2006-7 annual report - Nature Conservation Foundation

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A forest in weed: Impact of Lantana camara, a major invasive plant, on wildlife habitat in Bandipur Tiger Reserve Invasion by exotic species is considered one of the leading causes of biodiversity decline globally. Specifically, invasive exotic plant species have caused changes in species diversity, ecosystem functioning and aesthetic value of many habitats around the world. Lantana camara is one of the most widespread, terrestrial invasive species in India today. A native of Central and South America, Lantana came to India as an ornamental to be planted in gardens and hedges. Since then, the species has spread rapidly into both settled and forest lands, and is considered by IUCN as one of the world’s 100 most invasive species. The infestation of dry deciduous forests in India by Lantana is particularly severe and widespread. In places, it is so abundant that it comprises the bulk of the forest understorey. It grows dense, often in tangled, impenetrable thickets that greatly hinder large mammal movement, and potentially reduce forage for herbivores. Despite its abundance and widespread presence, very little is known about its ecology or its ecological impacts on these forests and their wildlife. In order to understand how Lantana affects forest regeneration and forage for wild herbivores, we conducted an experiment (May 2006 – May 2007) that followed tree regeneration, and wild herbivore habitat use through one year. We experimentally removed Lantana in several study plots, while leaving it untouched in several others. This way we could compare the effects of Lantana on our variables of interest. We tracked seedling survival and germination by tagging individuals and monitoring them through four seasons. We also measured understorey species, and grass in each season. Also, although wild herbivores like sambar deer and gaur are known to feed on Lantana, little is known about how Lantana influences the use of particular areas by these species, or how important it is in their diets. A series of pellet/dung counts of four wild herbivore species showed habitat usage across in areas with and without Lantana. Results analyses are currently underway. At a glance, however, it appears that Lantana is shielding young seedlings from herbivory but reducing wild herbivore usage of habitats. Also, together with livestock-grazing, Lantana appears to be associated with long-term changes in vegetation community composition. Towards a regional conservation strategy for the Western Ghats: an assessment of habitat quality, connectivity and the distribution of large mammals In a project ambitious in its scope and extent, MD Madhusudan, AJT Johnsingh, MO Anand, R Raghunath and Charudutt Mishra are mapping the forests of the Western Ghats along multiple axes of habitat quality, biological value and connectivity, to develop a comprehensive and data-driven conservation strategy for this important biodiversity hotspot. The global biodiversity hotspot of the Western Ghats offers one of the most important long-term survival prospects for large, charismatic and highly endangered mammals such as the tiger, Asian elephant and the gaur. Led by Drs. AJT Johnsingh, MD Madhusudan and Charudutt Mishra, this project supported by the Ministry of Environment and Forests broadly aims to develop a multidimensional view of large mammal conservation in the Western Ghats, particularly with respect to landscape-level habitat quality and connectivity. While a preliminary goal is to document at a fine scale patterns in species distributions and threats to conservation across the Western Ghats, a second step would be to understand the ecological, geographic and socio-economic drivers of these patterns. By working in close collaboration with the Forest Departments of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the project hopes to encourage wildlife managers to view the large regions of wildlife habitat outside protected areas in the Western Ghats as conservation landscapes, rather than perpetuate a narrow focus on Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks alone. Consequently, we hope that the work will contribute to updating and reviewing of conservation policy to better enable large mammal conservation. We have already commenced field surveys in the states of Maharashtra, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, focusing particularly on forested landscapes that lie between important designated protected areas in these states. 38 annual report
Farming the forest edge: understanding conflict and furthering people-elephant coexistence Humans and wildlife live in an uneasy co-existence along the forest boundaries of Bandipur, and conflict with wild species is part of the daily lives of local communities. For effective conservation, understanding and addressing the reality and perception of this conflict is crucial. K. Murthy is currently documenting conflict in villages around the park boundary, and exploring potential conflict mitigation strategies. Growing conflict between people and elephants poses one of the most serious challenges to the survival of this species, while also causing serious hardship to farming communities around elephant habitats. Although studies have begun to document the magnitude of these conflicts and their impact on humans, the manner in which these losses are distributed across households and villages in a landscape still remain poorly understood. Further, despite spending crores of rupees on conflict alleviation measures, we remain startlingly ignorant about their effectiveness in actually containing conflict. In a new study being coordinated by field coordinator K Murthy, we began with a survey of conflict perceptions in 23 villages around Bandipur Tiger Reserve, through which we have identified 5 villages for more careful monitoring of human-elephant conflict. In each of these villages, we have commenced day-to-day monitoring of human-elephant conflict incidents by working with local villagers. Over the next year, based on the data generated and opportunities for on-ground intervention, we intend to set up closely-monitored pilot projects of conflict management in a couple of the selected villages. Team • Field staff: K. Murthy, Paul Chandran, JK Madha & Maraiah • Researchers: M. O. Anand, F. R. Ahrestani, S. Bagchi, A. E. Prasad & T. Rogers • GIS analysis and technical support: R. Raghunath • Scientists: M. D. Madhusudan, A. J. T. Johnsingh & C. Mishra Funding agencies • Ministry of Environment and Forests, India • Rufford Foundation, UK • Ford Foundation, India • The Netherlands Foundation of the Advancement of Tropical Research, The Netherlands • Save the Tiger Fund, Washington, USA Collaborations and partnerships with institutions and individuals • I. M. A. Heitkonig, H. H. T. Prins, S. E. van Wieren, Wageningen University • W. M. Shields, State University of New York • R. Arthur & T. R. S. Raman, NCF • J. Krishnaswamy & M. C. Kiran, ATREE • Nadathur Conservation Trust, India • Namma Sangha, Bandipur, India • Resource Ecology Group, Wageningen University • Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Bangalore • Biological Research Laboratories, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York • State Forest Departments of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. • State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry i j annual report 39
Page 1: 2006-7 annual report nature conserv
Page 5: i CONTENTS j Foreword 1 Doctoral Pr
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Page 10 and 11: P from top: A herd of bharal; child
Page 12 and 13: Conservation education in the India
Page 14 and 15: Livestock insurance programme Under
Page 16 and 17: • Resource Ecology Group, Wagenin
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Page 20 and 21: Table 1. Long-term monitoring (1998
Page 22 and 23: and January 2007 in 40 of the initi
Page 24 and 25: ter survey in Namdapha. In contrast
Page 26 and 27: ments and suggested improvements. A
Page 28 and 29: in determining levels of hunting, w
Page 30 and 31: P from left: An Elaeocarpus munroni
Page 32 and 33: now in the process of being protect
Page 34 and 35: Survival of mammal populations in r
Page 36 and 37: nant plantation crop on the Valpara
Page 38 and 39: Team • Principal personnel: Divya
Page 40 and 41: P from top: Gaur in Bandipur Nation
Page 42 and 43: through the year. As predicted ther
Page 46 and 47: P from top: Green turtle in Agatti
Page 48 and 49: ecological processes and the impact
Page 50 and 51: • Principal scientists: Rohan Art
Page 52 and 53: Ecology and conservation of the lio
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Page 56 and 57: i FEMDIG j Friday morning discussio
Page 58 and 59: 13. Namgail, T., Bhatnagar, Y. V. &
Page 60 and 61: Peer-reviewed publications 1. Arthu
Page 62: i FINANCIAL STATEMENT j Sources of
Page 65 and 66: i ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS j Individual Sup

2006-7 annual report - Nature Conservation Foundation

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