1Faculty of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry University, Hetauda-44107, Makawanpur, Nepal
2Department of Forestry, Amity Global Education (Lord Buddha College), CTEVT, Tokha-11, Kathmandu-44600, Nepal
3Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki00014, Finland
4Tribhuvan University, Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus, Pokhara, Gandaki Province, Nepal
There exists limited information on biodiversity including faunal diversity and habitat conditions in protected forests (PF) of Nepal; thus, we aimed to assess the faunal diversity and the associated habitat characteristics of birds in the Bharang area of Panchase protected forest. The point count method was used for assessing bird diversity. Mammals were searched in existing trials through direct field observations and indirect signs like scat, urine, scratch, bites pugmarks. Shannon-Wieners index, Margalefs Richness Index, and Pielou's evenness were used to determine the respective effect of various biophysical factors associated with the richness of bird species. In total, 121 (summer 50, winter 71) bird species were recorded in 50 sample plots and 6 mammals were identified using transect survey. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index was calculated as 3.14 and 4.04, Margalef's richness index as 9.44 and 14.53, and Pielou's evenness index as 0.75 and 0.80 for summer and winter, respectively. These indices proved the study area to be rich in species distribution. In addition, aspect and season are found to be the main influencing factor for bird diversity. Species richness is found to be higher in the case of birds than mammals. Similar research on an elaborate scale is highly recommended all over the Panchase area such that the local level to policy level conservation implications is to be addressed.
Biodiversity, Habitat, Influencing factors, Margalef's richness index, Shanon-weiner index
