Theses and Dissertations
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Item 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 managementItem 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 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 Ungulates mediated effects on Vegetation Structure and Biomass in Panna Tiger Reserve, Central India(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2023) Gupta, Deepti; Ramesh, K.; Rawat, G.S.Ungulates play an important role in shaping the plant community structure, species richness and distribution through herbivory, seed dispersal, trampling and adding nutrient to the soil.They also act as important component of food chain, and hence their abundance and distribution are directly related to the large carnivore survival. Distribution of ungulates is strongly influenced by plant phenology, spatial heterogeneity of the forage plants and seasonal rhythm. Ungulates having different body sizes, habitat preferences, and anti-predator strategies might show a range of responses to the vegetation structure and composition (tree density, basal area and species richness), habitat parameters (terrain complexity, water availability and slope) and anthropogenic pressure (cattle abundance and human proximity). Ungulates in tropical dry deciduous forests have been majorly studied as primary prey to large carnivores. Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), situated in the Vindhyan mountain ranges in Madhya Pradesh, central India, between 24°27¢N to 24°46¢N latitude and 79°45′E to 80°09′E longitude. PTR is uniquely characterized by its 'terraced topography' and presents two tabletop mountains and a valley formed by the Ken River. For this study, I chose four ungulates species having different habitat preferences, dietary requirements and body size viz., sambar (primarily a browser), chital (primarily a grazer), Nilgai (mixed feeder) and wild pig (omnivorous). Research objectives are as follows:1. To determine the vegetation structure and composition and quantify the above-ground biomass 2. To estimate the density of ungulates across space and seasons. 3. To model the ungulates-habitat relationships and related functional responses.Item Influence of pastoral practices on wild ungulates in Upper Gori Valley, Western Himalaya.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Bhattacharya, Ankita; Rawat, G.S.; Habib, BilalThe alpine meadows of western Himalaya have been used for livestock grazing by a large number of agro-pastoral communities for several centuries (Tucker 1986). Five distinct pastoral practices are prevalent across the alpine landscape in the western Himalaya: nomadic, semi nomadic, nuclear transhumance, trans-migratory and sedentary (resident). Trans-migration (seasonal altitudinal movement by the entire family along with the livestock) is practiced mainly by the Bhotiya communities in various parts of Uttarakhand, such as Byans, Darma, Johar and the upper basins of Alaknanda and BhagirathiItem Detecting climate change impacts through soil bacterial communities in Alpine regions of Gangotri National Park, Western Himalaya(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Bhattacharya, Pamela; Rawat, G.S.The proposed study aims to use molecular data to understand the ecology of bacterial community including variation in their diversity, composition and functions in response to climate warming in alpine region of Gangotri National Park, western Himalaya. Earlier to this study, knowledge regarding the ecological traits of these communities and the impact of climate warming was entirely lacking. The primary focus of this work was to generate baseline data on alpine soil bacterial community in the Himalaya. The objectives of this doctoral research are:1. Understanding the shifts in soil bacterial diversity and ecological traits at different periods post deglaciation of Gangotri glacier, western Himalaya. 2. Assessing climate change impacts on soil bacterial diversity and functional traits using alpine elevation-vegetation gradient as proxy. 3. Evaluating the role of temperature and edaphic factors in shaping the community diversity and composition along the elevation-vegetation gradient. 4. Investigating bacterial community response to experimental warming in an alpine.The study was conducted along a recently deglaciated valley in the upper Bhagirathi basin towards the snout of the Gaumukh glacier in Gangotri National Park, western Himalaya (30.95–30.99° N, 78.99–79.06° E)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 2014