Changing Climate: A Risk Factor for Declining Avian Fauna in Peshawar City

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find impact of climate change on selected avian fauna in Peshawar city. Total ten sampling sites were included to study the current status of Passer domesticus, Acridotheres tristis and Zenaida macroura through point count method.  The most abundant species was Passer domesticus with a relative abundance (Pi) of 0.695 followed by Acridotheres tritis with relative abundance (Pi) of 0.175 and Zenaida macroura with relative abundance (Pi) of 0.129. 20 years of climatic data were taken from Peshawar meteorological department. Average temperature was recorded as 29.10C from 2000 to 2010 and 31.00C from 2010 to 2020, which shows increase since 2000, average rainfall was recorded as 37.3 mm from 2000 to 2010 and 35.2 mm was recorded from 2010 to 2020 which shows a decreasing trend in rain fall. It is suggested that irregular rainfall and temperature of Peshawar city negatively affect bird species. It is recommended to increase urban green areas by planting more native species in order to overcome the increasing level of carbon which is the ultimate cause of rising temperature. If these changes continue in future it will decreases the bird diversity in residential areas of Peshawar. Shannon wainer diversity index was calculated as 3.4949. It is recommended to increase urban green areas by planting more native species. Residential areas should be integrated into urban planning and there should be specific percentage of open space for plantation in housing societies to sustain bird diversity. Proper land use planning and green planning should be made part of all the developmental planning including housing societies. Every initiative regarding development should be subjected to approve land use plan of the concerned district and most importantly green zones identified in the land use plans should be implemented in true spirit in order to achieve the planned outcomes in the shape of sustainable development. These practices will decrease the negative impacts of changing climate on bird’s population.