Evaluation of Habitat Suitability for Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Orang National Park Using Geo-Spatial Tools

Abstract

Orang National Park (Orang NP) is one of the important conservation areas in the Brahmaputra valley within North East India biogeographic zone covering an area of 78.8 km2. It is one of the prime habitats of one horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) in its distribution range in south Asia. Satellite imagery of November 2008 was used to evaluate the rhino habitat pattern in the park. A habitat suitability model for one horned rhino was prepared using primary and secondary sources. Result indicates that out of total geographical area of the park 25.85% is covered by woodland. About 26.06% is covered by wet alluvial grassland and 17.97% is covered by dry savannah grassland. Similarly degraded grassland is covering 15.23% and eastern seasonal swamp forest is covering 1.72% of the park. About 8.22% of the park is covered by water body and 6.83% is covered by sandy area. The habitat suitability model for rhino shows that 25.13% of the park is most suitable habitat for rhino, 13.62% is moderately suitable and 61.23% is less suitable habitat for rhino in the park. This information will help the park managers to conserve rhino and its habitat in Orang NP.

Potential Impact of Climate Change on One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Nepal

“…The elevation is considered an important variable for the distribution of Rhinoceros unicornis in Nepal. This fact is also supported by (29) who considers elevation as a key factor for the distribution of species. Likewise, seasonal precipitation, annual precipitation, mean annual temperatures are considered as other important variables for the distribution of species (35,56).…”

“…Majority of the researches have only been focused in human-wildlife conflict (23)(24)(25), demography (26) and effect of invasive species (27,28). Limited studies have stepped up and focused on identifying the Population Viability Analysis of this species (20) and modelled its habitat distribution in Orang National Park (29). However, there is a paucity of information on identifying the potential impact of climate change on Rhinoceros unicornis and its habitat, especially in Nepal.…”

Changing landscape configuration demands ecological planning: Retrospect and prospect for megaherbivores of North Bengal

“…Hence, loss of grassland habitats will be challenging for the park authorities in maintaining the long term viability of the population of mega-herbivores. Further, it will greatly impact the overall carrying capacity of rhino, and other mega-herbivores in the GNP will decrease, as a result of the loss of grassland habitat [91]. Furthermore, rhinos, which are primarily grazers, may also experience increased competition with other large herbivores, many of which have broader dietary preferences [92].…”

Habitat suitability modelling for Hirola (Beatragus hunteri) in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya

“…A supervised vegetation map (Atickem et al ., ; Sarma et al ., ; Evangelista et al ., ) was developed from a Landsat 5 TM of 2011 downloaded from United States Geological Survey (USGS) Website (USGS, ). Dry season imageries (for the month of July 2011) were used since dry season conditions dominates the area.…”