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A study was carried out in Kota District (Rajasthan) to investigate the effects of anthropogenic
disturbance caused by biomass extraction on the bird communities of Abhera wetland of Kota. The study
was based on comparisons of the aquatic bird community and vegetation structure of Abhera wetland site
that was demarcated a priori on the basis of disturbance indicators. Three years survey was carried out
specially in winter season. There was significant difference in the number of recorded species and bird
abundance. Changes in bird species composition occurred because of 24 of 58 Resident migratory and
migratory abundant bird species (41.37%) responding significantly to the disturbance regime. All the
affected bird species are both herbivores and insectivores. Bird species composition was significantly
related to vegetation structural variables, including two that were significantly altered by disturbance.
Changes in vegetation structure accounted for all the changes in bird species composition caused by
disturbance. However, vegetation structure had additional effects on bird species composition besides
those caused simply by disturbance. Thus, our study indicates that use of wetlands for fishing and cattle
grazing have significant effects upon bird diversity and species composition. There is a need to retain a
proportion of natural ecosystems as inviolate if the full complement of biodiversity is to be conserved.
Keywords: Anthropogenic disturbance, Abhera wetland, Resident migratory and migratory, Vegetation
structure.