Seasonal Variations in Waterbird Diversity and Threats to the Barotse Floodplain
Supplementary Materia
Keywords:
Waterbird diversity, BarotseFloodplain, Habitat threats, Migratory Species
Abstract
This study explored waterbird diversity and associated threats in the Barotse Floodplain, Zambia, a critical wetland in the Zambezi River Basin. Field surveys conducted along a 202 km transect during the cold-dry and hot-dry seasons revealed higher waterbird diversity in the hot-dry season, as indicated by the Shannon-Wiener Index. Chi-square analysis demonstrated significant variations in species distribution across habitat types and seasons. Human settlements and fishing were identified as the primary threats to waterbird populations, emphasising the need for targeted conservation interventions. Grasslands and inland wetlands were the most utilised habitats, underscoring their essential role in supporting waterbird communities. Additionally, the comparable reliance of migratory and non-migratory species on the floodplain suggests its importance for both groups. These findings highlight the ecological significance of the Barotse Floodplain and provide a foundation for developing conservation strategies to protect its avian biodiversity.References
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Timberlake, J. (2000). Biodiversity in the Zambezi Basin. 9, 1–23.
Tockner, K., & Stanford, J. A. (2002). Riverine Flood Plains : Present State and Future Trends Let us know how access to this document benefits you . Biological Sciences Faculty Publications, 166(9).
Zimba, H., Kawawa, B., Chabala, A., Phiri, W., Selsam, P., Meinhardt, M., & Nyambe, I. (2018). Assessment of trends in inundation extent in the Barotse Floodplain, upper Zambezi River Basin: A remote sensing-based approach. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 15, 149–170. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2018.01.002
Banda, A. M., Banda, K., Sakala, E., Chomba, M., & Nyambe, I. A. (2023). Assessment of land use change in the wetland of Barotse Floodplain, Zambezi River Sub-Basin, Zambia. Natural Hazards, 115(2), 1193–1211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-022-05589-0
Bibby, C. J., Burgess, N. D., & Hill, D. A. (2012). Bird Census Techniques. Elsevier Science. https://books.google.co.zm/books?id=5TqfwEHCVuoC
Boere, Gerard., Galbraith, C. A., & Stroud, D. A. (2006). Waterbirds around the world : a global overview of the conservation, management and research of the world’s waterbird flyways. The Stationery Office.
Bourgeau-chavez, L. (2001). Where the Wetlands Are @ landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/where-the-wetlands-are/. https://landsat.gsfc.nasa.gov/where-the-wetlands-are/
Burnham, K. P., Anderson, D. R., Laake, J. L., & Society, W. (2008). Estimation of Density from Line Transect Sampling of Biological Populations. Wildlife Society. https://books.google.co.zm/books?id=v9sPAQAAMAAJ
Dodman, T., & Diagana, C. (2007). Movements of waterbirds within Africa and their conservation implications. Ostrich, 78(2), 149–154. https://doi.org/10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.2.7.87
Eken, G., Bennun, L., Brooks, T. M., Darwall, W., Fishpool, L. D. C., Foster, M., Knox, D., Langhammer, P., Matiku, P., & Radford, E. (2004). Key biodiversity areas as site conservation targets. BioScience, 54(12), 1110–1118.
Estrada-Carmona, N., Attwood, S., Cole, S. M., Remans, R., & DeClerck, F. (2020). A gendered ecosystem services approach to identify novel and locally-relevant strategies for jointly improving food security, nutrition, and conservation in the Barotse Floodplain. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 18(4), 351–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2020.1787618
Fanshawe, D. B. (2010). Vegetation Descriptions of the Upper Zambezi Districts of Zambia. Biodiversity Foundation for Africa, 22, 1–6.
Forsythe, D. (1991). Human Rights, the United States and the Organizations of American States. Hum. Rts. Q., 13, 66.
Gao, B., Gong, P., Zhang, W., Yang, J., & Si, Y. (2021). Multiscale effects of habitat and surrounding matrices on waterbird diversity in the Yangtze River Floodplain. Landscape Ecology, 36(1), 179–190. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-020-01131-4
Green, A. J., & Elmberg, J. (2014). Ecosystem services provided by waterbirds. Biological Reviews, 89(1), 105–122. https://doi.org/10.1111/brv.12045
Hansen, W. L. (1991). The education and training of economics doctorates: Major findings of the executive secretary of the American Economic Association’s commission on graduate education in economics. Journal of Economic Literature, 29(3), 1054–1087.
Kingsford, R. T., & Porter, J. L. (2009). Monitoring waterbird populations with aerial surveys - What have we learnt? Wildlife Research, 36(1), 29–40. https://doi.org/10.1071/WR08034
Kwashimbisa, M., & Puskur, R. (2014). Gender situational analysis of the Barotse Floodplain. WorldFish.
Likando, K., Nyoni, M., & Ngwenyama, D. (2009). 2009 IBA Status and Trends Report, Zambia. 1–23.
Luniak, M. (2004). Synurbization-adaptation of animal wildlife to urban development.
Magurran, A. E. (2003). Measuring Biological Diversity.
Mirriam Sampa, M., Namafe, C., Milupi, I. D., Njungu, M., Monde, P. N., Simooya, S. M., & NJungu, M. (2019). Climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation options among the; Lozi speaking people in Barotse floodplain of Zambia.
Mitsch, W. J., & Gosselink, J. G. (2015). Wetlands. John Wiley & Sons.
Parra, G., Guerrero, F., Armengol, J., Brendonck, L., Brucet, S., Finlayson, C. M., Gomes-Barbosa, L., Grillas, P., Jeppesen, E., & Ortega, F. (2021). The future of temporary wetlands in drylands under global change. Inland Waters, 11(4), 445–456.
Rajaratnam, S., Cole, S. M., Fox, K. M., Dierksmeier, B., Ranjitha, P., Zulu, F., Shwu Jiau, T., & Situmo, J. (2015). Social and gender analysis report: Barotse Floodplain, Western Province, Zambia. January 2015, 60. http://www.aas.cgiar.org/publications/social-and-gender-analysis-report-barotse-floodplain-western-provincezambia
Ralph, C. J., Sauer, J. R. ;, & Droege, S. (1995). Monitoring bird populations by point counts. Oxford University, XXX, 60.
Ramsar, C. O. P. (2002). Ramsar COP8 DOC. 11. Wetlands, 14, 8.
Roxburgh, L. (2007). Important Bird Areas in Zambia by Peter Leonard. Ostrich, 78(1), 113. https://doi.org/10.2989/OSTRICH.2007.78.1.21.65
Roxburgh, L. (2009). The Birds of Zambia: an Atlas and Handbook. Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology, 79. https://doi.org/10.2989/OSTRICH.2008.79.2.21.595
Sutherland, W. J., Newton, I., & Green, R. E. (2004). Techniques in Ecology and Conservation Series.
The Guardian. (2024). Wild-bird-numbers-continue-‘alarming-decline-in-UK-Defra-figures-show-Birds-The-Guardian.
Thomas, L. (2008). “Science affects the way we think together.” F I N D I N G S PNW BURN AND THEY WILL COME! THE WESTERN REGIONAL BIRDS AND BURNS STUDY EXAMINES BIRD RESPONSES TO PRESCRIBED FIRE. http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/
Timberlake, J. (2000). Biodiversity in the Zambezi Basin. 9, 1–23.
Tockner, K., & Stanford, J. A. (2002). Riverine Flood Plains : Present State and Future Trends Let us know how access to this document benefits you . Biological Sciences Faculty Publications, 166(9).
Zimba, H., Kawawa, B., Chabala, A., Phiri, W., Selsam, P., Meinhardt, M., & Nyambe, I. (2018). Assessment of trends in inundation extent in the Barotse Floodplain, upper Zambezi River Basin: A remote sensing-based approach. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 15, 149–170. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2018.01.002
Published
2025-09-27
How to Cite
1.
Nanja C, Chibesa M, Chomba M. Seasonal Variations in Waterbird Diversity and Threats to the Barotse Floodplain. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 27Sep.2025 [cited 3Oct.2025];9(3). Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1528
Section
General
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