Threat status assessment and conservation recommendations for Ibisbill in Kashmir Himalaya

Abstract The concern that population decline in wild species may lead to disruptions in the ecosystems has triggered numerous ecological studies across the globe. Therefore, monitoring biodiversity plays a key role in identifying priority species for evaluating the effectiveness of conservation measures. Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) is a habitat-specialist wader inhabiting high-altitude river rapids with cobbles, boulders and moderate flow of water in Asia. This study aimed to empirically assess the conservation and threat status of Ibisbill in the Kashmir Himalayan region (NW India). The species qualified as Endangered in the study region according to criterion B2 (area of occupancy < 500 km2) of the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Moreover, six priority sites for the conservation of Ibisbill were identified during extended field surveys in River Sindh, Kashmir, NW India. Threats faced by the Ibisbill along the priority sites were also recorded. Out of six sites, mining, livestock grazing and vehicle movement was observed at three sites, human interference including tourism activity at five sites and predation was observed at four sites. The results of this study suggest several conservation recommendations which need to be implemented to ensure the long-term persistence of the species.