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Source: This post is based on the article “IISc study in Arunachal Pradesh reveals how logging and climate change impact montane birds” published in “The Hindu” on 5 January 2024.
Why in news?
Recently, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) in Bengaluru have found that logging and climate change pose a threat to montane birds.
What was done in research?
1) The team collected data from the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh which is home to over 500 bird species.
2) Researchers studied the effects of forest logging and climate change on bird communities in tropical mountains by examining over 10 years of data.
2) Mist netting and bird ringing data were used to understand how the composition of the mid-elevation Eastern Himalayan understorey bird community changed in primary (undisturbed) forests as well as in logged forests.
Note- Understorey bird community is the community of birds that remain beneath the main canopy of a forest
What are the findings of the research?
1) Forest loss and climate change are major threats to the ecosystem of Tropical montane forests on mountains.
2) Many bird species have started shifting to higher elevations due to rising temperatures.
3) Logging can lead to the loss of large-bodied, old, growth-dependent species, and decrease the overall biodiversity.
4) Logging has a detrimental impact on understorey insectivores, which are typically confined to specific niches, leading to a significant decline in their numbers.
5) Logged forests also experience decreased densities of foliage-dwelling insects, diminishing the available resources for birds.
6) The study highlights the need to safeguard primary forests in order to mitigate the effects of climate change.
What is Eagle Nest Wildlife Sanctuary?
| Specifications | Details |
| Location | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Geographical Features | It is situated in the biodiversity hotspot of Eastern Himalayas. |
| National Park | It conjoins Sessa Orchid Sanctuary to the northeast and Pakhui Tiger Reserve across the Kameng river to the east. |
| Significance | Eagle Nest’s Wildlife Sanctuary is considered amongst the topmost birding destinations in the World. |
| Flora | Dense strands of bamboo & patches of broadleaved evergreen forest covers the large altitudinal range. |
| Fauna | 1) It is also home for many species of amphibians, snakes & lizards, mammal species like Bengal Tiger, Clouded leopard, Red Panda, Arunachal Macaque, Gaur & endangered capped Langur. 2) More than 160 species of butterflies have been recorded. 3) The rare Bugun Liocichla bird (IUCN status: Critically Endangered) is found only in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary. |
| Tribes | This Sanctuary is inhabited by two tribes, Bugun and Sherdukpen. |
UPSC Syllabus: Environment (Wildlife Sanctuary in news)
