Meta-population Dynamics of Tiger (Panthera Tigris Tigris) in the Terai-Arc Landscape, India

Abstract

This thesis focused to add deeper understanding of populations at a large, contiguous landscape Studying the tiger source-sink population dynamics in relation to current habitat scenarios would be crucial to set the site-specific future management strategies for successful tiger conservation mitigation. In this thesis, a combination of intensive field surveys, non-invasive genetic tools and GIS modelling were used to assess the tiger population connectivity across the TAL. More specifically, genetic diversity, population structure, demographic changes, source and sink populations and the habitat features which help to retain such population dynamics were investigated. Objectives: This thesis has three objecives which have formed three separate chapters. i. Population structure and demographic history of tigers in the Terai-Arc landscape, India. ii. Source-sink dynamics of tigers across different protected and nonprotected habitats in the Terai-Arc landscape, India. iii. Assessment of landscape connectivity of tigers in the Terai-Arc landscape, India.