Temporal Change in Avian Species Composition in Response to Climate Variability in Mahendragarh Region, Haryana, India
Keywords:
avian diversity, climate change, species composition, eBird, citizen science, Haryana, phenological shiftsAbstract
The Mahendragarh region of Haryana, India, represents a critical transitional zone between the Indo-Gangetic Plains and the Aravalli Range, supporting diverse avian communities. This study examines temporal changes in avian species composition from 2020 to 2025 using citizen science data from eBird, analyzing 205 species records across multiple temporal scales. Results indicate significant seasonal and annual variations in species richness, with resident species dominating (58 species observed in 2026), while migratory components show climate-driven phenological shifts. The findings demonstrate that arid-zone specialists and wetland-dependent species exhibit divergent responses to increasing temperature variability and altered precipitation patterns. These results underscore the necessity of climate-adaptive conservation strategies in semi-arid agro-ecosystems.
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