Abstract
The present survey documented the vertebrate diversity of Narthamalai, a reserve forest located in the Kulathur taluk of Pudukkottai district of Tamil Nadu, an area with suitable habitat availability for faunal species. The herpeto, avian and mammalian fauna were surveyed by direct observation at nine sampling stations. The present survey recorded a total of 43 different species of which 11 were amphibians/reptiles, 22 avian and 10 mammals. Amongst the total number of individuals (1136) recorded in the present survey, 301 were herpeto, 674 were avian and 161 were mammals. With respect to the herpeto fauna, the relative dominance, relative density, relative frequency, Simpson’s index of dominance, community dominance index and species diversity index were 25.58%, 26.50%, 0.26%, 0.26, 1.18% and 0.009 respectively. In the case of avian fauna, it was 51.16%, 59.33%, 0.31%, 0.59, 1.48% and 0.019 respectively. For mammalian fauna, it was 23.26%, 14.17%, 0.42%, 0.14, 1.20% and 0.008 respectively. Evaluating and recording biological diversity intent to develop a strategic framework for predicting the behavior of key variables in order to improve controlling, increase management options and provide an early warning of system modification. Accomplishment of monitoring for biodiversity depends on various factors such as using an appropriate taxon. Therefore, it is essential that biodiversity rich regions and reserve forests managed in ways that allow protection and conservation of biodiversity as much as possible.
Highlights
Conservation of biodiversity is a vital part of ecologically sustainable faunal management, and fundamental to ecosystem functioning and forest health
The study area Narthamalai is located in the Kulathur taluk of Pudukkottai district, covering an area of about 700.44 hectares (18.47sq.km.)
The entire Narthamalai region comprises of nine hillocks, viz., Melamalai, Kottaimalai, Kadambarmalai, Paraiyanmalai, Uvachchanmalai, Aluruttimalai, Bombadimalai, Manmalai and Ponmalai
Summary
Conservation of biodiversity is a vital part of ecologically sustainable faunal management, and fundamental to ecosystem functioning and forest health. Forests contribute significantly towards environmental upkeep, climatic balance, and are mainly instrumental for the rainfall patterns They are the source of rivers ensuring livelihood security for innumerable people who are dependent on them and perform other vital functions such as providing protection from natural disasters, in the form of shelter belt plantations. They are the treasure chests of biodiversity and home to most of world’s vast array of life forms offering needed habitat for wildlife and wide diversity of medicinal plants, while ensuring livelihood support to the tribes living within the forests areas [1, 2].
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