PhD Theses (WII)

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Ecology of the Asiatic Lion Panthera leo persica.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1993) Chellam, Ravi; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
The major objectives of my study were to assess the predation ecology, habitat use and the ranging patterns of the lions in the Gir forest. The ultimate and long term goal of this research effort was to examine the feasibility of a translocation effort in an attempt to establish a free ranging population of lions away from the Gir forest. The ecological data generated a free ranging population of lions away from the Gir forest. The ecological data generated would enable the assessment of prospective translocation sites and insights gained about lion behavoiur. This study was designed to have an extensive scope to generate base line data for planning and management of gir forest and the lions.
Habitat Ecology of major ungulates in Kedarnath musk deer sanctuary, Western Himalaya.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1994) Sathyakumar, S.; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
Present study on the habitat ecology of major ungulates in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary "(WS) was conducted from March 1989 to November 1991. The objectives of this study were to de,!elop suitable techniques for estimating ungulate abundance and density; to study their habitat utilization pattems; and to assess the status of ungulates and their habitats in different parts of the Kedarnath WS.
Ecology and Management of Lion and ungulate habitats in Gir.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1995) Sharma, Diwakar; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
The Gir is the only refuge of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) in its range. This implies that long term conservation of the Asiatic lion will remain an overirding management objective. A study on the impacts of management practices on lion and ungulate habitat was conducted in Gir Protected Area (PA) from June 1991 to July 1994. The Gir . PA includes Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. It is situated between 200 55' to 21 0 20 'N and 700 25' to 71 0 15' E in the Southern part of Kathiawar peninsula in western Gujarat. Gir PA (hereafter Gir) is located about 60km South of Junagadh. The area which was .3,107 sq km iIi 1877 (Joshi 1976) has been presently reduced to 1,412 sq km, o~ which about 259 sq Ian is national nark. Gir is the last refuge of the wild Asiatic lions (Panthera leo persica) and long term conservation of the Asiatic lion is an overriding management objective of Gir. In order to improve habitat conditions in Gir, the park authorities, over the last 20-25 years have made some management interventions such as relocation of some maldharis (local graziers), reduction in livestock grazing (specially migrant livestock during the rainy season) and fire control. These measures have led to vegetational recovery and increase in wild ungulate and lion populations. Understanding this vegetational recovery was thought to be crucial to determine the extent of management intervention required. It also needed to be determined if the trend (especially in the western Gir) was toward a higher woody proportion both at shrub and tree levels, and whether this in long term would adversely affect ' the distribution and abundance of ungulates, and therefore, group hunting by the lions, their pride size and territoriality.
A study on the vegetation of shivaliks and outer himalaya in Dehradun dun district Uttar Pradesh
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1996) Bhaisora, N.S.; Rawat, G.S.
The subtropical zone or Bhabar tract in north India, characterized by fertile alluvial plains (Doons) and fragile Shivalik hills of Tertiary period, lies between the Upper Gangetic plains and outer Himalaya revealing the floral and faunal affinities with both the regions. Extensive cultivation, dense human population, industrial developments and livestock grazing in this area has caused fragmentation and degradation of forests. Of about 40,000 km2 only < 2000 km2 area has been brought under protected area (PA) coverage e.g., Rajaji and Corbett National Parks. The remaining forests continue to degrade. 2. Sal (Shorea robusta), a commercially "important tree, IS considered as climax species in this tract and has been studied extensively. However, there is a paucity of information on the overall conservation status and regeneration of forests in this area. Therefore present study was, undertaken with the following objectives: i) to study the structure and composition of the woody vegetation (tree and shrub layer) along the gradients of altitude and human use in Shivaliks and outer Himalaya, ii) to study the species diversity and human-animal use patterns in various zones, and iii) to assess and compare the regeneration status of Sal and associated tree species in the Shivaliks and outer Himalaya. 3. The study was conducted within about 500 km2 area in the lower parts of Debra Dun district, Uttar Pradesh (290 57' to 310 20' N lat and 770 35' to 190 20' E long). The study area also included parts of western Rajaji National Park, westerns Shivalik Forest Division, forests in Doon Valley, protected forest patches adjacent to Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Indian Military Academy (IMA) , Forest Research Institute (FRI), Upper parts of Rajpur, Malsi and mine reclamation sites near Mussoorie
Feeding Ecology of Ibex (Capra ibex sibirica) in Pin Valley National Park, Himachal Pradesh.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1997) Manjrekar, Neema; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
The foraging ecology of the Asiatic ibex was studied in Pin Valley National Park Lahul and Spiti District, Himachal Pradesh, between October 1991 and October 1994. The National Park encompasses 675 km2, and has a buffer of 1150 km2. The study area constituted part of the Parahio catchment of the pin Valley. Thango was the base camp for this study. It was a summer settlement of five families from Sagnam, the largest village of Pin Valley. The local people are Buddhists, of Tibetan origin. Apart from cultivating the land adjacent to the villages, in the buffer zone, they use the Park area for cultivation of barley, wheat, peas, mustard, and potatoes. They also graze sheep, goats, yaks, horses and donkeys in the area. Fuel wood, and fodder for stall-feeding, is collected from the Park before winter. Two potential conservation threats to ibex were identified. Firstly, migratory livestock from the neighbouring areas use the area between June and August every year. ' There is no control on the numbers of animals entering the area, and the effects of grazing and trampling need to be quantified.
Ranging and Habitat Utilization by the Himalayan Ibex (Capra ibex sibirica) in Pin Valley National Park.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1997) Bhatnagar, Yashveer; Rawat, G.S.
The Himalayan ibex is an important prey species of the endangered apex predator of the alpine region, the snow leopard (Schaller 1977). There is an imminent threat to the trans-Himalayan areas in India due to increasing human activities. In this context the study is conducted to study ibex in a relatively safe population to learn about its habitat requirements and ranging behaviour. The study area is part of the Pin Valley National Park (PVNP; 31o 6' 40'' to 32o 2' 20'' N latitude and 77o 41' 21" to 78o 6' 19" E longitude), located in the South-East of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh
Ecological studies on the grassland of Eravikulam National Park, Kerala.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1998) Karunakaran, P.V.; Rawat, G.S.
An ecological study on the. montane grasslands of Eravikulam National Park (ENP), the Western Ghats, was conducted during 1992-1996, with the following objectives: (i). to prepare a complete floristic inventory of the grasslands of ENP, (ii). to identify the grassland communities, their structure, function and successional trends along the anthropogenic gradient, (iii). to determine the forage quantity in different ecological conditions and (iv). to study the effect of fire and tree plantations on the grasslands. 2. The ENP lies between 10° 5’ to 10°20’ N and 77° to 77°10’ E with an area of 97 km2 in the Southern Western Ghats. The study recommends the following research and management strategies for the long term conservation of Shola-Grassland ecosystems and endangered Nilgiri tahr: (a) inclusion of adjecent reserved forests with shola-graslands in the park, (b) boundary verification and better patrolling to check the illegal activities and fire hazards, (c) early burning in selected areas on experimental basis, (d) control of black wattle spreading, (e) ecodevelopment measures for the Lakkamkudi village, (f) better tourism management and (g) long term monitoring of exclosures and representative shola-grassland patches.
The effect of Forestry Practices on Bird species diversity in Satpura Hill Ranges
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1998) Mehta, Prachi; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
The largest zone of dry deciduous teak forests in the country is located along the Satpura Hill ranges in Central India. Apart from being one of the oldest hill ranges in the country, Satpura Mountain houses 4 important Protected Areas (PA) in contiguity. In Madhya Pradesh, a cluster of three PAs namely Bori Wildlife Sanctuary, Pachmari Wildlife Sanctuary and Satpura National Park forms a compact unit of 1400 km2 . A large tract of 2000 km2 of reserved forests connects these three PAs to another 'one in Maharashtra, known as Melghat Tiger Reserve. The forests of Satpuras were logged under different silvicultural regimes for over a century. Timber logging in the Protected Areas was discontinued in 1991 following the Forest Conservation Act (1980), while ' it is still operational in the reserved forests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of past and present silvicultural practices on bird communities in Satpura Hills. Two study sites were chosen for this purpose. During November 1992 to June 1994, the effect of different silvicultural practices on bird community was studied in Sori Wildlife Sanctuary. From 11 October 1994 to June 1996, the study was conducted in reserved forests adjacent to Melghat Tiger Reserve where selective logging was going on. The assemblage of bird community was governed by vegetation structure and floristic in Bori Wildlife Sanctuary. The decline in specialist species was primarily due to disturbance caused during felling and not 'as much due to the felling process. The availability of unlogged forests within and near the logged sites proved to be vital as they , provided the necessary refuge for ' the bird communities. The management commendation from this study suggests enumeration of all trees, shrubs and climbers in the site prior to logging that could help in obtaining a vegetation profile for the area. A complete inventory of flora and fauna of the site prior to and after logging would help in understanding the response of various species' to logging and these features could be incorporated in the felling rules. Felling of smaller trees should be avoided as it depletes the growing stock
Study of pressure and dependency of local people on the natural resources of Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary with a veiew to devising compatible management strategies.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1998) Silori, C.S.; Mishra, B.K.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) (11° 32’-11° 42’ N and 76° 2T-760 45’ E) and the adjoining forests of Bandipur National Park (NP), Nagarhole NP Wynaad WLS and Sigur Reserve Forest (RF) form the largest contiguous elephant tract in the peninsular India. Location of Masinagudi village right in the middle of the link forest divide it to still narrower corridors (north and south corridors). A large chunk of the inhabitants of Masinagudi and its hamlets are landless labourers who came to this area in the recent past from the adjoining areas to work in a hydro-electric project. Most of the villagers in these villages maintain large herds of cattle in the surrounding forests for selling cow dung manure to the nearby tea and coffee estates. Many of them cut firewood from these forests to sell in the local market for making a living. The corridor forests between Mudumalai WLS and Sigur RF is thus subjected to heavy biotic pressure from the local people and their grazing cattle. Objectives :i) to investigate the socio-economic and cultural dimensions of sustenance problem of the local people, (ii) to quantify and analyze the pressure of local people and their cattle on the biomass resources of the corridor forest, and (iii) to design viable alternatives for people for mitigating their sustenance problem as well as reducing pressure upon the resource of the corridor forest and the surrounding elephant habitat.
Habitat use by sympatric small carnivore in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan, India.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1998) Mukherjee, Shomita; Johnsingh, A.J.T.
The present study on three sympatric carnivores, two felids: jungle cat (Felis chaus), and caracal (Caracal caracal) and one canid, the golden jackal (Canis aureus) aimed at studying their spatio - temporal use of food resources. The hypothesis are as follows : 1) Jungle cat is relatively more eclectic in the kind of habitat it inhabits than the jackal. 2) The felids are mostly nocturnal whereas the jackal is both diurnal and nocturnal ( cathemeral). 3) Diet of the three carnivores differs between seasons. 4) Small mammals «1 kg. body weight) form the major diet of the felids and are taken in proportion to their abundance. 5) Jungle cat and caracal are dietary specialists relative to the jackal. The study was conducted in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR) which is located between 74° 17' to 76° 34'N and 25° 5' to 27° 33' E. STR encompassing an area of BOO km2 has three core areas of which core 1, with an area of 273.B km2 forms. the proposed National Park. This area functioned as the study site and the intensive study area was approximately 30 km2.
The ecology and conservation of ungulates in Great Himalayan National Park, Western Himalaya.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1999) Vinod, T.R.; Rawat, G.S.
Ungulates form a major component of the mammalian fauna in the Himalaya. In total, 19 ungulate species belonging to four families viz., Moschidae, Cervidae, Bovidae and Equidae, inhabit the Himalaya, out of which eight species are reported from the state of Himachal Pradesh (HP). Apart from some surveys and short term ecological studies on a few ungulate species of Western Himalaya, there has been no detailed study on ungulates of HP except for Himalayan ibex (Capra ibex sibirica). The available literature highlights the difficulties of studying rare and/ or elusive ungulates in Himalayan condition. Long term study on the ecology of theses' species are needed for the conservation and monitoring. Present study on the ecology and conservation of ungulates namely goral (Nemorhaedus qoral), Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrvsogaster), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), in Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu district, HP, was conducted from January 1996 to November 1998. An intensive study area of ca. 90 km2 was selected in the South-western region of. the Park, which represents various ecological zones of the Park. The objectives of the study were (i) to estimate the abundance and density of goral, Himalayan musk deer & Himalayan tahr in relation to human use, (ii) to determine the group size. composition & sex ratio of these animals. (iii) to study the habitat use pattern and (iv) to identify and discuss conservation issues. mitigation measures and to develop a long term' monitoring programme. In this study an attemp has been made to estimate the abundance and density of major ungulates viz, goral, Himalayan musk deer and Himalayan tahr
Application of Geographic Information System(GIS) and Remote Sensing in assessing habitat, resource availability and its management in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1999) Dubey, Yogesh; Mathur, V.B.
The present study attempts to determine the distribution and abundance pattern of ungulate species in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve and to assist in the development of a computerised wildlife database on spatial as well as non spatial attributes, which could be used for conservation monitoring and evaluation as well as to help in resource management planning, With the increasing pressure on forests it has become important to focus the research effort which could eventually lead to a better management of our PAs.
Impact of iron ore mining on the elephant habitat of Singhbhum forest, Bihar.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2000) Singh, Rakesh Kumar
In the present study Impact of mining on several ecological and environmental aspects were documented. The legal framework policy guideline related to environment forest and wildlife are also discussed. The Mining landuse in Saranda Forest Division is quantified and mapped. Waste disposal through wet circuit ore processing by Kiriburu iron ore mine have been a reason for Koina river water pollution.
Livestock grazing and conservation of biodiversity in the high altitude ecosystem - An integrated landscape management approach.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2000) Mehra, Badrish S.; Mathur, P.K.
The present study therefore, aimed to assess various issues of livestock grazing on a regional landscape basis and to suggest a long term strategy for integrating sustainable grazing compatible to biodiversity objectives. The study formed a part of the major 5-year Forestry Research, Education and Extension Project (FREEP) implemented in the GHNPCA and its surrounds. The present study was undertaken in the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area (GHNPCA), Himachal Pradesh comprising three PAs viz., the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), Tirthan Wildlife Sanctuary, Sainj Wildlife Sanctuary and an Ecodevelopment Zone (EZ) encompassing an area of 1,171 sq km. The local inhabitants in the GHNPCA have reared livestock since time immemorial and have followed transhumant pastrolism. According to the common belief amongst the local people, conservationists and wildlife managers, the livestock population and herd or flock size have increased substantially overtime; grazing practices are harmful to wildlife and also leading to large scale degradation; and unregulated grazing in forests and alpine pastures is not compatible with the long term conservation objectives. The study revealed that the age old practice of seasonal transhumant pastrolism and their life style largely remained unaffected despite several changes brought in during the different ruling regimes, new technologies and overall development since the Pre-colonial period to till date. The caste system has influenced the social structure, work distribution and resource use. The landscape had a total pressure of an estimated 33,000 to 38,000 livestock including resident of GHNPCA as well as migratory beyond the Conservation Area.
Ecological impacts of anthropogenic pressures on high altitude forests along Bhagirathi catchment.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Awasthi, Anjali; Rajvanshi, Asha; Rawat, G.S.
The forests of Bhagirathi catchment in Garhwal Himalaya (Uttaranchal) have faced anthropogenic pressures since pre-British period. However, human induced disturbances increased during British period when the commercial exploitation of these forests started. It was during this period that the cultivation of potato and apple orchards were introduced in the region. These initial phases of transformation paved way for more recent changes in land-use practices and degradation of high altitude forests. The modern phase of degradation started with the construction of road to Gangotri in the middle of 20th century and opening up of Garhwal for tourism which led to development of infrastructural facilities and influx of mass tourism in the inner valleys. These added pressures on the remaining forests of Bhagirathi valley. 2. Ecological impacts of anthropogenic pressures and patterns and processes of forest degradation have not been quantified in this valley so far. Therefore, the present study was carried out in a part of the Bhagirathi catchment (78015' to 790 E long. & 30030' to 31 008' N lat.). The objectives of the study were: to assess the resource use patterns of villagers, transhumant communities and tourists, to assess the impacts of anthropogenic activities on forests and wildlife and to detect changes inland-cover classes over time and space. The study area is visited seasonally by various transhumant communities who also depend on the surrounding forests for a period of about six months. Four forms of transhumance viz., Nomadism, Semi-nomadism, Transmigration and Nuclear Transhumance were identified in the Bhagirathi valley. -Nomadism is followed by Gujjars, semi-nomadism by Gaddis, transmigration by Jadhs and Garhwalis and Nuclear transhumance by resident Garhwalis. Nomadic people have temporary hutsat both summer and winter settlements whereas transmigrants have permanent houses. Seminomadic and nuclear transhumants have one temporary and one permanent settlement. The impact of 'resource extraction by locals, transhumant communities and tourists on the forests was assessed. It was found that forests located close to villages (zone-I) and temporary settlements (zone-III) were under high lopping/cutting pressure.
A study on the structure and composition of forests along an altitudinal gradient in upper Bhagirathi catchment, Garhwal Himalaya.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Uniyal, Sanjay; Rawat, G.S.; Biswas, Sas
The present study highlighted the role of anthropogenic factors in distribution of plant communities in addition to altitude, aspect and slope. Market oriented economy has influenced the ethnobotanical knowledge of the local people. Though human-induced pressures are increasing in the area, still the status of forests in Bhagirathi valley is satisfactory compared to neighbouring areas. Hence, proper conservation and scientific management of such rich and diverse forest in small watersheds should be taken up on a priority basis. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Field work (primary source) was carried out during July 1996 to July 1999. Stratified random sampling was done for quantification of various vegetation and site parameters. The study area lies between 780 18' to 780 57' E long and 300 30' to 31 0 08' N lat. It covers an area of ca 2050 sq.km. and has an altitudinal gradient of 279 to 6600 m. For the intensive work two representative watersheds viz., north facing Duggada watershed (DWS) and south facing Bhatwari watershed (BWS) were selected. Objectives of the study include: preparation of baseline vegetation maps of the area, assessment of forest structure and composition, quantification of available woody biomass, documentation of ethnobotanical knowledge of local people and assessing the conservation status of rare plants in the area.
An ecological study of sympatric hornbills and fruiting patterns in a tropical forest of Arunachal Pradesh.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Datta, Aparajita; Rawat, G.S.
The tropical forests in north-east India have a diverse assemblage of hornbills (Bucerotidae), ranging from the cooperatively breeding Brown hornbills (Anorrhinus spp.) to the monogamous and territorial Great hornbill (Buceros b{cornis). Focussing on three sympatric species, the Great hom bill (Buceros bicornis), the Wreathed hornbill (Aceros undulatus), and the Oriental Pied hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), in a lowland semievergreen forest of Arunachal Pradesh this study attempted. the dispersal syndromes of tree species were evaluated, and their patterns of flowering and fruiting examined. The study was conducted in the lowland semievergreen forests of Pakhui National Park, western Arunachal Pradesh.
Reptilian species distribution in response to habitat fragmentation and microhabitats in the rainforests of southern Western Ghats, India.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2001) Ishwar, N.M.; Chellam, Ravi
Habitat fragmentation has long been recognized as a threat to biological diversity and a major cause in the sudden increase in the extinction rates of species. Demographic and environmental stochasticity, habitat degeneration, the decrease in genetic variability and the influx of secondary forest species all lead to the extinction of forest species in the forest fragments. The forests in the various hill ranges in the Western Ghats are under anthropogenic pressure, mainly due to commercial plantations like tea, coffee, cardamom and spices and timber. The construction of dams for irrigation and hydroelectric power projects and roads and rapid urbanization are other ways by which the once contiguous middle elevation rainforests of the Western Ghats have been dismembered into scattered fragments. The rainforests of the Western Ghats is one of the richest biogeograpic zones in the country with more than 50% of the reptiles reported from the area being endemic to these forests. The most serious problem that is faced by the wildlife managers in the Western Ghats is that the remaining forests, especially the rainforests, occur in a highly fragmented state. The effect of rainforest fragmentation has taken its toll on the overall biological diversity with declines in reptile species contributing to this loss. Addressing this conservation problem becomes difficult in any forum, as studies on reptiles are few and poorly represented in literature. In this background, the objectives of the present study broadly defined here were to understand 1) the factors that govern the distribution of reptiles in the rainforests. The factors include both macro and microhabitat variables that the reptiles are know to respond to; and 2) to see if the process of rainforest fragmentation has affected the reptilian distribution and community structure, and to understand the direction of this impact. The study was divided in to two phases, the first phase was devoted to understanding the factors that were likely to influence the distribution of rainforest reptiles, while the second phase looked into the effects of rainforest fragmentation on reptiles. A combination of sampling techniques that included the adaptive cluster sampling (for leaf litter reptiles), the forest transects (for arboreal reptiles), stream surveys (for nocturnal stream dwelling reptiles) and opportunistic sampling was used to sample rainforest reptiles. Three sites in the contiguous rainforests of Kalakad-Mundanthurai . Tiger Reserve (KMTR), that broadly represented the altitude range and the different drainages, formed the site for the first phase of the fieldwork. The fourteen rainforest fragments in the Anamalai Hills were the study sites for the second phase of fieldwork where the effects of rainforest fragmentation were enumerated explore in detail the two major points expressed above, and detailed assessment of what is needed to promote reptile conservation is provided at the end.
An ecological assessment of forest spatial heterogeneity species diversity and grassland burning practices in the terai conservation area.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2002) Kumar, Harish; Mathur, P.K.
The present study formed a part of the major collaborative project entitled "Management of Forests for Biological Diversity and Forest Productivity - A New Perspective", jointly implemented by the Wildlife Institute of India and the US Forest Service. The project aimed to address the primary requirement of forests of sustaining biodiversity. It is being realized that the traditional forest management approach had to undergo a major shift in emphasis and strategies. The project expected to demonstrate the integration of science and management in a planning process that establishes the complimentary roles of wildlife protected areas and the large surrounding landscape of managed forests in maintaining forest based biological diversity. The project was field based at four Conservation Areas (CAs) that covered large landscapes of forested and non-forested matrix areas representing a variety of biogeographic patterns, forestry practices, ethnic human societies and their forest based culture, economies and tradition, and the range of administrative realities. Each of the CAs included select protected areas (PAs) - National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries; Managed Forests (MFs) and the intervening matrix of the Government, community or private lands so as to constitute a larger delineated landscape. The present study specifically focussed on the Terai Conservation Area (TCA), one of the four CAs. The TCA covering 7,896.6 sq km constitutes a spatial heterogeneous landscape of Pas including Dudwa Natioal Park (DNP) and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS); and Managed Forests (MFs) of North Kheri and South Kheri Forest Divisions (NKFD and SKFD) within a matrix of private agricultural lands. the present study focused on the landscape spatial patterns, their influence on species diversity and also the effect of various grassland burning practices in TCA. In order to achieve this, the following objectives were set forth for the present study: a.To assess, characterize and map the current land use and landscape patterns. b.To identify, classify and describe vegetation communities, assess their extent and geographic distribution in the landscape. c.To assess the influence of landscape spatial patterns on habitat and species of particular management interest. d.To assess grassland burning practices vis-a-vis plant diversity, productivity, ungulate use and make appropriate recommendations for the management..
Feeding ecology and habitat needs of wolves (Canis lupus pallipes) in the Bhal area of Gujarat.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2002) Jethva, Bharat D.; Jhala, Y.V.
Present study was conducted in the Bhal region of Gujarat between 1996-2000 to study the feeding ecology and habitat needs of wolves. Food habits of wolves in the Bhal were studied by analyzing 1246 wolf scats from 5 packs. Standardization of scat analysis technique suggested that minimum of20 hair should be scanned per scat to get complete representation of mammalian prey species in that scat. Minimum number of scats that need to be analyzed per pack were different for different wolf packs (ranging from 165 scats needed for Velavadar National Park (VNP) pack to 40 scats from Mithapur pack and 180 scats for the wolves of entire Bhal) because of different diet diversity. Mammalian prey species dominated in the diet of wolves and 80.5% scats were found with only one prey species. Comparative account on feeding ecology provided in the present study by scat analysis and monitoring of radio-collared wolves suggests that wolves depends primarily on wild prey species (blackbuck being major prey) and predation on domestic livestock results in minimal economic loss to the local people. It emphasizes the importance of protected areas for the conservation of wolves. Use of radio-telemetry in the present study provided critical information on territorial behavior of wolves, their population density, size of home range and their relation with prey abundance, habitat use and the size and characteristics of core areas.