Environmental Impacts, Systematics and Distribution of Herpetofauna from East Nepal
Date
2003
Authors
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Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology
Abstract
In this thesis, various environmental impacts on the ecological zones of the East
Development Region of Nepal have been covered. The studied area includes lakes,
ponds, watershed areas, springs, streams and rivers, wetland habitats. Forests, forest
bottom leaf litters, buffer zones, community forests, cultivated lands, abandoned and
arid zones were investigated as terrestrial habitats. Location and directions of mountain
ranges from Siwalik to Midland and Highland landscapes were also recorded. The
monthly and annual records of temperature, humidity, light and precipitation records
from each climatic station of all districts have been analyzed to assess important abiotic
factors in the studied area. Impacts occurring from land-use pattern, socio-development
and population growth are also discussed, with evidences of observation from this
research area. Furthermore, deforestation and industrialization in the process of
progressive development are one of the causes for slowly but steadily increasing
pollution.
The main focus on the herpetofauna of East Nepal has been the distribution
situation and the human impacts, respectively. The turtle situation in East Nepal was
another important problem object made during the research period. Systematic study
down to species level of amphibians (Gymnophiona, Caudata, Anura) and reptiles
(Chelonia, Sauria, Serpentes and Crocodylia) was made. In ethnologic aspect, the tribalzoological
names were collected from the lowland, Midland and highland ethnic
groups.
Besides this, herpeto-batracho-coenosis is another very important aspect used to
Description
Keywords
Environmental Impacts, River Systems