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| Verghese Mathai, M. | |
| Habitat Occupancy by Tiger Prey Species Across Anthropogenic Disturbance Regimes in Panna National Park, Madhya Pradesh, India | |
| 1999 Full Book | |
Effect of anthropogenic disturbance on habitat occupancy by tiger prey species was studied in Panna National Park (PNP), Madhya Pradesh. The study was conducted between November 1998 and April 1999. Line-transect method and pellet-count technique were used to estimate prey species abundance. Abundance estimates were used as a measure for intensity of habitat use by the species. The density estimates from line transects are associated with high coefficient of variation, which is largely a function of the small sample size resulting form extremely low densities in much of the study area. Ordination of habitat parameters grouped transects based on habitat quality, structure, anthropogenic disturbance and topography. Anthropogenic disturbance was found to be an important factor influencing habitat quality and differential use of habitats by animals. Sambar (_Cervus unicolor_) associated strongly with low disturbance hill habitats and poorly with relocated village sites and disturbed plateau transects. Results from line transect and pellet count method concurs in the case of Sambar. Chital (_Cervus axis_) were very localised in their distribution being strongly restricted to secondary successional stages and ecotones between relocated village sites and woodland. Nilgai (_Boselaphus tragocamelus_) was a generalist in terms of habitat occupancy. In case of Nilgai the two methods complement each other with the information they provide. The information from pellet-group counts was found to reflect patterns not detected by direct sampling methods like line transects. Chinkara (_Gazella gazella benneti_) was strongly associated with the disturbed areas, largely because of the openness, but was also found in the undisturbed areas. Wild pig (_Sus scrofa_), like Nilgai, was a generalist, but showed preference for fringe areas of forest adjoining 9 agricultural fields. Langur (Presbytis entellus) showed a marked preference for hill habitats and did not differentiate between disturbed and undisturbed hill habitats. Langur also showed the strongest association with water. The distribution of preferred tiger prey, Sambar and Chital is localised. Nilgai, which is distributed throughout the study area, is found in habitats not favourable for tigers. Such a distribution pattern is likely to only support dispersing and transient animals. Therefore habitat management should be aimed at maintaining and expanding habitats suitable for the cervids. Disturbance in the form of livestock grazing and woodcutting are largely responsible for the poor habitat quality. Such habitat disturbance is intimately connected with the socio-economic and cultural circumstances of the people, both near and far, and therefore efforts to conserve the tiger have to turn to these aspects rather than being limited to the biological aspects of the animal. |
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