Harnessing novel ecosystems for biodiversity
Our planet is undergoing rapid and unprecedented changes, triggering the emergence of novel ecosystems. These changes are posing significant challenges to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services. In my postdoctoral project (2021-2023) with Professor Jens-Christian Svenning at Aarhus University, we aim to address these challenges by identifying emerging vegetation systems in the Global South, evaluating ecological role of existing biodiversity in emerging ecosystems, and identifying nature-based solutions for stewarding biodiversity in novel ecosystems. Our project found critical interactions between megafauna and alien species in emerging novel ecosystems. We found that these interactions can elevate the biodiversity value of the emerging ecosystem. Our research highlights the importance of megafauna rewilding for dovetailing biodiversity in rapidly changing biosphere. Our project findings are important for policymakers, conservationists, and wildlife managers seeking to reinforce biodiversity in the face of global changes.
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Long-term monitoring of plant invasions in India
Initially conceived as my PhD project (2015-2020), my research on invasive plant species in India was later continued (2021 onwards) in collaboration with Prof. Qamar Qureshi and Prof. Y.V. Jhala at the Wildlife Institute of India and the National Tiger Conservation Authority. India conducts national-scale assessments of alien species every four years as part of its national tiger monitoring exercise, covering more than 380,000 sq. km of areas. This has generated a vast amount of long-term information on alien plants, which we used to understand the spread and rate of invasions, their impacts on native biodiversity, and the factors driving or resisting invasions. Our findings indicate that over 60% of areas in India have been invaded by alien species, requiring an estimated 12 billion USD for eradication. Using prioritization techniques, we were able to develop a strategy to restore maximum biodiversity with limited resources, potentially saving up to $10 billion. Our project outcomes have also assisted in evaluating critical macroecological patterns, allowing us to develop nature-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of invasions. The results of this project have been instrumental in managing invasions and developing coherent policies for restoration at a national scale.
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MSTrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers: Intensive Protection and Ecological status)
MSTrIPES is an innovative platform that utilizes modern technology to facilitate effective patrolling, ecological monitoring, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. Development of this project was initiated in collaboration with National Tiger Conservation Authority (Govt. of India) and Wildlife Institute of India, in 2011. MSTrIPES is an ecoinformatics application that leverages cutting-edge technology to assist wildlife protection and ecological monitoring. Using Android environment, PostgreSQL and remote sensing derivatives, MSTrIPES provides user-friendly mobile apps, desktop software and web portal to facilitate effective patrolling, ecological monitoring, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. MSTrIPES helps wildlife managers to utilize near-real time information processed using AI, augmenting human judgement. The visual analytics and reporting formats provide inferences enabling practitioners to better manage their wildlife resources. With more than 8000 users MSTrIPES has proven to be an essential tool for conservationists and wildlife managers who wish to maximize the impact of their efforts and improve their conservation outcomes in protecting and conserving endangered species and their habitats. An excellent example of how technology can be leveraged for conservation purposes. Read more here.
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Introduction to MSTrIPES mobile apps developed for recording biodiversity protection and ecological monitoring information. Used by more than 8000 managers and staff
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Recovery of tiger populations
Wild tigers are threatened due to several anthropogenic reasons like demand for their body parts in traditional Chinese medicine, depletion of their prey by bushmeat consumption, habitat loss due to land use change, etc. In 2010, world leaders pledged to double numbers of wild tigers by 2022. Despite this pledge, few countries have since succeeded in stemming decline. Nonetheless, tigers in India have increased in numbers. I have been part of India's tiger population estimation project since 2011. The project has been led by Prof. Y.V. Jhala and Prof. Qamar Qureshi, in collaboration with National Tiger Conservation Authority and State Forest Departments. India estimates tiger population quadrennially since 2006, by intensively sampling ~380,000 sq.km areas - a world record for wildlife sampling. Over the last two decades this monitoring has generated patterns of megafauna recovery across the most modified human modified part of the world. These recovery patterns offer optimism and provide insight into the socio-ecological settings that enable megafauna recovery in dense anthropogenic landscapes. Read more here.
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Monitoring megafauna in Trans-Himalaya
The Trans-Himalayan region boasts a diverse array of megafauna, which are under threat due to global changes and hostile international borders. Conventional methods for assessing megafauna and developing evidence-based conservation strategies are limited by the region's rugged terrain and harsh climate. To overcome these challenges, we utilized advanced technology to estimate population sizes, evaluate species interactions, and track movement patterns of key megafauna across a vast area of 35,000 sq.km. Radio-telemetry was used to track megafauna and to better understand how they utilize energy in harsh environments with limited resources. By combining these findings with data from climate monitoring, we aim to develop effective conservation strategies for these charismatic megafauna in the face of a changing climate. This project was initiated by the Wildlife Department Ladakh, India, in 2018 and has been led by wildlife officer Pankaj Raina. Our research in the Trans-Himalayan region will be crucial in preserving these endangered species and mitigating the impacts of climate change on their habitats.
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My first snow leopard with Dr Jhala, and Pankaj Raina
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