Theses and Dissertations
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Item Distribution and demography of carnivores in some parts of semi-arid landscape of Western India.(wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2020) Sadhu, Ayan; Jhala, Y.V.; Qureshi, QamarThe present study reveals long-term research on tigers, elaborating their vital rates, survival parameters, and dispersal. The camera trap data to estimate the spatially explicit density, space use, and time-activity pattern of leopards. A combination of techniques that included radio telemetry, camera traps, direct observations, and photo documentation was used to obtain 3492 observations on 97 individually known tigers in Ranthambhore between 2006-2014 to estimate demographic parameters that estimates collated over nine years from 97 individually known tigers and annual density estimates of Ranthambhore tiger population from camera traps. This study aimed to estimate the demographic parameters of Ranthambhore tigers, and subsequently compare them with other tiger populations. Two species occupancy was used to estimate the spatial co-occurrence of tiger and leopard in Ranthambhore. As a long-term conservation strategy, this semi-arid tiger population needs to be conserved in a metapopulation framework. The species distribution modelling showed the importance of the PAs and also highlighted areas to direct conservation investments outside the protected areas.Item Ecology of sympatric small carnivores in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2013) Kale, Riddhika; Sarkar, K.; Qureshi, QamarThis study aimed to examine the abundance and occupancy of small carnivores with the application of photographic captures using camera traps and diet composition of small carnivores through faecal analysis, investigate seasonal species-habitat relationships from microhabitat (non-spatial) and remotely sensed features (spatial) to understand how these variables govern their occurrence pattern and predict the distribution of small carnivores in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Western Ghats. The study was conducted from 2009-2011 in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (11°32' 11°43'N; 76°22'-76°45'E), Western Ghats. This study will critically improve our state of knowledge to protect lesser carnivores and aid the development of theory on their social structure, behavior and habitat preferences.Study species include jungle cat (Felis chaus), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), rusty spotted cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus), common palm civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), small Indian civet (Viverricula indica), brown palm civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni), grey mongoose (Herpestes erdwardsii), ruddy mongoose (Herpestes smithii) and stripe-necked mongoose (Herpestes vitticollis). The objectives of this study area as follows:- 1. To determine the abundance and occupancy of small carnivores in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. 2. To study the dietary pattern of small carnivores. 3. To determine spatial and non-spatial variables governing the occupancy of small carnivores and 4. To predict the distribution pattern of small carnivores through habitat suitability modeling in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.Item Role of top predators in shaping carnivore communities.(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2021) Solanki, Riddhima; Qureshi, Qamar; Jhala, Y.V.The aim of the study was to explore sympatric carnivore in higher trophic interaction with lower trophic carnivore within the guild. The selection of site was based on this requirement. The core of well managed tiger reserve where impact of anthropogenic effect (encroachment, livestock, domestic dogs), if not prevented, were limited. The sampling design oriented for tiger initially was updated for other carnivore sampling. The small grid size (1x1) proved suitable for photo capturing smaller carnivores. In this study an attempt was made to winnow the carnivore guild according to body size. The limitation was carnivore community composition differed within the same central Indian landscape. In Bor, major representation was by Jungle cat and limited photo capture of other meso-carnivores. Similarly, honey badger was detected largely in NSTR followed by Melghat. A uniform and grid based camera trap cannot necessarily account for capture of all small carnivores due to habitat and terrain preferences. Although the single season occupancy analysis did not show significant relation with any habitat characteristics like terrain, human disturbance and forest cover but avoidance between trophics was observed at patch level. The composition of a patch is mostly not used to understand the occurrence of animals. In a protected area dominated by deciduous forest type presents substantially uniform landcover type.Item Exploring ecological separation between Himalayan blue sheep and Himalayan ibex during winter in Indian Trans-Himalaya(Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Prakruthi, G.M.; Sathyakumar, S.; Lyngdoh, Salvador; Bhatnagar, YashveerAccording to resource selection theory, two related species with similar ecological requirements compete for the same resources. They can only coexist if they are ecologically separated, either by habitat or food preference. This study explored the resource use and ecological separation of ibex (Capra sibirica himalayanus) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) during the winter in the Spiti Valley, focusing on their segregation in space, habitat use patterns, diet, and activity pattern. The study was conducted in Kibber and Chicham areas (57 km2) of Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, India. This study slightly deviates from the findings of a previous study by Namgail (2006), which reveals a high overlap in the habitat use between ibex and blue sheep in the Zanskar mountains. Systematic sampling using transects and trails, vantage points, opportunistic sampling, and camera traps was employed. Habitat and vegetation variables were recorded at random points and animal sightings to understand the patterns of habitat use and food selection. Spatial and temporal overlaps were analysed and micro-histological analysis of faecal samples compared the proportions of monocots and dicots in their diets. The study investigated how ungulates utilize habitats and their dietary habits with the availability of resources in their environment. Results showed substantial overlap in activity patterns, with the Jaccard similarity index indicating less spatial overlap between the species. The generalized linear model and Non-metric dimensional analysis indicated segregation based on their habitat preferences. However, there were no significant differences in their diets, the two species differed in the use of habitat at finer scales. Ibex preferred interspersed rocky slopes and slabs because of high rocky areas (escape terrain) and sparse vegetation, trading food for security. Blue sheep preferred less rocky areas with high vegetation cover like smooth slopes. Ibex preferred areas with more escape routes available than blue sheep. Thus, I conclude that Blue sheep, being more abundant than ibex, occupy distinct regions within the study area, and have a competitive advantage. While ibex are present in smaller numbers and confined to a specific region. Understanding their ecological requirements, especially in harsh winters, is crucial for targeted conservation efforts to ensure the sustainability of these species in a rapidly changing environment. Future research should focus on climate change impacts on habitat use and resource availability