Diet Overlap Between Livestock and Wild Herbivores in the Greater Himalaya

Koetke, Lisa Jeanne; Bhattacharya, Tapajit; Sathyakumar, Sambandam

doi:10.1659/mrd-journal-d-19-00016.1

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Around 30,000 livestock visit the Nelang valley (∼1,100 sq km) in summer (Chandola, 2008). Such a high density is likely to increase the competition for forage and space for bharal, pushing them to marginal habitats (Mishra et al, 2002;Bhattacharya et al, 2020;Koetke et al, 2020). Consequently, an overabundance of livestock may increase the chance of wolf predation on livestock, which is also observed in other Himalayan landscapes (Werhahn et al, 2019;Lyngdoh, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Even though grazing is practiced only during summer, this is also the prime growing season for plants. Prior consumption of resources by livestock degrades the pastures and negatively impacts the ungulates (Bhattacharya and Sathyakumar, 2011;Koetke et al, 2020). Such a gradual and often unnoticed degradation of grasslands and subalpine scrublands could be the reason for the decline in ungulate diversity in the region (Bauer, 1990;Rawat, 2007;Bhattacharya and Sathyakumar, 2011).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Space Use by Woolly Wolf Canis lupus chanco in Gangotri National Park, Western Himalaya, India

et al. 2022

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The woolly wolf Canis lupus chanco is increasingly being accepted as a unique taxon that needs immediate protection and management; however, information on its ecology remains limited across its range. We used camera trapping data set of 4 years (2015–2019) to investigate seasonal activity patterns and space use and assessed woolly wolf food habits in the Gangotri National Park, western Himalaya, India. We used generalized linear mixed models to assess the distribution of the wolf about prey, seasonal livestock grazing, human presence, habitat, and seasons. We observed a positive association with elevation and a negative response to an increase in ruggedness. The capture of wolves increased in winters, indicating a possible effect of snow on the ranging pattern. Spatial avoidance to anthropogenic pressure was not evident in our study; however, temporal avoidance was observed. The activity pattern of the wolf varied among seasons. Wolves were mostly active in the morning and late evening hours in summer and showed a diurnal activity pattern in winter. A less diverse diet was observed where the mean percentage frequency of occurrence and relative biomass was highest for bharal, followed by livestock. Himalayan marmot Marmota himalayana, birds, and rodents also form minor constituents to the diet. Synthesizing all three factors (space, diet, and activity), it may be stated that the wolf presence in the region is influenced by both wild prey availability and seasonality. Therefore, conservation of woolly wolves would require securing a vast landscape with optimal wild prey.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Space Use by Woolly Wolf Canis lupus chanco in Gangotri National Park, Western Himalaya, India

et al. 2022

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“…Low density outside PAs requires management attention especially the areas identified as potential corridors for snow leopards to maintain connectivity. We recommend developing pockets of livestock-free areas accompanied by awareness programs, effective compensation schemes and local communities' support (Mishra et al 2017;Koetke et al 2020) to revive the prey base outside PAs (Mishra et al 2016). As of now, very little information exists on the interaction of snow leopards and nomadic pastoralists in the region.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Landscape connectivity and population density of snow leopards across a multi‐use landscape in Western Himalaya

Pal

Sutherland

Qureshi

et al. 2021

Animal Conservation

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Human modification and habitat fragmentation significantly impact large carnivores requiring large, connected habitats to persist in a landscape. Understanding species responses to such change and the protection of critical areas and connectivity they provide is essential when planning effective conservation strategies. Our study examines the spatial distribution of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) across a gradient of protection status, anthropogenic pressures and habitat types in the Gangotri landscape (~4600 km2), Western Himalaya. Using spatial capture‐recapture modeling, we analyzed a 4‐year camera trapping dataset (2015–2019) to assess the relationship between snow leopard movement and topography and identified the conducible areas for facilitating movement across the landscape. Snow leopard density was positively associated with elevation and slope, and was higher in protected areas (summer: 1.42 SE 0.02/100km2; winter 2.15 SE 0.03 vs. summer: 0.4 SE 0.01; winter: 0.6 SE 0.01 for unprotected areas). Precipitous terrain and several prominent mountain peaks were found to be resistant to snow leopard movement. Even with a range of human activities inside protected areas, the higher density suggests a positive impact of protection. Density‐weighted connectivity showed that conducible areas are available between the Gangotri landscape and the adjacent protected areas. However, compared to protected area, these areas are relatively less used and require attention for management. We recommend regulating human activities and co‐managing pastures with local communities to revive prey base outside protected areas, especially in corridors, to ensure such areas are functionally conducive. Our study provides a framework to collectively quantitate the spatial pattern of abundance, distribution and connectivity. Our approach has broad applicability for policymakers to develop strategic plans for balancing the conservation of species, and other land uses in a multiuse landscape.

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“…Some studies consider dietary and habitat overlap between livestock and wildlife as a proof that there is competition between them (Butt & Turner, 2012;Chaikina & Ruckstuhl, 2006;Fernandez et al, 2021;Koetke et al, 2020). Although they are important in expressing the competition between livestock and wildlife, they do not give the concrete proof that when they occur there is competition (Butt & Turner, 2012).…”

Section: Views On the Impact Of Wildlife Livestock Interactionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of illegal livestock grazing on the socio-ecologica role of trophy hunting: the case of Moyowosi Kigosi game reserve, Tanzania

Musika

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Tanzania has set aside almost 40% of its land for conservation and trophy hunting is the main activity conducted in an area covering about 80% of Tanzania’s conserved land. Trophy hunting conserves wildlife inside and outside Protected Areas (PAs) and provides socio-economic incentives for communities to conserve wildlife. Despite its importance, hunting companies surrendered 45% of Tanzania’s hunting blocks to the government mainly due to habitat destruction mediated by illegal livestock grazing. Unfortunately, there is no empirical information on how illegal grazing affects trophy hunting. Therefore, the impact of illegal grazing on the socio-ecological role of trophy hunting was examined using Moyowosi - Kigosi Game Reserve (MKGR) as a case study. The study investigated whether the physical presence of trophy hunting deters illegal grazing, improves wildlife habitats, and diversifies rural income. Field experiments, laboratory work, questionnaires, and official records from MKGR were used in this study. The study revealed that illegal grazing persisted in MKGR over three decades (1990 – 2019). It destructed wildlife habitats, reduced forages, enhanced soil compaction, increased human activities in the hunting blocks, and caused hunting blocks to lose their economic viability. Also, there is a higher dietary overlap between buffalo and livestock, buffalo density decreased in invaded areas and buffalo deployed spatial partitioning of about 5 km to avoid livestock. The study confirmed that indeed, trophy hunting plays an important socio-ecological role within and outside protected areas. If affected, it will compromise the multiple socio-economic benefits often gained by the local communities. The ecological role of trophy hunting in conserving grass biomass and cover, enhancing soil infiltration and penetration by preventing illegal grazing as observed in operational hunting blocks is also apparent. The study recommends the MKGR address illegal grazing at the hotspot areas and should conduct studies on areas outside the reserve that could be re-seeded with grass species preferred by herders. The MKGR should establish awareness campaigns on the impact of illegal grazing and develop a restoration plan to enhance soil nutrients, support herbaceous cover, and diversify wildlife species to boost ecosystem functioning and prevent further deterioration of this globally important Ramsar site in Tanzania.

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Diet Overlap Between Livestock and Wild Herbivores in the Greater Himalaya

Cited by 9 publications

References 35 publications

Space Use by Woolly Wolf Canis lupus chanco in Gangotri National Park, Western Himalaya, India

Space Use by Woolly Wolf Canis lupus chanco in Gangotri National Park, Western Himalaya, India

Landscape connectivity and population density of snow leopards across a multi‐use landscape in Western Himalaya

Impact of illegal livestock grazing on the socio-ecologica role of trophy hunting: the case of Moyowosi Kigosi game reserve, Tanzania

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