Seasonal diversity and habitat patterns of butterflies in Nagaon district of Assam, India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JAE.6.2.26-34Keywords:
Butterfly diversity, Nagaon District, Assam, Seasonal variationAbstract
Between 2025 and 2026, a year-long survey was undertaken across varied habitats of Nagaon District, Assam, India, to investigate butterfly diversity and seasonal dynamics. Field assessments were carried out in wetlands, riverine forests, grasslands, tea plantations, village woodlands, and the floodplain ecosystems of Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries. Using standardized Pollard walk transects complemented by opportunistic observations, butterflies were recorded during pre-monsoon, monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter seasons. In total, 89 species representing six families were documented, with Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae being the most prominent. Species richness reached its highest during the post-monsoon season and remained relatively elevated in winter. Protected floodplain habitats supported the greatest diversity, whereas urbanized landscapes exhibited reduced richness. This study establishes a valuable baseline for butterfly conservation and ecological monitoring in central Assam, underscoring the role of floodplain sanctuaries in sustaining regional biodiversity.
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