PhD Theses (SACON)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/138
Browse
6 results
Search Results
Item Ecology of Indian Rock Python (Python molurus molurus Linn.1758) in Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India.(SACON, 2012) Ramesh, C.; Bhupathy, S.Snakes in India are one among the richest assemblages in the world with about 279 species reported so far. However, studies focusing on their ecology are scanty. In tropical ecosystems, it is important to understand ecology of large bodied snakes such as pythons for proposing measures to conserve them. In this context, assessment of the python habitat and understand burrow ecology, population ecology, diurnal activity, food and feeding habits and breeding biology were investigated. The results provided are based on visual observations on free ranging Indian python in Keoladeo National Park (KNP) Bharatpur, Rajasthan, India between October 2007 and April 2010.Item Ecology and Conservation of the Spot-Billed Pelican Pelecanus Philippensis in Andhra Pradesh, India(SACON, 2011) Sheeba, N.; Bhupathy, S.Wetlands are the important bird h a habitats and birds use them as migratory resorts or for breeding, feeding and roosting. Birds are one of the best indicators of the s tatus of a wetland. Examining the environmental correlates of species distribution and life history traits is one of the best protocols to assess t he indicator properties of target species groups. The Spot · billed Pelican is one of the near threatened species found in India. The s tatus and colony size of the Spot-billed Pelican were studied in Andhra Pradesh . Nest surveys were carried out in Uppalapadu, Ramachandra palayam, Nela pattu and Telineelapuram. Birdcount and habitat use studies were done at Kolleru, Naupada Swamp and Kakara pally Creek, and Nelapattu, the three foraging sites. Recent population trends indicate increasing breeding population of the Spot-billed Pelican. To understand the habitat requirements and factors determining habitat selection, evaluation of breeding performance, distribution of the colony and adaptations were studiedItem Ecological, Morphological and Demographical Variations of Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus spp.) Species complex in Peninsular India and their Implications to Taxonomy(SACON, 2011) Chetan Nak, K.S.; Pramod, P.To bring greater resolution in Hanuman langur taxonomy, current thesis attempted to map the congruence between some of the ecological, morphological, and demographical characters of Hanuman langurs of peninsular India. In doing so the thesis, ultimately aimed to correlate which of the existing classification scheme best explained the taxonomic position of these taxonomically challenged langurs. With this objective the study was conducted in peninsular India (8–21°N, 73–78°E), covering the states of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamilnadu in India, as well as some parts of northern Sri Lanka opportunistically. The study also included some Northern type Hanuman langurs as controls from parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Orissa. As far as possible study included the type localities mentioned in various classification schemesItem Ecology of elephants (Elephas maximus) and their interactions with humans in south West Bengal, India(SACON, 2023) Singh, Akriti; Kumara, H NThe thesis delves into the intricate dynamics surrounding the range expansion of Asian elephants in South West Bengal, catalyzing heightened human-elephant conflicts. It meticulously outlines the evolution of this phenomenon, starting from the elephants' modest presence in the 1950s to their expansive spread across 13200 km² by 2010–18. Through structured surveys and field observations, the elephants' footprint has been delineated across 163 grid cells in the region, showcasing their adaptability to varied habitat conditions. Central to understanding this expansion is the interplay between habitat factors and elephant presence. The thesis elucidates how the elephants' utilization of grid cells correlates positively with the forest edge, forest area, agricultural area, and barren land. As forests recede and agricultural land expands, elephants find themselves increasingly encroaching upon human settlements, leading to heightened conflict situations. Population estimation methodologies, ranging from dung count surveys to distance sampling, shed light on the elephant demographic in the region. However, the thesis highlights the challenges inherent in accurately gauging elephant numbers, particularly in areas where human activities disrupt their natural movement patterns. Despite these hurdles, the presence of a substantial number of immature elephants signifies a thriving population, albeit one grappling with human-induced disturbances. The thesis also sheds light to the ecological intricacies of elephant habitat use and feeding behavior. By overlaying grid cells on selected elephant habitats and analyzing geo-coordinates, the intensity of elephant habitat utilization was ascertained. The elephants' dietary preferences, encompassing a diverse array of wild plant species alongside agricultural crops, underscore their adaptive prowess in navigating human-altered landscapes. However, this dietary reliance on crops exacerbates conflicts, as elephants frequently venture into agricultural fields, triggering retaliatory measures from local communities.Item Diversity and Ecology of Odonates in Coimbatore District(SACON, 2017) Muhil, M Suhirtha; Pramod, PThe global biological diversity is to be treated as a wealth considering its potential role in ecosystem sustenance and management. The declining status and vulnerability of biological diversity to various human-induced problems, compels us to index and preserve species and their habitats as a continuous and crucial process. Exploding human population, degrading environment and loss of habitats are three major reasons for the irreversible loss of biological diversity especially in the tropics (Wilson, 1988). To understand the causes behind the ecological and evolutionary processes responsible for the rich biodiversity and also the ecosystem service biodiversity provides, it is very essential to know how many species inhabit this earth (May, 2011). There are presently 1.9 million catalogued species in the world of which nearly one million are insects (Chapman, 2009), while the estimated number of global species by taxonomists is between three and 100 million species (May, 2010). This estimation of biodiversity based on taxonomic patterns varies from the estimates based on macroecolgical patterns and diversity ratios. Erwin (1982) estimated 30 million species of Arthropods, based on the host specificity of guilds in beetle samples and subsequent hierarchical ratio extrapolations.Item Status and Ecology of House Sparrow Passer domesticus along an urban to rural gradient in Coimbatore, India(SACON, 2011) Dhanya, R; Azeez, P AIn due course of the evolution of human civilisation, from their nomadic to the resident lifestyle, they were industrious agents of change. Their behaviours changed ecological processes in agglomerates of residences and trades, in cities and as well as in other areas (Vitousek et al. 1997). As the human population rise, infrastructure grows up; urbanisation spreads and increasingly affects biodiversity (Blair 2004). Human activities in the form of land use changes, urbanisation and infrastructure developments are considered major threats to biodiversity (Gontier 2008). This in turn results in the loss and fragmentation of natural habitats, thereby threatening populations of local species and ultimately biodiversity (Saunders et al. 1991). Urban development produces the greatest local extinction rates and eliminates the majority of the species (Vale and Vale 1976, Marzluff 2001, Czech et al. 2000). This replacement brings in the process of biotic Homogenisation that threatens to reduce the biological uniqueness of local ecosystems (Blair 2001). The loss and fragmentation of valuable habitats influences the long-term viability of species populations, which may ultimately become extinct at the local or regional scale