Avian diversity at new campus of Punjab University in relation to land use change

University of the Punjab, New Campus (31 degree 30' 15" North, 74 degree 18' 23" East) covers a vast area of 1781 acres (721 ha/7.21 km2). The site has a variety of habitats. A previous study of the avian fauna of the New Campus carried out in 1997 reported the occurrence of 64 bird species. The present study was aimed to observe current bird species diversity and abundance at the New Campus as compared to the previous study and also to study the possible impact of land use change on them. Field surveys were carried out to record the avian species employing point count method from January 2011 to May 2011. Seventy six bird species were observed. As per seasonal abundance status of species, 49 were resident, 17 winter visitors, seven summer breeding, two passage migrants and one was accidental vagrant. Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index was calculated to be 2.548 indicating a moderate level of diversity in the study area. Census index was 2795 birds per km2. Garbage eating and scavenging birds (House Crow, Black Kite, and Common Myna) were considered to be relatively abundant (50.59%). The current landscape was compared with the master plan, prepared in year 2002, of the New Campus to observe the patterns of land use change. As per the master plan, it was revealed that due to the increasing demands; almost the entire agricultural area would be converted into buildings for departments and other purposes. This land use change will cause many species to migrate from the area as their habitat will be lost. Moreover, this urbanization will result in homogenization of species. Landscape management should be integrated into urban planning tools to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity within urbanized areas.