Monthly Changes in Water bird Population, Diversity and Density in Howr-al-Azim, Wetland

As a Permanent Wetland, Howr-al-Azim is a very important habitat in protection of resident and migratory water bird generations. Because of having high diversities and outstanding abundances in wetland ecosystems, birds are the most important key groups of vertebrates in wetlands. For this purpose, the study was carried out to examine monthly changes in water birds and waders population, Density and diversity on 7 selected sites from January until September 2008. The results showed that 53 species from 10 families of water birds and waders were presented in the wetland with a population of 80000.In general, the species seen consisted of 60% wintering, 23% breeding and 17% resident birds; 5.6% of all the species are classified as "Threatened Species" according to Red Data Book of IUCN. During the study period, water bird's maximum population (32103) was seen in January 2008.Comparing water bird's population density on all sites showed that the density was reduced considerably from the north of the wetland (Shahid Bakeri Road, near Neisan River) towards the middle parts of the wetland (Shat Ali), so as in January, Shat Ali site showed the least density of 2 birds per hectare among all the selected sites.