High Altitude Wetland of Phobjikha, Wangdiprodrang, Bhutan KUENZANG - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Small mammals in small country: Conservation and Species Diversity of Small Mammals in High Altitude Wetland of Phobjikha, Wangdiprodrang, Bhutan

KUENZANG DORJI Researcher Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment

Presentation Outline

• Introduction

– Problem Statement – Objectives

• Materials and Methods

– Study area – Research Design – Data collection – Materials used – Data Analysis

• Results
• Conclusion
• Recommendation
• Acknowledgement

2

Introduction

• Small

mammals are animal which weighs less than 500 g and are terrestrial and arboreal in nature (Anke et al.,2010).

• Small mammals have highest

diversity comprising

• f

3821 species(ibid).

• Wetlands supports high small

mammals communities and represent area of considerable conservation importance (Erasmus, 1992).

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Problem Statement

• Lack
• f

vital information

• n

their distribution, abundance and population trends.

• Royal Society for Protection of Nature’s

management plan to conserve wintering habitat

• f

Black Necked Crane lacks information on diversity of small mammals.

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Research Objectives

• To estimate the species diversity of terrestrial

small mammals with relation to habitat types in high altitude wetland of Phobjikha.

• To

assess the affect

• f

environmental variables on presence of small mammals in high altitude wetland of Phobjikha.

• To

identify the conservation threats that affects the survival of small mammals in high altitude wetland of Phobjikha.

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Materials and Methods: Study Area

Table 1. Area of land under major habitat types Phobjikha Conservation Area ( PCA)- 162 Sq.Km. 4 major ecosystems :

• Forests,
• Grassland,
• River and
• Agro

Habitat Types Area (km²) 101.67 45.4 9.44 Forest Open Grass Land Agricultural Land Riparian 5.49 Total 162

Figure 1. A) Location of Wangdiprodrang

District and Phobjikha Conservation Area. B) Four habitat types of study site (PCA)

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Research Design

Figure 2. A. Riparian; B. Forest; C. Open Grass; D. Agriculture land; E. Sherman traps; F. Pitfall trap and

• G. Stratified Habitat

A B E F C D G

Data Collection

• Species, sex, weight and length.
• Slope, aspect, canopy

cover, undergrowth and ground cover, soil PH, microhabitat sites

• Anthropogenic activities-

grazing, road, timber extraction, stone/boulder collection and fire

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A D C B Figure 3: A. Sexing the animal; B. Weighing, C. measuring tail length and

• D. Transferring animal to handling bag

Materials Used

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A F B E A G C D L I H K J M

Figure 4: A. Sherman traps; B. Pitfall traps; C. Ruler; D. Pesola Spring; E. GPS; F. Measuring tape; G. Ribbon; H. Compass; I. Datasheet; J. Gloves; K. Clinometer; L. Scoops; and M. Crowbar

Animal Baits

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A F E C B D G

Figure 5: A. Oats, B. Peanut Butter, C. Can fish, D. Apple, E. Carrot, F. Biscuits and G. Flour

G

Safety Equipments

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Figure 6: A. Hand sanitizer, B. Gloves, C. Soap, and D. Mask

A C B D

Data Analysis

• Shannon Diversity Index (H’)

– Species Evenness (J) – Species Richness = S-1/LogN – Relative abundance=

Statistical Tests.

• One sample T test
• Chi square test

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Figure 7. A. Orienting the transect line direction; B. Measuring distance between traps; C. Taking morphometric measurement and D. Setting traps in snow ( forest habitats)

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Results- Animal Captured

Figure 8: A. Rattus rattus, B. Niviventer eha, C. Macrotus sikimensis, D. Sorex minutus, E. Dremomys lokriah, F. Ochotona macrotis and G. Niviventer neviventer

A G C F E D B

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Forest Agriculture Open Grass Riparain Species diversity, richness and evenness Habitat Types Eveness Diversity Richness

Results- Species Diversity

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Figure 9: Species diversity, richness and evenness of small mammals in PCA

BSc Sustainable Development 15

Results- Small mammals in relation to aspect and slope

Figure 10: The response of small mammals to aspects

Slope Category

Orders

Gentle ( 0°-15°) Moderate ( 16°- 30°) Steep ( 31° and above) Total Insectivora 66 12 1 79 Lagomorpha 1 1 Rodents 42 5 1 48 Total 109 19 2 128 Percent 85.16% 14.84% 1.56%

Table 2. Number of small mammals in different slopes in percent.

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Low Medium High

• No. of animals

Degree of Disturbance

Results- Conservation Threats

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Figure 11. A) Types of anthropogenic threats. B. The intensity of the disturbance

A B

Conclusion

• The species diversity and relative abundance
• f small mammals were comparatively high in

forests and agricultural land.

• The number of small mammals was related to

habitat types, slope gradient, aspect and microhabitats.

• Small mammals positively responded to

anthropogenic threats with high intensity of disturbance.

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Recommendation

• Study

covering

• ther

two seasons is recommended to ascertain the comprehensive list of small mammals of Phobjikha valley.

• Unplanned extraction of timber and plying
• f tractor inside the forest freely should be

strictly monitored.

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Acknowledgement

Highly indebted to:

• Dr Om Katel for unconditional guidance and support.
• Dr.

Ellen Cheng, Dr Kerry Foresman, University

• f

Montana, US and Dr. Andras Darabant, Project Scientist, Boku University for technical help in proposal and data analysis

• Director and CRE, UWICE for equipments.
• The Rufford Foundation for financial support
• Field assistants Mr. Sonam Choenjur, Tandin Dorji, Phuntsho

and Rinchen (JSWNP) for their assistance in data collection

• Family members for their love, support and understandings.
• Course mates for both conditional and unconditional support

and help.

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Tashi- Delek