Avian Diversity and Parasitofauna of Waterbirds in the Réghaïa Lake Nature Reserve (Algeria): Ecological Implications and Conservation

Abstract

The Réghaïa Lake Nature Reserve, located in northeastern Algeria, represents a major ecological hotspot for waterbirds. From June 2020 to May 2021, a total of 30 waterbird species belonging to seven orders and twelve families were recorded. Avifaunal diversity and community structure were evaluated using Shannon-Weaver diversity indices, evenness measures, and occurrence frequencies. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was employed to correlate physico-chemical water parameters with species distribution. Parasitological analysis of Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) revealed four endoparasite species, indicating potential environmental contamination. The results underscore the ecological richness of the site, the influence of environmental variables on avifauna distribution, and the necessity for regular ecological and sanitary monitoring to ensure effective conservation.