M Sc Dissertation(WII)

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/3

Browse

Start date: 2010End date: 2015

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 36
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    A Study on Breeding Behaviour of Oriental White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) in Anjarle and Deobag, Mahashtra
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2011) Kambale, Asish Atmaram; Sivakumar, S.; Mohan, D.
    This study was aimed to understand the current status, distribution pattern, habitat characteristics, nesting success and nesting behaviour of Oriental Whitebacked vulture in the Konkan coast during a breeding season between December 2010 and May 2011. A total of 24 sites either nesting or feeding were located all along the Konkan coasts of Maharashtra during the survey using area search method as well as interview based techniques. Study shows that there was no significant difference in the habitats of both active and inactive nesting sites in the Konkan coast which indicates that the decline of nesting population of vulatures in the region may not be exclusively due to habitat destruction
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Vegetation Structure Distribution and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Mnagroves Along Soil Salinity gradient in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary Andhra Pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Anand, Dipak; Gopi, G.V.; Sivakumar, K.; Badola, Ruchi
    This study was carried out with aim of understanding the mangrove dynamics along with carbon storage abilities of various mangrove species that occur in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and also the various environmental factors that would probably determine the mangrove structure, their distribution and carbon sequestration potential, from December 2014 to May 2015.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Toads on Roads : Effect of Linear Barrier on the Movement Ecology of Common Asian Toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus)
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Sharma, Preeti; Das, Abhijit; Rajvanshi, Asha
    Amphibians in India are threatened by population decline and extinction. Conservation efforts are hindered by scanty knowledge on their movement pattern, habitat use and dispersal. Thus, I conducted first ever radio telemetry study on an Indian Amphibian species in Krishnan kovil, a village in Virudunagar district in Tamil Nadu state of India. The study was conducted over a stretch of 1.5 km on both sides of Kollam-Thirumangalam highway (NH 208). The objective was to know if there is any effect of road on the movement and population abundance of Duttaphrynus melanostictus, commonly known as common Asian toad. Reason for selecting a widespread perianthropic species is that such species can better indicate how gene flow is structured in an urban landscape. Total 9 adult individuals (5 ~ and 4 c)I) were tracked ranging between 12 to 41 days from February 1 - April 9, 2015. Findings of the study revealed that NH 208 has a significant effect (estimate 0.007589; standard error 0.003108) on linear displacement of toads that increases away from the road. However in case of village roads the linear displacements were higher near to the roads (estimate -0.01569; standard error 0.002977). This indicates that NH may be affecting the movement of amphibians as a potential physical barrier. However, village roads still seem to be permeable by the toads as they are using it for movement. Orientation data shows no significant orientation (Chi square value 1.19, P value 0.55) of movement of the toads. However, field observations show that movement of toads with NH was always along or away but never across it. Home range estimates show that animal # 6 (NHR6M) used largest home range of 4262.92 sq. meters and showed maximum linear displacement in one night up to 333m. Another aspect of the study was to determine effect of NH on population abundance of common Asian toad. I conducted mark recapture studies in one hectare plot at three sites. The abundance estimates are 228.97 (S.E. 14.09) individuals per hector for site 1, 125.59 (S.E. 9.68) individuals per hector for site 2, 365.94 (S.E. 46.85) individuals per hector for site 3. Abundance estimates at the 3 sites show an increasing trend with the increasing perpendicular distance from the NH. This indicates that the road may have an effect on the population of Duttaphrunus melanostictus. The study is limited to only one non breeding season (3 months), thus, is biased towards movement in less activity period. The study provides hitherto unknown information on toad movement with respect to linear barrier. Such studies are useful in developing realistic, predictive models useful for mitigation and restoration of dispersal corridors in a rapidly changing urban landscape. Results of this first ever amphibian radio telemetry study from India add to a new dimension in Indian amphibian research- beyond taxonomy.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Riverine Habitats Under Changing Land-use : A Resource Selection Study of Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire 1826) in Kabini River and Tributaries
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Aneesh, C.R.; Hussain, S.A.; Johnson, J.A.; Talukdar, G.
    Habitat selection is an important part of the ecology of semi-aquatic mammals since they are highly specialized animals. River otters are especially vulnerable animals in the present situation due to increasing human disturbance, altering riparian vegetation damming and channelization in river basins. This study looked at the effect of land-use pattern on the habitat selection by otters with special reference to smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in Kabini river, South India. The study showed fewer presence sites of smooth-coated otter inside the protected areas, due to naturally unsuitable habitats for the species, with shallower stream habitats in hilly terrains. These sites were occupied by Asian small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinerea). However the sign intensity was more in presence locations inside protected area and least in urbanized area. The detailed study in presence only sites revealed that anthropogenic disturbance primarily increasing human presence, fishing and grazing is the most important factor affecting selection of habitat by smooth-coated otter. The intensity of usage of habitat is also governed by disturbance factors. Other environmental factors are only secondary to disturbance factors affecting habitat selection which includes a set of factors pertaining to land and water summarized as slow, deep waters with intact bank cover and/or grassy banks with close escape cover distance. Prey fish species of medium size class (21-40cm) affects the habitat selection. Although Asian small-clawed otter and smooth-coated otter occur in same river system , there is a clear niche partitioning between these two species. The study also Looked at the effect of dams on otters which is the primary factor negatively affecting otter habitats. Yet flow regimes are mostly compensated due to more streams joining the main river channel. Increasing degree of habitat disturbance in different land-uses seems to negatively influence the fluvial functionality which is positively associated with otter habitat. The combined effect of isolation due to reservoir and increasing disturbances in downstream area pushes smooth-coated otters to select habitats upstream that are marginal to them and more suitable for small-clawed otters.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Response of Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Varying Density of Tiger (Panthera tigris) in Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Rathore, Harshvardhan Singh; Pandav, Bivash; Habib, Bilal
    Apex predators hold a special position in ecosystems due to their well known top down effects. Intra-guild competition is an integral process that affects population dynamics of large carnivores and may cause trophic cascades. In India tiger and leopard are two large sympatric felids undergoing intra-guild competition. The two co-exist by segregating in their spatial, temporal and dietary niche. Rajaji National Park (RNP) provides an ideal condition to study interaction amongst large predators. Following human settlements relocation in the past decade, the tiger . population has recovered in eastern RNP whereas due to lack of connectivity it has declined in western RNP. Thus, RNP provides a perfect ecological setup to study responses of leopard and prey in varying tiger density gradient. I assessed prey abundance in RNP using line transect based distance sampling using software Distance 6.2. Leopard and tiger density- were also estimated by using camera trap pictures on a capture- mark recapture framework using spatially explicit capture- recapture models. Spatial separation was seen between the two carnivores by using density surface models. Principal prey, prey selection and their dietary overlap was also assessed. High abundance of major prey was seen with the density of chital ranging from 23.61±9.21 Isq.km in eastern RNP to 21.77±4.32/sq.km in western RNP and sambar ranging from 10.61±3.21/sq.km in eastern RNP to 15.65±2.52/sq.km in western RNP. The density estimates of leopard were 29.01± 4.00/100 ~q.km and 25.37 ± 2.63/100 sq.km for the eastern and western sector respectively. The density estimates of tiger were 3.03±0.95/100 sq.km and 0.28±0.23/100 sq.km (only two tiger) for the eastern and western sector respectively. Leopard diet was primarily composed of chital in eastern RNP, in the western sector it was dominated by sambar. Chital was the principal prey species of tiger in RNP. Spatial separation was seen between tiger and leopard in both the sectors of the park with leopards clearly avoiding the high intensity usage areas of tigers. This study has created baseline data for predator and prey in RNP and would be helpful in managing the park better and for future monitoring.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Resource Selection and Conservation of Smooth coated otter Lutrogale perspicillata in and Around the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Prasad, Nadendla Leela; Sivakumar, K.; Johnson, J.A.; Hussain, S.A.
    Resource selection of Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata was studied in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, where a two dimensional interface of fishermen-otter present: fishermen fishing in the habitat of otter and otters feeding in the aquaculture farms of fishermen. This is resulting in conflict between Otters and Humans in the region. In this context, this study was carried out to understand the extent of this conflict by studying the food habit of otters and ecological factors that could affect the otter distribution in this mangrove ecosystem. 2. The study was carried out from December 2014 to April 2015 in and around the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, which is located at the mouth of the Godavari River, in Andhra Pradesh. 3. Food habit of otters was studied by analysing their spraints that were collected from different parts of the Sanctuary. Habitat and distribution of otters were studied using belt transacts along creeks as otters mostly used banks of the creeks. Further, people perspectives towards otter and intensity of human-otter interface was studied using interview based questionnaire surveys. 4. It was found that the fishes cultured in the aquaculture farms were not present in the creeks of Coringa WLS. 6. The diet analysis of 81 spraints collected from December 2014 to March 2015 revealed that fish comprise of 99% of Smooth coated Otter diet. Of this major portion comprised of Mystus gulio, Oreochromis mossambicus and Liza tade. These species were also found in high abundance during the fish sampling from which relative abundance was calculated. This indicates that Otters in the sanctuary are opportunistic feeder rather than selective. 7. Mystus gulio (long whiskers catfish) found to be the major prey of otter in the Coringa . WLS, constituting 17.8% of weight of all food items found in the spraints and this fish was also eaten by many otters (found in 13.4% of spraints). M gulio was also the most common fishes of the Sanctuary. M gulio followed by Oreochromis mossambicus (Tilapia) constituting 14.6% of weight of all food items found in the spraints. 9. Although, all five major aquaculture species offish were found in the spraints of Otter but overall, the aqua farm fishes constituted only the 14.4% of weight of total foods items found in the spraints of otter. Of the total spraints collected, only 17.8% of spraints contained the aqua farm fishes and remaining 82.2 % otter spraints did not have. aqua farms fishes and these otters were seems to be eaten only the wild fishes. 10. The high abundance of invasive tilapia was found in the Ramannapalem creek, which is a less saline creeks adjoining with aqua farms and villages. This fish was the second most preferred diet of otters in the area. This fish breeds in the grasses that are at the banks of creeks. Breeding tilapia was a easier target for otters and therefore, otters were seen close to aqua farms. 11. The factors essential for Otter survival in were found to be more towards land and decrease with increasing distance from land. An ordinal regression model with sign intensity in three ranks revealed that the factors that are playa significant role in Otter distribution are distance from sea had a positive effect on Otter distribution (estimate = 0.403, Standard error =0.225 and P value= 0.073), Width of channel also had a positive effect to an extent (estimate =0.509, Standard error =0.273 and P value = 0.062). Depth of the creek had a negative effect (estimate= -0.624, Standard error = 0.322 and P value=O.053). 12. As the factors that are positively influencing Otter distribution are near villages Otters signs were also found highest in creeks near villages. Thus it was concluded that the presence of Otters mostly towards villages is probably due to presence of suitable habitat near villages rather than fish from aquaculture farms. 13. Fishermen's Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Otters in and around the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary had also confirmed that otters largely feed in the wild but visit aqua farms occasionally for food or to play. Further, about 79% of people in the region felt that Otters visit their farms at night that confirms the nocturnal behaviour of Otters around human habitation, which is supported by previous studies 14. Further, most of fishermen (75%) believed that otters are high threat to aquaculture when compared to fishing cat and jackals. This is due to group hunting behaviours of otters, whereas fishing cats and jackals visit aquaculture ponds solitarily 15. Interestingly, nearly 11 % of fishermen felt that Otters have caused an income loss of 1-5% followed by 9% of respondents who claimed a loss of 10-30%. But, few farmers (2%) felt that Otters cause nearly 30-50% of loss, who were in the low income group and who can not offer even small loss in income. 16. Generalized Linear Model (GLM) with Poisson distribution revealed that both income and education of fishermen positively influenced their perspectives towards conservation importance of otters in the region. 17. Majority of fishermen (65%) believed that there was a decline in the sightings of otters and they have also believed that the population had been declined in the region. However, in contrast, about 13% of them felt that there was an increase in Otter population over years and most of these respondents who have also believed that high loss of income due to otters visits to their aqua farms. 18. Most of the aqua-farm owners admitted that they always scare and chase away otters when they visits their farms. Though only 11 % of them opted for killing does not mean that people have a positive attitude towards Otter. Boxplot analysis to understand the relationship between people's action towards visiting otters to their farms and their income and education, has revealed that the farm owners who had less income have tried to kill the visiting otters due to their poverty. 19. This study found that fishermen with poverty could not bear even the meagre loss caused by otters to them. Further, the study found that less educated people against the otters in the region. Therefore, additional livelihoods and awareness education to those poor fishermen need to be provided for the long term conservation of otters in the region. EGREE Foundation of Andhra Pradesh, a foundation established with support of GoI-UNDP-GEF Project to sustainably manage the Godavari estuarine has already initiated some programme in this regard but their programme should focus more on fishermen who are with low income 20. It is also proposed to have otter proof fencing for aquafarms especially those farms located along the Ramanapallam creeks. Developing eco- tourism in the sanctuary with the involvement of fishermen and small scale farm owners can also change their attitude towards otters.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Factors Governing the Spatial Distribution and Density of Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica) in Gir Protected Area
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Gogoi, Keshab; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, Qamar
    This study is based on population estimation and spatial distribution of Asiatic lion.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Effects of Land Use Practices on Diversity and Abundance of Honey Bee Forage Plants in Senapati District, Manipur
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Ziipoa, Benjamin; Rawat, G.S.; Talukdar, G,S.; Gopi, G.V.
    North-east India, a global biodiversity hotspot, ·is also known for diverse socio-cultural and land use practices. One of the important cultural practices in a few pocket-s is bee keeping and honey production as a means of livelihood. However, there is a growing concern that with shortening of shifting cultivation cycle and frequent forest fire the diversity of bee forage plants· as well as honey production is declining in the region. Therefore, a study on the diversity of bee forage plants and bee keeping practices was conducted across various land use practices in Purul subdivision of Manipur, North-east India. The objectives of the study were: (i) To quantify the diversity and abundance bee forage plants in different land use land cover types, (ii) To document the honey bee abundance with respect to forage plant availability, bee keeping practices and traditional knowledge among the local bee keepers pertaining to bee keeping. The study was conducted during December April 2015 in Purul and Paomata subdivision of senapati, district, Manipur. The study area was stratified into five land use and land cover (LULC) types: (i) Semi-evergreen (primary) Forests above 1800 m asl; (ii) Moist Deciduous (Open Mixed) Forests between 1200- 1800 m asl; (iii) Secondary forests (Old Thurn Fallows between 1000 - 170q m; (iv) Secondary scrub (Young Thurn Fallows); and (v) Home Gardens and Agricultural Fields. Six trails of 2 km each were laid in various strata. AIthough each trail ten m radius plots were laid to quantify tree species abundance; concentric 5 m radius plots for shrubs and climbers; and four 0.5 m radius circular plots for herbaceous species. Direct and indirect signs of bee nests and locations of bee boxes were recorded. 30 professional bee keepers were interviewed for their knowledge on bee keeping and bee forage plants. Data were analysed following standard phytosociological techniques. Relationship between bee forage plants and bee abundance were established using R3.02 Generalized Linear Model (GLM). A total of 272 species of bee forage plants belonging to 105 genera and 92 families were recorded in the study area. Of these, 84 species were flowering during winter season. The number of flowering bee forage plants increased to 112 during spring season. It was noted that at least 25 species of flowering plants flower almost during all the seasons providing either nectar or pollens to the bees and other insect pollinators. Asteraceae, Rosaceae, Fabaceae, Brassicaceae and Malvaceae were the most dominant species available as bee forage plants, especially in and ar01md home gardens, backyards and cultivable waste. These species were very low in abundance in natural forests. However, Rosaceae and Fabaceae were more Common in Secondary Forests and Old Jhum Fields. Very few species of bee forage plants were flowering in Semi-evergreen Forests during winter seasons. Highest diversity of trees was recorded in semi-evergreen forests followed by Moist Deciduous Forest, Old Jhum Fallow and Young Jhum Fallow. However, overall density was highest in Moist Deciduous Forest. Budleja asiatica, Rubus ellipticus, Pyrlls pahsia, Engelhardtia spicata, Prunus cerasioides, Docynai india were the most widely available flowering species during winter and spring. These species were mostly found in open (Moist Deciduous), Old Jhum Fallows and closer to human habitation. Their frequency, density and distribution pattern has been compared across various land uses. The results revealed that settled agriculture with adequate cover of primary and secondary forests in vicinity coupled with plenty of ornamental plants and vegetables are best land use practices for honey production as well as enriching the pollinator diversity in the area. Short Jhum cycles and resultant frequent fires are detrimental to bees as well as bee forage plants. Pattern of bee distribution, local knowledge on bee keeping and conservation practices in relation to land use practices have been presented and discussed.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Ecology of Leopard (Panthera pardus) in Sanjay Gandhi National Park Maharashtra with Special Reference to its Abundance Prey Selection and Food Habits
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Surve, Nikit; Sathyakumar, S.; Sankar, K.
    Though information is available on the leopard's ecology from natural habitats, very less information is available on the ecology of leopards from human-dominated habitats in India. Hence the study was conducted at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Mumbai where leopard was found to be the apex predator. The total area of SGNP is 104 sq.km. It is covered , by human habitations on all the sides leaving just a narrow tip on the northern side. Camera traps were deployed in a systematic manner covering the entire study area to get leopard images. Leopard density of 21.55 ± 4.6 (SE) at 95% confidence interval was calculated in the study area using Spatially Explicit Capture Recapture models. The wild prey densities were estimated inside SGNP using 'Distance sampling with the help of line transects. The , maximum density amongst ungulates was shown by chital (14.49 ± 5.2[SE]) followed by sambar (7.52 ± 1.7[SE]). Among primates, maximum density was shown by common langur (48.04 ± 8[SE]) followed by bonnet macaque (30.78 ± 12[SE]). Density for other prey species encountered on line transects like wild pig and barking deer were not estimated as they were sighted only twice on the line transects. Dog density on the periphery of SGNP was ca1culated to be 17.26 ± 0.69 (SE) using mark-recapture technique. Food habits of leopards were studied by conducting dietary analysis using leopard scat. The high density of dogs in the periphery of the National Park also reflected in the leopard's diet. Dogs alone contributed 24.46 % of the total biomass consumed in leopard's diet. Domestic prey contributed to 43% whereas wild prey contributed to 57 % of leopard's diet in terms of relative biomass consumed. The study suggests that the leopards are dependent on both wild as well as domestic prey in the study area. Leopards can coexist with humans even amidst urban environs as long as prey population (both domestic and wild) remain sufficient and their habitat is protected.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Avian Responses to Varying Landscape Parameters in Mangrove Forests of Coastal Gujarat
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Kulkadia, Devanshi; Talukdar, G.; Gopi, G.V.; Sivakumar, K.
    Mangrove systems are the most productive ecosystems on the earth. The mangrove environment provides living space for dependent biota of more than two thousand species of flora and fauna of resident, semi-resident or migratory wildlife. The conversion of large contiguous tracts of the tropical mangrove forests to smaller patches embedded in a landscape matrix surrounded by human-altered habitats is one of the most serious concerns as it would affect their associated species such as birds, fishes, etc. In this context, this study was carried out aiming at discerning the responses shown by avifauna to varying landscape parameters like the mangrove patch characteristics, the level of disturbance and the structure of mangrove vegetation. Therefore, the abundance and diversity of the avifauna in mangrove forests at twenty selected sites on the coasts of Gujarat were investigated using point count surveys for a period of five months (December 2014-April2015). 2. A total of 98 points were laid across the twenty patches o(mangroves and surveyed twice during winter and summer seasons, respectively. Data were collected from the four replicates of each point during the entire study period. The total area surveyed during the study at these twenty mangrove patches was 47.97sq.km. These patches were ranging from various size classes with the smallest patch of the size of 0.125sq.km to the largest patch size was of 10.49 sq.km and were distributed throughout the coastline of 1650 km long. Habitat correlates such as structural and floristic characteristics of mangroves were quantified for each patch to establish their relationship with avifaunal abundances. 3. Despite recording only 7 species of mangroves in the twenty patches, a wide variety of birds totaling to 119 species were recorded from the mangroves during the two seasons, i.e. winter and summer during the study. 4. From the data collected by the variable-width point counts, the mean density of birds from the patches were calculated to be 6.485/ha in winter and 4.898/ha in summer. The diversity of birds varied across the seasons. A total of 104 species of birds were recorded during the summer season as compared to 117 species of birds in winter season. 5. Large contiguous patches of mangroves were found to be supporting fewer species of birds than the smaller patches. The avian species richness of the smaller fragments were largely governed by the adjoining environment settings (matrix) of the patch. Therefore, the study found that the diversity of the birds was not found to be getting influenced by the area of the patch as the species richness was found to be increasing with the number of the surrounding matrix. 6. It was found that the structural composition of mangroves especially the canopy cover was found influence the bird density and diversity greatly as with the increase in the canopy cover, the bird species diversity and density also increased in a patch. 7. The bird assemblages in the mangroves showed a significant response towards the disturbance. The disturbed patches contained an overlapping mixed composition of the forest birds and open country birds in an equal proportion, whereas the undisturbed patches showed less number of open country birds. 8. Based on the study, it is suggested that the larger sized mangroves patches are important for their ineffable ecological services, therefore, these patches should be protected and conserved. Similarly, the smaller and fragment of mangroves patches are also equally important as they hold a good number of avifauna! species and hence, we have to adopt some strategies to conserve all the remaining – large contiguous and small fragmented patches of the mangroves from further degradation.