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Ramakrishnan, Uma
- Reassessment of the Distribution and Threat Status of the Western Ghats Endemic Bird, Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensis
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PDF Views:114
Authors
Affiliations
1 National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560 064, IN
1 National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK Campus, Bangalore 560 064, IN
Source
Current Science, Vol 107, No 4 (2014), Pagination: 622-630Abstract
Montane grasslands in India face threats from habitat modification and climate change, but have received little conservation attention. In the Western Ghats, 55-80% of this habitat has been converted to commercial and non-commercial plantations. We examine the distribution of a range-restricted, grassland-endemic bird, the Nilgiri Pipit Anthus nilghiriensis through both fieldwork and literature survey. We combine our mist-net-based capture data with museum records that appear to indicate a smaller distributional range for the species than indicated by secondary sighting records. We argue that the species is limited to grasslands above 1900 m. Using GIS methodology, we estimate the area of this habitat to be only 441 sq. km. Spread over just two mountain-tops, our analyses indicate a drastic reduction from the presently projected distribution, making this species one of the most restricted-range birds in India. We discuss potential causes for this discrepancy, including misidentification, which may mislead potential conservation action for such threatened birds. We propose palaeoclimatic changes to be the cause for the present distribution limit to the two large mountains (Nilgiris hills and Anamalai-Palani hills), while anthropogenic habitat modifications may limit the distribution at a finer scale within these mountains. Given the combined effect of historical large-scale landscape modification in this region and the possibility of climate change affecting this species, the Nilgiri Pipit and its habitat appear to be under considerable threat and the bird requires urgent conservation measures, starting with an elevation of IUCN threat level to 'Endangered'.Keywords
Anthus nilghiriensis, Endemic Bird, Montane Grasslands, Shola forest, Threat Status.Full Text
- DBT Network Programme Enables Northeastern Students to Deconstruct Chemical Interactions within Local Biodiversity
Abstract Views :285 |
PDF Views:84
Authors
Affiliations
1 Chemical Ecology, National Centre for Biological Science, GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bengaluru-560 065, IN
1 Chemical Ecology, National Centre for Biological Science, GKVK Campus, Bellary Road, Bengaluru-560 065, IN
Source
Current Science, Vol 113, No 06 (2017), Pagination: 1019-1019Abstract
DBT's chemical ecology network programme entitled 'Chemical Ecology of the North East Region (NER) of India: A Collaborative Programme Linking NER and Bangalore Researchers' is a novel, exciting and multidisciplinary programme in the field of chemical ecology. It is also a multi-institutional programme linking three Bengaluru-based institutions, i.e. National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS, TIFR), University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc) with five institutions from the North East, i.e., Nagaland Science and Technology Council, Kohima; North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong; Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Imphal; Regional Centre-Institute of Bioresources and Sustainable Development, Sikkim, and Rajiv Gandhi University, Itanagar. The programme leverages opportunities in the NE states, which offer unique natural resources and possibilities for field research in chemical ecology.Full Text