Habitat association of Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) at Kallar Kahar Lake, Pakistan

Understanding of species–habitat relationship is fundamental to effective conservation planning and management. We studied the association of Little Grebe abundance with habitat parameters at Kallar Kahar Lake, District Chakwal, Punjab, Pakistan, from September 2010 to July 2011. Bird population density data, vegetation and physico-chemical parameters were collected along three strips from different areas of the lake based on habitat variability. The association of Little Grebe abundance with physico-chemical parameters of water was determined using simple linear regression. The physico-chemical parameters differed significantly (P < 0.05) among the three strips. Water temperature and turbidity were negatively related while pH and depth were positively related with grebe population. We concluded that the species more frequently occurred in shallow water habitats with preponderance of reed vegetation, slightly high alkalinity, low water temperature and low turbidity. The reed vegetation such as Phragmites and Typha provided shelter and nesting sites while open water had abundant planktons and crustaceans, algae such as Spirogyra spp. and submerged vegetation such as Chara spp. provided foraging sites. Threats to the species included eutrophication, fluctuation in the water level and littering by visitors which need to be addressed through appropriate management interventions.