The investigation of diversity and variations of water birds of Koolab wetland of Kiashahr and Sefidrud estuary

This study wasdone from April 2005 to March 2006 for the purpose of investigation of diversity and density ofwater birds in international wetland of Koolab of Kiashahr and Sefidrud estuary and also for comparing the current status of wetlands with international criteria in 1354. A total of 81 species of waterbirds from 16 families and 6 orders were recorded in three parts of this wetland(Kiashahr wetland, 22 Bahman Wetland and Sefidrud estuary).They consisted of 47 percent waterfowls and 53 percent waders. Diverse families, belonged to Scolopacidae (19 species), Anatidae (14 species) and Lariidae (14 species), respectively. Also, Anatidae species comprised the largest population of this wetland. Most birds were counted in winter and lowest in spring. The highest diversity observed in 22 Bahman wetland. The species diversity in 22 Bahman wetland was similar withKiashahr wetland (J=5.14) and in terms of population 22 Bahman wetland and Sefidrood estuary showed highest similarity (R = 92.3). Grey Pelicans (Pelecanuscrispus), was the only endangered world's birds witch recorded in the wetlands.Comparingthe results of this study with Ramsar convention criteria indicates that the Koolab wetland of Kiashahr and Sefidrud estuary for the terms of criteria 2 and 3 of Ramsar convention, only had the criterion 2a. Compared to the 1970s, the quality of this international wetland has been declined for waterfowl bird’s life. Hence it is proposed as a damaged wetland in Montero list (MR).