Occupancy and diet of the Indian desert fox Vulpes vulpes pusilla in a Prosopis juliflora invaded semi-arid grassland

Misher, Chetan; Vanak, Abi Tamim

doi:10.2981/wlb.00781

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 50 publications

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“…In our study area, foxes may have satisfied their water intake by utilizing waterholes ( Nasanbat et al 2021 ) as the arid environment determines scarce water presence in riverbeds. Additionally, foxes inhabiting this arid terrain might have used water-rich food items (e.g., insects) to compensate for water limitations ( Dell’Arte and Leonardi 2009 ; Misher and Vanak 2021 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey in an arid environment of Central Asia

et al. 2022

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The mechanisms of interactions between apex and smaller carnivores may range from competition to facilitation. Conversely, interactions between predators and prey are mainly driven by the prey reducing the likelihood of encounters with predators. In this study, we investigated (i) the spatio-temporal interactions between an apex (the snow leopard) and a meso-predator (the red fox), and (ii) the temporal interactions between the snow leopard and its potential prey (Siberian ibex, argali, Asian wild ass, Tolai hare) through camera-trapping in the Mongolian Great Gobi-A. The probability of occurrence for the red fox was higher in presence of the snow leopard than in its absence. Moreover, the red fox activity pattern matched that of the snow leopard, with both species mostly active at sunset. This positive spatio-temporal interaction suggests that the presence of the snow leopard may be beneficial for the red fox in terms of scavenging opportunities. However, other explanations may also be possible. Amongst prey, the Siberian ibex and the argali were mainly active during the day, whereas the Asian wild ass and the Tolai hare were more nocturnal. These findings suggest that potential prey (especially the Siberian ibex and the argali) may shape their behaviour to decrease the opportunity of encounters with the snow leopard. Our results have revealed complex interactions between apex and smaller predators and between apex predator and its potential prey.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey in an arid environment of Central Asia

et al. 2022

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“…Apart from the flora, Banni also supports many grassland specialist birds, reptiles, and mammals—e.g. the Desert fox (Misher & Vanak 2021).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Prosopis invasion in the arid regions of India has negatively affected native herbaceous‐species richness (Kaur et al 2012) and modified habitat for threatened wildlife (Jadeja et al 2013). In Banni, Prosopis invasion has a directional impact on small mammal composition, favoring generalist rodents and canids over specialist species (Jayadevan et al 2018; Devarajan & Vanak 2020; Misher & Vanak 2021). Prosopis in Banni has increased aboveground carbon stocks (Vaibhav et al 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Removal or utilization? Testing alternative approaches to the management of an invasive woody legume in an arid Indian grassland

Nerlekar

Mehta

Pokar

et al. 2021

Restoration Ecology

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Woody plant encroachment is a pervasive global driver impacting grassland structure and functioning, and we know very little about efficacies of management techniques for restoring woody plant-encroached tropical grasslands. In the Banni grasslands of India, which are extensively encroached by an invasive woody legume, Prosopis juliflora, we test the efficacies of two Prosopis management methods-mechanical removal and lopping-to restore native grasslands. Across eight sites in the Banni, using a randomized block design, we monitored herbaceous plant recovery in the two Prosopis management treatments, and an unmanipulated control for 4 years. We also sampled four reference grasslands. We found native herbaceous plant richness and cover to be threefold (mean = 6 species) and sixfold (mean = 18% cover) higher, respectively, in the mechanical-removal treatment compared to the control (mean richness = 2 species, cover = 3%), but found no significant differences between the lopping treatment (mean richness = 5 species, cover = 11%) and the control. While mechanical-removal increased plant diversity, neither management treatment changed the species composition, and both of these treatments were still missing perennial grasses that dominate the reference grasslands. Our data highlight the efficacy of mechanical removal over lopping in restoring native grasslands. However, mechanically removing Prosopis is costly, especially at larger scales. Apart from its detrimental impact on grasslands, Prosopis also has benefits varying with stakeholder groups, and its removal involves complex trade-offs. Until we fully understand the trade-offs involved, it may therefore be better to manage this social-ecological landscape as a mosaic of restored grassland and Prosopis-invaded patches.

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“…These authors also reported increased bird population in the mesquite-covered range than regions with less or no mesquite. However, Misher and Vanak (2021) discovered that the desert fox prefers more open Suaeda dominating saline habitats as compared to Prosopis dominated habitats. A negative correlation between P. juliflora density and the bird diversity has been also been reported through a study on the relationship between tree species and avifaunal diversity (Khera et al, 2009).…”

Section: Effects On Wildlifementioning

confidence: 99%

Invasive Prosopis juliflora: Role in Maintaining the Ecosystem Resilience of the Banni Grassland in Arid Gujarat, India

Sharma,

R Mahato,

Naorem

et al. 2023

IJPE

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Prosopis juliflora is one among the top hundred recognized invasive species worldwide. The synergized effect of arid climatic conditionsand inherent soil salinity channeled this species’s intentional introduction in Banni grassland. Due to the allelopathic effect of this speciesthe existence of native grass species is in danger. However, in recent years, P. juliflora has replaced many of the native vegetation andis being recognized as an important species for the ecological stability of Banni grassland. Several ecologists have studied the role ofthis species in stabilizing the grassland ecosystem. In the present paper, its economic role is broadly reviewed with the vegetationcover maintained by it. In Banni grassland, the grass species grow only in monsoon and persists few months. For rest of the year (i.e. insummer) the green cover is maintained by P. juliflora. However, this species has provided remarkable livelihood opportunities. Apartfrom counting the negative effects, the counter-positive effects of the species have been recognized through this paper. P. juliflora hasslowly transformed the Banni grassland into woodland. It has also altered the micro-diversity in the soil and ultimately transformedthe whole ecosystem into new regimes. Eradication and reversion of P. juliflora spread is rather impossible. Hence, the managementaspects of P. juliflora that need to maximize its positive features are discussed.

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Occupancy and diet of the Indian desert fox Vulpes vulpes pusilla in a Prosopis juliflora invaded semi-arid grassland

Cited by 7 publications

References 50 publications

Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey in an arid environment of Central Asia

Spatiotemporal behavior of predators and prey in an arid environment of Central Asia

Removal or utilization? Testing alternative approaches to the management of an invasive woody legume in an arid Indian grassland

Invasive Prosopis juliflora: Role in Maintaining the Ecosystem Resilience of the Banni Grassland in Arid Gujarat, India

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