<b>Camera-trapping survey to assess diversity, distribution and photographic capture rate of terrestrial mammals in the aftermath of the ethnopolitical conflict in Manas National Park, Assam, India</b>

Abstract

Information on the presence and distribution of species is crucial for conservation planning and management within a region. Documentation of species assemblages in Manas National Park (MNP) in the aftermath of conflict is critical for informed conservation interventions. For nearly two decades , conservation efforts in MNP were compromised by ethno−political conflict. We conducted camera trapping surveys of terrestrial mammals across three administrative forest ranges (Panbari, Bansbari and Bhuyanpara) of MNP in 2017. A systematic survey with 118 trap locations accumulated data over 6,173 trap-days. We obtained 21,926 photographs of mammals belonging to 13 families and 25 species, of which 13 are threatened. We calculated photographic capture rate index (PCRI) using independent events. Trap specific PCRI's were used to map the spatial variation in capture rates. We observed variation in capture rate between Bansbari-Bhuyanpara where conflict ended in 2003 and has remained peaceful, and Panbari, a forest range where conflict ended later in 2016. Our results further indicate lower capture rates of mammalian prey species and small felids, but higher capture rates of four large carnivores in Panbari as opposed to Bansbari-Bhuyanpara. These results highlighted the fact that despite a history of ethno-political conflict in the region, although almost all mammalian species expected to occur in the park were detected and confirmed, present evidence indicated ethno-political conflict influences the distribution of several key species. In depth studies assessing mammalian prey densities, distribution and density are required to further understand the effects of conflict.

Catch me if you can: Species interactions and moon illumination effect on mammals of tropical semi-evergreen forest of Manas National Park, Assam, India

“…The previous camera-trapping studies in Manas National Park provides information on relative abundances of tigers and their prey [52], carnivore diversity [53], and density estimation of carnivores and herbivores [40]. Recently, Borah et al [54] provide info on density estimation of common leopard and clouded leopard; whereas Lahkar et al [55] explained about diversity, distribution and photo-capture rate of mammals of MNP. In the present study, we examine activity rhythms and the lunar cycle effect on the mammalian fauna in the semi-evergreen forest of Manas National Park.…”

Inferring patterns of sympatry among large carnivores in Manas National Park – a prey‐rich habitat influenced by anthropogenic disturbances

“…To the south are 136 villages (within 3 km of its boundary) and to the north, it is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park (RMNP), Bhutan. Comprising of Eastern Wet Alluvial Grasslands, Moist Deciduous and Semi‐Evergreen forests (Champion & Seth, 1968), the park supports a diverse assemblage of fauna despite a history of ethnopolitical conflicts in the region (Lahkar et al ., 2018).…”

“…MNP is a site where prey densities are not limiting, yet anthropogenic influences alter the spatial and temporal behaviour of prey (Lahkar et al ., 2020). Situated in a region that has experienced armed ethnopolitical conflict from the late 1980s until 2003, studies show that populations of several species were depressed, but are now recovering (DebRoy, 1991; Goswami & Ganesh, 2011, 2014; Lahkar et al ., 2018). More specifically, parts of MNP that have remained conflict‐free since 2003 (Bansbari‐Bhuyanpara ranges) have significantly higher photo‐capture rates of ungulates than an area that experienced conflict until 2016 (Panbari range) (Lahkar et al ., 2018).…”

“…Situated in a region that has experienced armed ethnopolitical conflict from the late 1980s until 2003, studies show that populations of several species were depressed, but are now recovering (DebRoy, 1991; Goswami & Ganesh, 2011, 2014; Lahkar et al ., 2018). More specifically, parts of MNP that have remained conflict‐free since 2003 (Bansbari‐Bhuyanpara ranges) have significantly higher photo‐capture rates of ungulates than an area that experienced conflict until 2016 (Panbari range) (Lahkar et al ., 2018). Although prey densities in Bansbari‐Bhuyanpara were comparable to other alluvial grassland and moist woodland habitats across tropical Asia (Karanth et al ., 2004; Dhakal et al ., 2014), current anthropogenic influences in the park resulted in most prey species avoiding the use of habitats near the forest edge (an interface with settlements) and being more nocturnal in habit (Lahkar et al ., 2020).…”

Population density modeling of mixed polymorphic phenotypes: an application of spatial mark-resight models

“…MNP is an 850 km 2 protected area along the Indo-Bhutan international border (see Lahkar et al, (2020) (Olson et al 2001), where the observed frequency of melanism is five-fold higher than the expected number based on the global average (da Silva et al 2017). Since the end of ethnopolitical conflict in the region in 2003, MNP has received much biodiversity research and conservation attention (Borah et al 2014;Lahkar et al 2018Lahkar et al , 2020).…”