Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://192.168.202.180:4000/handle/123456789/1
Browse
38 results
Search Results
Item Plant diversity gradients along the Himalaya: A comparison between the east and the west(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Kumar, Suresh; Rawat, G.S.; Price, TrevorPatterns and causes of latitudinal and elevational diversity gradients have gained increasing attention in the field of macroecology. A monotonic decline in species richness from low to high latitudes and elevations was widely accepted as the common pattern for a long time. However, reviews of the available literature on patterns of species diversity along elevational radients show that species richness often does not monotonically decline with elevation. In this thesis, I analyse the elevational and latitudinal patterns of plant species richness across the Himalaya.Item Ranging and Habitat Utilization by the Himalayan Ibex (Capra ibex sibirica) in Pin Valley National Park.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1997) Bhatnagar, Yashveer; Rawat, G.S.The Himalayan ibex is an important prey species of the endangered apex predator of the alpine region, the snow leopard (Schaller 1977). There is an imminent threat to the trans-Himalayan areas in India due to increasing human activities. In this context the study is conducted to study ibex in a relatively safe population to learn about its habitat requirements and ranging behaviour. The study area is part of the Pin Valley National Park (PVNP; 31o 6' 40'' to 32o 2' 20'' N latitude and 77o 41' 21" to 78o 6' 19" E longitude), located in the South-East of the Lahul and Spiti district of Himachal PradeshItem Influence of extractive disturbances on forest bird communities in Shiwalik landscape, India.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Monica; Rawat, G.S.; Mohan, D.Frequent extraction of plant biomass in the form of timber, firewood, fodder, and non-timber forest products (NTFP) by rural populations, is the most widespread disturbances in the tropical forests. These disturbances not only alter habitat characteristics but also affect habitat use, survival and fitness of biotic communities. Birds are highly sensitive to modification in their habitat and therefore amongst the best model taxa to examine and monitor impacts of these cryptic disturbances. In order to understand the dynamics of small-scale extractive disturbances and their effects on floral and faunal community, I undertook a study in Shiwalik landscape of northern India. The objectives of research were to: 1. Identify the major causes of disturbance in three main forest type of this landscape and assess if disturbance depends on degree of protection. 2. Quantify impacts of disturbances on different layers of vegetation (tree and shrub) and examine changes in structure and composition of the habitat, if iii any. Executive Summary 3. Investigate the response of birds community and foraging guild levels to habitat degradation in different forest types during breeding and non-breeding seasons. 4. Identify indicator bird species suitable for future monitoring of small-scale extractive disturbances in this landscape. A contiguous stretch of the Shiwalik landscape between river Yamuna in the west and river Ganga in the east was selected to carry out this study.Item Distribution of breeding Phylloscopus and Seicercus warblers in the Himalayas: Role of ecomorphology and competition.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Ghosh, Mousumi; Rawat, G.S.; Price, TrevorPresent study is carried out for the overarching goal of understanding the ecological and historical determinants of geographic and altitudinal distribution of sixteen breeding Phylloscopus and Seicercus species in the Himalayas. The broad research objectives were as follows: 1. Assess the availability of arthropod resources across the eastern and western Himalaya along the elevational gradients. 2. Identify the climatic correlates of the breeding distribution of Phylloscopidae. 3. Examine the geographic variation in foraging ecology of Phylloscopidae across the Himalayan bioclimatic gradient.Item Study of altitudinal and geographical song variation and interspecific interaction among Phylloscopus warblers in the Himalayas.(2014) Singh, Pratap; Rawat, G.S.Sound is predominant mode of communication among birds and has advantages over visual communication, particularly where habitats are dense. Bird vocalizations are usually categorized into calls and songs. The study is based on geographical song variation in two leaf warblers i.e. Grey-hooded Warbler, Phylloscopus xanthoschistos and Blyth’s Leaf Warbler Phylloscopus v reguloides. These species occur in the Himalayas and North-east Hill States of India. P. xanthoschistos has four subspecies breeding in India whereas P. reguloides has two to three subspecies based on different classifications. The objectives of my study were: 1. 2. To study altitudinal and geographical variations in songs of Phylloscopus xanthoschistos and Phylloscopus reguloides along the Himalayas. To examine the role of interspecific aggression in habitat selection among four closely related Phylloscopus warblers along altitudinal gradients using song playbacks. The study carried out fieldwork at 15 sites across Himalayas (including two localities in the Northeast state of Meghalaya) covering all subspecies of the two species. The fieldwork included recording of songs of P. xanthoschistos and P. reguloides and to carry out playback experiments, both intraspecific and interspecific. Intraspecific experiments were carried out to know the significance of geographical song variation, and the interspecific experiments for finding out interspecific aggression among closely related Phylloscopus species. As far as possible different recordings were used for experiment and control playbacks to avoid pseudoreplication..Item A study on habitat use and food habits of swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli duvauceli) in Jhilmil Tal, Haridwar Forest Division, Uttaranchal(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2009) Tiwari, Rachna; Rawat, G.S.Habitat use and food habits of the swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli duvauceli) were studied in and around Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve (JJCR), Uttarakhand, during June 2006 and June 2008. This population of swamp deer was recently rediscovered in the state and warranted an ecological study and conservation initiative because the habitat around this study area is heavily fragmented due to expansion of agriculture, habitation and various other land use practices. Therefore, this study was initiated. The major objectives were: i. ii. iii. To study seasonal variation in habitat use pattern and food habits, Activity pattern, Population structure and habitat condition, and iv. Identify threats and suggest conservation measures. Habitat evaluation of various potential (but fragmented) habitat blocks in Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve area and surrounding Banganga wetland revealed that they bear a close resemblance with the prime swamp deer habitat both in terms of structure and composition of key habitat variables.Item Ecology of alpine arid pastures with special reference to livestock grazing in upper Dhauli valley, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya.(2018) Mitra, Monideepa; Adhikari, B.S.; Rawat, G.S.Pastoral practices have been in existence in the alpine region of the Himalaya since millennia.The region is characterized by the presence of diverse pastoral practices such as sedentary, nuclear trans-humane, semi-nomadic, and nomadic pastoralism. These practices have strongly influenced the vegetation and ecology of the alpine rangelands, including local biodiversity. The region is broadly divisible into two distinct eco-climatic zones, viz., a moistal pine zone of Greater Himalaya and cold arid zone of Trans-Himalaya. These zones differ considerably in terms of physiognomy, species composition, history of livestock grazing and their ability to withstand grazing pressure. The objectives of the study were (i) To study the patterns of livestock grazing in the study area, (ii) To assess resource use by livestock, (iii) To assess the pasture quality (floristic) and quantity (biomass) in the study area, and (iv) to assess overlap in resource use between wild ungulates and livestock. The study was conducted in Upper Dhauli valley, situated in the cold arid region of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (hereafter NDBR; 30º 08’-31º 02’N, 79º 12’- 80º 19’E) in Uttarakhand. The study was conducted in 2012 and 2014Item Ecology and management of savanna vegetation in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Bhatt, Priyanka; Rawat, G.S.; Sankar, K.This study is aimed to document the role of various abiotic and biotic factors playing a vital role in the coexistence of trees and grasses. Attempts have been made to bridge the research gaps related to the structure and composition of forest vegetation, phenology diversity and regeneration patterns along the landscape. Hence, present study was initiated with a view to collect baseline data that would be helpful in monitoring the forest changes in future. It provides information about the savanna vegetation and the dynamics and also deals with the vegetation composition, species diversity, richness and other phyto- sociological parameters, Vegeation structure, composition and factors affecting the savanna vegetation in Sariska Tiger Reserve. Objectives are : 1. To study the phenology of savanna species 2. To study the aut-ecology of dominant savanna grasses and tree species of Sariska with reference to biotic and abiotic factors 3. To study the impact of invasive species and management implications: case study of Adhatoda vasicaItem A study on floristic diversity and plant functional types across various landforms in upper Dhauli valley, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2016) Kumar, Amit; Adhikari, B.S.; Rawat, G.S.In ecological systems, vegetation communities are shaped by various physiographic and edaphic factors which determine their structural and functional attributes. In Trans- Himalayan region of the state of Uttarakhand, limited studies on linkages of floristics, patterns of diversity in various vegetation communities and landforms are available. The region faces disturbances due to various natural and anthropogenic causes. The present research work attempts to assess the diversity of vascular plants, plant community structure and plant functional types (PFTs) in various landforms and physiognomic units in Upper Dhauli Valley, a cold-arid region and buffer of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. This research work has not only generated information on the baseline ecological characteristics of various plant species and communities but also provides valuable management implications. The study is summarized in the following paragraphs. The Upper Dhauli Valley (UDV; ca. 727.7 km2; 30°46-54’N and 79°45-51’E) in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve was selected for intensive study. The UDV was added as a part of buffer zone of NDBR in 2002 and among the least studied valleys of the region with respect to floristics, floral assemblages and vegetation structure. It has three major watersheds namely, Amrit Ganga, Satyagad and Ganesh Ganga. The present study is based on the extensive surveys of various landscape features, landforms and physiognomic units. Reconnaissance survey in the entire valley was conducted in the year 2011. The field work comprised of floristic survey, systematic collection and record of plant specimens, vegetation quantification and collection of soil samples followed by laboratory analysisItem A study on the traditional knowledge and population status of ethno-medicinal plants in Uttarkashi district, Western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Raut, Ninad B.; Rawat, G.S.This study is design to identify the current status, Population status, Distribution of Ethnomedicinal plants (EMPs) for curative purpose. The aim of this study is to know the importance of these EMPs in order to prioritize them for conservation and suggest strategies for conservation and management of high value EMPs as well as mechanism for formalizing protection of Traditional Knowledge. Uttarkashi one of the largest and culturally diverse district of uttarakhand for this study