Ecological Insights into Insect Diversity in Protected Area Networks of Kumaun Region, Western Himalaya


Manoj Arya
Surabhi Bisht
Ambika Tiruwa
Περίληψη

The Uttarakhand region of the Western Himalaya, known for its rich biodiversity, includes several protected areas ranging from tropical to temperate zones. This study explores insect diversity across the six protected areas within the Kumaun Himalayan region. Altogether, a total of 412 insect species from nine taxonomic orders and 70 families were documented. Order Lepidoptera was the most diverse with a maximum of 154 species, followed by Coleoptera (81 species), Hymenoptera (58 species), Orthoptera (33 species), Hemiptera (31 species), Odonata (28 species), Diptera (23 species) and Isoptera and Neuroptera as the least dominant with two species each. Shannon’s species diversity (Hs) ranged 3.99 to 4.95, with the highest diversity in Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary and the lowest in Naina Devi Himalayan Bird Conservation Reserve. Cluster analysis revealed two main diversity patterns, indicating significant beta diversity amongst the study areas. Species-wise occupancy and abundance analysis revealed that Pieris brassicae, P. canidia, and Apis dorsata had the highest relative abundance from all protected areas. Conversely, 91 insect species had a relative abundance of only 0.03% each. Furthermore, seven species demonstrated the highest normalized occupancy of 1.00, indicating their adaptability to diverse environmental conditions within the protected areas. These findings thus emphasize the importance of habitat diversity and targeted conservation strategies to maintain insect populations and ecosystem health in the Kumaun Himalaya.

Λεπτομέρειες άρθρου
  • Ενότητα
  • Articles
Λήψεις
Τα δεδομένα λήψης δεν είναι ακόμη διαθέσιμα.
Βιογραφικά Συγγραφέων
Manoj Arya, Insect Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, D. S. B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263002, Uttarakhand, India";}

Associate Professor

Department of Zoology

Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

Surabhi Bisht, Insect Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, D. S. B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263002, Uttarakhand, India

Research Scholar

Insect Biodiversity Laboratory,

Department of Zoology

Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

 

Ambika Tiruwa, Insect Biodiversity Laboratory, Department of Zoology, D. S. B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital-263002, Uttarakhand, India

Research Scholar

Insect Biodiversity Laboratory,

Department of Zoology,

Kumaun University, Nainital, Uttarakhand, India

Αναφορές
An, J. and S. Choi. 2021. Butterflies as an indicator group of riparian ecosystem assessment. J. Asia. Pac. Entomol. 24: 195-200.
Arora, G.S. 1994. Lepidoptera: Butterflies. Fauna of Conservation Areas. Zoological Survey of India, Fauna of Rajaji National Park, 5: 245-300.
Arora, G.S. 1995. Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera. In: Fauna of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Ecosystem Series, Zoological Survey of India, Calcutta.1, pp. 61-73.
Arora, G.S. 1997. Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera. In: Fauna of Western Himalayan (Uttaranchal), Conservation Areas Series. 9: 67-88.
Arya, M.K., H. Chandra, S. Bisht and F. Farooq. 2021. Preliminary report on moth diversity in the landscape of Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary: adding subset to Lepidopteran insects of Protected Area Network. Uttar Pradesh Journal of Zoology 42(15): 12-22.
Arya, M.K. and Dayakrishna. 2020. Spatial distribution and habitat association of beetle assemblages in the Landscape of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand, India. Ecol. Environ. Conserv. 26(2): 683-687.
Arya, M.K., Dayakrishna and A. Verma. 2020a. Patterns in distribution of butterfly assemblages at different habitats of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Northern India. Trop. Ecol. 61(2): 180-186.
Arya, M.K. and P.C. Joshi. 2011. Species composition, abundance and density of Hymenopteran insects in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalayas, India. J. Env. Bio-Sci. 25(2): 175-179.
Arya, M.K. and P.C. Joshi. 2014. Studies on the beetles (Insecta: Coleoptera) in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalayas, Uttarakhand, India. N Y Sci J, 7(1): 25-32.
Arya, M.K., P. Tamta and A. Verma. 2018. Systematic survey on alpha diversity of anthophilous insect fauna in Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Himalaya. Entomon, 43(2): 99-110.
Arya, M.K. and A. Verma. 2020. An insight into the butterflies (Lepidoptera, Papilionoidea) associated with protected area network of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India. In: Rathoure, A.K. and P.B. Chauhan (Eds). Current State and Future Impacts of Climate Change on Biodiversity. AEEGT Book Series, IGI Global, United States of America. pp. 154-178.
Arya, M.K., A. Verma and P. Tamta. 2020b. Diversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) in a temperate forest ecosystem, Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, Indian Himalayan Region. Nat. Environ. Pollut. Tech. 19(3): 1133-1140.
Baindur, A. 1993. The butterflies of Nanda Devi. In: Scientific and Ecological Expedition Nanda Devi, Army Headquarters, New Delhi. 35–43pp.
Bandyopadhyay, U., G.N. Das, S. Gayen, K. Mallick and K. Bhattacharyya. 2019. Lepidopteran assemblages of selected protected areas: Askot Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya (Kumaon). In: Chandra, K., V. Kumar, N. Singh, A. Raha and A.K. Sanyal (Eds). Assemblages of Lepidoptera in Indian Himalaya through long term monitoring plots. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. pp. 71-86.
Bhardwaj, M., V.K. Bhargav and V.P. Uniyal. 2008. Occurrence of tiger beetles (Cicindelidae: Coleoptera) in Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajaji National Park, Uttarakhand. Indian For. 1636-1645.
Bhardwaj, M., and V.P. Uniyal. 2013. High altitude butterfly fauna of Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand: Patterns in species, abundance, composition and similarity. ENVIS Bulletin. Arthropods and their conservation in India (Insects and Spiders) 14(1): 38-48.
Bhargav, V., V.P. Uniyal and K. Sivakumar. 2009. Distinctive patterns in habitat association and distribution of tiger beetles in the Shivalik landscape of North Western India. J. Insect Conserv. 13: 459-473.
Bonebrake, T.C., L.C. Ponisio, C.L. Boggs and P.R. Ehrlich. 2010. More than just indicators: A review of tropical butterfly ecology and conservation. Biol. Conserv. 143(8): 1831-1841.
Brown, K.S. Jr. and A.V.L. Freitas. 2000. Atlantic forest butterflies: indicators for landscape conservation. Biotropica. 32: 934-956.
Chandra, K., D. Gupta, K.C. Gopi, B. Tripathy and V. Kumar. 2018. Faunal diversity of Indian Himalaya. Zoological Survey India, Kolkata. 872pp.
Chandra, H., M.K. Arya and A. Verma. 2023. Biodiversity of butterflies (Lepidoptera: Rhopalocera) in the protected landscape of Nandhour, Uttarakhand, India. J. Threat, Taxa, 15(1): 22448-22470.
Chaturvedi, N. 1981. Some entomological notes from a visit to the Valley of Flowers. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 78(2): 402-405.
Dayakrishna and M.K. Arya. 2015. Study on the abundance and diversity of dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand, India. J. Entomol. Zool. Stud. 3(4): 467-472.
Dayakrishna, M.K. Arya, P.C. Joshi and K. Kumar. 2016. Variation in distribution, density and diversity of grasshopper (Insecta: Orthoptera) in different habitats of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand, India. J. Env. Bio-Sci. 30(2): 275-281.
Dey, P., V.P. Uniyal and A.K. Sanyal. 2015. Moth assemblages (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) as a potential conservation tool for biodiversity monitoring – Study in Western Himalayan Protected Areas. Indian For. 141(9): 985-992.
Díaz, D.M.V., C. Blund, L. Cayola, A.F. Fuentes, L.R. Malizia and J.A. Myers 2020. Untangling the importance of niche breadth and niche position as drivers of tree species abundance and occupancy across biogeographic regions. Glob. Ecol. Biogeogr. 00: 1–12.
Gaston, K.J. 1994. Rarity. Chapman and Hall. Springer Dordrecht. x+205pp.
Hammer, O., D.A.T. Harper and P.D. Ryan. 2001. PAST-Palaeontological Statistics Version 3.04.
Joshi, P.C. and M. Arya. 2007. Butterfly communities along altitudinal gradients in a Protected Forest in the Western Himalayas, India. The Natural History Journal of Chulalongkorn University, 7(1): 1-9.
Joshi, P.C., K. Kothari, V.P. Badoni, M. Arya and A. Agarwal. 2004. Species composition and density of entomofauna vis a vis altitudinal variations and disturbances in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Uttaranchal, India. Asian J. Microbiol. Biotechnol. Environ.Sci. 6(2): 301-308.
Joshi, P.C., K. Kothari, V. Badoni and A. Singh. 1999. Study of above ground entomofauna of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Himalayan Biosphere Reserve. 1(142): 29-37.
Joshi, P.C., K. Kumar and M. Arya. 2008. Assessment of insect diversity along altitudinal gradient in Pindari forests of Western Himalaya, India. J. Asia. Pac. Entomol. 11: 5-11.
Kehimkar, I. 2016. Butterflies of India. Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai. 528 pp.
Kumar, A. 2004. Inventorisation of Faunal Resources of Protected Areas and National Parks of Uttaranchal and Uttar Pradesh. Final Project Report. 165 pp.
Kumar, K., P.C. Joshi, M.K. Arya and P. Nath. 2019. Altitude, seasonality of the Hymenopteran insects associated with high altitude forest of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Western Himalaya, India. J. Env. Bio-Sci. 33(1): 19-29.
Kumar, P. 2008. Insecta: Lepidoptera (Rhopalocera). Fauna of Corbett Tiger Reserve, Conservation Area Series. Zoological Survey of India, Kolkata. 35: 205-220.
Margules, C.R. and R.L. Pressey. 2000. Systematic conservation planning. Nature, 405: 243-253.
Nichols, E., S. Spector, J. Louzada, T. Larsen, S. Amezquita and M.E. Fevilla. 2008. Ecological functions and ecosystem services provided by Scarabaeinae dung beetles. Biol. Conserv. 141(6): 1461-1474.
Park, S.J., H. Kwon, S.K. Park, D.S. Kim and D.S. Park. 2013. Comparative insect faunas between Ganghwado and six others islands of West Coastal in Incheon, Korea. J. Asia-Pac. Biodivers. 6(2): 197-219.
Rodgers, W.A.and H.S. Panwar. 1988. Planning a Wildlife Protected Area Network in India. Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, Vols. I & II.
Samways, J.M. 2005. Insect diversity conservation. Cambridge University Press, New York, USA. 342pp.
Sanwal, C.S., P.M. Dhakate, K.K. Joshi and M.N. Lakshmi. 2017. Habitat conservation through butterfly zone: A new approach to in-situ conservation of butterfly diversity. J. Entomol. Zool. Stud. 5(6): 2195-2199.
Sharma, R., J. Eklund, M.D. Barnes, J. Geldmann, J. Schleicher, R.L. Pressey, M. Gutierrez, S. Jones and A. Gordon. 2020. The impact of terrestrial protected areas on vegetation extent and condition: A systematic review protocol. Environmental Evidence, 9: 8.
Singh, A.P. 2009. Butterflies of Kedarnath Musk Deer Reserve, Garhwal Himalayas, India. . J. Threat. Taxa, 1(1): 37-48.
Singh, A.P. and S. Sondhi. 2016. Butterflies of Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, India. J. Threat. Taxa, 8(4): 8666-8697.
Sondhi, S. and K. Kunte. 2018. Butterflies of Uttarakhand - A Field Guide. Titli Trust (Dehradun), National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru. 310pp.
Steffan-Dewenter, I. and T. Tscharntke. 2002. Insect communities and biotic interactions on fragmented calcareous grasslands- a mini review. Biol. Conserv. 104: 275-284.
Tewari, R. and G.S. Rawat. 2013. Butterfly fauna of Jhilmil Jheel Conservation Reserve, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, India. Biological Forum- An Int. J. 5(2): 22-26.
Uniyal, V.P. 2004. Butterflies of Nanda Devi National Park- A World Heritage Site. Indian For. 130(7): 800-804.
Uniyal, V.P., P. Dey and A.K. Sanyal. 2016. Diversity of moths (Lepidoptera: Heterocera) and their potential role as a conservation tool in different protected areas of Uttarakhand. Project Completion Report, Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun. 105pp.
Verma, A. and M.K. Arya. 2020. Biodiversity of entomofauna with reference to habitat degradation at Pancheshwar dam site on the river Mahakali, Central Himalaya. In: Kumar V, J. Singh, P. Kumar (Eds). Environmental Degradation: Causes & Remediation Strategies. Volume 1, Agro Environ Media (AEM), Publication Cell, Agriculture and Environmental Science Academy, Haridwar, India. pp. 183-204.
Zhang, Z.Q. 2013. Phylum Arthropoda. Zootaxa, 3703(1): 017-026.