Browsing by Author "Nair, Manoj V."

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Diversity and abundance of birds in disturbed and undisturbed wetlands of Manipur river basin
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Sharma, Sijagurumanyum Rohikanta; Hussain, S.A.; Nair, Manoj V.; Tuboi, Chongpi
The Northeast (NE) Indian region is one of the hotspot of Indo Malayan biodiversity that remains largely unexplored. For this study, two wetlands in the NE Indian region of Manipur, viz Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) and Pumlen pat (PP) were selected as the study site. Diversity and abundance of bird species in the region were assessed because of their prominence in the landscape. Conservation measures are needed for both the sites In tenns of these threatened bird species. Site-specific management strategies need to be incorporated in the management plan for the management of the isolated local populations of Black-breasted Parrotbill and Yellow-breasted Bunting in the undisturbed site (KLNP). Whereas some legal conservation measure is needed for conserving threatened grassland birds in the disturbed site (PP). It is also mandatory to monitor the population of Yellow-breasted Bunting population discovered from both the sites.
Impact of Habitat Fragmentation on Diurnal Squirrels in Lowland Tropical Forests of Upper Assam North-East India
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Sumashini, P.S.; Nair, Manoj V.; Qureshi, Qamar
The effect of forest fragmentation on a set of ecological parameters, namely, species richness, densities, activity patterns, vertical space use for foraging, diet and nesting characteristics of diurnal tropical tree squirrels was investigated in five forest fragments (three in <5 km2 and two in 20-30 km2 size classes) and compared against two large forest tracts (>100 km2) in upper Assam, north-east India. The study focused on the four common diurnal squirrels, Malayan Giant Squirrel, Red-bellied Squirrel, Hoary bellied Squirrel and Himalayan Striped Squirrel. A set of established trails were used to survey the sites. The diversity of squirrels in the fragments was explained by size of the fragments, intactness of the forest and disturbance levels. The fragments were in a state of continuous degradation, habitat variables being influenced more by disturbance levels than by size. Medium-sized fragments continue to retain the diversity of squirrels by the virtue of small pockets of intact habitat in the fragments, while small fragments have been rendered depauperate by synergistic effects of habitat loss, degradation and hunting. Density estimation using trails as transects under distance sampling framework revealed that densities of Malayan Giant Squirrel showed a declining trend in medium fragments and the absence of the species in the small fragments. Densities of Himalayan Striped Squirrel were comparable in large forests and medium fragments and the species was not recorded from the small fragments. Densities of RBS were high across all sites, including the small fragments Time activity budget, vertical space use for foraging and diet were investigated underthe umbrella of changes along basic niche dimensions of time, space and diet. Niche width along time decreased in the fragments for all squirrels suggesting reduced active periods. For the Malayan Giant Squirrel, niche width decreased along the other two dimensions as well in the fragments, suggesting restriction of foraging strata and diet. On the other hand, for the Red-bellied Squirrel, niche width increased along vertical space use and diet axes suggesting expansion of niche in the fragments. These differential responses of species to habitat fragmentation resulted in changes in overlap between species in fragments and a potential alteration of competitive dynamics between species in modified habitat conditions. Comparing trends in density estimates and responses of squirrels along basic niche dimensions revealed that similar inferences can be drawn from the two assessments about the potential sensitivity of a species to habitat fragmentation. Responses along basic niche dimensions can be possibly used to make prior assessments of responses to habitat alteration before differences in densities, which is a more gradual process, start to show up. It is clear from the findings of the study that diversity of squirrels depends on quality of habitat. Medium-sized fragments have the potential to retain the diversity of squirrels. They should be prioritized and accorded enough protection to deter further degradation and hunting in these fragments. Malayan Giant Squirrel and Himalayan Striped Squirrel appear to be sensitive to habitat fragmentation, while the Red-bellied Squirrel appears to be tolerant.
Impact of Teak Plantations on Forest Butterfly Communities in Parambikulam, Southern Western Ghats, Kerala
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1997) Nair, Manoj V. ; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
Butterfly communities in natural and man modified habitats were studied at Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala from December 1996 to April 1997 to understand the impact of a long history of habitat conversion on forest butterfly communities. Community attributes were investigated in evergreen and moist deciduous forests (EGF and MOP respectively ,together comprising natural habitats) and a gradient of teak plantations {TKPs} of different ages (14.3tJ,54 and 74 year old TKPs, together comprising altered habitats).
Patterns in avian assemblages on two islands of the Central Nicobar with emphasis on interactions between the endemic Nicobar Bulbul and Red-whiskered bulbul
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Goyal, Naman; Nair, Manoj V.; Singh, Pratap; Sivakumar, K.
Bird Communities were studied on two islands of the central Nicobar, namely Teressa (Large) and Bompuka (Small) between 16th December 2016 and 15thApril 2017. • This study aimed to understand the patterns in avian assemblages on these islandsand further understand the nature of interaction between Red-whiskered Bulbul and the Nicobar Bulbul • 4 major habitats were identified viz Primary forest, Secondary forest, Plantations, and Grassland based on an exhaustive reconnaissance survey • In total 110 point counts were conducted within these habitats on both the islands • 56 bird species belonging to 30 families were recorded during the study. Teressa had higher species richness than Bompuka • Bird assemblage on Bompuka was a complete subset of Teressa and nested ness was found to be significant (p
Vigilance Architecture and Temporal Variation in Emergence-Return of a Keystone Bat : The Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus giganteus)
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2019) Das, Pratik; Mondol, Samrat; Nair, Manoj V.
The current study investigated the function of vigilance in terms of environmental vigilance (anti-predatory), social vigilance and environmental cues bats used to synchronize their emergence and return. I found that the Pteropus giganteus fruit bats showed varying levels of vigilance according to roosting architecture. Bats showed significant increase in environmental vigilance towards the periphery of the roosts (n=3), thus confirming the edge effect hypothesis. Bats however, displayed no significant variation with respect to guard effect or social vigilance as roosting positions were observed from periphery to core. Bats also displayed increasing social vigilance from core to peripheral areas of the roosting colony