Browsing by Subject "Habitat utilization"
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Item Distribution, habitat utilization and threates of Himalayan Goral (Naemorhedus goral) in Nawalpur district, Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2023) Paudyal, AnishHimalayan gorals (Naemorhedus goral) are small sized shy natured cliff dwelling herbivorous mammals. They are widely distributed but less studied ungulates from Nepal. This study was conducted for determining the distribution, habitat utilization and conservation threats of Himalayan gorals from a part of the Mahabharata Goral Conservation Area in Nawalpur District, Nepal during December 2022 and March 2023. Observation of animals, fecal pellets, hoof marks in different habitat types along with topographic variables were recorded to find out the distribution and habitat utilization of Himalayan gorals. The study area was divided into three blocks each of 3km xiii 2 (6km×0.5km) and a total of 34 line transects each of 0.5 km were surveyed. Additionally, questionnaire survey (n=21) and interviews with local people (n= 42) were done to assess the level of conservation threats. A total of 89 pellet deposits, two individuals of Himalayan gorals, and three hoof marks were recorded in the study area. The pellets of Himalayan gorals were distributed from the elevation of 925m to 1580m asl. Analysis of variance to mean ratio for transects revealed a clumped distribution pattern of pellets of Himalayan gorals. Four habitat types were used by the goral, where the highest number of fecal pellets deposits was recorded in rocky cliff area followed by Shorea robusta forest. Himalayan gorals preferred south facing steep slopes of 51°–75°. The major conservation threat of goral was found poaching. Regular monitoring of the Himalayan goral population and awareness programs should be conducted at local level for the conservation of Himalayan gorals in the Mahabharata Goral Conservation Area.Item Diversity and Habitat Utilization of Birds in Lumbini, Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2021) Gyawali, AsmitaThe study was conducted in Lumbini Master Plan Area of Rupandehi District, Nepal with the main objective to explore the bird diversity and habitat utilization of birds. Point count method was used for bird survey. Altogether, 994 individuals of 111 species representing 15 orders and 41 families were recorded in which 79 species were resident and 32 species were winter migratory. Passerformes (48 species) was found dominant order. Shannon diversity index in LMPA was 3.686, whereas Simpson diversity index is 0.9721 and the evenness value is 0.8867. The habitat utilization rate was higher in forest with the utilization rate 0.46. Carnivores didn’t show significant relationship with habitat types whereas frugivores were associated with forest, herbivores were strongly associated with wetlands, insectivores and omnivores showed significant relationship with forest and grassland habitat. Feeding guild of the species also drives the habitat utilization pattern of the a vifauna. Presence of people and livestock had a significant effect on diversity and abundance of birds. This study suggested that human is the key factor for degrading the habitat that negatively impacts on the distribution, diversity and abundance of birds in LMPA.Item Invasive alien plant species and their effect on the habitat utilization of mammal species in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2022) Chand, ChandraThe introduction and colonization of invasive alien plant species (IAPS) is one of the most serious threat to the conservation of native flora and fauna. Such threats are noted in the various protected areas including lowlands of Nepal with negative impacts on the species and ecosystem services. The impacts of IAPS on threatened mammal species especially on their occurrences is little known. This study identified the effects of IAPS on the occurrence and habitat utilization of threatened mammal species at Shuklaphanta National Park (ShNP), Nepal from 11 November 2020 to 11 June 2021. During the study period, ShNP was categorized into IAPS invaded and non-invaded habitats. The occurrence of threatened mammal species was recorded from 210 plots of 10 m X 10 m along the line transect. Altogether 11 IAPS were recorded among seven families during this study. Among them Blue Billygoat Weed (Ageratum houstonianum) was abundant species in the study area. Altogether 25 mammal species were recorded in the study area, whereas 11 mammal species were threatened. Among the threatened mammal species, 10 species were in IAPS invaded habitat and all 11 species in IAPS non-invaded habitat. In IAPS invaded habitat, the sign of Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) was recorded only from IAPS non-invaded habitat. The higher occurrence of threatened mammal species was recorded nearer the forest as the abundance of IAPS decreased with decreasing distance to the forest. In addition, the higher occurrence of mammal species was found with increasing the distance to water source, distance to road, distance to human settlement and distance to agricultural land as the abundance of IAPS decreased with increasing distance to water source, road, human settlement and agricultural land. The threatened mammal species utilizes the IAPS noninvaded habitat rather than the IAPS invaded habitat. For providing suitable habitat for threatened mammal species, the removal or control of the invasive alien plant species from ShNP is recommended.Item Population Status and Haitat Use to Nilgai ( Boslaphus Tragocamelus) in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve(Department of Environmental Science, 2012) Bisht, KalpanaA study on the population status and habitat use of Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR) was carried out during the summer (May–July) 2011. The study aimed at studying the current status, distribution and habitat use of blue bull in SWR. Population status and habitat utilization were studied by direct observation and vegetation composition in the study area was studied by quadrate method. For vegetation study, all the plant species inside the quadrate were counted as well as ocular estimation was made to measure the coverage for shrub and ground vegetation and approximate crown coverage was conducted for tree species. All the stage of tree including tree, pole size, sapling and seedling were also analyzed. A total of 17 individual animals with average group size of 1.89 were recorded during the study. The population shows the reflecting decline as well as in critical state from the previous recorded data probably due to poaching, high predation and poor habitat quality. Nilgai were found using three main different habitats available in the study area, Sal forest, Riverine forest and Mixed forest. Of these, Sal forest with grass patches was highly preferred mainly due to the availability of preferred browse and grass species and also the semi-open land helps animals to avoid the risk of predation. Riverine forest is also utilized due to the presence of different ground vegetation and the other browse species with their fruits in dry hot season. Apart from this Riverine forests provides shade and cover. Four major types of vegetation were found in the main study area. Sal forest was dominated by Shorea robusta, Cleistocalyxn operculatus. Riverine forest was mainly dominated by Murraya koenigii, Syzygium cumini, Trewia nudiflora, Mallotus philippensis and Mixed forest was dominated by Symplocos pyrifolia, Termenalia alata, Lagerstroemia parviflora, Ber (local name) tree species. Highest tree density was recorded in the Riverine forest (300 ind/ha) than in Mixed forest (225 ind/ha) and Sal forest (103.97 ind/ha). Key words: Nilgai, SWR, Habitat utilization, Population, Quadrate methodItem Status, Habitat Uttlization and Conservation of Himalayan Tahr Hemitragus jemlahicus (H. SMITH, 1826) In Langtang National Park, Central Nepal(Department of Zoology, 2006) Tiwari, Devendra PrasadThis study was carried out in the Langtang National park which is situated in the Northern Part of Central Nepal. The research work on"Status, Habitat utilization and conservation of Himalayan Tahr in Langtang National Park was conducted during February to October of 2005. Altogether 468.55 hours and of 80 days with aimed to estimate the population status and Habitat utilization of Himalayan Tahr and to recommend for appropriate management. The study was carried out from Ghodatabela to Langsisa Kharka.The study area was divided into 5 survey blocks occupying a total of 25sq. km. The fixed point count from ridge line vantage points were conducted for the Hamalayan Tahr count. Observed herds and individual were repeatedly counted and recorded. Local herders and key residents were interviewed. A total of 218 individuals of different age and sex Himalayan Tahrwere recorded during the study in 8 different herds. Three types of herds were recognized: Adult male - adult female - young (37.5%), Adult female-young (37.5%) and adult male (25%). Survey revealed that 50 percent of Tahr herds were observed in 4200 m-4900 m and least (12%)were in 3700-4000 m. Animals were not located in 3850 m-4200 m. Stratified random sampling was done to analyze the vegetation in their habitat and identified 47 potential plant species. The encroachment of their habitat is severe by the excessive livestock grazing and utilization for cowshed. Noticeable disturbance felt due to frequent poaching and tourist flow. The conservation of this species seems to be vital as it is prime prey species of snow Leopard in Langtang National Park.Item Study of Habitat and Population Status of Spotted Deer (Axis Axis,Erxleben) in Chitwan National Park(Department of Zoology, 2007) Gupta, Prem LalSTUDY OF HABITAT AND POPULATION STATUS OF SPOTTED DEER(Axis axis, ERXLEBEN) IN CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK, NEPAL, was studiedbetween May 2006 and July 2006. The main objectives were to study the habitatutilization and population status of spotted deer in the northern side of the ChitwanNational Park. The transect line-plot methods were used for the study of habitat utilization andvegetation of the study area. Similarly, direct observations were employed for thepopulation study. Plant species likeShorea robusta, Syzigium cerasoides, Litsea monopetalaandDillenia pentagynawere dominant in Sal forest while Murraya koenigii, Glochidionvelutinum, Errata elliptica, Trewia nudiflora, Litsea monopetalaandBombox ceiba inriverine forest. The dominated species in grassland were Sachharum spontaneum,Imperata cylindrica, Digitarea ciliarisetc. The average density of spotted deer was estimated 23 individual per squarekilometer at present study. The male to female sex ratio was 1:1.8. The riverine forest which was dominated byTrewia nudifloraandBombox ceibawith less dense understory of shrubs and saplings was most preferred. The spotted deerpreferred floodplain grassland where density of grasses was low and height less thanchest height.