National Mission Himalayan Studies (NMHS) Small Grant (SG) Project Quarterly Progress Report (1st July 2019 to 30th September 2019)
Title of the Project: “Population Dynamics and Biogeography of Himalayan Mouse-Hare Ochotona roylei in Relation to their Impact on the Medicinal Flora of Western Himalaya” (NMHS/SG-2017/018)
Submitted to: - Submitted by:- G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Env. & Dev. Prof. S. N. Bahuguna Kosi Katarmal, Almora -263643 Principal Investigator Uttarakhand, India.
Department of Zoology & Biotechnology H.N.B. Garhwal University Srinagar Garhwal-246 174 (Uttarakhand) E-mail: [email protected] [email protected]
National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS)
THE QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT (Reporting Period from 1st July, 2019 to 30st September, 2019)
1. Project Information
Project ID NMHS/2015-16/SG06/06 Project Title Population Dynamics and Biogeography of Himalayan Mouse-hare Ochotona roylei in Relation to their impact on the Medicinal Flora of Western Himalaya Project Proponent Prof. S.N. Bahuguna Department of Zoology & Biotechnology H.N.B. Garhwal Central University, Srinagar, Uttarakhand
2. Objectives To identify habitat at different altitude rich in Himalayan Mouse-hare populations; Quantitative and Qualitative study of the selective medicinal plants feeding by the Himalayan Mouse-hare; Population dynamics and carrying capacity of Himalayan Mouse-hare versus medicinal plant damage; To characterize the Biogeographical structure of Himalayan Mouse-hare; Conservation strategies to conserve the Himalayan Mouse-hare and its impact on medicinal and aromatic flora of Western Himalaya 3. General Conditions A certificate should be provided by the proponent that this work has not been done earlier (as a mandatory exercise). Project proponent should establish partnership with relevant organizations/experts to make study more strong and relevant to NMHS objectives. The roles and responsibilities of each implementing partners should be delineated properly with their budget. The budget allocations to partners should be done in accordance with the MOEF&CC guidelines (Max. 30% for salary, 30% for equipment and 5% contingency). The same should be communicated to NMHS-PMU, GBPIHED before start of project. Every 6 months, project reporting will take place, followed by monitoring and evaluation by the STAG. Monitoring indicators for the project should be able to quantify the difference made on ground. 4. Progress (fill only 3rdand 4thColumn)
Quantifiable Monitoring indicators Progress made against deliverables in terms of Supportive Deliverables monitoring indicators documents (PDF, Word, Excel, JPG, TIFT) (All files shall be in Zip format and to be uploaded in web portal)
1 2 3 4
New knowledge in the Quantitative and Done earlier form of quantitative and Qualitative Assessment qualitative database on Reports on the selective feeding behave by the medicinal plants fed by the Himalayan Mouse-hare Himalayan Mouse-hare (Nos/ species)
Compilation of standard Awareness programmes and conservation strategies has been conservation practices to organised. conserve the Himalayan Mouse-hare (Nos). Supportive Document Standard Protection Awareness programmes and conservation strategies has been Attached Practices for MAPs of organised. Western Himalaya (Nos). Database on population Knowledge products on The habitats of Ochotona roylei are severely damaged by dynamics and variation analysis of anthropogenic activity majorly in pilgrimage and adventurous biogeography of the population dynamics and area of Uttarakhand Himalaya. In response to changing climatic biogeography of the species condition this animal adopts seasonal variation in behavioural species (Nos). ecology. During this study the direct co-relation was established and analysed in different sites of study area. Supportive document for summary of progress report
Introduction
Ochotona roylei is a key stone species inhabited high altitudinal region of Western Himalaya. This particular species experiences a range of ongoing threats like rapidly changing climatic condition and habitat destruction. The habitats of Ochotona roylei are severely damaged by anthropogenic activity majorly in pilgrimage and adventurous area of Uttarakhand Himalaya. In response to changing climatic condition this animal adopts seasonal variation in behavioural ecology. Based on survey of this study area we aimed to address the capacity of habitat of Ochotona roylei at these study site and possible reason for the decreasing population.
Study area
The present study is constrained within the state Uttarakhand, located in the northern region of India between the latitudes 28º43'-31º27'N and 77º34'-81º02'E with an approximate 255 Km north-south and 310 Km east-west distance covering an area of about 53,485 Km2 having elevational range from 210 to 7817m asl. The state is known for its rich floral and faunal diversity and is also an eminent destination for pilgrims and tourists. It is also the source of Indian major rivers like: Ganga and Yamuna. Uttarakhand shares its international border with china in North, Nepal in the east and national borders with the state of Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh from southern and western part respectively. The state compromises of 13 districts within two geographically distinct regions i.e., Garhwal and Kumaun region. The state is dispended with scenic terrains, mighty mountains, and glossy water bodies. The present study is mainly decisive at Madhyamaheswar, Rudranath, Tungnath and Badrinath area of Garhwal Himalaya, Uttarakhand (figure1).
Figure1. Location map of study area Tungnath area, Madhyamaheswar, Rudranath area and Badrinath area
Methodology We used extensive survey and field study of this area for referencing ecological factor which affect population of Ochotona roylei. There are six type of Habitat were identified at different study area viz., Man-made wall, Broken slope, Forest gap, Danthonia grassland, Rocky alpine meadow and Alpine meadow. Vegetation and population data were estimated in these study area. Transect trial and GRID sampling (Martin and Batson, 1993. Nemitz and Huetmann, 2015) method was applied to identify the inhabited areas by Ochotona roylei. Presence of Ochotona roylei ensured by their direct or indirect evidence. In accordance with that, behavioural study was done by Focal sampling (Altmann, 1973). Standard Quadrate method was used for plant quantification (Misra, 1968) and focal sampling was done for identification of plants (Gaur, 1999). Density, abundance and species diversity were calculated following Misra(1989), Shannon and Weaver(1949); Odum(1971) respectively.
Table1. Showing selected site for study of Himalayan Mouse-hare Altitude Samplins sites Codes Latitude Longitude (m asl) BADRINATH BD o o Bamni Village BD_S1 30 44’24.36” 79 29’29.76” 3104.39 o o Badrinath &Mana BD_S2 30 45’10.8” 79 29’55.68” 3133.34 o o Vasudharatreck BD_S3 30 46’30.72” 79 29’13.32” 3276.9 TUNGNATH TU o o Baniyakund area TU_S1 30 29’0.24” 79 10’54.58” 2580.43 o o Chopta area TU_S2 30 29’11.4” 79 12’5.66” 2914.8 o o Tungnathtreck TU_S3 30 29’15.72” 79 12’30.96 3277.2 o o Chadrashila TU_S4 30 29’18.24” 79 12’59.7” 3465.27 MADHYA MAHESHWAR MD o o Koonchatti MD_S1 30 37’45.12” 79 13’2.51’’ 3216.24 o o Temple area MD_S2 30 38’6” 79 13’16.51” 3227.22 o o BridhMadhyamaheshwar MD_S3 30 37’57.36” 79 12’46.44” 3480.2 RUDRANATH RD o o Lyuiti bugyal RD_S1 30 27’51.84” 79 19’59.9” 2625.54 o o Pitradhaar RD_S2 30 29’16.8” 79 19’57.8” 3752.69 o o Temple area RD_S3 30 31’8.04” 79.317793 3560.98
Result During this study the direct co-relation was established and analysed in different sites of study area. As per observation of plant density and Ochotona population following date were estimated.
Average population density of Ochotona at Badrinath area was observed to range between 19.25±2.98 (autumn) and 32.5±0.95 (Monsoon) during the two years of study period. Himalayan Mouse-Hare was observed to feed majorly on twenty plant species at Badrinath area and Total plant density was observed to vary between 18.40 and 41.90 whereas Shannon index value ranges from 2.06 to 2.95 (Table2). The r-value for plant density and Ochotona density at Badrinath area was calculated to be 0.88, which substantiate the highly positive co-relation in the present study area.
Table2. Change in population density of Ochotona and plant density in Badrinath area with respect to different season.
BADRINATH 45 Season Ochotona density (hec-1) Plants density (m-2) 40 35 Spring I 26 18.7 30 Summer I 30.41 38.63 25 BADRINATH Ochotona 20 Monsoon I 31.08 41.9 density 15 Autumn I 28.16 34.9 10 BADRINATH Plants density Spring II 24.58 18.4 5 0 Summer II 27.33 35.43 Monsoon II 29.08 39.03 Autumn II 26.5 32.77
Average population density of Ochotona at Madhyamaheswar area was observed to range between 17±1.73 (spring) and 29±1.29 (Monsoon) during the two years of study period. At Madhyamaheswar, during the study Himalayan Mouse-Hare observed to feed mainly on eighteen plant species. It was observed that total plant density ranged from 16.60 (Spring) to 46.40 (Monsoon) with Shannon index value varied between 2.43 (Spring) to 2.76 (autumn) during the two years of study (Table3). The r-value for plant density and Ochotona density at Madhyamaheswar area was calculated to be 0.88, which show the highly positive co-relation in the present study area.
Table3. Change in population density of Ochotona and plant density in Madhyamaheswar area with respect to season MADHYAMAHESWAR 50 Ochotona Plants 45 Season density(hec-1) density(m-2) 40 35 Spring I 19.83 16.9 30 MADHYAMAHES Summer I 25.58 29.23 25 WAR Ochotona Monsoon I 26 46.4 20 density 15 MADHYAMAHES Autumn I 22.16 24.47 10 WAR Plants Spring II 19.75 16.6 5 density 0 Summer II 25.16 27.6 Monsoon II 27.33 45.23 Autumn II 23 24.9
Average population density of Ochotona at Tungnath area was observed to range between 6±0.40 (spring) and 22.5±2.10 (autumn) during the two years of study period. At Tungnath, it was observed that Himalayan Mouse-Hare majorly foraged on thirty plant species. Total Plant density observed to range between 17.33 (spring) and 48.87 (Monsoon) with Shannon index ranged from 2.62 (Spring) to 3.30 (Summer) during the two years of study (Table4). The r-value for plant density and Ochotona density at Madhyamaheswar area was calculated to be 0.77, which demonstrate the highly positive co-relation but less than Badrinath and Madhyamaheswar in the present study area.
Table4. Change in population density of Ochotona and plant density in Tungnath area with respect to season TUNGNATH 50 Season Ochotona density(hec-1) Plants density(m-2) 45 40 Spring I 12.18 18.7 35 Summer I 14.62 41 30 TUNGNATH 25 Ochotona Monsoon I 15.56 48.87 20 density 15 Autumn I 12.87 41.43 TUNGNATH 10 Plants density Spring II 11.25 17.33 5 Summer II 13.81 36.07 0 Monsoon II 13.18 45.8 Autumn II 12.5 37.67
During two years of sampling period, average population density of Ochotona at Rudranath Area was observed to range between 22.5±0.65 (autumn) and 31.75±2.46 (Monsoon) during the two years of study period. About Thirty-two plant species was observed to feed upon by Himalayan Mouse-Hare at Rudranath area. Observed Total plant density range from 20.33 (Spring) to 102.17 (Monsoon) and Shannon index value was observed to range between 2.17 (Spring) to 3.26 (Summer) during present study (Table5). The r-value for plant density and Ochotona density at Madhyamaheswar area was calculated to be 0.69, which demonstrate the positive co-relation but less than Badrinath, Tungnath and Madhyamaheswar in the present study area.
Table5. Change in population density of Ochotona and plant density in Rudranath area with respect to season. RUDRANATH 100 -1 -2 Season Ochotona density(hec ) Plants density(m ) 90 Spring I 23.91 22.23 80 70 Summer I 25.83 77.03 60 RUDRANATH 50 Ochotona Monsoon I 26.37 101.7 40 density Autumn I 23.25 75.93 30 RUDRANATH 20 Plants density Spring II 23.5 20.33 10 Summer II 26 75.6 0 Monsoon II 26.91 102.17 Autumn II 23.5 69.87
Predator of Ochotona roylei
Ochotona roylei show camouflage due to their rufous-grey coloured body. Ochotona spp. also known as whistling hare because of their different type of alarming call sound like whistle. Ochotona use this sound for various type of behaviour viz., attracting opposite sex, food presence indication and inform other community member to indicate presence of predator.
Figure 6: Showing some predator feed on Ochotona roylei.
But Ochotona less frequently use the alarming call not to attract the small predator like weasel in the vicinity. Predator of Ochotona roylei mainly consist Yellow-throated marten Figure 6 (Martes flavigula), Himalayan weasel (Martes Sabirica) etc.