Comparative avian and macrofaunal diversity of Miyawaki forest, orchard, and grassland ecosystems in Punjab

Abstract:

Rapid urbanization, deforestation, and climate change have created the need for sustainable afforestation techniques. The experiment was conducted during the months of November to February of the year 2025-26 at different locations of Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana to study avian and macrofaunal diversity. Macrofaunal biodiversity was studied and compared at selected sites, a small forest based on the Miyawaki model, a citrus orchard, and a grassland at Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana. The citrus orchard showed the highest species richness with 26 avian species, followed by Miyawaki forest (22 species), while the grassland area recorded comparatively lower diversity (15 species) with order Passeriformes as the predominant one (51.72% species). Feeding guild analysis of recorded species revealed that 10 species were omnivorous, nine insectivorous, seven carnivorous, two granivorous, and a single frugivorous species. The overall vegetation structure was the main contributing factor to avian diversity at the study sites. Miyawaki forest has more macrofaunal diversity (five species) as compared to the citrus orchard (three species) and grassland ecosystem (One species). Our study indicates that Miyawaki forest and citrus orchard area sustain higher avian and macrofaunal diversity as compared to the grassland ecosystem due to more availability of food and shelter. Thus, Miyawaki forest may enhance species richness, which can provide niches for avian and macrofaunal development. The present study highlights research gaps and policy implications for the adoption of Miyawaki forest at larger areas, which acts as a natural solution for ecological restoration and higher faunal biodiversity.