Biodiversity Mapping Survey/Study in Kaziranga National Park (KNP) Insects Chapter Final Report Prepared by Mr. Rahul Khot Entomologist 1 1. Introduction In terrestrial ecosystems, insects play a vital function as herbivores, pollinators, predators and parasites (Seimann and Weisser 2004). Insects are considered to pollinate nearly 70% of crop plants worldwide and over 98% of trees (Klein et al. 2006). Insects inhabit every terrestrial habitat on the planet and play a major role in the evolution and maintenance of biotic communities. They are the primary pollinators of flowering plants; they are important consumers and recyclers of decaying organic matter; and they are integral components in the food-webs of vertebrates and other invertebrates. For these reasons, and many others, the study of insects and their relatives is of increasing importance as society faces increased challenges to preserve and enhance environmental quality, reduce pesticide usage, increase crop productivity, control food costs, and increase trade in the global community. The damage cause by pest species is far outweighed by the positive effects of beneficial species. Pollinators ensure the production of fruit, parasitoids and predators help control pest species, some species contain chemicals of pharmaceutical value, and a large number of species contribute to the decomposition and recycling of dead and decaying matter. The Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Northeast Ecoregion states that 3,624 species of insects are recorded from the region (Tripathi and Barik 2003). Butterflies and moths are by far the best-studied invertebrate organisms in Northeast India, and the region contributes the maximum number of species for the group in the country. Knowledge of the fauna of the Eastern Himalayas Region is poor. Most of the information available is on the larger vertebrates that are easily observed and inventoried. The smaller mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes have been neglected and the most abundant taxonomic group, the insects, have been virtually ignored. With the exception of a few studies that have documented the Himalayas lepidoptera (Haribal 1992, Mani 1986, Yonzon 1991), little else is available on the insect fauna of the region. The information on insect diversity of Kaziranga NP is meagre as only a few studies have been conducted so far (Singh and Varatharajan, 2013; Gogoi, 2013 and Senthilkumar 2010). 2 2. Objectives The main objectives of the KNP biodiversity mapping survey/study include but are not limited to the following: 1. Establish baseline data and survey protocols for future biodiversity monitoring; 2. Establish sound, repeatable field methods appropriate for local conditions; 3. Establish rigorous methods for collection and management of data and specimens, including the production of high quality photographic documentation with use of camera traps, analysis thereon and on-site field reconnaissance missions; 4. To bring out management planning by defining habitat preferences and distribution of a range of fauna/flora/assemblages and threats to them; 5. Identify habitats with rare, endemic and ecologically/culturally important species, guilds and assemblages; 6. Identify natural assemblages of plants/animals; 7. Provide natural history information on a range of species; 8. Capture broad season-specific behavioral pattern of species. 9. Documentation of management practices and identification of management zones, based on 5- 7 above; 10. Prepare information, data bank, especially on the importance of KNP, available for education outreach. 11. Share detailed data and information of KNP and develop stronger coordination among the Forestry Department, KNP, and FREMAA through organizing workshops. 3 3. Methods Study area: Kaziranga is located between latitudes 26°30' N and 26°45' N, and longitudes 93°08' E to 93°36' E within two districts in the Indian state of Assam—the Kaliabor subdivision of Nagaon district and the Bokakhat subdivision of Golaghat district. The park is approximately 40 km in length from east to west, and 13 km in breadth from north to south. Kaziranga covers an area of 378 km2, with approximately 51.14 km2 lost to erosion in recent years. A total addition of 429 km2 along the present boundary of the park has been made and designated with separate national park status to provide extended habitat for increasing the population of wildlife or, as a corridor for safe movement of animals to Karbi Anglong Hills. Elevation ranges from 40 m to 80 m. The park area is circumscribed by the Brahmaputra River, which forms the northern and eastern boundaries, and the Mora Diphlu, which forms the southern boundary. Other notable rivers within the park are the Diphlu and Mora Dhansiri. Kaziranga has flat expanses of fertile, alluvial soil, formed by erosion and silt deposition by the River Brahmaputra. The landscape consists of exposed sandbars, riverine flood-formed lakes known as, beels, and elevated regions known as, chapories, which provide retreats and shelter for animals during floods. Many artificial chapories have been built with the help of the Indian Army to ensure the safety of the animals. Kaziranga is one of the largest tracts of protected land in the sub-Himalayan belt. The park is located in the Indomalaya ecozone, and the dominant biomes of the region are Brahmaputra Valley semi-evergreen forests of the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome and a frequently flooded variant of the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands of the tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome. Average temperature ranges from 5 to 370 C and average humidity ranges between 65% and 95%. Rainy season is May to October, and the annual rainfall is about 2500 mm. Study organisms: Butterflies are suitable for biodiversity studies, as the taxonomy, geographic distribution and status of many species are relatively well known. Further, butterflies are good biological indicators of habitat quality as well as general environmental health (Larsen1988; Kocher and Williams 2000; Sawchik et al. 2005), as many species are strictly seasonal and prefer only particular set of habitats (Kunte 1997). Butterflies may react to disturbance and change in habitat and act as an ecological indicator (MacNallyand Fleishman 2004). They may get severely affected by the environmental variations and changes in the forest structure, as they are closely dependent on plants (Pollard 1991; Blair 1999). Thus minor changes in their habitat may lead to either migration or local extinction (Blair 1999; Kunte 1997; Mennechez et al 2003). 4 Literature review: Scientific study and documentation of Indian butterflies can be traced to the arrival of a Danish medical doctor Johann Gerhard Koenig in southern India, as early as in 1767. W.H.Evans (1932) provides an excellent scientific documentation of about 962 species/subspecies of butterflies belonging to five taxonomic families from the Assam region alone. Doubleday (1845) seems to be thefirst person to work on butterflies in the state when he worked in northern Assam covering the areas of Sadia, Jorhat and Cachar followed by Moore (1857) who worked in Abor Hills and Mishmi Hills, including Sadia.The celebrated work of Bingham 1905-1907) is also remarkable. There is renewed interest in butterflies of the Indian Region due to increased awareness among Indian citizens about butterflies, their biology and conservation issues. During recent years following workers have studies butterflies in different areas of Assam state, Bhuyan et al., 2002 (Regional Research Laboratory Campus, Jorhat, Assam); Ali et al., 2000 (Zoo-Cum- Botanicalgarden, Guwahati) Gogoi,2011 (Jeypore-Dehing forest, eastern Assam); Gogoi 2013 (Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong, upper Assam, India); Gogoi 2015 (Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong, upper Assam, India) Survey methods: During the initial plan we provided different methodologies for insect sampling as follows AREA SELECTION Study area will be divided in various strata based on natural vegetation and human disturbance. Grids will be selected randomly and number of grids selected will depend on proportion of each stratum (same as for vegetation survey). The entire grid will be sampled if it is small and accessible or random points will be selected in a grid for sampling. 5 DOCUMENTATION During the field work insects will be photographed by using SLR camera and macro-lenses for documentation and identification. SAMPLING Sampling is necessary for the qualitative and quantitative estimations of insects. It will be done by using following methods. DIRECT SEARCHING (For all insects) The insects will be searched in all suitable habitats like vegetation, leaf litter, under logs, stones, grasses as each insect needs a specific microhabitat for survival. The active search will be carried out in those microhabitats. INSECT NET (For winged insects) More active insects require more active search; particularly butterflies, moths, dragonflies and damselflies. To capture flying insect nets will be used on field. Insects are easy to catch in the early morning or cloudy conditions because their activity decreases during such conditions. SWEEP NETS (for insects present in low vegetation) Many insects like beetles, flies, grasshoppers and ants can be found on grasses. To collect these insects sweep net method is followed. This method involves passing a sweep net through the vegetation using alternative backhand and forehand strokes. After completing a series of the sweeps, insects caught in the net can