Theses and Dissertations

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End date: 2009Subject: search.filters.subject.Mammals

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    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 Pradesh
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    Communities of small mammals and small carnivores in the Teesta River Basin, Sikkim Himalaya, India
    (SACON, 2008) Thapa, Jaya; Bhupathy, S.
    Differences in communities of plants and animals along environmental gradients have been the basis for many ecological theories. Among the first geographical patterns to be recognized in ecology was the climatic gradient in body size of animals, later formalized as the Bergmann 's rule. Latitudinal and altitudinal gradients in species richness are other geographical patterns that have long since been recognized. The different nature of gradients and the ecological factors that cause such gradients have both been subjects of considerable debate in recent decades. Community structure in animals can also be influenced by various factors such as vegetation, biological constraints and historical factors, which may not form gradients. In this dissertation I have examined the in fluence of altitude and vegetation on communities of small mammals and small carnivores in the 11 Himalayan mountain ranges in the Indian State of Sikkim. The sharp altitudinal gradient from 230 m to 8586 m and the variety of vegetation types in this small state,. The overall goal of this study was to examine the influence of altitude and vegetation on the organizalion of the small mammal community in Sikkim Himalaya, with respect to its species richness, composition. distribution, and abundance. The specific objectives of this study were: a. To test the hypothesis that the body weight of murid rodents and shrews should respond to the sharp altitudinal gradient; b. To identify the pattern of variation in the community structure of the murid rodents and shrews along an altitudinal gradient and among different vegetation types; c. To test the hypothesis that murids and shrews differ in microhabitat use in a manner that is consistent between vegetation types; and d. To examine the influence of altitude and vegetation types on the composition and relative abundance of the small carnivore community, as well as their diet. This study was carried out in the North and South Districts of Sikkim in the Teesta River Basin, between 230 m to 3700 m altitude, from June 2003 to April 2004 and from May 2005 to December 2005
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    Factors affecting habitat occupancy of tiger in the Terai Arc landscape, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2009) Rajapandian, K.; Goyal, S.P.; Qureshi, Qamar
    The goal of this study, therefore, was to identify the factors affecting the distribution of tiger and assess the distribution of suitable habitat patches and the connectivity between these patches for successful dispersal in the Indian part of TAL. In the present study developed GIS probability models for tiger and its prey species and a spatially explicit individual-based dispersal model (SEIBM) for tiger in order to identify and assess the factors which are affecting the occupancy of tiger and subsequently predict potential suitable habitats and estimate the connectivity between the fragmented subpopulations in the Indian as well as between Indian and Nepal part of TAL. Data were collected on presence/absence of four wild ungulates (sambar Cervus unicolor, chital Axis axis, nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus, and wild pig Sus scrofa), which are important prey species of tiger in two phases during the period between 2002 and 2006. The results of this study, in addition to contributing to the knowledge on factors affecting suitable habitat distribution and dispersal of tiger, have many implications for conservation of tiger in the Indian part of TAL. This study has also identified critical areas needed for management initiatives for functional unit of tiger conservation in the TAL.
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    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.
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    IMPACTS OP HABITAT FRAGMENTATION ON THE TERRESTRIAL SMALL MAMMAL COMMUNITIES IN THE TROPICAL RAIN FOREST OP THE ANAIMALAI HILLS IN THE WESTERN GHATS, SOUTH INDIA
    (SACON, 1998) Prabhakar, A; Kumar, Ajith
    The loss and fragmentation of the species-rich tropical rain forests is the most serious conservation crisis currently facing us. In the Western Ghats in south India as much as 40% of the forests was lost between 1920s and 1990s, with a 17-fold increase in forest patches. Such fragmentation of forests leads in the long run to loss of species due to the problems faced by small isolated populations, the cascading effects of the changes in the micro and macro climate, and the effects of invading species. The goal of this study was to make an assessment of the changes in the small mammal community due to the fragmentation of their rain forest habitat in the Western Ghats. The study animals included rodents of the Families Muridae and Muscardinidae, and shrews of the Order Insectivora. The specific objectives were: (a) to evaluate the differences among rain forest fragments in the community structure of small mammals, in relation to macrohabitat features of the forest fragments; (b) to examine the synchrony among forest fragments in the seasonal variation of several demographic parameters; and (c) to identify species differences in microhabitat preferences and examine their relevance to the changes in community structure due to habitat fragmentation.
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    IMPACTS OF HABITAT FRAGMENTATION ON THE ARBOREAL MAMMALS IN THE WET EVERGREEN FORESTS OF THE ANAMALAI HILLS IN THE WESTERN GHATS, SOUTH INDIA
    (SACON, 1998) Umapathay, G; Kumar, Ajith
    Habitat fragmentation is the most severe threat to biological diversity and is the primary cause of the present species extinction crisis. Small populations in fragments are highly prone to extinction due to demographic and evironmental stochasticity, disease and catastrophes. Long term degeneration of habitat might also add to this extinction. In south India, wet evergreen (or rain) forest is confined to the Western Ghats mountains. Human activities such as plantations of tea, coffee, teak, etc., and construction of roads, railways, and reservoirs during the last two centuries have led to extensive loss of these forests. More importantly, the remaining forest has been severely fragmented. The impact of forest fragmentation is expected to be particularly severe among the arboreal mammals due to loss of arboreal connectivity between forest fragments. In this background, the objectives of this study were; 1) To assess the extent to which arboreal mammals disappear from wet evergreen forest fragments with respect to various landscape and habitat parameters associated with forest fragmentation; 2) To identify changes in their activity pattern and feeding ecology; 3) To examine changes in demographic parameters of these species in relation to habitat fragmentation; and 4) To examine species differences in their response to forest fragmentation and to suggest appropriate measures to enhance the survival of arboreal mammals in forest fragments.
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    Reproductive strategy and behaviour of male Asiatic Lions.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2008) Meena, V.; Jhala, Y.V.; Chellam, Ravi
    The field study was carried out from April 2002 to February 2007 and the intensive study area covered 1075 km2 area of the Gir PA including Sanctuary West and National Park. i) Demographic changes in the Gir lion population were monitored using individual identification profiles for a period of four years. Lion population was estimated using mark-recapture models. Movement patterns, spacing mechanisms and land tenure system of four females (one radio-collared female), five adult males (two radio-collared males) and one subadult male (radio-collared) were obtained. Of these, seven individuals were monitored from 2002–2007. Lion diet was assessed both by intensive search across the study area and record of lion kills as well as analysis of scat. A questionnaire survey was conducted in twenty nesses that included seven nesses in central Gir and thirteen nesses in Gir-west to assess the livestock holding and causes of livestock mortality. Inter-kill intervals were obtained from direct observation of radio-collared lions.
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    A study on vegetation ecology in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh with reference to gaur (Bos gaurus) using Remote Sensing and GIS techniques.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2007) Areendran, G.; Sankar, K.
    A study on vegetation ecology with reference to Gaur (Bos gaurus) using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) in Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) Madhya Pradesh was conducted from February 1996 to September 2000. The Tiger Reserve is located between 77° 55' W to 79° 35' E & 21° 08' S to 22° 00' N and lies in the southwestern region of the state of Madhya Pradesh. The Tiger Reserve comprises of the Sanctuary and the National Park of the same name, and buffer zone covering an area of 757.85 sq. km. The PTR offers a unique opportunity for research into the aspects of both the ecology and the management of gaur populations and their habitats. This is due to, both, the diverse pattern of habitat, as a result of rich floral composition and varied topology, and gaur populations that can readily be seen almost throughout the year. In Madhya Pradesh alone, the gaur population is found in 10 districts and they are geographically isolated from one another. The main objectives of the study were: 1)To study vegetation communities, composition, species distribution, abundance and richness in Pench Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh. 2)To map vegetation types and quantify landscape characteristics in PTR, 3)To evaluate the available habitat and predict distribution areas of Gaur in PTR, Madhya Pradesh. model the habitat suitability and predict distribution of Gaur in Pench National Park based on Ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) using Biomapper software Different variables (Aspect, Cover change, Drainage, Elevation, Food dentity, Ground cover, Slope, Vegetation type, Vegetation index ) were used in the model to predict the suitable habitat and distribution of Gaur
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    The feeding ecology of the Dhole or Asiatic Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus) in Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2008) Acharya, Bhaskar B.; Johnsingh, A.J.T.; Sankar, K.
    In order to collect basic information on the prey species of dholes, this study aimed to estimate the density, encounter rates, biomass, and the population structure and composition of the major prey species within the study area. Eventually, The objective of this study was to determine the relative proportions of different prey species in diet of dholes, in terms of frequency of occurrences, biomass, and numbers of individuals consumed. The aim was also to study predation by dholes in relation to prey availability and utilization within Pench Tiger Reserve, i.e. to see if dholes killed prey randomly or selected specific kinds of prey. If that was so, the ecological factors intrinsic to that prey which may influence prey selection were assessed.
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    Status and ecology of leopard (Panthera pardus) in relation to prey abundance, land use patterns and conflict with human in Garhwal Himalaya.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2007) Chauhan, Devendra S.; Goyal, S.P.
    The problem of human-leopard conflict has recently been increased in the Indian Himalayan region due to change in land-use patterns. Leopard-human conflict as predation on human and livestock has been quite frequent in 16 districts of Uttarakhand state and Pauri Garhwal district is worst affected. Recent increase in such incidences has been reported from this region. The main goal of this research was to provide a base line information on status of leopard-human conflicts in Pauri Garhwal district and response of leopard in relation to prey abundance, land use patterns and human dimension in human dominated landscape. Present study was undertaken in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand to (i) determine distribution and current status of leopard in Pauri Garhwal (ii) to determine extent and severity of leopard-human conflict problems in relation to its ecological requirements, land use patterns and human life style. (iii) to study food habits in relation to prey abundance (wild and domestic) and habitat characteristics and (iv) to determine factor responsible for leopard-man conflict. A survey was carried from February 2000 to October 2001 in 15 administrative blocks of Pauri Garhwal district. Information was collected on distribution and extent and severity of leopard-human conflict.