The collaborative annual heronry count conducted by WWF-India and the Forest Department in Thiruvananthapuram district has observed a higher number of heronries compared to previous counts. Herons, a group of long-legged wading birds comprising around 60 species, are prevalent across the world, often found in shallow waters where they catch aquatic prey. These counts involve recording “apparently occupied nests” of herons and egrets, providing an accurate assessment of the breeding waterbird population. This practice is essential for gauging the health of aquatic ecosystems, as herons are significant predators within these systems.
Prelims pointer
- WWF-India: The Indian chapter of the World Wide Fund for Nature, an international environmental organization working towards conservation and sustainable development.
- Colonial Waterbirds: Birds that nest and breed in colonies, often sharing nesting sites and exhibiting social behaviors within these communities.
- Aquatic Ecosystem: A complex interconnected environment encompassing water bodies, their inhabitants, and the surrounding terrestrial and aquatic interactions.
- Freshwater and Brackish Water: Freshwater refers to non-saline water sources such as rivers, lakes, and ponds, while brackish water is a mix of freshwater and saltwater, often found in estuaries and coastal areas.
- Top Predators: Organisms at the highest trophic level in a food chain or ecosystem, playing a crucial role in regulating populations of other species within the ecosystem.
