Papers by Sandeep Munjpara
Endemic species are ecologically significant because they have very less chance to recover if the... more Endemic species are ecologically significant because they have very less chance to recover if they are under the threats since they obtain limited ranges, and not found anywhere else within the world. Indian Courser is one of the species of Indian Subcontinent that has not been explored much and disappearing from its natural habitats threat. The species was found to be ground feeding bird and diurnal (n=1,086 under observation for feeding activity). With feeding activity birds also spent time for movement, scanning, vigilance and other activities. Feeding was about 48% in daytime (SD = ±20). Foraging habitats were mainly sparse grassland (O= 27.3%, n=1,315 birds) and open-land (O= 27.2 %, n=1,309), followed by and fallow-land (O= 26.7%, n=1,285) and saline grassland (O= 18.2 %, n= 876). Average dry weight of singledropping of the species was obtained 287mgMean (SD = ± 119.56, SE= ± 20.81) and major food items comprised of arthropods such as Isoptera (termites), Hymenoptera (ants, big ants) Coleoptera (beetles), Hemiptera (bugs) and Embioptera.
Climate driven changes have been identif ied in various ecosystems on earth and they result in ei... more Climate driven changes have been identif ied in various ecosystems on earth and they result in either
species adaptation or eradication. In order to get insight into such changes, it is necessary to assess their magni-
tude and rate which will lead to know the gravity of the threats on an ecosystem if any. The Gulf of Kachchh was
considered as an area of low to moderate coral bleaching region hence this study was carried out to bring forth
the coral health status in terms of coral bleaching. The event of large scale change-coral bleaching was observed
in the Gulf of Kachchh during May and June, 2010. The incident was evinced by whitening of the coral colonies
on the reefs of Narara and Poshitra in the Gulf of Kachchh. The present observations describe the incidents of
mass coral bleaching, which affected a total of 19 scleractinian corals in addition to the other zooxanthellate
cnidarians. Globally, a number of factors have been identif ied to induce the phenomenon but for this instance,
elevated sea surface temperature is considered to be the responsible factor. The status of coral bleaching at
different sites in the Gulf of Kachchh has been discussed.
The present observation is confined to the coral reefs of the Gulf of Kachchh at the western coas... more The present observation is confined to the coral reefs of the Gulf of Kachchh at the western coast of India. The observation describes occurrence of two large patches of soft coral belonging to genus Sinulariaon Mangunda reef and Paga reef at the Gulf of Kachchh (GoK). It was observed that the colonies of Sinulariasp completely surrounded other Scleractinians. The present observation indicates occurrence of Allelopathicphenomenon on reef habitat.
Climate driven changes have been identif ied in various ecosystems on earth and they result in ei... more Climate driven changes have been identif ied in various ecosystems on earth and they result in either species adaptation or eradication. In order to get insight into such changes, it is necessary to assess their magnitude and rate which will lead to know the gravity of the threats on an ecosystem if any. The Gulf of Kachchh was considered as an area of low to moderate coral bleaching region hence this study was carried out to bring forth the coral health status in terms of coral bleaching. The event of large scale change-coral bleaching was observed in the Gulf of Kachchh during May and June, 2010. The incident was evinced by whitening of the coral colonies on the reefs of Narara and Poshitra in the Gulf of Kachchh. The present observations describe the incidents of mass coral bleaching, which affected a total of 19 scleractinian corals in addition to the other zooxanthellate cnidarians. Globally, a number of factors have been identif ied to induce the phenomenon but for this instance, elevated sea surface temperature is considered to be the responsible factor. The status of coral bleaching at different sites in the Gulf of Kachchh has been discussed.
A state-wide survey of the Critically Endangered White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Long-b... more A state-wide survey of the Critically Endangered White-backed Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Long-billed or Indian
Vulture Gyps indicus in the 26 districts of Gujarat was undertaken from May 29–30, 2010. The survey was carried out
throughout the state by hundreds of volunteers and personnel of the State Forest Department to determine the
population of the two Gyps vulture species in all the districts and regions of the state, and to assess changes in their
populations through comparison with the earlier surveys done in 2005 and 2007. Total count method was used, and the
counts were made at resting, roosting, feeding, and nesting sites to assess the population size, number of young birds,
and the nest-tree availability. The survey resulted in an estimated population of 793 White-backed Vulture (WBV) and
265 Long-billed Vulture (LBV); the identity of 7 individuals was uncertain. When compared with the earlier surveys, it
revealed that there has been a 62.9% decrease (-1,342 individuals) in the population of WBV and 29.5% reduction
(-111 individuals) in the population of LBV within a time span of 5 years.
The Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, a threatened and endemic species of the Indian subco... more The Great Indian Bustard Ardeotis nigriceps, a threatened and endemic species of the Indian subcontinent, is declining in its natural habitats. The Great Indian Bustard is a bird of open land and was observed using the grasslands habitat (73%), followed by areas covered with Prosopis (11%). In the grasslands, the communities dominated with Cymbopogon martinii were utilized the highest, while those dominated by Aristida adenemsoidis were least utilized. As Cymbopogon martinii is non-palatable, we infer that it does not attract livestock and herdsmen resulting in minimum movement and trampling that favors the Great Indian Bustard.
Endemic species are ecologically significant because they have very less chance to recover if the... more Endemic species are ecologically significant because they have very less chance to recover if they are under the threats since they obtain limited ranges, and not found anywhere else within the world. Indian Courser is one of the species of Indian Subcontinent that has not been explored much and disappearing from its natural habitats threat. The species was found to be ground feeding bird and diurnal (n=1,086 under observation for feeding activity). With feeding activity birds also spent time for movement, scanning, vigilance and other activities. Feeding was about 48% in daytime (SD = ±20). Foraging habitats were mainly sparse grassland (O= 27.3%, n=1,315 birds) and open-land (O= 27.2 %, n=1,309), followed by and fallow-land (O= 26.7%, n=1,285) and saline grassland (O= 18.2 %, n= 876).Average dry weight of singledropping of the species was obtained 287mgMean (SD = ± 119.56, SE= ± 20.81) and major food items comprised of arthropods such as Isoptera (termites), Hymenoptera (ants, big ants) Coleoptera (beetles), Hemiptera (bugs) and Embioptera.
Naliya Grassland is one of the significant grasslands of Gujarat. In this study the importance of... more Naliya Grassland is one of the significant grasslands of Gujarat. In this study the importance of the Naliya Grassland has been explored with special reference to avian diversity. Field work for the study was carried out throughout the year of 2007 on a monthly basis covering three distinct seasons to explore avian diversity. A total of 177 species belonging to 54 families were recorded wherein most species belonged to the family Accipitridae (20 species) followed by Alaudidae (11 species). Of the total families, five were represented by more than seven species, 18 families by 3-7 species and 31 families by one or two species respectively. Among the species observed, 16 species ware globally threatened (three Critically Endangered, four Endangered and nine Near Threatened). Most of the species were chiefly terrestrial (68.2%), about 23.9% species were freshwater dependant and 7.9% utilized mixed habitats. Maximum species richness was recorded in the monsoons and minimum in summer. Constant turnover and fluctuation in species richness occurred because of seasonal immigration and emigration. Maximum emigration took place during February and March and maximum immigration occurred during June and July. Many water dependant birds attracted to the flooded grassland during the monsoons explained the high species richness during this season. In winter, the area was inhabited by resident species as well as many migratory species.
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Papers by Sandeep Munjpara
species adaptation or eradication. In order to get insight into such changes, it is necessary to assess their magni-
tude and rate which will lead to know the gravity of the threats on an ecosystem if any. The Gulf of Kachchh was
considered as an area of low to moderate coral bleaching region hence this study was carried out to bring forth
the coral health status in terms of coral bleaching. The event of large scale change-coral bleaching was observed
in the Gulf of Kachchh during May and June, 2010. The incident was evinced by whitening of the coral colonies
on the reefs of Narara and Poshitra in the Gulf of Kachchh. The present observations describe the incidents of
mass coral bleaching, which affected a total of 19 scleractinian corals in addition to the other zooxanthellate
cnidarians. Globally, a number of factors have been identif ied to induce the phenomenon but for this instance,
elevated sea surface temperature is considered to be the responsible factor. The status of coral bleaching at
different sites in the Gulf of Kachchh has been discussed.
Vulture Gyps indicus in the 26 districts of Gujarat was undertaken from May 29–30, 2010. The survey was carried out
throughout the state by hundreds of volunteers and personnel of the State Forest Department to determine the
population of the two Gyps vulture species in all the districts and regions of the state, and to assess changes in their
populations through comparison with the earlier surveys done in 2005 and 2007. Total count method was used, and the
counts were made at resting, roosting, feeding, and nesting sites to assess the population size, number of young birds,
and the nest-tree availability. The survey resulted in an estimated population of 793 White-backed Vulture (WBV) and
265 Long-billed Vulture (LBV); the identity of 7 individuals was uncertain. When compared with the earlier surveys, it
revealed that there has been a 62.9% decrease (-1,342 individuals) in the population of WBV and 29.5% reduction
(-111 individuals) in the population of LBV within a time span of 5 years.
species adaptation or eradication. In order to get insight into such changes, it is necessary to assess their magni-
tude and rate which will lead to know the gravity of the threats on an ecosystem if any. The Gulf of Kachchh was
considered as an area of low to moderate coral bleaching region hence this study was carried out to bring forth
the coral health status in terms of coral bleaching. The event of large scale change-coral bleaching was observed
in the Gulf of Kachchh during May and June, 2010. The incident was evinced by whitening of the coral colonies
on the reefs of Narara and Poshitra in the Gulf of Kachchh. The present observations describe the incidents of
mass coral bleaching, which affected a total of 19 scleractinian corals in addition to the other zooxanthellate
cnidarians. Globally, a number of factors have been identif ied to induce the phenomenon but for this instance,
elevated sea surface temperature is considered to be the responsible factor. The status of coral bleaching at
different sites in the Gulf of Kachchh has been discussed.
Vulture Gyps indicus in the 26 districts of Gujarat was undertaken from May 29–30, 2010. The survey was carried out
throughout the state by hundreds of volunteers and personnel of the State Forest Department to determine the
population of the two Gyps vulture species in all the districts and regions of the state, and to assess changes in their
populations through comparison with the earlier surveys done in 2005 and 2007. Total count method was used, and the
counts were made at resting, roosting, feeding, and nesting sites to assess the population size, number of young birds,
and the nest-tree availability. The survey resulted in an estimated population of 793 White-backed Vulture (WBV) and
265 Long-billed Vulture (LBV); the identity of 7 individuals was uncertain. When compared with the earlier surveys, it
revealed that there has been a 62.9% decrease (-1,342 individuals) in the population of WBV and 29.5% reduction
(-111 individuals) in the population of LBV within a time span of 5 years.