Theses and Dissertations

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End date: 2019Subject: search.filters.subject.Distribution

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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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    Abundance, distribution & pattern of human impact on river Dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica).
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2018) Deori, Sunny; Qureshi, Qamar
    This study took place in a tributary of river Brahmaputra named Kulsi which originates from the Meghalaya enters Assam at Umkiam where it is known as Kulsi and finally discharges at Brahmaputra at Nagarbera, Assam. It is a highly populated riverscape. According to 2011 census data, the riverscape has 55972.88 hectares of cultivable land which is solely dependent for irrigation on natural sources (Rainfall and Rivers). Also, the river is divided into 7 River fishery under Revenue department of Assam. About 2500 commercial fishermen are registered under the fisheries of Kulsi River and 1,29,095 cultivators. Apart from this fine quality sand is a boon to the people of Kulsi floodplain. More than 5000 families were dependent on this business. The recent increase in construction business in Guwahati metropolitan and the nearby blooming towns is raising the earning bar of the people of Kulsi River. My study aimed at the following objectives: 1. Estimating the abundance & patterns of dolphin distribution across Kulsi River. 2. Estimating the effects of different human activities which can possibly affect the habitat and distribution pattern of dolphins in Kulsi River (special preferences to existing commercial fisheries, sand mining, & irrigation). 3. Socio- economic status of fishermen community, sand mining community and farmers and their attitudes towards dolphin and wider ecosystem conservation. 4. Examine suitable measures to minimize/prevent the harmfulness of these fishing gears and practices in the commercial fisheries of Kulsi.
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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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    Studies on Taxonomy, Ecology, Distribution and Conservation values of Sthalavrikshas (Temple Plants) in Tamil Nadu, South India
    (SACON, 2007) Gunasekaran, K.; Balasubramanian, P.
    A review of previous studies in this field reveals that the information is found scattered. Only a handful of scholars have conducted research in Ulis field and that too based on medicinal, religious and mythological literature. Hence, a systematic study is felt as the need of the hour with the following objectives.1. To conduct taxonomic survey of s tha1avrikshas and bring out an authentic list of sthala vrikshas of Tamil Nadu. 2. To assess the ecological importance and conservation values of sthalavrikshas. 3. To document the role of traditional customs and beliefs of sthalavriksha worship in conserving the botanical resources. Tamil Nadu s tale along with union territory of Puducherry comprises the study area. Tamil Nadu (8" 5' and 13° 35' N Latitude and 76° 15' and BOO 20' E Longitude) is situated in the southern part of peninsular India. Tamil Nadu has wide range of land forms such as Coast, Plains and Ghats and is often known as the land of temples. There arc about 25,000 temples in the state.
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    Status, distribution and ecology of the Grey-Headed Bulbul Pycnonotus Priocephalus in the Western Ghats, India
    (SACON, 2007) Balakrishnan, P.; Vijayan, V.S.
    The Western Ghats of peninsular India is one of the globally important ecoregions harbouring some of the fine rainforests of the world. This mountain ranges host more than 507 species of birds including several endemics little is known, however about the ecology and conservation status of many species. Habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities the major threats to the restricted-range birds of the Western Ghats. Their narrow habitat requirements, particularly during the breeding season are yet another possible important factor causing their decline. Hence, evaluation of their basic ecological requirements, particularly their selectivity to microhabitats during breeding is of significant value while formulating conservation programme for these species. The Grey-headed Bulbul is a poorly known endemic to the Western Ghats. This restricted range species has a very limited distribution in the heavy rainfall areas in the hills along the south-western side of India from Belgaum and Goa to Kanyakumari. Observations, including both sightings and collections of Grey-headed Bulbul are very few from 1869 to 2002. It W3S reported as '"fairly common but rather local". However, the recent surveys do not show 'common' in any of the areas covered. This indicates a decline in population probably due to habitat loss and fragmentation. In the above background a detailed study was carried out to assess the status and distribution of Grey-headed Bulbul in the Western Ghats with respect to altitude and habitat and, to explore the habitat selection, for3ging ecology and breeding biology of the species to identify key factors affecting its long- term conservation. Intensive field surveys were Carried out between February 2002 and January 2004
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    Distribution of select nutrients and metals in the soils of a wetland-terrestrial ecosystems complex: A Case Study of Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India.
    (SACON, 2007) Prusty, Anjan Kumar B.; Azeez, P.A.
    The present study reports the pedological characteristics along the soil profile in a mixed habitat system (woodland. wetland and grassland) with emphasis on selected nutrient elements. alkali and alkaline earth metals, and heavy metals. The main purpose of this study was to examine the distribution pattern of nutrients, alkali and alkaline earth metals and heavy metals on a spatio- temporal scale. Soil samples collected at depths of O, 25, 50, 75 and 100 cm were examined with respect to certain select Physico-chemical parameters following standard methods and was found to differ considerably in their nutrient contents.
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    Determinants of occurrence of snow leopard and its prey species in the Indian Greater and Trans Himalaya.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2017) Ghoshal, Abhishek; Pandav, Bivash; Bhatanagar, Yash veer
    Understanding patterns of species occurrences and how their distribution and abundance are affected by abiotic and biotic factors have been a major theme of ecological research. The range and changes in the distribution of a species are important parameters to assess conservation status. Robust assessment of factors affecting species distribution and abundance contribute to the identification of conservation issues, appropriate scale(s) for species conservation and key stakeholders. This study is attempted to understand how distribution and abundance of a large-ranging and difficult-to-sample carnivore and its primary wild-prey species are affected by topographic, vegetation and land-use variables, at wide and fine spatial scales. Study is focused on the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), the elusive, rare and endangered apex predator of the Central and South Asian mountain systems, and its main prey, blue sheep or bharal (Pseudois nayaur) and Asiatic ibex (Capra sibirica) for the work. I have utilized tools from quantitative ecology and social sciences through the thesis.
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    Human-tiger conflict, ranging pattern and habitat use by tiger in Sundarban Tiger Reserve, India
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Naha, Dipanjan; Sankar, K.; Qureshi, Qamar
    The Sundarban tiger inhabits a unique mangrove habitat type, isolated from neighboring tiger populations by hundreds of kilometers of agricultural and urban land. The main objectives of the present study were to (a) understand ranging pattern and habitat use of tiger (b) to quantify livestock losses by tiger predation and identify spatio-temporal patterns in conflict in and around the Tiger Reserve (c) to document and quantify the geographic distribution of tiger-human incidents and (d) to evaluate the perception and level of tolerance of people living in the vicinity of Tiger Reserve. This study showed that tiger home range range sizes are much larger than reported from Bangladesh Sundarban. The Sundarban Tiger Population is of global importance for the conservation of the species due to the size of the contiguous nature of the habitat and the unique adaptations of the tigers that inhabit these mangrove forests. In spite of only four tigers that could be radio-collared and monitored this study enhances our understanding aspects of tiger ecology in this unique landscape. Sundarban tigers are primarily diurnal, prefer certain habitat types and are reluctant to cross wide expanse of water. This information can be used to minimize human-tiger conflict which is a major impediment to tiger conservation in this region.
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    Spatial pattern in the occupancy and abundance of red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) in western Shivalik landscape, India.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2015) Fernandes, Merwyn; Sathyakumar, S.; McGowan, Phillip
    This study was to identify landscape-level patterns of distribution, abundance and habitat occupancy of G. gallus across different spatial and temporal scales in a forest landscape, to help guide strategies for Galliformes conservation management. The present study was undertaken in an area (29˚54’ to 30˚24N and 77˚32’ to 79˚12’ E) that is situated within the Shiwalik Hills of Northwestern India, in the districts of Dehradun and Haridwar in Uttarakhand State. G. gallus is listed as a ‘Least Concern’ species, making an assessment of their status requires reliable information on population size and distributions. The structural component of understorey was one of the most important factor that determined occupancy and detection probabilities for the species. The structural components are known to provide cover to G.gallus, and other gallinaceous species that nest on the forest floor. The main threat to G. gallus is hybridisation and hence there is an urgent need to assess ranging patterns, survivorship and other basic demographic parameters, population status, genetic variability and purity of G.gallus in areas adjoining PAs where most of these forests have multiple uses and domestic/feral fowls are in close proximity in order to keep the common species common.