scholarly journals Nesting habitat selection and challenges of conservation of the vulnerable Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus (Horsfield, 1821) in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-46
Author(s):  
Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai ◽  
Jagan Nath Adhikari ◽  
Manukala Rijal
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
National Park ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Human Settlements ◽  
Shorea Robusta ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Nesting Place

Abstract The nesting ecology and conservation threats of the Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus) were studied in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal. We located nine nesting colonies during the nesting season. The number of nests was highly positively correlated with tree height, diameter at breast height and canopy cover. The uppermost canopy of the trees was the most preferred nesting place. Storks preferred to nest in compact colonies on large, widely branched trees with thin foliage cover, such as Bombax ceiba, and also nearby the foraging grounds such as wetlands and grasslands. Storks mostly preferred to nest in Bombax ceiba, but if this tree was not available, they nested in other trees, such as Shorea robusta, Ficus racemosa and Terminalia alata. During the breeding season, 180 adults, 76 nests and 88 chicks were recorded, where the highest number of chicks was recorded near the Sauraha area of the Chitwan National Park. Most of the colonies were far from human settlements, which suggest that human disturbance could be the major determinant of nesting habitat selection in this area. The wetlands nearby human settlements are either overexploited in terms of mass collection of the storks` prey species by people or disturbed highly due to presence of a large number of people. These empirical findings suggest that conservation of Lesser Adjutant mainly rely on the protection of mature Bombax ceiba trees and the reduction of human disturbance and of the collection of stork prey animals from foraging areas.

Habitat Selection by 2 Closely Related Skinks, Egernia-Modesta Storr and Egernia-Whitii Lacepede (Lacertilia, Scincidae)

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
DA Milton ◽  
JM Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Niche Separation ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Allopatric Populations ◽  
Narrow Zone ◽  
Current Distributions ◽  
Microhabitat Preferences

'The habitat and microhabitat preferences, and times of activity, of the skinks Egernia modesta and E. whitii were examined in southern Queensland where they coexist in a narrow zone. The above parameters were compared between locally sympatric and allopatric populations, in an attempt to determine whether there was evidence of niche separation in sympatry. E. modesta preferred open habitats with little canopy cover and high grass cover, adjacent to rocky retreats. E. whitii preferred rocky areas with well developed canopy and shrub layers. Both species were active throughout the day, although E. modesta was active later than E. whitii. No evidence was found of competition restricting habitat preferences where the two species coexisted. It is suggested that human disturbance has had some influence on current distributions of these species.

scholarly journals Park-people interface: a case study of Ayodhyapuri VDC, Chitwan, Nepal

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 47-53
Author(s):  
Anita Pant ◽  
Shivraj Bhata
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
National Park ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Private Land ◽  
Fuel Wood ◽  
Shorea Robusta ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Wood Consumption

The study in Ayodhyapuri Village Development Committee in Buffer Zone of Chitwan National Park revealed that the main source of energy is fuel wood, most of which is supplied from Buffer Zone Community Forestry (BZCF) and Chitwan National Park (37.93%) and partially from private land (2.15%). Agriculture was main source of livelihood among the villagers. Fuel wood consumption per household was found to be 3516.11 kg per year in the study area. Landless and low-income households were found using more fuel wood from BZCF and National Park.  The root problems in the study area are the maximum extraction of fuel wood and fodder from the CF and National Park, and the crop depredation by wildlife. The depredation of the crop by wildlife is one of the major barriers influencing the conservation attitude of local people. The CF is rich in biodiversity as revealed by presence of 36 species of trees, 54 species of shrubs and 66 species of herbs. Shorea robusta is the most dominating species in both trees and shrub strata whereas Imperata cylindrica is the most frequent herbaceous species. Scientific World, Vol. 10, No. 10, July 2012 p47-53 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/sw.v10i10.6862

scholarly journals Investigation on Species Composition of Plant Community at Tad Xai at Phou Khao Khouay National Park, Lao PDR

Our Nature ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Metmany Soukhavong ◽  
Liu Yong ◽  
Khamseng Nanthavong ◽  
Jérôme Millet
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Plant Community ◽  
National Parks ◽  
National Park ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Crown Cover ◽  
Significant Difference

Phou Khao Khouay (PKK) National Park is one of the 21 National Parks in Lao PDR that supports high biodiversity. The plant community was represented by 62 families, 145 species and 1,221 tree size individuals in 50×50 m2 plots. The largest species in terms of individual number were Hydnocarpus ilicifolia, Hopea spp. and the largest families in terms of species number were Rubiaceae and Dipterocarpaceae. A total 24 families, 33 species and 91 sapling individuals were found in the 10×10 m2 sapling plots, the largest species were Rinorea boissieui, Ailanthus triphysa and Hopea spp. and the largest families were Dipterocarpaceae and Myrtaceae. In the seedling quadrat, there were 88 families, 153 species and 1,586 seedling size individuals in 2×2 m2 plots, the largest species were Hopea spp., Hopea ferrea and spp. (leguminoceae), the largest families were Rubiaceae, Annonaceae and Dipterocarpaceae. Diversity was found very high in tree and seedling was significantly higher than that of sapling, but no significant difference between tree and seedling. The largest tree height and maximum mean diameter at breast height (DBH) belonged to the family of Dipterocarpaceae. Canopy cover of Diperocarpaceae was highest (35%) in study area. Lauraceae and other 6 families had lowest crown cover around 5%. The result of this study indicated the pattern of species composition in plant community assembly and density, diversity, abundance for the vegetation layers.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/on.v11i1.8237 Our Nature Vol.11(1) 2013: 1-10

scholarly journals Population status, nesting habitat selection and conservation threats of lesser adjutant stork (Leptoptilos javanicus) in the eastern lowlands of Nepal

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh Karki ◽  
Tej Bahadur Thapa
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Habitat Preference ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Conservation Education ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Nesting Habitat ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Questionnaire Surveys ◽  
Conservation Threats

Aim This research examines the status of distribution, nesting habitat selection and conservation threats of lesser adjutant storks. Location Eastern Nepal Materials and Methods Direct observation along line transects method was used to determine population status, distribution and nesting habitat preference of storks in different habitats of the study area. Questionnaire surveys to local people drawn randomly were used to study the socio-cultural dimensions of lesser adjutant storks conservation. Key findings There were a total of 98 individuals in pre-breeding and 240 individuals of lesser adjutant stork in post-breeding periods (94 chicks and 146 adults) in the study area. On average, there were 1.29 chicks per nest. Bombax ceiba and Adina cordifolia were found to be the most preferred nesting trees for lesser adjutant storks. Habitat preference of lesser adjutant storks revealed that colonies were more likely to occur in farmlands and swamps. All the nests of lesser adjutant storks were found on trees above 30 m height, the average tree height was 42.5 ± 6.8 m and the average nest height was 34.4 ± 4.3 m. Questionnaire surveys revealed that people were not aware about conservation of lesser adjutant storks. More than 80% of respondents (n=145) opined that forest destruction was the most serious threat to storks followed by human disturbance (79%), poaching (73%), pesticide use (52%), and urbanization/industrialization (43%). Conservation implications Protection of nesting tree species such as Bombax ceiba and Adina cordifolia should be given a high priority for the conservation of storks in the eastern Nepal. Conservation education programs to control excessive pesticides in the rice fields should also be carried out in the region. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/cs.v1i1.8581 Conservation Science 2013 1(1), 27-35

scholarly journals Human Disturbance is the Major Determinant of the Habitat and Prey Preference of the Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai ◽  
Pavel Kindlmann
Keyword(s):  
Human Disturbance ◽  
National Park ◽  
Prey Preference ◽  
Behavioural Plasticity ◽  
Free Access ◽  
Large Prey ◽  
Panthera Tigris ◽  
Human Disturbances ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
The Impact

Abstract We studied the impact of human disturbances on the habitat and prey preference of tiger by walking along transects in different sites of the Chitwan National Park, Nepal. The study found that tiger mostly preferred successional forests, grasslands and floodplains while avoiding the Shorea forests. Tiger strongly preferred prey abundant areas and strongly avoided the human disturbed areas. The prey preference of tiger obtained through scat analysis showed the highest preference of medium sized prey and less preference of large sized prey while avoidance of small, very small sized prey and domestic mammals. Tiger utilized higher numbers of domestic prey in the areas where there was high disturbance and less abundance of wild prey. The low preference of large sized prey and high preference of medium sized prey might be due to the low availability of large prey (e.g., sambar, gaur) and comparatively high availability of medium sized prey (e.g., chital, wild boar) in this area. For the effective use of habitat and prey, a predator like tiger needs considerable behavioural plasticity with the lonely wilderness. The regular disturbances caused by human activities could invite a dramatic change in the behavior of such predators which consequently increases conflict with people and declines in prey population. Hence, the habitat and prey preference of tiger not only depends on prey abundance but also depends on the degree of habitat disturbances in the human dominated landscapes like Chitwan. Proper management of parks by delineating the core areas as the prohibited zone and having only the buffer zone area as the free access zone for the local people to accommodate their daily needs, could help minimize the human disturbance in this park.

scholarly journals Potential for crown diameter as a predictor of canopy cover under National Park conditions

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (s1) ◽  
pp. 305-317
Author(s):  
S.T. Angombe ◽  
R.N. Shikangalah ◽  
E.G. E.G. Kwembeya ◽  
N. Kanime
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Tree Height ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Relative Population ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
Colophospermum Mopane ◽  
Crown Diameter ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
The Relationship

The global loss of biodiversity has led to relentless calls from conservationists to protect the environment and natural habitats. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of crown diameter for prediction of canopy cover under national park conditions. The study was conducted in Etosha National Park, Namibia in 2015. Three tree species, namely Combretum imberbe, Colophospermum mopane and Terminalia prunioides were considered as representative members of the park species based on their relative population density. The study employed regression analysis to examine the nature of relationships between tree crown diameter (the dependent variable) and tree height, diameter at breast height (DBH) and distance from watering holes as independent variables. The regression coefficients for Combretum imberbe were not significant (P = 0.116; P = 0.431; P = 0.884, respectively), suggesting that crown diameter was not well estimated by these explanatory variables. On the other hand, there were significant relationships between DBH and crown diameter, as well as between crown diameter and tree height. Tree height emerged as the stronger predictor of crown diameter for both Terminalia prunioides and Colophospermum mopane. Therefore, the relationship between tree height and crown diameter as explained by cubic function can further be used to evaluate and estimate canopy cover under national park conditions.

Death Feigning Behavior in the Burmese Python Python bivittatus Kuhl, 1820 in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Santosh Bhattarai ◽  
Chiranjibi Prasad Pokheral ◽  
Babu Ram Lamichhane
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Death Feigning ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Python Bivittatus

Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus Bennett, 1833 (Carnivora: Felidae) distribution and habitat characteristics in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 12451-12458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rama Mishra ◽  
Khadga Basnet ◽  
Rajan Amin ◽  
Babu Ram Lamichhane
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Oxbow Lakes ◽  
River Floodplains ◽  
Independent Events ◽  
Awareness Programs ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Threaten Species

The Fishing Cat is a highly specialized and threatened felid, and its status is poorly known in the Terai region of Nepal.  Systematic camera-trap surveys, comprising 868 camera-trap days in four survey blocks of 40km2 in Rapti, Reu and Narayani river floodplains of Chitwan National Park, were used to determine the distribution and habitat characteristics of this species.  A total of 19 photographs of five individual cats were recorded at three locations in six independent events.  Eleven camera-trap records obtained during surveys in 2010, 2012 and 2013 were used to map the species distribution inside Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone.  Habitat characteristics were described at six locations where cats were photographed.  The majority of records were obtained in tall grassland surrounding oxbow lakes and riverbanks.  Wetland shrinkage, prey (fish) depletion in natural wetlands and persecution threaten species persistence.  Wetland restoration, reducing human pressure and increasing fish densities in the wetlands, provision of compensation for loss from Fishing Cats and awareness programs should be conducted to ensure their survival.  We also recommend studying genetic diversity of sub-populations, as well as habitat use by radio-tagging. 

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