摘要：Abstract
Background
Currently in Ethiopia, Ecotourism is expanding around hot springs, and the increasing recognition of the value of this smokeless industry suggests that there will be a rekindling of interest in thermal springs in the near future. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between bird diversity with physicochemical water quality and habitat quality of hot springs in Easter Amhara Region.
Methods
A cross sectional study of physical, chemical and biological components of the hot springs was carried out to assess their ecological status. Samples were collected from March to May 2013. Biological samples were collected to provide a qualitative description of the community composition of bird species at each sampling site. Water samples were collected for analysis of selected physicochemical parameters following water quality assessment protocols.
Results
A total of 2484 birds belonging to 56 species were recorded at the 12 sampling sites. Black headed Oriole (Oriolus larvatus), Spur Winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus), Spectacled Weaver (Places ocularis) and Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) where the most abundant bird species in the study area and accounts 35 % of the total species. Human disturbance and habitant conditions varied considerably between sites in the study area.
Conclusion
Although human disturbance and water pollution are among the factors influencing ecological quality, there are no strong correlations between physicochemical properties of hot springs and species diversity and this suggests that birds are not the major ecological indicator in hot springs.
