Distribution and relative abundance of Kashmir Red Deer or Hangul (Cervus elaphis hanglu) at Dachigam National Park, Kashmir, India

Abstract

We investigated the habitat use and food habits of Kashmir Red deer or Hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu) at Dachigam National Park, Kashmir, India, from April 2007 to June 2009. We characterized Hangul habitats based on vegetation plots (n= 98) along 13 transects / trails that systematically covered Lower Dachigam (ca. 90 km 2), our intensive study area. We classified five Hangul habitats viz., Riverine (1,600-1,900 m), Lower Temperate Mixed (Celtis australis, Morus alba, Aesculus indica, Juglans regia and Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, 1,800-2,200 m), Lower Temperate Pine Mixed (Pinus wallichiana and others, 1,800-2,400 m), Mid Temperate Mixed (Ulmus wallichana, C. australis, A. indica and P. jacquemontiana, 2,300-2,600 m), and Temperate Grassland and Scrubland (Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, Themeda anethra, 1,900-2,900 m). We recorded 404 visual encounters and signs of Hangul and found that the habitat use was significantly different across seasons (χ 2 = 32.33 df= 4, P< 0.001). Maximum number of sightings and evidences (39%) were recorded in Temperate grassland/scrub habitat followed by Riverine (26%) and Lower Temperate pine mixed (9%). Temperate grassland/scrub habitat was used more than its availability (0.36 ≤ P ≤ 0.487) in all seasons. Based on 404 Hangul use plots and 121 available plots, we found that there was a significant difference in the use of elevation zones by Hangul between seasons (χ 2 = 12, df= 12, P< 0.01). In spring, Hangul used the elevation categories 1,901-2,100 m (0.123 ≤ P ≤ 0.321) and 2,101-2,300 m (0.245 ≤ p ≤ 0.473) more than availability. In summer and autumn, maximum proportion of sightings and signs were recorded in the elevation ranges 1,901-2,100 m and 2,101-2,300 m and in winter Hangul used valley areas with elevation category of 1,700-1,900 m more than its availability (0.521 ≤ P ≤ 0.766). Most (40%) of the sightings and signs were recorded in Eastern aspect and Hangul use of aspect differed significantly (χ 2 = 96.33, df= 18, P= 0.00) in different seasons. Slope use by Hangul have differed significantly (χ 2 = 25.09, df= 9, P= 0.003) and the maximum percentage of sightings and signs (37%) were recorded in slope category of 10°-20°. Based on dung analysis (n= 67) and direct feeding observations (n= 38), we found a seasonal variation in diet composition of Hangul and it was mostly composed of Grass/herbs (60%) in summer, forbs/fern (46.66%) in spring and autumn, and bark of trees (57%) mostly Salix alba during winter. Twenty food plant species were observed in the diet of Hangul. Some of these include: Berberis sp., Geranium sp., Aesculus indica,