Theses and Dissertations

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Pollination

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    Assessment of Pollinators in indigenous farming systems in Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2022) Mehrwar, Vandana; Uniyal, V.P.
    The research work explores the major trends in mountain agriculture, livelihood options, adoption and non-adoption of organic farming, crop diversification, and key pollinators. The study also investigates the influence of different cropping systems on the diversity of insect pollinators, species richness, and their activities in the Mandakini and Doon valleys of Uttarakhand, India. The purpose of the study is to describe the insect pollinators and agrobiodiversity in the croplands of the Mandakini and Doon valleys in light of their role as ecosystem service providers. Thus, the study envisages the following objectives: 1) To assess the species richness of pollinators in organic and non-organic agro-ecosystems. 2) A comparative study of different cropping systems practised in the Mandakini and Doon valleys with respect to their socio-economic impact on the richness of pollinators. 3) A comparative study of different farming systems adopted in different study sites and their impact on the richness of pollinators. In summary, my doctoral thesis generates inventorial knowledge on insect pollinators in different farming systems and a variety of habitats in the Garhwal Himalayas. This study emphasize the need for organic agriculture adoption and promotion to conserve insect pollinator diversity in mountain agriculture, where inorganic agriculture is prevalent.
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    Landscape-level assessment of select group of pollinators and factors influencing their diversity and distribution in Kullu Valley, Himachal Pradesh.
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 2024) Khan, Sushmita; Uniyal, V.P.; Ramesh, K.
    Change detection analysis using satellite data in a remote sensing platform is a crucial tool for understanding shifts in land use and land cover (LULC) over time, allowing for the identification of environmental and human-induced changes across various spatial and temporal scales. This method aids in assessing the impact of factors like urban expansion, agricultural practices, deforestation, and climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems. Climate change, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Himalayas, poses significant threats to ecosystem services and biodiversity. This study explores the impact of LULC and climate change on pollinator diversity and distributional patterns in the Kullu and Tirthan valleys of Himachal Pradesh. By compiling a comprehensive list of entomofauna pollinators across various orchards in different landscape configurations, the research aims to emphasize the need of conserving pollinator species in this ecologically sensitive region. Additionally, the study predicts potential shifts in pollinator distribution under future climate scenarios, providing valuable insights for conservation strategies. Through systematic analysis, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of pollinator communities and their interactions within the mountain horticultural belt of the Indian Himalayan Region. Ultimately, the findings aim to inform targeted conservation efforts to preserve the rich biodiversity of pollinators in this area. The research focuses on two major valleys within the Kullu district, each presenting contrasting landscapes and ecological contexts. The Kullu valley, a 76 kms long stretch situated along the Beas river, is characterized by diverse land use patterns and heightened anthropogenic activity, particularly in horticulture and tourism. In contrast, the Tirthan valley, nestled along the Tirthan river for a 45 kms long stretch, is designated as a conservation area with minimal disturbance and dense forest cover. The study meticulously investigated pollinator diversity dynamics in the Kullu and Tirthan valleys. The study conducted in the Kullu Valley aimed to analyze land use changes over time using Landsat satellite imagery from 2000 and 2022. High-quality images with minimal cloud cover were obtained for both years, ensuring accurate analysis With the aforesaid aim in focus, I have tried to address the following three objectives in my thesis: Objective 1: To assess the change in landscape composition of the study area over time.• Objective 2: To assess the effect of change in landscape configuration and horticultural practices on pollinator communities (diversity and abundance) and their services. • Objective 3: To model the distribution of major pollinators of economic importance belonging to different groups (Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera) in the study area.
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    Pollinator Visitation and Reproductive Success in Two Species of Mangrove Plants, in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Orissa
    (Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, 1997) Pandit, Shalini; Choudhury, B.C.
    Visitation patterns to the flowers of Sonneratia caseolaris and Aegiceras corniculatum were investigated between December 1996 and April 1997, in the mangrove forests of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Orissa. The objectives of the study were to determine the pollination effectiveness of the different categories of visitors by quantifying their rate of visitation. The effect of environmental variables on visitation was examined, and the importance of the visitors to the reproductive success of the plant was investigated by conducting exclusion experiments (Le. bagging flowers to prevent visitation). Nectar was analysed for volume and sucrose content in S. caseolaris, and the impact of predation on the reproductive success of the plant was examined. The results of the study indicated that the flowers of both plant species attracted a wide array of visitors and did not show a specialised relationship with anyone visitor species/category. Different categories of visitors were seen to vary in their pollination effectiveness for the two plant species. Environmental variables such as temperature, sun intensity and wind velocity were seen to influence the visitation of Lepidoptera to the greatest extent, and Hymenoptera to a lesser extent. Visitation by birds was found to be independent of the environmental variables. The territorial behaviour of purple-rumped sunbirds at the S. caseolaris site was seen to reduce visitation of other birds and of bees to the flowers of this species. Results of the bagging set-ups indicated that there was no difference in the pollinator effectiveness of the nocturnal and diurnal visitors. Reproductive success was not pollinator-limited in either of the two plant species.