Navinder J. Singh

Stipendiat

Telefon (+47)
776 46603

E-post
navinder.singh@ib.uit.no

Faggruppe
øk/zoo

Kontor/besøk
rom 3118

Forskningsinteresser
Resource selection, Sexual segregation, mountain ungulates, snow-vegetation interactions, grazing and global climatic changes.

Forskningsprosjekter
Resource selection by Tibetan argali (Ovis ammon hodgsoni) - Ecology of the exes.

Tibetan Argali

Tibetan argali (Ovis ammon hodgsoni) is a globally threatened species with a small population surviving in Ladakh, India. Argali had been hunted throughout its range for trophy and meat in the past. Our preliminary data based on recent surveys on argali status and conservation shows that the Tso Kar Basin population is probably the largest in Ladakh with an estimated 80 argali.

Tso Kar Basin Ladakh

The Tso Kar basin represents a small part of the typical Tibetan plateau landscape in India located in eastern Ladakh. The studies on pastoral history indicate that Pastoralism has existed here since long time, but livestock grazing has intensified in recent years (due to changing pastoral practices and increased demand for cashmere). Erratic precipitation and livestock grazing both potentially have negative consequences on forage availability and wild animals. Developmental activities also have not remained far behind, and intensive tourism and construction work is taking place in the area. Intensified use of pastures and developmental activities are prime threat to the survival of this small population of argali in the region. To identify the conservation measures, one needs unveil the ecological information about how animals select habitat and resources in their environment. Sexual differences in habitat and area use can cause important differences in foraging and other forms of behaviour, as well as in performance and survival of sexes. Therefore, our study will monitor population status, and investigate the distribution and habitat selection of the subspecies, sexual differences in habitat selection and causes of sexual segregation, which should enable better conservation planning for this population.