Faunal Heritage of Rajasthan, India: General Background and Ecology of Vertebrates

ISBN-13: 9781493951895 / Angielski / Miękka / 2016 / 645 str.

B. K. Sharma; Seema Kulshreshtha; Asad R. Rahmani

Opis

This is the first ever monumental and scientific documentation of the faunal wealth of the Indian Desert state of Rajasthan, covering the species diversity, distribution and conservation status. A scholarly contribution to the field of knowledge, it provides novel and vital information on the vertebrate faunal heritage of India's largest state. Broadly falling under the Indo-Malaya Ecozone, the three major biomes of Rajasthan include Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Tropical and Sub-tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests and Tropical and Sub-tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests and the ecoregions thus covered are North Western Thorn Scrub Forests and the Thar Desert; Khathiar-Gir Dry Deciduous Forests and the Upper Gangtic Plains Moist Deciduous Forests, respectively. Contrary to popular belief, the well known Thar or Great Indian Desert occupies only a part of the state. Rajasthan is diagonally divided by the Aravalli mountain ranges into arid and semi-arid regions. The later has a spectacular variety of highly diversified and unique yet fragile ecosystems comprising lush green fields, marshes, grasslands, rocky patches and hilly terrains, dense forests, the southern plateau, fresh water wetlands and salt lakes. Apart from the floral richness, there is faunal abundance from fishes to mammals. The flagship and threatened species of Tiger; Leopard; Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican; White-Napped Tit; Raptors; Demoiselle and Sarus Crane; Chelones; Bats; Wild Ungulates; Small Cats; Bear; Wolf; Wild Dog; Otter; Uromastyx; Giant Flying Squirrel, Gharial and Gangetic Dolphin have been described in the 45 chapters penned by top notch wildlife experts and academics. Chapters covering fossil records; conservation of biodiversity via the age old 'Public Science of the Desert'; Anthropological Account of Communities and Tribes; socio-cultural, mythological and historical aspects of faunal conservation and the fauna in retrospect; wildlife trade; ecotourism; climate and other environmental factors like Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojna (IGNP) believed to have changed the ecological face of Western Rajasthan; Protected Area Network; the tiger re-introduction experiment; and community conservation are key attractions. The world famous heronry, tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and some threat-ridden biodiversity rich areas shall certainly draw the attention of readers from around the world. The last chapter highlighting issues and insights on conservation and management and initiatives and gaps in research will help researchers from India and abroad to identify potential areas of future collaborative work. The strategies suggested herein can be a powerful tool for international conservational advocacy. Supported by rare photographs and paintings, the extensive content has implications for faunal ecology in similar habitats elsewhere on the Earth. Broadly falling under the Indo-Malaya Ecozone, the three major biomes of Rajasthan include Deserts and Xeric Shrublands; Tropical and Sub-tropical Dry Broadleaf Forests and Tropical and Sub-tropical Moist Broadleaf Forests and the ecoregions thus covered are North Western Thorn Scrub Forests and the Thar Desert; Khathiar-Gir Dry Deciduous Forests and the Upper Gangtic Plains Moist Deciduous Forests, respectively. Contrary to popular belief, the well known Thar or Great Indian Desert occupies only a part of the state. Rajasthan is diagonally divided by the Aravalli mountain ranges into arid and semi-arid regions. The later has a spectacular variety of highly diversified and unique yet fragile ecosystems comprising lush green fields, marshes, grasslands, rocky patches and hilly terrains, dense forests, the southern plateau, fresh water wetlands and salt lakes. Apart from the floral richness, there is faunal abundance from fishes to mammals. The flagship and threatened species of Tiger; Leopard; Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican; White-Napped Tit; Raptors; Demoiselle and Sarus Crane; Chelones; Bats; Wild Ungulates; Small Cats; Bear; Wolf; Wild Dog; Otter; Uromastyx; Giant Flying Squirrel, Gharial and Gangetic Dolphin have been described in the 45 chapters penned by top notch wildlife experts and academics. Chapters covering fossil records; conservation of biodiversity via the age old 'Public Science of the Desert'; Anthropological Account of Communities and Tribes; socio-cultural, mythological and historical aspects of faunal conservation and the fauna in retrospect; wildlife trade; ecotourism; climate and other environmental factors like Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojna (IGNP) believed to have changed the ecological face of Western Rajasthan; Protected Area Network; the tiger re-introduction experiment; and community conservation are key attractions. The world famous heronry, tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and some threat-ridden biodiversity rich areas shall certainly draw the attention of readers from around the world. The last chapter highlighting issues and insights on conservation and management and initiatives and gaps in research will help researchers from India and abroad to identify potential areas of future collaborative work. The strategies suggested herein can be a powerful tool for international conservational advocacy. Supported by rare photographs and paintings, the extensive content has implications for faunal ecology in similar habitats elsewhere on the Earth. Apart from the floral richness, there is faunal abundance from fishes to mammals. The flagship and threatened species of Tiger; Leopard; Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican; White-Napped Tit; Raptors; Demoiselle and Sarus Crane; Chelones; Bats; Wild Ungulates; Small Cats; Bear; Wolf; Wild Dog; Otter; Uromastyx; Giant Flying Squirrel, Gharial and Gangetic Dolphin have been described

Recenzje

"The compendium is a valuable contribution of lasting value to the ecology of Rajasthan despite its primary focus on vertebrate fauna. ... the book will be enjoyed by zoologists, ecologists, conservationists, wildlife managers, and by many people from outside the State of Rajasthan who will gain useful insights into its natural heritage." (Brij Gopal, International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Vol. 41 (1-2), 2015)

Spis treści

Dedication-1.- Dedication-2.- Foreword.- Preface.- Acknowledgements.- Table of Contents.- Contributors.- Part I: Unveiling the Vivacious Rajasthan.- The Majestic Rajasthan: An Introduction.- Physiography and Biological Diversity of Rajasthan.- Historical, Socio-cultural and Mythological Aspects of Faunal Conservation in Rajasthan.- An Anthropological Account of Bonhomie and Opprobrium between Communities and Animals in Rajasthan.- Fossil Records of Rajasthan-. Part II: Faunal Ecology: An Insight-Piscifauna and Herpetofauna.- Ichthyofauna of Rajasthan.- Chelonian Status and Conservation in Rajasthan.- Important species of Lizards in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.- Natural History Observations on the Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard (Uromastyx hardwickii) in the Thar Desert.- Ophidians of Rajasthan.- Part III: Faunal Ecology: An Insight-Avifauna.- Conservation of Bustards with Special Reference to Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps): The State Bird of Rajasthan.- Distribution, Status and Conservation of Lesser Florican Spheotides indica in Rajasthan.- Status and Distribution of Raptors in Rajasthan.- White-napped Tit Parus nuchalis - A vulnerable Species in Rajasthan.- Part IV: Faunal Ecology: An Insight-The Mammal Conglomerate.- Non-human Primates of Rajasthan.- Status of Tiger in Rajasthan.- Status, Distribution and Conservation of Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Rajasthan.- Small Cats of Rajasthan.- Major Canids of Rajasthan.- The Status and Conservation of Sloth Bears in Rajasthan.- Chiropteran Fauna of Rajasthan-Taxonomy, Distribution and Status.- Non-Volant Small Mammals of Rajasthan.- Squirrels of Rajasthan with special reference to Elliot’s Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista philippensis.-Wild Ungulates in Rajasthan.- Appendices.- Glossary.- Further Reading.- Index.- The Book and Its Audience.- About the Editors.

Blurb

This is the first ever monumental and scientific documentation of the faunal wealth of the Indian Desert state of Rajasthan. This volume, the first of two, provides background on Rajasthan and covers species diversity and distribution of fauna. A scholarly contribution to the field of knowledge, it provides novel and vital information on the vertebrate faunal heritage of India’s largest state.

Broadly falling under the Indo-Malaya Ecozone, the three major biomes of Rajasthan include deserts and xeric shrublands, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests. The corresponding ecoregions to the above biomes are, respectively, the Thar Desert and northwestern thorn scrub forests, the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests, and the Upper Gangtic Plains moist deciduous forests. Contrary to popular belief, the well-known Thar or Great Indian Desert occupies only a part of the state. Rajasthan is diagonally divided by the Aravalli mountain ranges into arid and semi-arid regions. The latter have a spectacular variety of highly diversified and unique yet fragile ecosystems comprising lush green fields, marshes, grasslands, rocky patches and hilly terrains, dense forests, the southern plateau, fresh water wetlands, and salt lakes.

Apart from the floral richness, there is faunal abundance from fishes to mammals. In this volume, the various flagship and threatened species are described in the 24 chapters penned by top notch wildlife experts and academics. The world famous heronry, tiger reserves, wildlife sanctuaries and some threat-ridden biodiversity rich areas shall certainly draw the attention of readers from around the world.