M Sc Dissertation(WII)

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    An Investigation of the Relationship Between Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas herbibory and Seagrass in the Agtti Lagoon, Lakshadweep
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2007) Lal, Aparna; Choudhury, B.C.; Sivakumar, K.
    Globally, nearshore ecosystems are being increasingly impacted upon by expanding coastal development. The almost complete dependence of marine mega herbivores like Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas) on these habitats for food together with their current low population levels in many regions highlights the need to understand this vital relationship. This study was an attempt within this framework. It aimed to quantify the intensity and potential impacts of Green Turtle grazing on the seagrass Cymodocea rotundata in the Agatti Lagoon, Lakshadweep. To map the habitat types in the lagoon, points generated from a grid were used, while 23 transects, perpendicular to the shore, formed the basic sampling unit to assess turtle density and map their distribution patterns across the lagoon. The study recorded exceptionally high turtle abundances within the lagoon with their distribution patterns being restricted to certain areas within the seagrass meadow. The magnitude and potential impacts of herbivory were quantified across the established gradient of turtle density in the lagoon. It was found that C. rotundata plant parameters like morphology, life history strategies, population dynamics and meadow level characteristics were significantly different in areas with less turtles, indicative of a response to turtle grazing, results supported by experimental evidence. It was found that increased shoot recruitment rather than increased shoot production could be a mechanism whereby seagrass deals with intense herbivory. This study shows that grazing intensity is an important factor potentially regulating the response of seagrasses to grazing.
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    Habitat Utilization and Distribution Pattern of Indian Wild Pig [sus scrofa cristatus] in Sariska Tiger Reserve
    (1991) Rao, D.D. Bhujanga; Rawat, G.S.
    Habitat utilization and distribution pattern of wild pig (Sus scrota cristatus) was studied in Core I of Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan over winter and early summer. Habitat was stratified into scrubland, mixed woodland, Zizyphus woodland, and Anogttissus Forest, and important parameters such as vegetation, phenology of important plants, topography, water and disturbance were quantified. Four foot transects (two in plains and two in hills) and three cycle transects covering 188 km and 688 km respectively over two seasons gave a total sighting of 206 wild pigs .Of these 117 were in scrub 35 in Mixed woodland 51 in Zizyphus woodland, and 3 in Anogeissus forest. It was found that wild pigs utilized Zizyphus woodland in winter (density=32.97) and scrubland in summer (density=17.29) more than availability . This shows that there is a definite shift in the habitat use from winter to summer. The distribution pattern of wild pigs in various habitats and availability of important food plants during summer (pinch period) are analysed. The data from dung analysis and indirect evidences from digging show their omnivorous food habit, and a definite seasonality in food intake.