An inventory of urban faunal diversity with reference to Thevara, Kochi, Kerala

Focus on urban biodiversity is gaining importance today due to many reasons world over. But biodiversity remains under explored in urban areas of Kerala to a major extent. A ten month long monitoring of urban fauna in Thevara, a part of the city of Kochi, Kerala from January 2013 to October 2013 yielded a total of 193 species of animals comprising, 64 invertebrates and 129 vertebrates. Sampling was carried out once a month adopting standard methods of collection. The data from the present study indicate the appreciable richness of biodiversity in the study area. Fauna include a variety of resident and migratory species among which some are endemic and some others threatened. Checklists of various groups of animals recorded were also prepared. The present data can be used for effective management and conservation of biodiversity of this area which is under severe stress of urbanization.

当下，全球诸多因素推动城市生物多样性研究的重要性日益凸显。但迄今为止，喀拉拉邦（Kerala）的城市区域生物多样性仍在很大程度上未得到充分探索。2013年1月至10月间，研究团队对喀拉拉邦科钦市（Kochi）下辖的特瓦拉（Thevara）区域开展了为期10个月的城市动物群监测，共记录到193种动物，其中无脊椎动物64种、脊椎动物129种。采样工作每月开展一次，采用标准化采集方法。本研究数据表明，该监测区域的生物多样性丰富度可观。动物类群涵盖多种留居型与迁徙型物种，其中部分为特有种，另有一些属于受威胁物种。研究同时编制了所记录各类动物类群的名录清单。本次研究所得数据可用于该受城市化严重影响区域的生物多样性有效管理与保护工作。