Field surveys along habitat gradients revealed differences in herpetofauna assemblage in Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad, Pakistan
Open Access
- 31 March 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Pensoft Publishers in Biodiversity Data Journal
- Vol. 9, e61541
- https://doi.org/10.3897/bdj.9.e61541
Abstract
This study was conducted to see whether herpetofaunal assemblage differed amongst hiking trails, undisturbed forest and urban areas within the Margalla Hills National Park, Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan. Circular plot area-constrained searches (45 plots in each habitat, each plot with an area of 25 m2) were used from March 2018 to July 2019. We recorded seven amphibian species, nine lizard species and six snake species. The species richness of amphibians and lizards was the same in the studied strata, while the detection and encounter rate of snakes was lower in the undisturbed forest and urban areas. The encounter rate of amphibians differed significantly between urban areas and hiking trails/undisturbed forest. The encounter rate and population density of lizards differed significantly between undisturbed forest and urban areas. The most frequently encountered amphibian species along the hiking trail and urban areas was Duttaphrynus stomaticus, with Hoplobatrachus tigerinus in undisturbed forest. The most common and frequently encountered lizard species along the hiking trail and urban areas was Hemidactylus brookii, while the Ophisops jerdonii was the most frequently seen in undisturbed forest. The most common and frequently encountered snake species along the hiking trail and undisturbed forest was the Indotyphlops braminus, while Ptyas mucosa was the most common in urban areas. The subsequent bio-assessment, based on herpetofauna, of the Park revealed good to excellent biotic integrity The Park faces threats including livestock grazing, alien invasive vegetation and human disturbance due to settlements, restaurants and tourism-related activities. While several of these threats have been mitigated since the establishment of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, the Park still requires improved management, especially regarding regulating tourism.Keywords
Funding Information
- Rufford Foundation
This publication has 18 references indexed in Scilit:
- Rehabilitation index for evaluating restoration of terrestrial ecosystems using the reptile assemblage as the bio-indicatorEcological Indicators, 2008
- Species Richness and Habitat Use of Small Carnivores in the Arusha National Park (Tanzania)Biodiversity and Conservation, 2006
- Persistence and stability of macroinvertebrate communities in streams of Denali National Park, Alaska: implications for biological monitoringFreshwater Biology, 2006
- Effects of land use management on biotic integrity: An investigation of bird communitiesBiological Conservation, 2005
- A Benthic Community Index for streams in the Northern Lakes and Forests EcoregionEcological Indicators, 2003
- Monitoring herpetofauna in a managed forest landscape: effects of habitat types and census techniquesForest Ecology and Management, 2002
- Considerations for the development of a terrestrial index of ecological integrityEcological Indicators, 2001
- Ecological Degradation in Protected Areas: The Case of Wolong Nature Reserve for Giant PandasScience, 2001
- An Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) for Fish Assemblages in the Littoral Zone of Great Lakes' Areas of ConcernCanadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 1994
- Ecological perspective on water quality goalsEnvironmental Management, 1981