PhD Theses (WII)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/104
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item Patterns of distribution and multiscale-habitat correlates of riverine birds in the upper Ganges, Western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Sinha, Ankita; Ramesh, K.; Jayapal, R.Fauna associated with riverine ecosystems vary considerably at the global scale ranging from obligate terrestrial to obligate aquatic. Birds constitute key components of wildlife along running water systems. 2. The global river bird community is diverse with 66 species, spanning across 19 families with 37 non-passerines and 29 passerines. Asia has the maximum number of species followed by South America and Africa. 3. The global distribution ranges of specialist river birds show that large areas of the world hold few or no specialist riverine birds. Richness peaks in the eastern Himalaya and the Myanmar-China border, around the Kakabo Raazi mountains where more than 15 species of specialist river birds overlap in range. 4. Species richness reflects considerable radiation in particular groups; Muscicapidae (small passerine insectivorous birds mostly belonging to the old world) in Asia, ovenbirds (Funariidae) and tyrant flycatchers (Tyrannidae)in South America, and the Pratincoles (Glareolidae) in Africa. 5. Ecological understanding and conservation efforts of specialist river birds remain rudimentary especially in the tropics where rivers are faced with a host of threats. 6. In this particular study, field surveys were undertaken to understand bird community composition and river habitat characteristics across summer (breeding) and autumn (wintering/non-breeding) seasons in the Bhagirathi basin, a major headstream of the Upper Ganges in the state of Uttarakhand in the western Indian Himalaya between years 2014 and 2018.Item Landscape-level assessment of select group of pollinators and factors influencing their diversity and distribution in Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Khan, Sushmita; Uniyal, V.P.; Ramesh, K.Change detection analysis using satellite data in a remote sensing platform is a crucial tool for understanding shifts in land use and land cover (LULC) over time, allowing for the identification of environmental and human-induced changes across various spatial and temporal scales. This method aids in assessing the impact of factors like urban expansion, agricultural practices, deforestation, and climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems. Climate change, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Himalayas, poses significant threats to ecosystem services and biodiversity. This study explores the impact of LULC and climate change on pollinator diversity and distributional patterns in the Kullu and Tirthan valleys of Himachal Pradesh. By compiling a comprehensive list of entomofauna pollinators across various orchards in different landscape configurations, the research aims to emphasize the need of conserving pollinator species in this ecologically sensitive region. Additionally, the study predicts potential shifts in pollinator distribution under future climate scenarios, providing valuable insights for conservation strategies. Through systematic analysis, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of pollinator communities and their interactions within the mountain horticultural belt of the Indian Himalayan Region. Ultimately, the findings aim to inform targeted conservation efforts to preserve the rich biodiversity of pollinators in this area. The research focuses on two major valleys within the Kullu district, each presenting contrasting landscapes and ecological contexts. The Kullu valley, a 76 kms long stretch situated along the Beas river, is characterized by diverse land use patterns and heightened anthropogenic activity, particularly in horticulture and tourism. In contrast, the Tirthan valley, nestled along the Tirthan river for a 45 kms long stretch, is designated as a conservation area with minimal disturbance and dense forest cover. The study meticulously investigated pollinator diversity dynamics in the Kullu and Tirthan valleys. The study conducted in the Kullu Valley aimed to analyze land use changes over time using Landsat satellite imagery from 2000 and 2022. High-quality images with minimal cloud cover were obtained for both years, ensuring accurate analysis With the aforesaid aim in focus, I have tried to address the following three objectives in my thesis: Objective 1: To assess the change in landscape composition of the study area over time.• Objective 2: To assess the effect of change in landscape configuration and horticultural practices on pollinator communities (diversity and abundance) and their services. • Objective 3: To model the distribution of major pollinators of economic importance belonging to different groups (Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera) in the study area.