Volume 10 Issue 1 (2026)
Official Open-Access Quarterly Issue • View Dedicated Issue Page →
Diversity and Abundance of Birds at Guddu Barrage, Pakistan
Authors: Sohaib Farid, Muhammad Sajid Nadeem, Amjad Rashid Kayani, Tariq Mahmood and Muhammad Mushtaq
The rivers of Pakistan have many dams and barrages with limited public access, which provides more protection to the birds. Guddu Barrage is one of the most important wetlands for migratory and resident bird species on the Indus River in the trans-boundary region of the Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan provinces. Generally, the area is neglected by researchers; therefore, the present study is designed to record the diversity and relative abundance of resident as well as migratory birds at Guddu Barrage and its surroundings. A total of 15,174 birds from 83 species belonging to 16 orders and 36 families were recorded at Guddu Barrage from July 2021 to August 2022. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index was calculated as H' = 3.62. Threatened species included the Egyptian Vulture (EN), Common Poacher (VU), River Tern (VU), Spotted Eagle (VU), and Ferruginous Duck (NT). The highest relative abundance was recorded for the House Crow, Bank Myna, River Tern, and Jungle Babbler, while the Sindh Jungle Sparrow, Common Crane, Little Ringed Plover, and Egyptian Vulture were observed with the lowest relative abundance. Important migratory birds included cranes, ducks, pintails, sandpipers, teals, gulls, and terns. Among prey birds, the Marsh Harrier, Long-legged Buzzard, Black-winged Kite, Brahminy Kite, and Black Kite were observed. This study provides baseline data about bird diversity at Guddu Barrage that will be helpful for further studies and conservation of species in the future. Keywords: Indus River, Guddu, Dams, Barrage Citation: Farid, S., M. S. Nadeem, A. R. Kayani, T. Mahmood, and M. Mushtaq. 2026. Diversity and Abundance of Birds at Guddu Barrage, Pakistan. Journal of Wildlife and Ecology. 10: 1-13. doi.org/10.66470/10101
Physiological and Haemato-Biochemical Evaluation of Pangasius pangasius Reared in a Biofloc-Based Aquaculture System
Authors: Mukhtar Ahmad, Usama Shouket, Muhammad Rizwan, Numera Saif, Hafiz Aun Muhammad and Komal Sarwar
The objective of this study was to determine the physiological and biochemical reactions of Pangasius pangasius grown in a biofloc technology (BFT)-based aquaculture system. The setup time of the experiment took 90 days, and the fish were randomly split and placed into two biofloc treatment tanks (T1, T2) and one control tank. Growth, survival, hematology, and serum biochemistry performances were assessed. The results indicated that biofloc growth rearing was a better way to measure fish growth performance. After 90 days, the biofloc rearing treatment 2 (T2) had the highest absolute growth rate at 449.0 g, while treatment 1 (T1) had 439.8 g, and the control had 412.2 g. The survival rate was higher in biofloc systems (T1: 93%; T2: 91.7%) than in the control group (89.5%). Hematological tests indicated increased red blood cell (RBC) and hemoglobin levels in the biofloc groups, suggesting enhanced oxygen transfer and reduced stress. The substantial decrease in white blood cell (WBC) counts in T2 indicates improved immune function. The serum biochemistry revealed diminished glucose levels (signifying reduced stress) and elevated total protein and albumin levels in fish cultivated in bioflocs, indicating enhanced nutrient absorption. The study shows that biofloc technology improves the growth, health, and feed conversion efficiency of P. pangasius, even when external feed is scarce. This makes fish farming more sustainable and productive. Keywords: Pangasius pangasius, Biofloc technology, Hematology, Serum biochemistry Citation: Ahmad, M., U. Shouket, M. Rizwan, N. Saif, H. A. Muhammad, and K. Sarwar. 2026. Physiological and Haemato-Biochemical Evaluation of Pangasius pangasius Reared in a Biofloc-Based Aquaculture System. Journal of Wildlife and Ecology. 10: 14-24. doi.org/10.66470/10102
Tree Species Inventory and Diversity Assessment in Sitio Sak-Sak, Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu, Philippines: A Baseline Study
Authors: Karl Cirilson E. Angulo, Benedict U. Pancho, Kenth A. Mabala, Justine Christine T. Dihonglay, and Rabin V. Bellen
This study evaluated the composition and diversity of tree species in Sitio Sak-Sak, Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu, to establish baseline data regarding the ecological status of the region. We identified a total of five tree species across five families in three sampling quadrats using standard biodiversity assessment protocols. The computed Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index (H' = 1.461) indicated very low diversity, while the Simpson's Index of Diversity (1−λ = 0.792) showed relatively low dominance. The Evenness Index (E = 0.908) reflected a relatively even distribution of individuals among the recorded species. These conditions are primarily attributed to historical reforestation and past land disturbances, as evidenced by the dominance of the introduced species Swietenia macrophylla and Gmelina arborea. Most species recorded were categorized as Least Concern by the IUCN (2025), excluding S. macrophylla and Artocarpus altilis, which were listed as Endangered and Data Deficient, respectively. The prevalence of exotic species suggests potential ecological risks, such as competition with native flora and reduced biodiversity. These findings emphasize the need for management interventions that promote native species restoration and continuous monitoring to maintain ecological stability in the area. Keywords: Balamban, Cebu Island, tree diversity, tree species inventory Citation: Angulo, K. C. E., B. U. Pancho, K. A. Mabala, J. C. T. Dihonglay, and R. V. Bellen. 2026. Tree Species Inventory and Diversity Assessment in Sitio Sak-Sak, Buanoy, Balamban, Cebu, Philippines: A Baseline Study. Journal of Wildlife and Ecology. 10: 25-40. doi.org/10.66470/10103
Dispersal Patterns and Ecological Impacts of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan
Authors: Aftab Ahmad, Muhammad Kabir and Shehnila Kanwal
The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is listed as the world's worst invasive species (IUCN) and is recognized as a potential driver of ecosystem extinction. The wild boar is mainly responsible for crop damage and water pollution and acts as a vector for the transmission of many zoonotic diseases to humans and other domestic and wild animals. The present study was conducted to investigate the incidence of wild boar in Ayubia National Park (ANP) from August 2018 to August 2019. Questionnaire-based interviews were conducted to confirm the first presence record of wild boar, followed by a camera trapping survey to identify the movement corridors used by the species for their dispersal in the protected area. Site occupancy surveys confirmed the potential locations, which were afterwards selected for camera trapping to identify the current distribution of wild boar in the park area. Scat samples of leopards were collected and analyzed to investigate the contribution of wild boar to the diet composition of leopards in ANP. We also studied the ecological linkages and impacts of wild boar on the rest of the ANP's flora and fauna. A total of 107 respondents were interviewed, covering 10% of each village located in the vicinity of the species occurrence range. The study's results show that the first sighting of wild boar was recorded in 2008 on the edge of the park, and that the species was confirmed to be living in the park in 2011. We also found four possible movement corridors that helped the species spread throughout the park area: Kunhar Kas Nallah, Bakol Nallah, Satora-Haro River Nallah, and Namli Mera Water Tributary. The key drivers that enhanced the dispersal of the wild boar population are open dumping sites around tourist spots, mass infrastructural construction, and poorly managed tourism-based activities. The current distribution map of the species was developed in ArcGIS 10.3 using presence points obtained from camera trapping and sighting record information. Keywords: Wild boar, Noninvasive study techniques, Impact on biodiversity Citation: Ahmad, A., M. Kabir, and S. Kanwal. 2026. Dispersal Patterns and Ecological Impacts of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) in Ayubia National Park, Pakistan. Journal of Wildlife and Ecology. 10: 41-52. doi.org/10.66470/10104
Assessment of Mammalian Diversity and Ethnopharmacological Uses in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan
Authors: Bushra Sayyad, Maryam Faiz, Muhammad Jahangeer and Ayesha Atta
There are 6,036 mammalian species worldwide, while 195 species of mammals are documented in Pakistan, and 41 mammalian species are noted from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. The main objectives of the study are to know the diversity of mammals and the traditional medicinal uses of mammalian species in the study area. The linear count method was applied to assess mammalian diversity. To evaluate mammal diversity, both direct and indirect methods were used. Ethnomammalogical data were collected through questionnaires. The questionnaires consisted of personal profiles, species information, and ethnopharmacological uses of the species. A survey of mammalian diversity in Muzaffarabad found 12 species from 5 orders, 9 families, and 12 genera. The Dominance Index (D= 0.1385) indicates a relatively low concentration of individuals within a few species, suggesting a balanced community structure. This is further supported by the high Simpson Index (S = 0.8615), which indicates high diversity and a low likelihood that two randomly selected individuals belong to the same species. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index (H'= 2.222) shows moderate to high species diversity, while the Evenness Index (E = 0.769) indicates that individuals are fairly evenly distributed among the observed taxa. The Richness Index (R = 2.626) indicates a satisfactory level of species richness in comparison to the sample size. According to respondents, the meat and fat of the Indian crested porcupine are used topically to treat asthma, joint pain, skin issues, and wound healing. The skin, meat, and fat of the Rhesus macaque are used topically and taken orally to treat impotence, asthma, and joint pain. Keywords: Ethnomammalogy, Mammalogy, Diversity, Ecology Citation: Sayyad, B., M. Faiz, M. Jahangeer, and A. Atta. 2026. Assessment of Mammalian Diversity and Ethnopharmacological Uses in Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan. Journal of Wildlife and Ecology. 10: 53-64. doi.org/10.66470/10105
Special Issue 1 (2026)
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