Exploring bird biodiversity: a survey of avian richness in the dams of oke-ogun, nigeria

Wetland degradation, both natural and anthropogenic, impacts biodiversity and ecosystem services. Artificial wetlands, such as dams, may help mitigate the loss of natural wetlands, but their conservation potential is understudied. This research explores avian diversity, anthropogenic impacts, and community perceptions of bird species across three dams -Igboho, Okeho, and Kishi located in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, Nigeria. Using the point count method, data were collected over six months (January to June). A total of 679 individual birds from 173 species were identified, distributed across 84 families and 37 orders. Igboho Dam hosted the most species (75), while Okeho Dam had the fewest (32). Bird diversity was analyzed with one-way ANOVA and PAST software, revealing significant differences in species richness and diversity across the dams. The study emphasizes the potential role of artificial wetlands in avian conservation and highlights the influence of human activities, such as farming and fishing, on bird populations. Recommendations for enhancing avian biodiversity and dam management are proposed.