Theses and Dissertations
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Item Habitat Characterization and Spatial Distribution of Quercus lanata Sm. in the Kumaon Himalaya(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2025) Kaushik, Shikhar; Kumar, Amit; Rawat, G.S.Oaks are climax species which evolved around 56 million years ago. India is home to around 35 species of oaks out of which only 5 species are native to Uttarakhand. In Western Himalaya 3 species make extensive continuous forests which includes Banj oak forest, Moru oak forest and Kharsu oak forest. They show gregarious nature and provide countless ecological and economic benefits to the country. The other two species, Quercus glauca and Quercus lanata are patchy is distribution. For Quercus lanata the Kumaon Himalaya is the western most limit and therefore that species is patchy and shows disjunct population. This study aimed to understand the population, regeneration, habitat characterisation and distribution of Quercus lanata in Kumaon. Descriptive analysis was used to understand the population structure and associate species and maxent modelling was used to develop habitat suitability model. The overall population of Quercus lanata (Rianj) in Kumaon shows a stable and gradually growing trend. Quercus lanata shows a diverse preference to habitat which ranges from northerns moist slopes to drier southern slopes. The significant values from analysed data suggest that its preference at southern slope is comparatively higher. It occurs with Quercus leucotrichophora as well as with Pinus roxburghii. The major co-occurring species with Quercus lanata are Rhododendron arboreum and Myrica esculenta. The developed habitat suitability and generalised linear models helped to understand that elevation and aspect play a significant role in distribution of Quercus lanata. The demand of Quercus lanata for fodder and fuelwood in village area is quite high and therefore requires sustainable practices. As of now Quercus lanata is classified under either Banj oak forest or Moru oak forest which reduces the level of conservation and management this species require.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 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 studyItem Habitat ecology of Royl’s Pika (Ochotona royleiogilby) along altitudinal grandients with special reference to foraging behavior in Western Himalaya, Uttarakhand.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2012) Bhattacharya, Sabuj; Adhikari, B.S.; Rawat, G.S.The relationship of a species with its environment has always been of primary interest among ecologists. The species living in highly seasonal environment and special habitats at high altitudes reflect peculiar evolutionary and adaptive behavior. The small mammals living at high altitudes such as pikas (Ochotona spp.) are of particular ecological interest as they exhibit high energy demands, limited dispersal capability and sensitivity towards climatic variation. Though seven species of pika are reported from the Himalayan region, none of the species have been studied in terms of their ecology and response to environmental variation. Keeping this in view, Royle's pika (Ochotona roylei), a small lagomorph and widely distributed in western Himalaya was selected to understand its habitat use pattern and behavioural ecology. The objective of the study were: (i) To characterize micro-habitat features associated with Royle's pika along a subalpine alpine ecotone and identify the factors which governs its occurrence (ii) To study the topographical and bioclimatic factors affecting its land scape level distribution (iii) To understand factor governs abundance of Royle's pika along altitudinal gradient, (iv) To document behavioural repertoire of Royle's pika in various season. (v) To study the influence of habitat micro climatic condition on activity of Royle's pika, (vi) To identify the tactors which governs the food selection decision of Royle's pika.Item Winter Habitat Use by Monal Pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus)in Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1997) Kumar, R. Suresh; Rawat, G.S.; Sathyakumar, S.I studied the winter habitat use by Monal "pheasant (Lophophorus impejanus), in Kedanath Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya, from November 1996 to April 1997. The study period included three seasons: autumn (November-December), winter (January-February-March), and spring (April). The objectives of the study were to quantify availability and utilization of the different habitats, which were named after prominent vegetation types in the three seasons, identify habitat variables influencing monal habitat use, and determine the sex ratio, group size and group composition of mona!. Existing trails and transects (eight in number) were used to quantify the above mentioned parameters. Eight different vegetation types were identified in the study area. They are : Oak-Rhododendron Forest (ORF), Oak-Rhododendron Degraded forest (ORD), Oak-Rhododendron-Lyonia (ORL), Maple-Oak- Rhododendron forest (MOR), Fir forest (FIR), Scattered Tree and Scrub (STS), Alpine Scrub (AS), Alpine Meadows and Rocks (AMR), and a separate category 'cliffs'. During the entire study period monal Showed preference for ORF. Within this vegetation type, they were seen mostly close to the streams. Most of the monal sightings (66.7%) during autumn were between 2900 m and 3200 m altitudes. Monal showed movement to slightly lower altitudes (to 2800 m) during peak winter. During late March, the snow had started to melt and a gradual movement of monal to higher altitudes was noticed. Monal showed strong preference for dense ORF with high litter cover during autumn and winter. At the onset of spring, there was a shift in the habitat use and they showed preference for cliffs. The males used such areas for displaying to the females. Other habitat variables such as bamboo cover, canopy cover, and presence of snow played an important role in the choice of habitat by monal. The mean group size did not vary significantly across the seasons. During autumn, male and female monal were in loose groups i.e., females had tendency to form small groups, whereas males remained more or less solitary. After the fust snow, distinct group formations were seen. The groups were categorised into an all-male group of seven or eight individuals, all-female groups of 10 to 12 individuals, mixed groups, and solitary males. The females remained in groups throughout the study period, while the males remained in groups only for a short span and only during peak winter. Monal started to move to the higher reaches during late March, and from then on, solitary males were quite often encountered.