the status and distribution of the greater one-horned rhino in nepal

30
THE STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE GREATER ONE HORNED RHINO IN NEPAL
Riverine and sub-tropical mixed hardwood forests were found to be most invaded by M. micrantha
(63.1% of plots invaded, 24.2% of the plots highly invaded). Other habitat types in descending
order of invasion magnitude were: wetland, tall grassland, short grassland and Sal forest (Table
12). Approximately 73% of the total rhinos recorded were sighted in tall grasslands and riverine
forests (Table 11). These prime rhino areas also have the most M. micrantha infestati on (38% and
63.1% of the plots invaded).
Table 12: Mikania micrantha infestati on by habitat type - Chitwan Nati onal Park
Habitat Types
Mikania Micrantha cover
0 % 50 %
Riverine forest/sub-tropical mixed hardwood 36.9 38.9 24.2 63.1
Wetland 58.3 33.4 8.3 41.7
Tall grassland 62.0 28.1 9.9 38.0
Short grassland 64.9 29.9 5.2 35.1
Sal forest 87.6 10.4 2.0 12.4
Figure 34: Mikania micrantha infestati on superimposed on rhino
density map - Chitwan Nati onal Park (increasing brightness =
higher rhino densiti es)
Figure 35: High Mikania micrantha infestati on superimposed on
rhino density map - Chitwan Nati onal Park (increasing brightness
= higher rhino densiti es)
% Invaded