Spatial ecology of raptors in an urban wetland: A case study from Bolgoda Lake, Sri Lanka

Abstract

D. Wickramasinghe, Y. Weerasinghe* and S. Fernando

Despite their significance in food webs, little is known about the spatial ecology of raptors in urban areas and their habitat use in wetland-associated habitats is scarcely investigated. This research aimed to study the distribution of raptors and habitat use in a wetland that is under anthropogenic influence. Occurrence, diversity, and habitat use of raptors were investigated in three different habitat types: vegetated, edge, and open water. Nine raptor species representing nearly 33% of all raptors in Sri Lanka were found to be inhabiting the wetland where the family Accipitridae had the highest diversity. Edge habitats supported the highest species diversity. This study serves both to highlight the importance of urban wetlands as a home for raptors and to emphasize the contribution of anthropogenic habitat alterations toward increased raptor diversity in edge habitats.

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