qamar qureshi | Wildlife Institute of India (original) (raw)

Papers by qamar qureshi

Animal Conservation, 2010

Conservation strategies for endangered species require accurate and precise estimates of abundanc... more Conservation strategies for endangered species require accurate and precise estimates of abundance. Unfortunately, obtaining unbiased estimates can be difficult due to inappropriate estimator models and study design. We evaluate population–density estimators for tigers Panthera tigris in Kanha Tiger Reserve, India, using camera traps in conjunction with telemetry (n=6) in a known minimum population of 14 tigers. An effort of 462 trap nights over 42 days yielded 44 photographs of 12 adult tigers. Using closed population estimators, the best-fit model (program capture) accounted for individual heterogeneity (Mh). The least biased and precise population estimate ( (SE) []) was obtained by the Mh Jackknife 1 (JK1) [14 (1.89)] in program care-2. Tiger density ( (SE) []) per 100 km2 was estimated at 13 (2.08) when the effective trapping area was estimated using the half mean maximum distance moved (1/2 MMDM), 8.1 (2.08), using the home-range radius, 7.8 (1.59), with the full MMDM and 8.0 (3.0) with the spatial likelihood method in program density 4.1. The actual density of collared tigers (3.27 per 100 km2) was closely estimated by home-range radius at 3.9 (0.76), full MMDM at 3.48 (0.81) and spatial likelihood at 3.78 (1.54), but overestimated by 1/2 MMDM at 6 (0.81) tigers per 100 km2. Sampling costs (Rs. 450 per camera day) increased linearly with camera density, while the precision of population estimates leveled off at 25 cameras per 100 km2. At simulated low tiger densities, a camera density of 50 per 100 km2 with an effort of 8 trap nights km−2 provided 95% confidence coverage, but estimates lacked precision.

Oryx, 2010

Abstract We evaluated the status of tigers Panthera tigris and their prey in Panna Tiger Reserve ... more Abstract We evaluated the status of tigers Panthera tigris and their prey in Panna Tiger Reserve using occupancy surveys, camera-trap mark-recapture population estimation, and distance sampling along foot transects, in 2006. Forest Range tiger occupancy in the Panna landscape ...

Biological Conservation, 2004

Plant Ecology, 2010

The effect of fragmentation on different life forms within tropical forest plant communities is p... more The effect of fragmentation on different life forms within tropical forest plant communities is poorly understood. We studied the effect of degree of fragmentation and surrounding matrix on trees, lianas, shrubs and epiphytes in tropical forest fragments of Kodagu, Western Ghats, India. These fragments exist as sacred groves amidst a highly modified agricultural landscape, and have been preserved by the religious sentiments of local communities. Plants were sampled at two sites in continuous forests and 11 forest fragments. A total of 122 species of trees, 29 species of lianas, 60 species of shrubs and 66 species of epiphytes were recorded. Trees exhibited a significant species–area relationship (R 2 = 0.74). Richness estimates after controlling for stem density (rarefaction) revealed that observed species–area relationship was not an artefact of passive sampling. Variation in species richness of the other three groups was explained by stem density and structural diversity. Linear distance from the reserve forest did not explain any variation in species richness. All life forms exhibited significant nested pattern. Trees were nested along the area gradient while nestedness in the other three groups showed evidence in support of habitat nestedness. The four life forms thus responded variably to degree of fragmentation. Our study revealed that 74% of the regional diversity for trees was contributed by diversity among plots, highlighting the importance of inter-patch habitat diversity in maintaining the total regional species pool. We conclude that trees alone cannot serve as good indicator for taking appropriate conservation measures to mitigate species loss resulting from habitat fragmentation.

Oryx, 2007

Approximately 300 Asiatic lions Panthera leo persica are confined to the 1,883 km 2 Gir forests i... more Approximately 300 Asiatic lions Panthera leo persica are confined to the 1,883 km 2 Gir forests in Gujarat, western India. To establish a second home for the Asiatic lion in its former range, Kuno Wildlife Division (1,280 km 2 , with a core 345 km 2 Sanctuary) has been identified in Madhya Pradesh. To assess whether the Sanctuary has sufficient wild ungulates to support a population of lions 17 transects totaling 461 km were surveyed over an area of 280 km 2 in early 2005. The density of potential ungulate prey was 13 animals km 22 . There are also c. 2,500 feral cattle, left behind by translocated villagers; the cattle are considered to be buffer prey in case droughts adversely affect the populations of wild ungulates. Control of poaching, moving of two villages, grassland management and building a rubble wall around the Division to keep out livestock would lead to a substantial rise in the population of ungulates (to c. 20 animals km 22 ) by the end of 2007. This density would support the first group of five lions (three females and two males) due to be reintroduced in the beginning of 2008. Even if all the three females raise cubs there will be sufficient wild prey by the end of 2009 to support the males, females and cubs.

Mammalian Biology

Mammalian Biology j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . d e / m a m b i o Ori... more Mammalian Biology j o u r n a l h o m e p a g e : w w w . e l s e v i e r . d e / m a m b i o Original Investigation

Italian Journal of Zoology, 2012

Acta Theriologica

Density of tiger Panthera tigris and leopard Panthera pardus was estimated using photographic cap... more Density of tiger Panthera tigris and leopard Panthera pardus was estimated using photographic capture–recapture sampling in a tropical deciduous forest of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, southern India, from November 2008 to February 2009. A total of 2,000 camera trap nights for 100 days yielded 19 tigers and 29 leopards within an intensive sampling area of 107 km2. Population size of tiger from closed population estimator model Mb Zippin was 19 tigers (SE = ±0.9) and for leopards Mh Jackknife estimated 53 (SE = ±11) individuals. Spatially explicit maximum likelihood and Bayesian model estimates were 8.31 (SE = ±2.73) and 8.9 (SE = ±2.56) per 100 km2 for tigers and 13.17 (SE = ±3.15) and 13.01 (SE = ±2.31) per 100 km2 for leopards, respectively. Tiger density for MMDM models ranged from 6.07 (SE = ±1.74) to 9.72 (SE = ±2.94) per 100 km2 and leopard density ranged from 13.41 (SE = ±2.67) to 28.91 (SE = ±7.22) per 100 km2. Spatially explicit models were more appropriate as they handle information at capture locations in a more specific manner than some generalizations assumed in the classical approach. Results revealed high density of tiger and leopard in Mudumalai which is unusual for other high density tiger areas. The tiger population in Mudumalai is a part of the largest population at present in India and a source for the surrounding Reserved Forest.