Breeding birds survey at Harra Biosphere Reserve with participation of local communities

The scheduled programme of survey of breeding bird species of Harra biosphere Reserve has been started from March 2010 with participation of local communities and Qeshm Island Department of Environment game-wardens. The preliminary survey on breeding species and threats to their existence has been started earlier in January 2010.

Bird species are ideal indicators for a functioning ecosystem and can reflect the environmental problems very rapidly and their success in breeding is a perfect indicator of habitat suitability. Therefore lack of these species can threatens the survival of other species too and basic research of breeding birds in wetland ecosystems is very essential.
In this programme members of local communities keen in participation in monitoring surveys were involved in finding the bird’s nesting colonies. During this programme a team consisted of local communities and environmental protection authorities were educated on bird ecology field techniques to get more involved in conservation of this biosphere reserve.