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Ungulate densities and biomass in the tropical dry deciduous forests of Gir, Gujarat, India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

Jamal A. Khan ,
Ravi Chellam ,
W. A. Rodgers  and
A. J. T. Johnsingh
Jamal A. Khan
Affiliation:
Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box-18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248 001, India
Ravi Chellam
Affiliation:
Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box-18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248 001, India
W. A. Rodgers
Affiliation:
Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box-18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248 001, India
A. J. T. Johnsingh
Affiliation:
Wildlife Institute of India, P.O. Box-18, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248 001, India
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Abstract

Data on densities, biomass and ecological factors governing the distribution of various wild ungulate species in the difFerent management units of Gir forest from 1987 to 1989 were collected. Density of ungulates ranged from 50.8 km−2 to 0.42 km−2, the highest for chital (Axis axis), followed by chinkara (Gazella gazella), sambar (Cervus unicolor), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) and chowsingha (Tetracerus quadricornis). The density of chital did not vary significantly between different censuses and management units. The wild ungulate biomass ranged from 3290 kg km−2 in the National Park to 1900 kg km−2 in the Sanctuary East. Following the partial removal of people and livestock in the mid-1970s, there was an increase in the population of all wild ungulates except nilgai and wild pig (Sus scrofa). Concurrently, there was an increase in the proportion of wild ungulate prey in the lion's diet. Chital density has shown a 1320% increase. An increase in suitable habitats and a decrease in direct competition with livestock are the most likely factors to have triggered the eruption in chital population. These density estimates are discussed in relation to the prevailing ecological conditions in different management units of Gir.

Keywords

Axis axisCervus unicolordry deciduous forestecological implicationsFourier Series EstimatorGir Lion Sanctuarylivestock grazing
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 12 , Issue 1 , January 1996 , pp. 149 - 162
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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