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The Indian subcontinent has witnessed disproportionate declines in large mammalian herbivore communities. The northern swamp deer (Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii) exemplifies the conservation challenges of typical non-protected area species, where apart from distribution status other ecological information is limited for the upper Gangetic basin population. We combined elements of radio-telemetry and conservation genetics to evaluate dispersal patterns, population connectivity and assess genetic variation and inbreeding status of this population living across a highly human-dominated area. We genetically identified 266 unique swamp deer and further analyses revealed presence of two spatially-admixed genetic lineages with moderate heterozygosity (Ho=0.51, SD= 0.10) and low inbreeding (FIS=0.133) status. Multi- disciplinary evidence suggests that the small, isolated grassland patches between Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve (JJCR) and Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary (HWLS) are highly preferred by swamp deer during migrations and are genetically connected. The southern part of the area in HWLS showed early signatures of genetic discontinuity that require immediate conservation attention. We hypothesized that the human settlement history of this landscape, river dynamics and species’ ability to negotiate various pressures and disperse has helped to maintain such connectivity. While these signatures are encouraging for this small, isolated cervid population, careful management interventions are required to ensure the integrity and functionality of this landscape. We recommend a scientifically robust population estimation approach across this landscape and a multi-stakeholder-driven strategies to augment population and habitat recovery, plantation and riverscape management to ensure long-term survival of this species.

Grassland habitats currently face severe anthropogenic exploitations leading to cascading effects on the survival of grassland-dependent biodiversity globally, particularly in non-protected areas. Significant amount of such biodiversity-rich grasslands in India are found outside protected areas but lack quantitative information on their status. We evaluated the current and historical (30 years) status of the grasslands using a combination of intensive field surveys and GIS tools across one of the most fertile, human-dominated region: the upper Gangetic Plains of north India. On-ground mapping and visual classifications revealed 57% decline in grassland habitats between 1985 (418 km2) and 2015 (178km2), mostly driven by conversion to croplands (74% contribution). Radio-telemetry data from the largest endemic cervid swamp deer (n=2) showed grassland-dominated average home range (50% BBMM) size of 1.02 km2. The animals highly preferred these patches (average Ivlev’s index- 0.85) and showed highest temporal continuity (88%) compared to other LULC classes. Camera trapping within the core habitats suggests critical use of these patches as fawning/breeding grounds. Habitat suitability analysis indicates only ∼18% of the entire area along Ganges is suitable for swamp deer. Accurate mapping (86% accuracy) and characterization of four major grass species revealed a total 144.04 km² vegetation area, dominted by Saccharum sp. (35%). We recommend protection and recovery of these critical grassland patches to maintain ‘dynamic corridors’ and other appropriate management strategies involving multiple stakeholders to ensure survival of this critical ecosystem. Such evaluations, if spatially expanded, would be critical to restore this rapidly vanishing ecosystem worldwide.

The avian haemosporidians (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) are widely distributed and may affect the host populations from body damage at individual level to the extinction of a population. The knowledge about their status may help in future avifauna conservation plans. Hence, we examined the avian haemosporidians status, in selected bird groups (Old world Flycatchers, Warblers, Babblers, and Thrushes) of India, and their phylogenetic relationships with other known lineages of the world. We used the common genetic marker (Cytochrome b gene fragment of 479 bp) with information on the geographic distribution of parasite and host species available at MalAvi database. The prevalence of avian haemosporidians, from northern, eastern, and southern parts of India and phylogenetic genetic analysis of lineages was carried out to know the genetic relatedness among them at local and world level. The MCC tree revealed six Haemosporidian lineages in which one was common (H_MSP01) and five were unique (H_CYOPOL01, H_CHD01, H_CYORUB01, H_EUMTHA01, and P_GEOCIT01). The avian host richness Index was 2.0852. 9.9%, prevalence of Haemosporidian infection was found in 111 DNA samples belonging to 6 host species. The Haemoproteus prevalence was found to be 9.0 % across five host species (Phylloscopus trochiloides, Cyornis poliogenys, C. hainanus dialilaemus, C. rubeculoides, Eumiyas thalassinus) and Plasmodium prevalence was 0.9% in Geokichla citrina. Spatial phylogeny at global level showed H_MSP01 lineage, found in different host species in India, was genetically related to H. pallidus lineages (COLL2 and PFC1) in parts of Africa, Europe, North America, Malaysia, and Philippines. The Plasmodium lineage (P_GEOCIT01) was related to PADOM16 in Egypt with poor sequence similarity (93.89%). The statistical analysis suggested that the haemosporidian’s host species distribution range was directly and significantly associated with the altitude, minimum temperature, and relative humidity. H_MSP01 distribution was in accordance with H. pallidus having a wide geographic and host range.

Most tropical forests have undergone commercial logging. Even where logging has ceased, subsistence harvest of forest resources often persists especially in South-East Asia. Understanding of impacts of frequent forest resources extraction in areas recovering from past selective logging would be essential for designing the appropriate management interventions.We studied the impacts of current chronic anthropogenic disturbances (hereafter CAD) and past selective logging on vegetation structure, diversity, and regeneration, and the invasion of a non-native shrub,Lantana camara, in three major forest types in the Himalayan foothills, India. We analyzed field data on intensity of CAD and vegetation variables, collected from 269 stratified random plots, using ordination and generalized linear (mixed) modeling approaches.Our results, based on 2758 adult trees of 54 species, showed that forest types differed in disturbance regimes depending on protection level and availability of fodder tree species. Intensity of CAD depended on proximity to settlements (for livestock related disturbances). Whereas selective logging, including firewood collection, was associated with land protection status. Selective logging reduced the extent of mature forest but facilitated regeneration, thereby promoting secondary forest features such as tree density and canopy cover. In contrast, the interaction between lopping and selective logging was negatively associated with regeneration. Past logging facilitatedL. camarainvasion in Dry and Hill forests but not in Moist forest. Finally, while selective logging marginally enhanced tree diversity, CAD reduced native shrub diversity.Our study demonstrates that selective logging followed by CAD arrest forest recovery, as evident from the suppression of mature forest elements, loss of shrub biomass, reduced regeneration rate, and facilitation of invasive species. To abate these impacts, alternative livelihood/subsistence options that sustain forests and local communities should be explored. Additionally, CAD management should be site-specific as local ecological contexts modify their impacts on forests.