Research Projects

Western Ghats are hotspots of the world - biological diversity and high degree of endemism with nearly 40% of India's bird diversity with at least 16 endemics tropical montane forests (1400-2695 m). Montane forests are associated with birds endure both regional (habitat loss, monoculture plantation, invasive weeds, developmental activities etc.) and global (global climate change) level intimidations to their life. Restrict and reduce the species ranges (elevation range) to a narrow pocket. Both regional and global level threats to the species range of the Western Ghats endemic birds have not been appraised. Predicting potential distribution of Laughingthrushes (Banasura Laughingthrush, Nilgiri Laughingthrush, Ashambu Laughingthrush Sps out of 27 species of Laughingthrush in India, 5 sps. are found in Western Ghats) will be carried out by compilation of occurrence locations: ebird-India, GBIF, oriental bird images, other published literature, environmental variables- climate, Vegetation and terrain (elevation, slope- Extracted from DEM) would be studied. Occurrence locations and environmental variables will be checked for spatial autocorrelation and multi-collinearity respectively using SDM toolbox. MaxEnt - Maximum Entropy algorithm (Phillips et al., 2006; Elithet al., 2011) will be followed. Binary layer conversion- 10 percentile training presence/minimum training presence logistic threshold will be followed. Map of potential areas will be masked with area above 1200 m elevation and this will be the base map for further sampling. Grid-based occupancy framework will be followed Intensive sampling area will be selected based on the results of the occupancy survey. Major LULC types within Laughingthrushes distribution range will be prepared from satellite images. Vegetation sampling and phenology, nest-site selection of Laughingthrushes. Maxent models will be generated with additional set of occurrence locations for all species. A conservation plan will be prepared. State Forest Departments (Kerala & Tamil Nadu) have been incorporated into the project as co-investigators. PCCF of Tamil Nadu has nominated the Director and Addl. PCCF, Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Chennai as a co-investigator for Tamil Nadu part. Likewise, the PCCF of Kerala has nominated Additional Chief Conservator of Forest, Agastiyavanam Biological Park Circle, as a co-investigator for Kerala part. The consent letter from the PCCFs of Tamil Nadu and Kerala was obtained. NOC from Shri Sanjay Kumar Shrivastava, PCCF, Panagal, Saidpet, Chennai obtained vide letter no WL5A/22942/2019 Dated 21.08.2019 and PCCF(WL) & Chief Wild Life Warden, Thiruvanthpuram vide letter no KFDHQ-3478/2019-CWW/WL/WL-10 dated 22.06.2019.

Objective: i. To assess the structure and composition of vegetation in different habitats of Laughingthrush and phenology of food plants of Laughingthrushes. ii. To elucidate the distribution pattern and abundance of Banasura Laughingthrush Montecinclajerdoni, Nilgiri Laughingthrush Montecinclacachinnans and Ashambu Laughingthrush Montecin clameridionalis in the Western Ghats. iii. To identify the factors that influence the habitat and nest-site selection of these Laughingthrushes. iv. To evaluate the extent of anthropogenic pressures on the population of Laughingthrush in the Western Ghats and develop a conservation plan for these species to secure their population and habitats.