Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

HABITAT RESTORATION OF FLAMINGOS (PHOENICOPTERUS ROSEUS) WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PULICAT LAKE MUDFLAT ECOSYSTEM

J. Sesh Serebiah, Chandan Ri, A. Priya and R. Moses Inbaraj

Abstract

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world. Protection and conservation of major wetlands is critically important to waterfowl on their residency, food and breeding grounds and traditional migratory flyways in worldwide. The congregated coastal flock was counted in 10 sampling stations for the period of 123 months. The total number of the greater flamingos, Sandpiper and Crab Plover were 2600,117 and 20 recorded respectively. The Marphysa graveyli is the dominating polychaete in the entire study area with high density (20/sq.m) and act as important diet of flamingos. Study concluded that the distribution and feeding habit of flamingos could be controlled by tidal inundation, coastal plants (seaweeds and sea grasses), mudflat extension, benthic array and profile, temperature, salinity, pH and depth of water.