Natural Resource Use by Humans and Response of Wild Ungulates

Tapajit Bhattacharya,Sambandam Sathyakumar

doi:10.1659/mrd-journal-d-10-00069.1

Abstract

We investigated the levels of natural resource use by humans and the consequent response of wild mountain ungulates in the subalpine and alpine habitats of Bedini-Ali, located in the transition zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, India, from 2005 to 2006. The livestock population in the area, livestock dung density, and the number of trees cut, lopped, and debarked by humans were estimated from permanent plots (n = 312, 8 visits) laid along transects. Information on wild mountain ungulate distribution, abundance, and habitat use was recorded by monitoring transects (n = 7, 1.2–2 km, 217 visits, 325.5 km sampled) and scanning (n = 2, 10 replicates, 60 hours effort). Principal coordinates of overall disturbance were classified into 3 classes: low (< −0.04), moderate (≥ −0.04 to <0), and high (≥ 0). Blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) was most commonly encountered [46 sightings, 652 individuals, 10.19 ± 1.20 (number/hour scan)] in the alpine regions, followed by sambar (Cervus unicolor) (15 sightings, 18 individuals, 0.65 ± 0.01/km) and Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) (3 sightings, 3 individuals, 0.0015 ± 0.001/km) in subalpine areas. Abundance estimates for all wild ungulates were lowest during summer when anthropogenic activities were highest. Density of blue sheep and dung density of sambar and musk deer varied seasonally and was inversely related to livestock abundance. Blue sheep were spatially separated from other ungulates on high-altitude steep rocky terrain with low anthropogenic pressure. Sambar and musk deer had to share the subalpine and tree line forested habitats with herded livestock. Prior utilization of food resources in summer by livestock and habitat destruction due to other anthropogenic pressures may have negative impacts on the population of wild mountain ungulates in the study area. We recommend adoption of rotational grazing between Bedini and Ali Meadows, reduction in the number of livestock, and reduction in the period of grazing as mitigation measures.

Highlights

From time immemorial, humans have depended on subalpine forests and alpine pastures for their basic needs such as fuelwood, montane bamboo, fodder, and grazing of livestock
The overall dung density estimated for livestock in the study area was 48.76 6 14.13 pellet groups/ha; dung density estimation varied across seasons (Kruskal-Wallis x2 5 19.01, df 5 3, p 5 0.00) and was highest in summer (166.87 6 74.47 pellet groups/ha) and nil in winter
The presence of more than 4000 livestock accompanied by herders and shepherd dogs and consequent habitat degradation may be one of the causes of low abundance of wild ungulates in the study area

Summary

Introduction

Humans have depended on subalpine forests and alpine pastures for their basic needs such as fuelwood, montane bamboo, fodder, and grazing of livestock. Pastoralism has been practiced in the Himalaya for a few centuries, the intensity of grazing can vary considerably (Kala and Rawat 1999). Pastoralists lead large herds of sheep and goats and small herds of cattle and buffalo to graze in alpine meadows during summer and bring them back to lower altitudes during mid-autumn (Kittur et al 2010). Pack animals such as horses and mules that transport humans or goods graze in alpine meadows during summer. Livestock grazing and other anthropogenic disturbances can cause competitive exclusion of wild animals from high-quality habitats because they may be forced to forage in poor habitats and spend more energy to move away from the disturbances that affect their nutritional balance (Schaller 1977)

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Results

Conclusion