Om Prakash Tripathi

EFFECTS OF ANTHROPOGENIC DISTURBANCE ON PLANT DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY STRUCTURE OF A SACRED GROVE IN MEGHALAYA, NORTHEAST INDIA

This study analyses the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on plant diversity and community attributes of a sacred grove (montane subtropical forest) at Swer in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya in northeast India. The undisturbed, moderately disturbed and highly disturbed stands were identified within the sacred grove on the basis of canopy cover, light interception and tree (cbh ≥ 15 cm) density. The undisturbed forest stand had >40% canopy cover, >50% light interception and a density of 2103 trees per hectare, whereas the highly disturbed stand had <10% canopy cover, <10% light interception and 852 trees per hectare. The moderately disturbed stand occupied the intermediate position with respect to these parameters. The study revealed that the mild disturbance favoured species richness, but with increased degree of disturbance, as was the case in the highly disturbed stand, the species richness markedly decreased. The number of families of angiosperms was highest (63) in the undisturbed stand, followed by the moderately (60) and highly disturbed (46) stands. The families Rubiaceae, Asteraceae and Poaceae were the dominant families in the sacred forest. Rubiaceae was represented by 11, 14 and 10 species in the undisturbed, moderately disturbed and highly disturbed stands, respectively, whilst the family Asteraceae had 16 species in the moderately disturbed stand and 14 species in the highly disturbed stand. The number of families represented by a single species was reduced significantly from 33 in the undisturbed stand to 23 in the moderately and 21 in the highly disturbed stand. The similarity index was maximum (71%) between the undisturbed and moderately disturbed stand and minimum (33%) between the undisturbed and highly disturbed stands. The Margalef index, Shannon diversity index and evenness index exhibited a similar trend, with highest values in the moderately disturbed stand. In contrast, the Simpson dominance index was highest in the highly disturbed stand. There was a sharp decline in tree density and basal area from the undisturbed (2103 trees ha−1 and 26.9 m2 ha−1) to the moderately disturbed (1268 trees ha−1 and 18.6 m2 ha−1) and finally to the highly disturbed (852 trees ha−1 and 7.1 m2 ha−1) stand. Density–girth curves depicted a successive reduction in number of trees in higher girth classes from the undisturbed to the moderately and highly disturbed stands. The log-normal dominance–distribution curve in the undisturbed and moderately disturbed stands indicated the complex and stable nature of the community. However, the short-hooked curve obtained for the highly disturbed stand denoted its simple and unstable nature.

Development of Decadal (1985–1995–2005) Land Use and Land Cover Database for India

India has experienced significant Land-Use and Land-Cover Change (LULCC) over the past few decades. In this context, careful observation and mapping of LULCC using satellite data of high to medium spatial resolution is crucial for understanding the long-term usage patterns of natural resources and facilitating sustainable management to plan, monitor and evaluate development. The present study utilizes the satellite images to generate national level LULC maps at decadal intervals for 1985, 1995 and 2005 using onscreen visual interpretation techniques with minimum mapping unit of 2.5 hectares. These maps follow the classification scheme of the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP) to ensure compatibility with other global/regional LULC datasets for comparison and integration. Our LULC maps with more than 90% overall accuracy highlight the changes prominent at regional level, i.e., loss of forest cover in central and northeast India, increase of cropland area in Western India, growth of peri-urban area, and relative increase in plantations. We also found spatial correlation between the cropping area and precipitation, which in turn confirms the monsoon dependent agriculture system in the country. On comparison with the existing global LULC products (GlobCover and MODIS), it can be concluded that our dataset has captured the maximum cumulative patch diversity frequency indicating the detailed representation that can be attributed to the on-screen visual interpretation technique. Comparisons with global LULC products (GlobCover and MODIS) show that our dataset captures maximum landscape diversity, which is partly attributable to the on-screen visual interpretation techniques. We advocate the utility of this database for national and regional studies on land dynamics and climate change research. The database would be updated to 2015 as a continuing effort of this study.

Remote sensing based deforestation analysis in Mahanadi and Brahmaputra river basin in India since 1985

Land use and land cover (LULC) change has been recognized as a key driver of global climate change by influencing land surface processes. Being in constant change, river basins are always subjected to LULC changes, especially decline in forest cover to give way for agricultural expansion, urbanization, industrialization etc. We used on-screen digital interpretation technique to derive LULC maps from Landsat images at three decadal intervals i.e., 1985, 1995 and 2005 of two major river basins of India. Rain-fed, Mahanadi river basin (MRB) attributed to 55% agricultural area wherein glacier-fed, Brahmaputra river basin (BRB) had only 16% area under agricultural land. Though conversion of forest land for agricultural activities was the major LULC changes in both the basins, the rate was higher for BRB than MRB. While water body increased in MRB could be primarily attributed to creation of reservoirs and aquaculture farms; snow and ice melting attributed to creation of more water bodies in BRB. Scrub land acted as an intermediate class for forest conversion to barren land in BRB, while direct conversion of scrub land to waste land and crop land was seen in MRB. While habitation contributed primarily to LULC changes in BRB, the proximity zones around habitat and other socio-economic drivers contributed to LULC change in MRB. Comparing the predicted result with actual LULC of 2005, we obtained >97% modelling accuracy; therefore it is expected that the Dyna-CLUE model has very well predicted the LULC for the year 2025. The predicted LULC of 2025 and corresponding LULC changes in these two basins acting as early warning, and with the past 2-decadal change analysis this study is believed to help the land use planners for improved regional planning to create balanced ecosystem, especially in a changing climate.

Predicting Suitable Habitats for the Vulnerable Eastern Hoolock Gibbon, Hoolock leuconedys, in India Using the MaxEnt Model

The eastern hoolock gibbon, Hoolock leuconedys, is categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and assessed as a Schedule I species of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 in India. We predict the potential habitat of H. leuconedys in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India, using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) distribution modelling algorithm. The model was developed using 90 known localities of H. leuconedys in the state. Nineteen environmental parameters along with 12 normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) layers, elevation and land use and land cover (LULC) were used in the modelling. Amongst the environmental input variables, the precipitation of the coldest quarter (BIO 19) had the highest contribution to the model (26.03%) and the twelve NDVI layers collectively contributed 60.91%. Two districts, Lower Dibang Valley and Lohit, which are known to contain H. leuconedys, occupied 64.75% of the predicted distribution area of the species. Thus, we aid in the identification of suitable areas for the reintroduction program of H. leuconedys that is planned by the Gibbon Conservation Breeding Centre, Biological Park, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, India.

Soil dynamic of agricultural landscape in East Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalaya

The study aims to evaluate the effect of altitude on soil properties in agricultural landscape of East Siang, Eastern Himalaya. Four study sites along the altitude namely, Ruksin ( 450 m asl) were selected. Soil samples were collected on seasonal basis during 2009 to 2011 for analysis of physico-chemical properties. The results obtained were statistically analyzed using STATISTICA 6. Study revealed that soil texture was loamy sand to sandy loam. Bulk density, soil porosity and available Phosphorous were higher in lower altitude study sites; however soil moisture and available Potassium showed reverse trend. Water holding capacity was lower in upper soil surface except in sites at Pangin. Soil was slightly acidic in nature at all sites. Soil organic carbon (SOC), soil organic matter (SOM) and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen were higher in mid altitude. All the study sites showed low C:N ratio. Differences in parameter of soil properties at different years, sites, seasons, soil depths and in combination of these factors were significantly different except in moisture, SOC and SOM in year and soil depth combination. Based on the result, it can be concluded that soil fertility was better in mid altitude.

Geospatial technology based diversity and above ground biomass assessment of woody species of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh

ABSTRACT Comprehending the prominence of forest carbon in climate change, this study was piloted in different land use of West Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, India to record the floristic composition, community characteristics, and above ground biomass (AGB) carbon using random sampling and geospatial approach. Preliminary field survey was done in 2016. Altogether 45 quadrats (0.1 ha each) were laid. Total tree richness recorded was 164 species from 49 families. Dominance and frequency distribution pattern of species revealed heterogeneity in composition with majority species showing clumped distribution. Plantations showed highest tree density while mixed dense forest showed maximum basal area (58.89 m2 ha−1). Estimated AGB were 218.21 ton/ha for mixed dense forest, 84.94 ton/ha for abandoned forest, and 105.09 ton/ha for plantations. Total estimated carbon stocks were 120.01, 46.17, and 57.80 ton/ha for mixed dense, abandoned forest, and plantations, respectively. Predicted average AGB using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques was 163.25 ton/ha. Field-based AGB was slightly greater than the values observed from satellite data. Findings of the study may be useful for calculating total biomass and carbon stored in the major land cover of the district in particular and region in general. It will also support in future studies for calculating the long-term data on biomass carbon sequestration.

Gliding performance of the red giant gliding squirrel Petaurista petaurista in the tropical rainforest of Indian eastern Himalaya

Gliding squirrels occur globally and many are of conservation concern due to habitat fragmentation and degradation. Information on their ability to cover the distance between two trees by gliding is lacking in many species which might be vital for habitat management and conservation. The aim of the study was to present the field observations on gliding behaviour of the red giant gliding squirrel Petaurista petaurista observed within tropical rain-forest of Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh, Indian eastern Himalaya. The data were collected on 71 glides observed at nights. The mean height of launching and landing trees were 28.5 ± 1.0 m and 16.4 ± 0.9 m, respectively. Gliding variables calculated were vertical drop (mean = 13.4 ± 1.0 m), horizontal distance (mean = 36.3 ± 2.7 m), air speed (mean = 8.9 ± 0.2 m s-1), ground speed (mean = 7.9 ± 0.2 m s-1), glide ratio (mean = 3.1 ± 0.2), glide angle (mean = 19.0 ± 0.9°), GBH of launching tree (mean = 156.8 ± 8.5 cm) and GBH of landing tree (mean = 195.2 ± 9.5 cm). Gliding distance was categorized in four types. The highest glides in a 26–50 m glide-class (44% (n = 31)) were the most frequently observed. Gliding squirrels preferred top canopy (56%, n = 40) for distant glides. Forest structure has an influence on the gliding habits of gliding squirrels and thus our data on gliding parameters should be used when planning forest management actions.

Modeling of Water Holding Capacity Using Readily Available Soil Characteristics

Soil water holding capacity (WHC) and its spatial variability is heavily affected by soil organic matter and texture and had significant influence for varied application such as regulating plant growth, soil drainage and soil functional attributes. The present study was conducted in central region of the state of Arunachal Pradesh with the aim of modeling the WHC using readily available soil characteristics. Soil parameters were analyzed using standard methodologies, and WHC modeling was done by developed predictive model using partial least squares regression (PLSR) technique. Water holding capacity (WHC) and bulk density decrease with the increase in altitude. Soil was acidic in nature, and acidity decreases with increasing altitude. Soil texture ranges from sandy loam to sandy clay loam. There was a significant increase in porosity with the increase in altitude and decrease in soil organic matter. The developed models using PLSR technique showed good predictivity based on different statistical performances and error indices ranged R2 = 0.73–0.77; root-mean-square error (RMSE) = 5.69–6.08%; and mean squared error (MSE) = 32.45–37.02%). Variable importance in prediction analysis reflects the relative importance of each soil variables in the developed prediction models. It showed that clay was among the most important influencing variable of WHC followed by soil moisture, altitude and silt. Hence, clay percent can be considered among the most important variable in the model for WHC prediction. Correlation analysis of the variables also showed that water holding capacity was found to be strongly positively correlated (r2 = 0.88) with clay content followed by bulk density (r2 = 0.62) and organic matter (r2 = 0.43). However, a negative relationship was observed with other soil parameters. Based on the analysis of the results, the PLSR developed model results good fit with the selected variables. Hence, it may be concluded that the developed model could be successfully used to predict WHC using identified predictors under limiting data conditions. The findings showed altitude as one of the suitable predictors along with RASCs, as inclusion of this resulted in improvement in predictive accuracy of developed models of WHC. Hence, inclusion of altitude as predictor is being recommended for further studies.

6th European Federation for Primatology Meeting, XXII Italian Association of Primatology Congress Rome, Italy, August 25-28, 2015: Abstracts

Classic ecological models of social groups suggest that increasing group size typically leads to a decrease in both individual predation risk and net food intake, with optimal group size being a compromise between these benefits and costs. Among rainforest primates, the main antipreda-tor benefits of sociality are thought to result from the dilution effect and collective detection of predators. However, recent research suggests that vegetation density in rainforest habitats limits the benefits of collective detection against ambush predators such as raptors, felids and snakes. Further, while larger groups are acknowledged to be more conspicuous to predators, it is widely assumed that this cost is unlikely to outweigh dilution benefits. Here we show in a simple model that per-individual rates of both encounters with predators and successful ambush attacks per encounter can increase with group size, under conditions likely to hold for many primate groups (when increases in group size lead to increases in group spread, conspicuousness and daily trav-el distance). Consequently, individual risk against ambush predators that employ a sit-and-wait strategy to search for prey, such as many snakes and some raptors, is lowest in small to medium-sized groups. In contrast, individuals in relatively large groups are favoured against ambush pred-ators like felids that employ a cruising strategy to search for prey, although even in this case in-creasing group size above some threshold increases individual risk. These results suggest that maximum group size among primates can be limited by increasing predation risk. Research fo-cused on primate predators is needed to determine the extent to which the model accurately re-flects their behaviour.Bushmeat hunting contributes to the decline of primate species across Africa; however, few studies have explored how such practises change over time in specific localities and how changes in land-use patterns and economic drivers may enhance threats to primates in Muslim dominated areas where, traditionally, primates are spared from such trade. The Haut Niger National Park (HNNP) is one of only two national parks in the Republic of Guinea. The park is one of the last remaining important formations of dry forest-savannah mosaics in West Africa and is a site of high conservation priority for ungulates and the western subspecies of chimpanzee. This study aimed to: (1) estimate the diversity and abundance of animal species sold for consumption across several markets in and around the HNNP, (2) analyse the evolution of the bushmeat trade since the mid-1990s, and (3) identify the players and drivers of the commercial bushmeat trade in the area. Local market assessments were conducted across four village markets and in Faranah, one of the closest urban areas abutting the HNNP. We successfully identified 5,807 wildlife carcasses of 46 species and 22 families on markets surveyed over a 7 month period spanning both the dry and wet seasons. In addition, semi-structured interviews with hunters, farmers and people involved in the bushmeat trade helped identify more recent drivers of the bushmeat trade in the HNNP. Our results indicated an increase in diversity of species targeted and the influence of crop-foraging and local microcredit systems in exacerbating the presence of primate species sold at bushmeat stalls in urban areas. Finally, whilst identifying key recommendations and gaps for future research, this study emphasises the growing risks facing primates as targets for bushmeat where people depend on agriculture and natural resource extraction for subsistence. This study complied with the International Primatological Society (IPS) Guidelines for the Use of Nonhuman Primates in Research.Comparative studies of primate grasping and manipulative behaviours in captivity have highlighted, among others, two human abilities that are generally considered unique compared with other primates: (1) the use of forceful precision and power squeeze grips involving the use of the thumb, and (2) a species-wide dominant use of one hand (usually the right hand), known as laterality. However, recent research has highlighted a diversity of precision and power grips in general among many non-human primates, and there is much debate around the potential for population-level or species-wide laterality in non-human primates. The majority of this research to date has been done on captive primates performing specific manipulative tasks, which may bias or confound these species comparisons. Comparatively little research has been done on hand use in wild primates, especially during natural, non-manipulative activities, including locomotion. Here, we investigate hand use during locomotor and non-locomotor behaviours in wild mountain gorillas ( Gorilla beringei beringei , Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda), wild chimpanzees ( Pan troglodytes verus , Tai National Park, Cote d’Ivoire) and chimpanzees kept under semi-natural conditions ( Pan troglodytes ssp., Chimfunshi Wildlife Trust, Zambia). Preliminary results propose that hand grips are similar between gorillas and chimpanzees during the manipulation of common object types. Bwindi gorillas show various hand use strategies during the processing of several plant foods. Chimfunshi chimpanzees also use forceful precision grips during daily manipulative tasks, suggesting that this is not a uniquely human ability.

Anthropogenic Disturbances Led to Risk of Extinction of Taxus wallichiana Zuccarini, an Endangered Medicinal Tree in Arunachal Himalaya

ABSTRACT: Species extinction is the major biodiversity crisis in the twenty-first century. Today, anthropogenic activities are causing extinction of many species of ecological and economic importance. Arunachal Pradesh, home of high biodiversity and endemism, has many species facing tremendous stress which are on the verge of extinction. Taxus wallichiana, an endangered tree species distributed in temperate forests, has the anti-cancerous chemical Paclitaxel (Taxol®). It has other important uses in Ayurveda, Tibetan, and Unani medicine. Currently, Taxol is recognized as the most effective drug for a variety of cancers. Owing to its high economic demand, unsustainable extraction, and over-harvesting, the species ranked in the endangered category and is at risk of extinction in Arunachal Himalaya. Regeneration from seed is very poor due to a long dormancy period (nearly 18 months) and it is slow to reach maturity in nature. Moreover, consumption of fruits by birds, monkeys, rats, etc., is causing regeneration failure. A very few populations survive in isolated pockets and they will become extinct in the near future if proper conservation measures are not initiated. Conservation measures either by in situ or ex situ, with community participation, can be undertaken. In situ conservation can be exercised by establishing sanctuaries, parks, reserve forests, etc. Ex situ conservation could be practiced by cultivating the species in gardens, parks, and also by tissue culture techniques. Furthermore, mass awareness and motivation of local people for large scale cultivation and preparation of bonsai to a certain height to harvest the leaves without damaging the whole tree may reduce pressure on wild populations. This may meet the market demand as well as conserve the species and will boost the rural economy while also providing employment opportunity for the local inhabitants.