PhD Theses (WII)

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Seasonal Pattern in Habitat Selection by Birds of Jhimil Jheel Conservation Reserve Uttarakhand
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Das, Ankita; Ramesh, K.
The present study was initiated to assess seasonal pattern in habitat selection by birds in Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve (JJCR) which is a small-sized Protected Area (PA). This work also focuses on both ‘process’ and ‘pattern’ of bird community structure. The work also focusses on how small-sized PAs are equally important in conserving wildlife species such as birds. Understanding the relationship of birds with habitat provides insights into habitat use, which contributes in the conservation of species. Habitat selection of birds is one of the foremost steps to understand the complexity of their community. Some factors influencing habitat selection are habitat heterogeneity, structure and composition of vegetation, seasonality and co-occurrence. Habitat heterogeneity helps in maintaining high bird diversity. Abundance and distribution of species in a community also depends on the physiognomic, floristic composition of the forest vegetation and seasonality. For the present research work, the study area was stratified into six habitats: plantation, mixed deciduous forest (mixed forest), riverine habitat, scrub forest, grasslands and agriculture fields-human settlement.
An ecological study on the pheasants of Great Himalayan National Park, Western Himalaya.
(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2003) Ramesh, K.; Rawat, G.S.
The primary focus of the study was to describe the ecological and spatial distribution of three sympatric pheasant species, namely, Himalayan monal (Lophophorus impejanus), koklass (Pucrasia macrolopha) and western tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus) in the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP; 31 0 33' - 31 0 57' N and 770 17' - 770 52' E) in Himachal Pradesh, India. The specific were to: (i) review and test the currently available count techniques and provide estimates of relative abundance; (ii) document group size characteristics; (iii) describe habitat preference and investigate species coexistence; and (iv) develop a spatial model to predict availability of the potential habitats and the probability of occurrence of the study species. The study design included three broad approaches, namely, 1) field sampling, to estimate relative abundance and other behavioral and ecological parameters, 2) associative approach, to establish a relationship between the ecological distribution of the study species and habitat characteristics, and 3) Geographical Information System (GIS) based predictive spatial modelling. An area of 16 km2 was selected within GHNP, based on reconnaissance survey and literature, to serve as an intensive study area
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.

PhD Theses (WII)

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