Vertebrate diversity at Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan

Study Extent

The study area was divided into four sampling sites (fig.1): site 1 (Rawal lake); site 2 (Darra Jangla); site 3 (Shakarparian); and site 4 (Shahdara). Site 1: Rawal Lake Rawal Lake lies south east of Islamabad (PEPA, 2004). It has an area of 19.02 square kilometers with a sustained zone of two square kilometers. Annual precipitation is about 1,000 mm and temperature ranges between 1–15°C in winter and 20–40°C in summer. Site 2: Darra Jangla Darra Jangla is situated half a kilometer from trail 3. It is the most wooded and quiet gorge in the park. The stream alongside the trail makes the area an ideal home range for several unique birds and animals. Site 3: Shakrparian Shakarparian is the core part of the park. It is ecologically dense and it is the most diversified area of the park. The Shakarparian has an area of 1376 ha (Jabeen et al., 2009). Its latitude and longitude are 73° 39 N and 33° 44 E. It is considered the most vital part of the park because its thick vegetation provides ideal conditions for numerous animals. Site 4: Shahdara Shahdara is a small town on the fringes of the MHNP. It is seven kilometers from Bara Kahu, and fifteen kilometers from Islamabad. The town is renowned for its animals and water falls. Its dense vegetation provides habitat for many animal species and the town plays a valuable role in conserving biodiversity in the park.

Sampling

Each site was visited frequently to observe the microhabitats - such as rotting logs, leaf litter, flotsam, and water channels - of vertebrates. In winter, surveys were conducted before the onset of the hibernation period of amphibians and reptiles, mostly in October and November. Most studies in winter were carried out before sunset as low evening temperatures limit the movement of most species, including reptiles. We also used hiding places, fecal matter, body impressions, tail drags or footprints, tracks, dens, and egg laying excavations to estimate local distribution and population density of all the classes of vertebrates. Surveys and in summer were conducted early in the morning and late in the afternoon.

Quality Control

To evaluate the vertebrate diversity we used the direct count method as described by Haldin and Ulfvens (1987). Species of vertebrate classes such as fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals were considered. The GPS (GARMIN, GPS map 76CS x) was also used for the point coordinates. The equipment used included binoculars (magnification 10 × 50) and spotting scope (magnification 20 × 40 × 60) with a tripod and digital camera. Birds and animals were identified using field guides and reference books (Roberts, 1991, 1992, 1997, Khan, 1977; Mirza et al., 1998; Mirza and Wasiq, 2007; Grimmett et al., 2008, 2016). A bimonthly survey of study area was carried out over one year (7-8 days in each survey).

Method steps

1. Various types of analysis were conducted to establish the diversity index, such as species richness as described by Jost (2006): Shanon-Wiener Index, Simpson Index, Eveness, and Species Richness.

1. Vertebrata
   rank: phylum

1. Actinopterygii
   rank: class
2. Channidae
   rank: family
3. Cyprinidae
   rank: family
4. Amphibia
   rank: class
5. Bufonidae
   rank: family
6. Dicroglossidae
   rank: family
7. Microhylidae
   rank: family
8. Aves
   rank: class
9. Accipitridae
   rank: family
10. Acrocephalidae
    rank: family
11. Alaudidae
    rank: family
12. Alcedinidae
    rank: family
13. Anatidae
    rank: family
14. Apodidae
    rank: family
15. Ardeidae
    rank: family
16. Campephagidae
    rank: family
17. Caprimulgidae
    rank: family
18. Charadriidae
    rank: family
19. Cisticolidae
    rank: family
20. Columbidae
    rank: family
21. Corvidae
    rank: family
22. Cuculidae
    rank: family
23. Dicruridae
    rank: family
24. Emberizidae
    rank: family
25. Estrildidae
    rank: family
26. Falconidae
    rank: family
27. Fringillidae
    rank: family
28. Hirundinidae
    rank: family
29. Laniidae
    rank: family
30. Laridae
    rank: family
31. Leiothrichidae
    rank: family
32. Megalaimidae
    rank: family
33. Meropidae
    rank: family
34. Monarchidae
    rank: family
35. Motacillidae
    rank: family
36. Muscicapidae
    rank: family
37. Nectariniidae
    rank: family
38. Oriolidae
    rank: family
39. Paridae
    rank: family
40. Parulidae
    rank: family
41. Passeridae
    rank: family
42. Phasianidae
    rank: family
43. Phylloscopidae
    rank: family
44. Picidae
    rank: family
45. Pittidae
    rank: family
46. Ploceidae
    rank: family
47. Psittacidae
    rank: family
48. Pycnonotidae
    rank: family
49. Rallidae
    rank: family
50. Recurvirostridae
    rank: family
51. Scolopacidae
    rank: family
52. Stenostiridae
    rank: family
53. Strigidae
    rank: family
54. Sturnidae
    rank: family
55. Timaliidae
    rank: family
56. Upupidae
    rank: family
57. Zosteropidae
    rank: family
58. Mammalia
    rank: class
59. Bovidae
    rank: family
60. Canidae
    rank: family
61. Cercopithecidae
    rank: family
62. Cervidae
    rank: family
63. Erinaceidae
    rank: family
64. Felidae
    rank: family
65. Herpestidae
    rank: family
66. Hystricidae
    rank: family
67. Leporidae
    rank: family
68. Manidae
    rank: family
69. Muridae
    rank: family
70. Mustelidae
    rank: family
71. Pteropodidae
    rank: family
72. Sciuridae
    rank: family
73. Suidae
    rank: family
74. Viverridae
    rank: family
75. Reptilia
    rank: class
76. Agamidae
    rank: family
77. Colubridae
    rank: family
78. Elapidae
    rank: family
79. Gekkonidae
    rank: family
80. Geoemydidae
    rank: family
81. Lacertidae
    rank: family
82. Psammophiidae
    rank: family
83. Scincidae
    rank: family
84. Trionychidae
    rank: family
85. Varanidae
    rank: family
86. Viperidae
    rank: family

The study was carried out in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), Islamabad, from December 2019 to March 2021. The MHNP is located between 33°43'N and 72°55'E and has a total area of 17,386 hectares.