Assessing the threats facing wetland mammals in India using an evidence‐based conservation approach

Abstract

1. Environmental change and anthropogenic pressure are primary drivers of biodiversity loss, particularly in wetland ecosystems that have been modified significantly. Among wetland specialists, mammals may be particularly vulnerable to extinction. We aimed to increase understanding of threats and knowledge gaps faced by 11 mammal species inhabiting wetlands throughout India. 2. We adopted a systematic literature search protocol following an evidencebased conservation approach to obtain information on conservation threats and identify knowledge gaps for each species. Each species received threat scores based on the occurrence and magnitude of ecological and anthropogenic threats, a score based on its International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List category, and a knowledge gap score. A cumulative conservation threat score based on the four individual scores was calculated for each species to assess overall conservation threats. 3. Only about 10% of the literature search results were relevant. Of the major research categories, ecology was the most well-studied, whereas the impact of anthropogenic pressure on wetland mammals was the least studied. Pressing ecological and anthropogenic threats, scientific knowledge gaps, and conservation needs contributed to a high cumulative threat score for the sangai Rucervus eldii eldii (cumulative threat score = 34), followed by the wild Asian buffalo Bubalus arnee (threat score = 33) and the Bengal marsh mongoose Herpestes palustris (threat score = 32). Poaching/hunting, habitat loss due to development, and changes in land-use practices were found to be the major anthropogenic threats resulting in decreasing population trends. We identified knowledge gaps concerning the ecology of wetland mammals (e.g. population abundance). It is essential that these knowledge gaps are filled for effective conservation planning. 4. We identified important areas (population ecology, disease ecology, humanwildlife conflict, changes in land use) that should be considered as research priorities for wetland mammals in India, in order to make conservation efforts more effective and enable management planning, to ensure the long-term survival of these mammals. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG AUF DEUTSCH 1. Umweltveränderungen und anthropogener Druck sind Haupttreiber für den Verlust der biologischen Vielfalt, insbesondere in Feuchtgebieten, die erhebliche ökosystemare Veränderungen erfahren haben. Unter den Feuchtgebietsspezialisten sind Säugetiere möglicherweise besonders vom Aussterben bedroht. Ziel unserer Studie war es, das Verständnis von Bedrohungen und Wissenslücken für 11 Säugetierarten in Feuchtgebieten Indiens zu verbessern.

Characterization of Sonic Events Present in Natural-Urban Hybrid Habitats Using UMAP and SEDnet: The Case of the Urban Wetlands

“…However, it is very important to understand that despite government efforts, debates and citizen participation, urban wetlands are ecosystems that are extreme fragile and particularly vulnerable to urban changes and anthropogenic pressure, as was mentioned by Chatterjee and Bhattacharyya (2021) [43] (2021). The authors note that severe habitat fragmentations are primary drivers of biodiversity loss, and that mammals are particularly vulnerable to this fragmentation.…”

Plankton Diversity in Tropical Wetlands Under Different Hydrological Conditions (Lake Tana, Ethiopia)

“…Wetlands also host exceptionally high levels of biodiversity, which is attributed to their high spatial and temporal environmental heterogeneity (Keddy et al, 2009). Wetlands are home to numerous organisms including phytoplankton and zooplankton species (hereafter: plankton) (D' Ambrosio et al, 2016;Gogoi et al, 2019), macroinvertebrates (Mereta et al, 2013;Gezie et al, 2019), aquatic plants (Getnet et al, 2021), fish (Aziz et al, 2021), amphibians (Nagel et al, 2021), waterbirds (Aynalem and Bekele, 2008;Chawaka et al, 2018a;Chawaka et al, 2018b), and mammals (Chatterjee and Bhattacharyya, 2021). Phytoplankton form the base of the food chain in aquatic ecosystems and play an important role in overall wetland productivity (Chengxue et al, 2019), while zooplankton are recognized as the main primary consumers.…”

Mammal Persistence Along Riparian Forests in Western India Within a Hydropower Reservoir 55 Years Post Construction

“…In India, there have been frequent general discussions about dam effects on biodiversity, but detailed empirical studies on the dynamics and distribution of forest mammals within riparian forests remain virtually non-existent. In regards to riparian forests, studies have mainly focused on riparian obligate species like otters (Umapathy and Durairaj, 1995;Hussain and Choudhury, 1997;Anoop and Hussain, 2006a,b;Perinchery et al, 2011;Prakash et al, 2012;Raha and Hussain, 2016), or certain large mammals in floodplains/wetland-dependent species, such as Asiatic buffalo and rhinocerous (Chatterjee and Bhattacharyya, 2021). Chatterjee and Bhattacharyya (2021) found that even though wetland-dependent mammals have been studied, there remains a large knowledge gap in regards to these species ecology and conservation.…”