PhD Theses (WII)

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Start date: 2020Subject: search.filters.subject.Distribution

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    Ecology of major Invasive Alien plant species (IAPs) across various habitats in Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2026) Singh, Huidrom Bablin; Adhikari, B.S.
    Proliferation of invasive alien plant species poses a significant threat to the structure and function of ecosystems, making this a critical area of focus within the scientific communities. These species cause extensive damage to the biodiversity, as they are capable of altering the ecosystems and outcompete the native biodiversity. Globally, their abundance has increased dramatically in forested and other natural areas due to rapid economic growths and anthropogenic activities. To counter this alarming situation, understanding the distribution pattern, climatic influences on phenophases and ecological impact on soil by invasive alien plant species is a priority. In northeast India, studies on invasive alien plant species diversity and their impacts are very limited, especially in Arunachal Pradesh. Therefore, the present study aims to determine the patterns of distribution, phenophases and physiochemical impacts by the dominant invasive alien plant species in five forest types (Assam Alluvial Plain Semi Evergreen Forest-AAPSEF, East Himalayan Mixed Coniferous Forest-EHMCF, East Himalayan Subtropical Wet Hill Forest-EHSTWH, Non-Forest-NF and Riverine Forest-RF) of Pakke Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh. The altitudinal range of Pakke Tiger Reserve is 150- 2050 m above the sea level (490 to 6725 feet), with an average annual rainfall of 2500 mm. The current study reveals a total of 43 invasive alien plant species in the study area. However, their species richness in five forest types was in declined trend with the increase of elevation. Across the forest types, AAPSEF (30%) display the maximum level of invasion and least incursion in EHSTWHF (16%) in the current study. Among the nine species selected for the study, Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. was found dominant and distributed extensively in all forest types, with highest relative density (51%) in EHSTWHF and relative abundance (10%) in NF. The entire selected species shows contagious distribution pattern (<0.5) in all forest types except for Urena lobata in NF displaying random distribution (0.025 - 0.5) in study area. Ageratum conyzoides L., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. and Urena lobata L. are the species with extensive distribution in all forest types in comparison to other selected species showing their dominance over the native vegetation. Moreover, maximum area cover percentage was exhibit by Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. followed by Ageratum conyzoides L., Mikania micrantha Kunth and Urena lobata L. across the forest types in Pakke Tiger Reserve. Forest types such as AAPSEF, NF and RF display high level of disturbances while the EHMCF and EHSTWHF have fewer incursions by invasive alien plant species in the study area. Phenological pattern on the selected species shows that Bidens pilosa L. has the longest flowering phenophases while Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. has the maximum fruiting duration in EHSTWHF. For leaf fall and initiation, Urena lobata L. display the longest duration in RF. Moreover, coefficient of variation shows that most of the species display asynchronous phenophases across the forest types of Pakke Tiger Reserve. Repeated measures of ANOVA also display that Ageratum conyzoides L. display difference in flowering in NF and EHSTWHF while Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. leaf initiation show difference in EHMCF. Correlation and linear regression display influences of climatic parameters i.e., precipitation, relative humidity, minimum and maximum temperature to the selected species in the study area. CCA also indicates that precipitation, minimum and maximum temperatures directly influence the phenophases of the selected species. However, relative humidity influences the phenophases of the selected species when in cohesion with other climatic parameters. Ecological impact on native species by invasive alien plant species was determined by collecting the soil sample of the most dominant species i.e., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. across the forest types in Pakke Tiger Reserve. The result shows that clay and copper contents were high in all invaded sites while soil pH, sand, boron and water holding capacity were significantly lower in invaded plots. Out of 16 soil variables, T-test reveals that AAPSEF and NF have variation in 13 variables while EHMCF, EHSTWHF and RF have difference in 12 variables. ANOVA between the invaded and uninvaded sites also indicates significant differences in Boron, iron, copper, nitrogen, water holding capacity, clay, silt and sand. Moreover, correlation shows eight of the variables display relation between them. Furthermore, PCA indicates that INNF soil properties were different from the remaining sites. The results indicate that Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. alter the soil properties of invaded areas by improving the fertility, making it ideal for the proliferation process in future scenarios.
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    Distribution of major alien invasive plants and impact assessment of Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.) K & R. in Kailash Sacred Landscape, Uttarakhand
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Chaudhary, Alka; Adhikari, B.S.; Rawat, G.S.
    The study was conducted to assess the spread, distribution, impact of invasion in Indian part of Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL) characterized by interspersion of human habitations, extensive forest managed by the State Forest Department and local community institutions (Van Panchayat). The objectives of the study were (i) To model spatial distribution of selected plant invasive species using distribution modeling technique. (2) To assess the impacts of IAPs on native flora and relationship with habitat parameters (3) To analyze people's perception towards the spread of IAPs in KSL India landscape (4) Experimental trials on Eco restoration of habitats and prediction of future spread for better management
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    Genetic assessment of the Non-descript pig breeds across selected regions of Uttarakhand
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Sahoo, Khushboo; Gupta, S.K.; Gopi, G.V.
    India, which has ancient history of pig rearing, is home to several indigenous pig breeds that reflect the adaptation of Sus scrofa to different environmental and cultural conditions. However, only 13 of these breeds are currently recognized and documented by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources. The present research was undertaken to identify the spatial distribution, socio-economic status, pig husbandry methods of pig rearers, and the impact of Exotic pig breed on the indigenous breed and ecology of the region. As molecular characterization is a valuable tool that provides insights into the evolutionary history and genetic diversity of the current pig breed raise in a region. Hence by incorporating molecular techniques in understanding of the domestic pig breed and their interactions with ecosystems, promote more precise and science-based management that contributes to biodiversity conservation and sustainable husbandry practices. The present study will also aim to evaluate the maternal lineage, genetic diversity and population structure of the domestic pig breeds at the regional scale, using microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences. The survey and sampling was done in the planar (Dehradun, Haridwar and Nainital) districts of Uttarakhand, a mountainous state of India that lies in the foothills of Himalayas, where rapid urbanisation and continuous migration make us reconsider the necessity of an organise promotion of the piggery sector due to its multiple ecological implications.
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    Study on distribution and relative abundance of large mammals and impact of human disturbance in and arond Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Ahmed, Arif; Gopi, G.V.
    The current study was started to gather baseline data on a few ecological factors (Diversity, distribution, relative abundance, Activity pattern and habitat preference) of selected large animals in Mehao WS. Northeast India. The study period was November 2017 to 2020. The objectives of the study are 1. To estimate the relative abundance and occupancy of selected large mammals in and around Mehao wildlife sanctuary. 2. To develop Habitat suitability model for selected large mammals in and around Mehao WS 3. To analyse the land use/land cover change pattern and to identify the main driving factors.
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    Movement Ecology of Swamp Deer (Rucervus Duvaucelii) along the upper Gangetic Plains of North India.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Paul, Shrutarshi; Mondol, Samrat
    The study area for this work covers the upper Gangetic plains of north India, mainly along river Ganga, between Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve and Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary. However, for comprehensive assessment of distribution in the states of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, surveys were also conducted along river Sharda.
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    Status, distribution and foraging ecology of wolf in the north-western Himalayan landscape, India.
    (wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Shrotriya, Shivam; Habib, Bilal; Jhala, Y.V.
    The Himalayan wolf lineage is known to have genetic uniqueness, as it might be the oldest diverging population of the wolf-dog clad worldwide. This research commenced with the objectives of 1) understanding nature and pattern of livestock predation by the Himalayan wolf and the attitude of local communities towards them, 2) studying food habits of the Himalayan wolf at the landscape level and its diet niche overlap with sympatric carnivore species, and 3) comprehending the status, distribution pattern and factors determining the distribution of the Himalayan wolf and its prey. The study was conducted in an area of 1,41,391 km2 encompassing Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh region and Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur districts of Himachal Pradesh. There are six high altitude protected areas in the districts of Leh and Lahaul & Spiti. The fieldwork for this study was conducted from 2014 to 2018. The Himalayan wolf occurs along with snow leopard as a major carnivore in the Trans-Himalayan landscape. Red fox Vulpes vulpes is another widespread carnivore of the landscape. In this research, diet patterns, niche overlap and the competition were studied by conducting scat analysis and also generates crucial information on the ecology of rare Himalayan wolf lineage
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    Habitat, food resource utilization of Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus, Horsfield 1826) and conflict with humans in Lahaul valley, Himachal pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Kumar, Vineet; Adhikari, B.S.; Sharma, Lalit Kumar
    Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) is one of the top carnivores dominating the higher altitudes of the North and Western Himalayan landscape. In India, based on the 2005 estimate the approximate brown bear distribution range is reported to be 36,800 km2 , whereas only 10% of the total distribution area of the brown bear comes under the protected areas. There is very low density of brown bear lies in its distribution range throughout the Western Himalaya, in alpine meadows, scrub and sub-alpine forests of two Union Territories (Jammu and Kashmir; and Ladakh) and two Indian Himalayan States, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Due to its inaccessible and high altitude habitat, the brown bear has been poorly studied in India, as well as in other parts of the Asian highlands.In the recent decade, the widespread exponential growth of the human population, infrastructure development, and agricultural intensification has led to the alteration of natural habitats into human-modified landscapes, bringing humans and wildlife into close proximity. In areas where brown bear and human habitation are in close proximity, brown bears feed on agricultural/horticultural crops and livestock predation leads to human-brown bear conflict and lessens local tolerance for bears. As the human settlements encroach further into remote areas, bear-human conflict escalates. Himalayan brown bear in its distribution range in India facing prevailing threats such as habitat loss, cropland expansion, anthropogenic disturbances, human brown bear conflict and climate changes. The present study was proposed to understand in detail the habitat use and feeding habits of brown bear with respect to human-brown bear conflict to develop mitigation strategies. For conducting this study, the vast geographic area of Lahual valley was stratified into different habitats and then divided into 10 km × 10 km grids for extensive study. First objective of this study aimed to understand the habitat utilization pattern of the Himalayan brown bear in selected grids of Lahaul Valley across the seasons (Intensive study area). To achieve this objective sign survey and camera trapping data was used and sixty-five logistically possible grids were surveyed across the seasons (summer and pre-hibernation), in different habitats and elevation gradients.he findings of the present study highlight a distinct seasonal pattern in habitat use of the Himalayan brown bear. In summer, bears predominantly utilized the areas with extensive vegetation cover as evidenced by a positive association with rangeland and Shannon diversity index and NDVI-summer, particularly away from the human settlements in the elevation range of 3000m to 4500m. Conversely, in the per-hibernation phase, Himalayan brown bear tends to avoid high-altitude areas with limited vegetation, opting for areas with available vegetative materials. Notably, habitat use was concentrated in the elevation range of 2800m to 3800m closer to the human settlements in comparison to summer. Regardless of the season, the Himalayan brown bear utilizes areas near roads, emphasizing the availability of anthropogenic food resources.
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    Movement and space use pattern of Tigers in the Eastern Vidarbha landscape, Maharashtra, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Hussain, Zehidul; Habib, Bilal
    Movement is a crucial ecological process that influences the survival, population dynamics, and evolution of animals. Animal movement patterns are diverse and are influenced by life stages, sex, age, and habitat requirements. The relationship between animal movement and conservation is complex, particularly due to human-induced environmental changes This study emphasises that various factors influence animal movement, including individual characteristics and external factors such as resource availability, distribution, competition, and predation. Animals adjust their space use based on seasonal changes in resource availability. Additionally, movement patterns and space use can be influenced by habitat disruption, forcing individuals to displace and establish new home ranges. Landscape features play a significant role in animal home ranges, with resource distribution determining the extent of the required area. Fragmentation of habitats and human activities can affect landscape connectivity, leading to isolation, reduced gene flow, and potential genetic bottlenecks or local extinctions. Thus, maintaining habitat connectivity is crucial for long-term survival of highly mobile species. The study highlights the need for comprehensive datasets and technological advancements, such as GPS tracking, to study animal movement and behaviour. It also emphasises the importance of studying dispersal patterns, as dispersed individuals often encounter humandominated landscapes and face increased vulnerability to anthropogenic effects. This study focused on quantifying movement patterns and space use across three life stages: predispersal, dispersal, and post-dispersal phases. The results revealed differences in space use within and outside protected areas, with individuals outside protected areas requiring larger territories. The study also identified seasonal variations in space use and movement patterns, with dispersed tigers exhibiting the highest space use. Land-use composition, landscape configuration, and anthropogenic disturbances influence the use of tiger space. These findings provide insights into the factors influencing tiger movement and space use in a human-dominated landscape. They highlighted the importance of maintaining habitat connectivity, reducing anthropogenic disturbances, and restoring suitable habitats outside protected areas to facilitate dispersal and ensure the long-term survival of tigers.
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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.
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    Distribution and demography of carnivores in some parts of semi-arid landscape of Western India.
    (wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Sadhu, Ayan; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar
    The present study reveals long-term research on tigers, elaborating their vital rates, survival parameters, and dispersal. The camera trap data to estimate the spatially explicit density, space use, and time-activity pattern of leopards. A combination of techniques that included radio telemetry, camera traps, direct observations, and photo documentation was used to obtain 3492 observations on 97 individually known tigers in Ranthambhore between 2006-2014 to estimate demographic parameters that estimates collated over nine years from 97 individually known tigers and annual density estimates of Ranthambhore tiger population from camera traps. This study aimed to estimate the demographic parameters of Ranthambhore tigers, and subsequently compare them with other tiger populations. Two species occupancy was used to estimate the spatial co-occurrence of tiger and leopard in Ranthambhore. As a long-term conservation strategy, this semi-arid tiger population needs to be conserved in a metapopulation framework. The species distribution modelling showed the importance of the PAs and also highlighted areas to direct conservation investments outside the protected areas.