Theses and Dissertations

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Start date: 2012End date: 2015

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    Diversity and distribution of Moth Assemblages Along Altitudinal Gradient in Gangotri Landscape, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Sanyal, Abesh Kumar; Uniyal, V.P.
    This study intends to document the extent of moth assemblages that exist amongst various habitats in a typical Western Himalayan altitudinal gradient in Gangotri Landscape Area (GLA). In this study, using the elevation gradient as natural experiment, the faunal structure and diversity of the moth assemblage featuring all the major macro and micromoth families as well as relationships between moths and their biotic and abiotic environments were explored. Specific objectives of the study were: (1) Documenting and prepare taxonomic inventory of rich moth fauna of Gangotri Landscape Area; (2) To assess diversity and distribution of moth assemblages among different elevations and vegetation types of Gangotri Landscape; (3) To analyze the influence of altitude, seasons, vegetation types and anthropogenic disturbance factors on moth assemblages; (4) To investigate morphometric changes (body size and proportional body parts) in moths along altitudinal gradient. The study was conducted in Gangotri Landscape Area (GLA), a vast conservation network in the North-Western part of Uttarakhand, in district Uttarkashi. A total of 670 morphospecies belonging to 22 families and 356 genera were collected during entire sampling period from 2008-2012. This study is an important step towards better understanding of a long-neglected but diverse and charismatic herbivorous insect assemblage in Himalayan temperate altitudinal gradient.
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    Evaluation of population structure of tigers (Panthera tigris) in Central India using genetic markers.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Yumnam, Bibek; Jhala, Y.V.
    The findings presented in this thesis are the outcome of a long term research project entitled ‘Management of Forests in India for Biological Diversity and Forest Productivity - A New Perspective (1996 — 2002)’. The intensive study area is a part of the Garo Hills situated in the western Meghalaya of the northeast India. The landscape (2459 km2) is a mosaic of protected areas (PAs), managed forests (MFs) and intervening private/community land. The major goal of present study is to provide knowledge, tools, and indicators for monitoring, and potential management guidelines for conserving native biological diversity of study area. The objectives of present study are (i) to assess diversity patterns and successional changes among tree communities, (ii) to analyse landscape characteristics in particular fragmentation, classify tropical forests and prioritise wildlife areas, (iii) to discuss the native wild fauna and develop information base for modelling wildlife habitat relationships, and (iv) to assess the socioeconomics of native tribes, and evaluate the impact on existing protected areas of the region.
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    Ecology of Golden jackal (Canis aureus) in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Chourasia, Pooja
    This study aimed to examine the abundance and occupancy of jackal with the application of photographic captures using camera traps and diet composition through scat analysis, investigate species-habitat relationships from habitat features (non-spatial) and remotely sensed features (spatial) to understand how these variables govern occurrence pattern and predict the distribution of jackal in Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan. In India, jackal populations achieve high densities in pastoral areas such as Kutch, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Haryana. This study will vitally improve our state of knowledge to protect jackal and assist the development of theory on their social structure, behavior and habitat preferences in forested ecosystem. The study will help in suggesting localized monitoring mechanisms wherever necessary as this is important in minimizing surprise cases of extinction. The objectives of this study are as follows:-1. To determine the abundance of golden jackal. 2. To estimate the food availability, food habits and dietary niche overlap between golden jackal and other meso-carnivores.3. To evaluate the den site selection by golden jackal and, 4. To evaluate the habitat use by golden jackal. The study was conducted from 2010-2013 in Sariska Tiger Reserve (79° 17’ to 76°34’N and Latitude: 27° 5’ to 27° 33’ E), Rajasthan. Selected 160 km2 of intensive study area which was divided into four blocks. A total of 160 locations were selected for the placement of camera traps where, each block having 21 camera trap stations. Peafowl was observed to be the most abundant prey species throughout the study period. Amongst the wild prey species, nilgai was observed to be the most abundant wild ungulate prey species followed by, chital, wild pig and sambar in the study area..The Species distribution data was collected from camera trapping, direct sighting records, scat locations and track locations and was pooled for the entire study period 2010-2013, collectively making 413 observed point locations in the intensive study area.
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    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.
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    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, Trevor
    Present 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.
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    Pesticide Residues in select components of an Agroecosystem adopting organic and conventional farming in Padayetti Village, Palakkad District, Kerala
    (SACON, 2014) Ganesan, K.; Muralidharan, S.
    The ever increasing human population and the corresponding demand for food have forced the producers to intensify their efforts to increase the productivity. Among the grain crops, paddy is the highest pesticide consuming crop in India. Increasing awareness on health and many environmental issues associated with the indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to interest in alternate methods of agricultural farming which are environment-friendly and economically feasib le. The Kerala State Biodiversity Board (KSBB) through Department of environment and Climate Change (DoEee) launched a demonstration project known as "Granary of Kerola" in Palakkad district in 2009 to conserve biodiversity associated with agroecosystems by totally avoiding chemical inputs in agriculture. To protect the paddy crop from weeds, insects and diseases, pesticides such as insecticides, herbicides and fungicides are used. Moreover, determination of pesticide residues in paddy has become increasingly essential for consumers, producers and authorities responsible for quality control. Hence, this study was conducted to investigate pesti cide residues in different environmental components adopting two different types of cultivation methods, namely organic and conventional.
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    Avian Species selection in Urban Habitats: A study in Coimbatore, India.
    (SACON, 2013) Rajini, J.; Azeez, P.A.
    Survival of a species is closely associated with changing habitats. We studied this in the context of urbanization that brings massive changes in the landscape. The study is contextual in view of high rates of conversion of natural landscapes into urban areas. With the ascent of urbanization, many species disappear while some species become abundant. The present study investigated avian species and their distribution along a rural-urban gradient of the Coimbatore city - a fast growing city in Tamil Nadu, India. The study was taken up to explore the factors that affect the distribution of avian species across an urbanisation gradient and to identify survival strategies adopted by avian species in urban areas.
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    Organochlorine pesticides, population and reproductive success of fish-eating birds in select heronries in Tamil Nadu
    (SACON, 2013) Jayakumar, S.; Murlidharan, S.
    Colonial water birds are one of the major vital components of a wetland ecosystem. They serve as an excellent indicator of wetland health. In India. destruction of fresh water wetlands and entry of contaminants pose significant threats to the long-term stability of the population of colonial water birds and their habitats. Enormous quantities of man-made chemicals are used in modern agriculture. Despite obvious benefits, their indiscriminately has resulted in accumulation of residues in food and animal tissues causing environmental and ecological impact. Presence of pesticide residues, particularly persistent organochlorines in different biological and non-biological components has raised concern about their long-term accumulation and effects. Birds occupy different trophic levels in different food chains and hence are exposed to different concentrations of contaminants through their food. III effects of pesticides on wildlife. especially raptors, waterfowl and fish-eating birds have been extensively studied around the world. But, in India such information on birds particularly fish-eating birds (colonial birds) is limited. Although. some information is available on the residue levels of pesticides present in eggs of fish-eating and insectivorous birds in lndia, they fail to bring out the exact scenario of pesticide usage in agricultural areas and residue levels in eggs, and the consequent impact on breeding outcome. Further. there are 110 studies which have repol1ed the residue levels in eggs and simultaneously monitored the population of birds over a period of time in India. The present work was conducted in select heronries in Tamil Nadu with the following objectives; identify the heronries in Tamil Nadu, monitor the population and study breeding ecology of colonial nesting birds in select locations. document the residue levels of organochlorine pesticides in fishes, eggs and tissues of colonial nesting birds and asses the impacts.
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    Bird Community of Andaman Islands with Emphasis on Human Associated and Introduced Birds
    (SACON, 2013) Rajan, P.; Pramod, P.
    Andaman and Nicobar Islands are very rich in bird diversity and hence have high importance in conservation planning. Both in species endemism and species diversity these islands are notable. Andaman and Nicobar Islands is also a significant place in India which is exposed to very high human mediated species introduction. These introduced species can have serious effects on the native biodiversity and it can be the agent for the breakdown of native species equilibrium. On the background of this context, this study was undertaken to examine the bird species composition of Andaman Islands especially on human influenced areas and the role of introduced birds among the avifauna of these Islands. The study was carried out in nine inhabited islands in the Andaman group and later these nine study sites were clubbed into five groups for easy analysis. The study emphasis on introduced birds and their impacts on native ecosystem especially on Islands. Both secondary and primary data collection methods are employed in the study. All the published information on distribution of birds in Andaman Islands were collated synthesized and analyzed to elucidate the characteristics of Andaman Bird fauna. Systematically 221 transect counts of birds from nine human inhabited islands which can be classified into 6 habitats were collected. These collected field observation data on birds were analyzed with special emphasis on the introduced birds.
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    Study on avian frugivory and seed dispersal in the shoal forests of Nilgiri Hills, Western Ghats, India.
    (SACON, 2013) Anbarasu, C.; Balasubramanian, P.
    A study on avian frugivory and seed dispersal in 111'0 shola forests of Nilgiri hills, Western Ghats was carried out from January 2009 to July 20 I I. Longwood shola is situated between 11 °43.494'N and 0760 87A63'E) and Eppanadu shola between I lo29. IS]'N and 0760 47.223'E. The objectives or the present study were, i). study avian frugivory and find out major frugivores in the shola forests ii). assessing fruiting phenology of fleshy-fruited tree species and find out the fruiting seasonality, iii). establish the role of avian frugivores in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Vegetation sampling was done in both the shola forests, Longwood and Eppanadu. One h3 plot (50x20m) were laid in e3ch of the above-mentioned two shola s. Data collected were analyzed to obtain quantitative structure and composition of plant communities. Fruiting periodicity was determined by monitoring tagged trees for 24 months.