Landscape Ecology

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Landscape Ecology

Landscape ecology is the study of the interactions between the temporal and spatial aspects of landscape elements and the organisms. A landscape is simply an area of land (at any scale) containing an interesting pattern that affects and being affected by an ecological process of interest, both natural and human induced.

The work of this division includes both basic and applied aspects of research emphasizing the sustainable use of natural resources. Major focus of research activities include the following;

Development of remote sensing and GIS applications in forest and wildlife ecology; typically the projects would address questions such as change detection, long-term monitoring of processes of ecosystem; integration of such system models with GIS tools.
Ecological assessment of vegetation and in situ and ex situ conservation of medicinal plants, endemic and threatened plant species.

Dr. P. V. Karunakaran

Senior Principal Scientist

Research Interests:My research interests include landscape level management of natural resources, angiosperm taxonomy, biodiversity conservation, community conservation, and protected area management. I am a life member of Society for Environemntal Education in Kerala and Malabar Natural History Society and in the editorial board of Malabar Trogon and Malabarica.

Dr. Vidyadhar Atkore

Scientist

Research Interests: Freshwater Biodiversity (rivers and wetlands), Eco-hydrology, Ichthyology, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System, Environmental science, Forestry and Statistics (R statistical Program)

Project: Developing State Level Action Plans for Implementing Visionary Perspective Plan for Conservation of Avian Diversity, their Ecosystems, Habitats & Landscapes in the Country

ANJITHA DEVARAJAN Junior Research Biologist I am from Thrissur, Kerala. Nature and animals have fascinated me since childhood. As a pursuit of my passion, I chose Forestry for my graduation from College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara. I did my Masters from Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. During the course period i got immense experience in field work and ecological research. I have visited many forest and protected areas throughout India. My bachelors dissertation work was in amphibians of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and masters dissertation was on the ecology of the Anamalai Spiny Lizard (Salea anamallayana) in Eravikulam National Park, Kerala. My primary research interests are landscape ecology, community ecology and herpetology. Apart from research i am interested in travelling, movies and reading.

Mr. Vigneshwaran S. Project Associate

I have done my graduation in Master of Computer Application from Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore. I am also trained and experienced in Hardware and Computer Networking. Earlier I worked with IT Hub, Coimbatore and Vidyavanam, Anaikatty as Technical Head. Currently working as a Project Associate in the project titled “Developing a state-level action plan for the conservation of avian diversity, their ecosystem, habitats and landscape in the county.

Project: Assessing the anthropogenic pressure on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis, its habitat and prey in eastern Arunachal Pradesh.

This project is funded by Scientific and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (2022-2025).

Mr.Kavin.D Junior Research Biologist

Kavin D. has done his Master’s in Environmental Sciences from Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. He is interested in freshwater ecology and fish taxonomy. As part of field orientation, he has attended a workshop cum field training on Hump-backed mahsheer and other aquatic wildlife at Bandipur Tiger Reserve from 30^th May to 04^th June 2022. He also got field training on fish sampling, measuring habitat and water quality variables, cross-section and stream profile of Moyar River from 05^th June to 10^th June 2022. He has attended summer school on carbon organised by Science Gallery Bangalore, Bangalore from 12^th June to 08^th July 2022. He participated in workshop on Biomonitoring of rivers using diatoms conducted by Agharkar Research Institute, Pune from 18^th July to 29^th July 2022.

On-Going Projects

Assessing the anthropogenic pressure on the Critically Endangered White-bellied Heron Ardea insignis, its habitat and prey in eastern Arunachal Pradesh. SERB & DST, Govt. of India (2021 – 2024)
The Long Term Ecological Observation (LTEO) – a national scheme funded by the Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MOEF & CC), Govt. of India. Co-PI, Western Ghats landscape on the fish component). (2020-2025).
Developing State Level Action Plans for Implementing Visionary Perspective Plan for Conservation of Avian Diversity, their Ecosystems, Habitats & Landscapes in the Country (Uttarakhand). Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore. MOEF & CC, Govt. of India. (2021-2024).

Completed

Role of birds in seed dispersal and natural regeneration of forest plants in Tamil Nadu. Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department. PI
Documentation of ethnobiological knowledge of tribals in Sathyamangalam Forest Division. Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Ethnoecology and phytochemistry of medicinal plants in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Funding: Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India. CI
Impact of human interference on plant and bird communities in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Funding: Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India
Environmental impact assessment of TACID growth centre, Perunthurai, Periyar District, Tamil Nadu Rapid floral and faunal survey), Industrial & Technical Consultancy Organization of Tamil Nadu Limited, Salem, Tamil Nadu
Hornbill-tree interactions with special reference to identification and conservation of keystone mutualists in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Funding: Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India
Habitat utilization by Malabar Pied Hornbill in Athikadavu Valley, Western Ghats. Funding: Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History. PI
Status and distribution of the hornbills in the Western Ghats, Funding: Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
Survey of Great Hornbill nests and determination of breeding season diet in the Nilgiris. Funding: Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
Environmental Impact Assessment study on the proposed developmental project in Pathiramanal Island, Kerala
Monitoring the ecology of the tropical dry evergreen forest of Point Calimere. Funding: Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History. PI
Environmental assessment of the Kundha Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu. Funding: Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Chennai
Rapid environmental assessment of the India-based Neutrino Observatory Project, Singara, Nlgiris, Tamil Nadu. Funding: Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai
Status and distribution of the hornbills in the Eastern Ghats, Funding: Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History
Environmental assessment of the Asakadupatti weir site, Kolli hills, Tamil Nadu. Funding: Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, Chennai
Resource inventory of medicinal plants in Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary. Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Wildlife Wing, Nagapattinam
A rapid status survey of Manilkara hexandra Dubard in Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary. Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Wildlife Wing, Nagapattinam
Plant-bird interactions with special reference to identification of bird-attracting plants for afforestation of Attappady hills, Kerala. Funding: Attappady Hills Area Development Society, Kerala
Ecology of Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris with special reference to its role in seed dispersal in southern Eastern Ghats. Funding: Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India
Pollination and seed dispersal by animals in the dry deciduous forests of southern Eastern Ghats, Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Chennai
Study on pollinators and seed dispersers in scrub, dry evergreen and shola forest ecosystems of Tamil Nadu. Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Monitoring post-tsunami coastal ecosystem recovery and developing site-specific restoration measures in Nicobar Islands, Funding: Department of Environment and Forest, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Avian frugivory and seed dispersal of endemic trees in select shola forests in Nilgiri hills, Western Ghats. Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department
Avian frugivory and seed dispersal of endemic trees in Thia shola forest in the Nilgiri hills, Western Ghats. Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
Status and Distribution surveys of Threatened plant taxa in Tamil Nadu (Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Mukurthi National Park, Gudalur Forest Division and Point Calimere wildlife and Bird Sanctuary). Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department
A study on Ecosystem requirements of hornbills in Munnar landscape area. Funding : UNDP
Ecological investigation of woody vegetation and nest tree use by birds in the riverine forests in Athikadavu Valley, Western Ghats. Funding : Ministry of Environment and Forests, Govt. of India.
Assessment of conflict between peafowls and farmers in Coimbatore. Funding: Tamil Nadu Forest Department.

Atkore V (2022). Restoring freshwater connectivity: Lessons for India. PANORAMA. Indian Regional Association for Landscape Ecology (IRALE). IRALE News# 12. July 2022. Pp. 3-4.
Atkore V (2022). Evidence of the species recovery patterns in a hydrologically modified Ranganadi river, Arunachal Pradesh, Northeastern Himalaya Biodiversity Hotspot, India. Joint Aquatic Science Meeting (https://jasm2022.aquaticsocieties.org/). Grand Rapids, Michigan. May 14-20, 2022. [Poster]. Online.
Atkore V (2022). Importance of scale in studying stream fish communities. PANORAMA. Indian Regional Association for Landscape Ecology (IRALE). IRALE News# 8. Jan 2022. Pp. 3-5.
Prakash H, V. Atkore, A. Bhattacharya, M. Mahendiran, and D Prakash (2022). Identifying conservation threats to birds and their habitats in the state of Uttarakhand through SACON’s Visionary Perspective Plan (VPP). Symposium on Bird Monitoring in India. 29-30 April 2022. [Poster]
Prakash D, M. Mahendiran, A. Bhattacharya, V. Atkore and H. Prakash (2022). Pollution and Population: A concern for Urban avifauna of Delhi. Symposium on Bird Monitoring in India. 29-30 April 2022. [Poster].
Atkore V., Goldin Quadros, A J Begum, N M Ibrahim, M Devika and S Muralidharan (2021). Some Endangered Fishes of Western Ghats, India. World Fisheries Day 21 November 2021. Pub. By Envis Resource Partner on Wetland Ecosystems including Inland wetlands. Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Anaikatty post, Coimbatore-641108, Tamil Nadu, India.
Sailas S.S., Babu S., Pramod P., Karunakaran P.V. & Kumara H.N. 2021. Factors influencing habitat use by owls in a mosaic landscape in the Garo Hills, Northeast India. Ardea 109 185–199. doi:10.5253/arde.v109i3.a10
S.R. Chandramouli, P. Karthik, R.S. Naveen, S. Babu, P.V. Karunakaran, and H.N.Kumara 2021. A two coloured forestsnake, Smithophis bicolor (Blyth 1855) (Reptilia: Natricidae) from Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India, Reptiles & Amphibians 28(1):24–25
S.R. Chandramouli, R.S. Naveen, S. Sureshmarimuthu, S. Babu, P.V. Karunakaran, and H.N.Kumara 2021. Catalogue of herpetological specimens from Meghalaya, India at the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History. Journal of Threatened Taxa 13(11): 19603–19610
Honnavalli N. Kumara, Santhanakrishnan Babu, Megha Nitte and P.V. Karunakaran 2021. Conservation Status and Potential Distribution of the Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis in Northeast India. Primate Conservation (35): 164-173
Muthumperumal, C., Balasubramanian, P., & Rasingam, L. 2020. An assessment of the conservation status of a presumed extinct tree species Wendlandia angustifolia Wight ex. Hook.f. in southern Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 12(4), 15468-15474.
Prakash. L., Balasubramanian, P., and C. Anbarasu. 2019. Endemic Flowering Plants from Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Southern Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu. Indian Journal of Forestry 42(4): 105-108.
Karunakaran P. V., Rachelpushpam C. N., Raghavakurup V. T., and Ambat B., 2019, An Integrated Approach for Identifying and Prioritizing Potential Areas as Conservation Reserves in the Western Ghats, India, Indian Journal of Forestry 42(1) 71-82.
Prakash.L and P. Balasubramanian. 2019. Observations on Epiphytic Germination of Euphorbia antiquorum L. in Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Southern Eastern Ghats, Indian Forester, 145(6):592.
Prakash, L. & Balasubramanian, P. 2018 Invasive Alien Flora of Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in Southern Eastern Ghats, India, Indian Forester, 144(9):857-862.
Manikandan, P., & Balasubramanian, P. 2018. Sequential use of tree cavities by birds and nest web in a riparian forest in Southwest India, Acta Ornithologica 53(1):49-60. 2018
Nehru P & Balasubramanian, P. 2018. Mangrove species diversity and composition in the successional habitats of Nicobar Islands, India: A post-tsunami and subsidence scenario, Forest Ecology and Management 427:70-77.
Manikandan, P. & Balasubramanian, P. 2018. Diversity and Composition of Woody Vegetation in a Riparian Forest of Western Ghats, Southern India, International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 44(1): 1-9.
Prakash, L., Balasubramanian, P., and Manikandan, P., 2018. Abnormal Flowering of Achyranthes aspera L. Indian Forester, 144(3):310
Prakash, L., Anbarasu, C. & Balasubramanian, P. 2017. Endemic Flowering plants of Gudalur Forest Division, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, Indian Journal of Forestry, 40(4): 409-412.
Anbarasu, C., & Balasubramanian, P. 2017. Avian Frugivory and Seed Dispersal in the Tropical Montane Evergreen Forests (Shola), Western Ghats, India, International Journal of Applied Environmental Sciences, Vol. 20, n. 12, pp. 697-709.
Prakash, L. & Balasubramanian, P. 2016. A note on Luisia abrahami Vatsala (Orchidaceae ) rare, endemic species from Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Eastern Ghats, Indian Journal of Forestry 39(3):299-302
Manikandan P & P. Balasubramanian 2016 Bird Diversity of a Riparian Forest in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India, Indian forester, 142(10):979-988
Gunasekaran M & P. Balasubramanian, 2016. Sthalavirkshas (Temple trees): The indicator species for remnant flora of Tamil Nadu, India, Geophytology, 46(1): 25-32.
Aruna, R and P. Balasubramanian. 2015. Fruting phenology of a scrub forest in Thiruporur, Eastern Ghats, India, International Letters of Natural Sciences, 44: 25-30
Nehru, P. and Balasubramanian, P. 2015. Littoral forest composition and influence of soil characteristics on vegetation succession in the tsunami impacted coastal habitats of Nicobar Islands, India. Journal of Island Ecology, 1(1):1-17.
Anbarasu, C and Balasubramanian, P. 2015. Tree diversity in the Tropical Montane Evergreen Forest (Shola) in the Nilgiri Mountains, Western Ghats. Indian Forester, 141(5): 490-495.
Santhoshkumar, E. and Balasubramanian, P. 2014. Food Habits of Indian Grey Hornbill Ocyceros birostris in Sathyamangalam Forest Division, Eastern Ghats, India. Journal of Bombay Natural History Society, 111(2): 90-97.
Greeshma, P. Nair, P.Balasubramanian, R. Jaishanker, V. Sarojkumar and N. P. Sooraj. 2014. Taxonomy and Ethnobotany of Sthalavrikshas (Temple trees) in Palakad, Kerala, India. Science and Culture, 80(3-4):103-105.
Nehru, P and Balasubramanian, P. 2014. Recovery rate of vegetation in the tsunami impacted littoral forest of Nicobar Islands, India. Forest Ecology and Management,313:243-253.
Aruna, R. and Balasubramanian, P. 2014. Fruiting phenology and avian frugivory of Streblus asperLour. in a mixed dry deciduous forest, Western Ghats, India. International Letters of Natural Sciences, 17:16-21.
Anbarasu, C and Balasubramanian, P. 2013. Fruiting phenology of trees in the Tropical Montane Evergreen Forest (Shola) of Nilgiri hills, Western Ghats. Indian Journal of biological Technology, 4(3):1-8.
Rajeshkumar, N. and Balasubramanian, P. 2012. Habitat use and food habits in Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus in Anaikatty hills, Western Ghats. Indian Birds, 7(5): 125-127.
Balasubramanian, P., Nehru, P., and Sebastian, M.K. 2012. Forest genetic resources conservation in SACON, Anaikatty, Coimbatore, in: Forest Genetic Resources Management in India (Eds.) pages 314-319, K. Palanisamy, and N. Krishnakumar, Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding, Coimbatore.
Nehru. P and Balasubramanian. P. 2012. Sonneratia ovata Backer (Lythraceae): Status and distribution of a Near Threatened mangrove species in tsunami impacted mangrove habitats of Nicobar Islands, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 4(15): 3395-3400.
Balasubramanian, P. and Azeez, P. A. 2012. Floral diversity and vegetation ecology of the Pathiramanal Island in Vembanad Lake, Kerala. Indian Forester, 138 (9):804-811.
Gunasekaran, M. and Balasubramanian, P. 2012. Ethnomedicinal uses of Sthalavrikshas (Temple trees) in Tamil Nadu, southern India, Ethnobotany Research and Applications,10:253-267.
Nishadh, K.A., Balasubramanian. P and Azeez, P.A. 2012.Envirocloud: Lending Voice for Conservation and Management of Urban Trees. Proceedings of National seminar on Geospatial Solutions for Resource Conservation and Management. Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. 308-312.

Dr. Vidyadhar Atkore

Talk

Delivered a talk on Fish migration stories and co-conducted river cleaning drive in and around SACON campus. Fish Migration & World International Day for Biodiversity celebration. 21.05. 2022 to 22.05 2022

Capacity building workshop/Training

Co-conducted a workshop cum field training for Monitoring Hump-backed Mahseer and other aquatic wildlife in Moyar river, Bandipur TR dated from 31.05.2022 to 03.06 2022 and 06.06. 2022- 19.06.2022

Co-conducted a workshop on Capacity building for biodiversity conservation and community development in Kanger Valley National Park, Chhattisgarh dated 04.08.2022 to 06.08.2022.