Wetland Ecology

Wetlands are an integral part of every landscape. The different types of wetlands provide habitats to several life forms that remain associated or dependant on the wetland. Understanding the ecosystem services and interlinkages among the various lifeforms and wetland habitats is essential in designing strategies and policies aiding conservation. SACON has been contributing significantly to the research, documentation and conservation of wetlands across the country. It has played a leaders’ role in aspects of policy making and added to the knowledge of Indian wetlands. The Wetland Ecology division at SACON pursues to carry on with the good work and further it by laying importance on research and training.

The emphasis in research will be to study the ecological aspects of the wetlands and its utility to the flora and fauna including the bird species. Although the species and habitat specific research will have a prominence, integrating sustainability of individual wetlands is of equal concern.

The Wetland Ecology division also conducts training programme required for capacity building of various stake holders viz. forest officials, students, teachers and researchers.

Scientist

Goldyn  Dr. Goldin Quadros, Principal Scientist

  Dr. Mahendiran Mylswamy, Senior Scientist


Ankita Bhattacharya, Ph.D. Designation: Research Associate

Project: Developing State Level Action Plans for implementing Visionary Perspective Plan for conservation of avian diversity, their ecosystems, habitats & landscapes in the country (North Zone: Delhi-NCR & Uttarakhand)

Contact: ankita.bhattac@gmail.com

Previous Work: I pursued my graduation and post-graduation in Zoology from the University of Calcutta, following which I joined Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun as a research scholar. I have worked there for 9 years which included my PhD tenure as well. My research career till now has involved studies on biodiversity and habitat assessments in mountainous landscapes, primarily focusing on mammals and birds. In this regard, I have gained experience in designing and conducting field based surveys which include camera trapping exercises, high altitude surveys, vantage point counts, sign surveys, trail samplings, line transects, gradient directed transects, vehicular transects, rapid biodiversity assessments and semi-structured questionnaire surveys to understand the human dimensions as well. My target given was to provide baseline information at landscape levels for some lesser known but biodiversity rich Himalayan regions where few studies have been conducted previously. To achieve this, I focused mainly on species distribution modelling, habitat suitability modelling, occupancy modelling, distance sampling and future climate change prediction modelling. The results led me to provide population estimation, current and future distribution status and delineation of suitable habitats for some key mammal and bird species. I have used Maximum Entropy Models (MaxEnt), Point Process models, Generalized Linear Models, Regression analyses and have gained fair experience in the use of several analytical and geospatial software like R, Google Earth and ArcGIS in this process. My doctoral dissertation entailed a part of these large scale studies. The focus of my work was population estimation of wild and domestic ungulates and how distribution and resource selection patterns of Blue Sheep or Bharal (Pesudois nayaur), Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), and Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster) were affected by presence and intensity of livestock in alpine habitats and transition zones of the Upper Gori valley in Western Himalaya, Uttarakhand, India. Current Work: Currently, I am working on drafting a comprehensive State Action Plan for conservation of avifauna and their habitats in two states of India (Uttarakhand and Delhi). This involves compilation and analysis of existing data as well as consultations with all relevant stakeholders.

Research Interest: Species Distribution Modelling, Mammals & Birds, Himalayan Ecosystems, Habitat/Landscape Ecology


Mr. Siddhesh Dhruv Bhave,  Senior Research Biologist (M.Sc. Zoology)

I am from Mumbai, Maharashtra; I have graduated from University of Mumbai with specialization in Zoology. After my Masters I have had the opportunity to work on research projects with several National research institutions like ICAR Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural history (SACON), CSIR National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). The research projects gave me several opportunities to travel different landscapes and seascapes mainly central and southern India. The prospect to sample deep sea sediments from the Arabian sea by participating in the Sea Cruises developed my insights to the ocean ecology and dynamics. These varied field trips have contributed to developing my skill sets, be it mammal, bird and insect identification in the field or analyse water, sediment plankton or benthos in the laboratory. Having worked in different projects and dabbled in several topics I have now gathered specific interest in Ecology of Rocky shore Tide pools, Marine Benthos and Shorebirds. I have registered at Mumbai University for my PhD on the topic “Ecology of benthic community from intertidal rock pools of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra”.

Since December 2021, I am working at SACON as Senior Research Biologist on the project titled ‘Assess the association of avifauna with rocky shore tide pool ecosystems along the Indian coasts’.


Prathamesh Gurjarpadhye, Senior Research Biologist (SRB) &Ph.D. Scholar

I obtained my Master’s degree in Zoology from Mumbai University (2015).  After completing Masters, my passion for wildlife drove me towards the field of wildlife research. My interest lies in Wetland Conservation, Ornithology and Genetics.  I joined Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History in year 2015. I work under three different research projects conducted by SACON.  During these projects, I developed various skills like sample (Water, Soil, Benthos, Planktons) collection and analysis techniques, identification of Fish, Phytoplankton, Zooplankton and Benthos, Bird study Techniques, Mangroves identification and study methods. During six years of my research career, I got the opportunity to improve my observation skills, Communication, teamwork and Leadership skills, Ability to adapt, Micromanagement and increase the ability to work independently for extended periods of time in unfavourable field conditions. During this period, I have worked on Edible Nest Swiftlet and also registered for my Ph.D. under the mentorship of Dr. Manchi Shirish at Bharathiar University. Currently, I am working as a Senior Research Biologist in Wetland Ecology Division on the project titled “Rejuvenation of storm water drain and restoration of holding ponds in Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation area.” I wish to contribute more information to this field of wetlands that presently-lack ecological knowhow.

Contact: gurjarpadhyeprathamesh@gmail.com Phone: 7588310361/ 9920132366


Mr. Durgesh Patil, Junior Research Biologist

Durgeshpatil.bio@gmail.com

Since my early high school days, I have been passionate about Science, History and Geography. Soon, I developed my interests in venturing out in nature, going trekking and traveling into wilderness areas. I remember my first trek during bachelor’s course work (Botany, 2018) at Karnala Fort, situated in Karnala Bird sanctuary, Raigad, MH, where my professors and seniors guided me into this fascinating world of Plants, Birds, Butterflies, Insects and their interaction within the ecosystem. Later, for my M.Sc. Dissertation (Botany, 2020), I selected the same field site for ‘Floristic Enumeration of Monsoon Ephemeral Species’.

My Interest in Ecology, mainly with birds, escalated gradually during my academics. I was actively involved in Nature Education and Awareness as I was working Part time as Nature Interpreter at ‘Sanjay Gandhi National Park’ and ‘Maharashtra Nature Park’, Mumbai. After  my Graduation in Botany, I was engaged as Project Assistant for ‘SACON’ on the project titled ‘Synanthropic Bird Survey of Maharashtra State’. I have participated as Botany Expert in preparation of PBR’s In South Goa Region and also involved in Literature reviews for PBR’s of Haryana state. After completion of my Master’s Degree in Botany with specialization in Angiosperms Taxonomy, I joined Himachal Pradesh Forest Department as Research Assistant for the Reintroduction Program of Western Tragopan. This experience developed my skills in Radio Telemetry and its analysis, Camera trapping, Habitat assessment, Bird handling and tagging along with enhancing my physical abilities to work in rugged Himalayan landscapes. Later after completion of the project, I worked as Associate Consultant – Ecology at ‘Arcadis’ mainly performing surveys and studies for ESIA and ESDD reports.

Currently at SACON, I’m engaged as Junior Research Biologist in “Developing State Level Action Plans for implementing Visionary Perspective Plan for Conservation of Avian Diversity, their Ecosystem, Habitats and Landscape in the state of Nagaland”


Mr. Sunilkumar G. Gupta, Junior Research Biologist (MSc Zoology)

I have done my Postgraduation in Zoology from the University of Mumbai in 2018.

Currently, working as a JRB on the project titled “Rejuvenation of stormwater drain and restoration of holding water pond in Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation area” at SACON under supervision of Dr Goldin Quadros. After my post-graduation, I have worked as a lecturer at Bhavan’s College, A.E. Kalsekar College and V.K. Menon College. I have also enrolled for my PhD from the University of Mumbai and will be conducting ecological research along the Mumbai coast.

As a Nature enthusiast I have a keen interest in wildlife and its conservation. Other field of interest includes Ornithology, Nature education, Ecology and Wildlife Photography.

Contact: sunil.sacon2022@outlook.com


Divya Prakash, Junior Research Biologist (M.Sc)

Biology as a subject and wildlife conservation as a purpose are both instilled as my profound interests. To have the advanced knowledge in theoretical and practical biology, I did my bachelor’s in Life Science from University of Delhi and Master’s in Life Science from Central University of South Bihar. Wildlife and especially birds have always been my fascination and that I further took forward in my academics. I did my dissertation thesis on effects of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) on behaviour and physiology of birds under Dr. Ram Pratap Singh. My current academic interests include studying Physiology, genetics, behavioral ecology, Urban biodiversity & conservation biology.

At present, I am working as a Junior Research Biologist at SACON under the supervision of Dr. Mahendiran Mylswamy in the project titled- “Developing State Level Action Plans for implementing Visionary Perspective Plan for conservation of avian diversity, their ecosystems, habitats & landscapes in the country: Delhi NCR”. I hope to further learn and grow my skills in order to serve my country’s wildlife with all my capabilities in future.

Research Projects – Ongoing

  1. “Documentation of the fauna from Tide pool Ecosystems along the Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg Coast, Maharashtra” from December 2019 to December 2021. Project funded by Mangrove cell, Maharashtra.  Investigators Goldin Quadros & Manchi Shirish S.
  2. “ENVIS center for Wetlands including inland wetlands” during December 2011 Till Date. MoEF&CC funded project. Co-ordinator Goldin Quadros
  3. “Mapping biological diversity in the caves of Vengurla Rocks Archipelago, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra” from December 2019 to December 2021. Project funded by Mangrove cell, Maharashtra.  Investigators Manchi Shirish S. & Goldin Quadros
  4. “Population status, ecology and conservation of the Indian Swiftlet Aerodramus unicolorin the Western Ghats, west Coast and Offshore islands of Maharashtra” from December 2019 to December 2022. MoEF&CC funded project. Investigators Manchi Shirish S. & Goldin Quadros

Research Projects Completed

  1. “Wetland Conservation in Noyyal and Bhavani River Basins” Project funded by WWF-India (2020) Investigators – Goldin Quadros
  2. Assessment of status, distribution and threats to the population of threatened Sarus Crane Antigone antigone in Gujarat. Final report, Submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. SACON TR 208 Pp-202. (2020) Investigators – Mahendiran, M., Muralidharan, S., Balasubramanian, P., & Karunakaran, P.V.,
  3. Assessment of status, distribution and threats to the population of threatened Sarus Crane Antigone antigone in Uttar Pradesh. Final report, Submitted to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. SACON TR 209 Pp-244. (2020). Investigators -Mahendiran, M., Muralidharan, S., Balasubramanian, P., & Karunakaran, P.V.,
  4. Project funded by the State Fisheries Department (Nellore) “Impact of dredging and opening of the sea mouth into the Pulicat Lake at Rayadoruvu village of Vakadu mandal, on the habitat of Pulicat Bird Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh” (2019) Investigators – Riddhika Ramesh, Goldin Quadros, T. Ramesh and P.R. Arun.
  5. “Criteria for wetland prioritization and framework for wetland monitoring in the state of Tamil Nadu” funded by Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board, Tamil Nadu (2019). Investigators – Goldin Quadros and Mahendiran M.
  6. “Habitat Assessment of Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Kerala” funded by Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department (2017). Investigators – Karunakaran P.V., Goldin Quadros and Babu S.
  7. “Preparing brief document of the wetlands in the Forest areas of Maharashtra” funded by Mangrove cell, Maharashtra (2017). Investigators – Goldin Quadros, Azeez P.A., and Manchi Shirish S.
  8. “Conducting baseline studies for Thane creek” funded by Mangrove cell, Maharashtra along with the GIZ under CMPA project (2016). Investigators – Goldin Quadros, Azeez P.A., Manchi Shirish S. and Mahendiran M.
  9. “Carrying out ecotoxicology of fishes, crabs and bivalves of Thane creek” funded by Mangrove cell, Maharashtra along with the GIZ under CMPA project (2016). Investigators – Goldin Quadros, Azeez P.A., Manchi Shirish S. and Mahendiran M.
  10. “Ecological assessment of Palk Bay” funded by GIZ (2016). Investigators – Azeez P.A., Goldin Quadros, Manchi Shirish S. and Mahendiran M.
  11. “Status and distribution of avifauna within in the coastal talukas of Sindhudurg district Maharashtra” funded by Mangrove cell Maharashtra under the UNDP project (2017). Investigators – Babu S. and Goldin Quadros
  12. “Mapping key nesting sites of coastal and marine birds for identification of ecologicaly sensitive areas along the Indian coasts” funded by NCSMC (2017). Investigators – Jayapal R., Babu S.,  Azeez P.A. and Goldin Quadros
  13. Assessment of the morphological diversity and the ecological patterns in the near threatened colonial water birds across Indian sub-continent using novel approach. Final Report (Ref No: SR/FT/LS-12/ 2011) submitted to Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB-DST). Government of India. (2016). Investigators – Mahendiran, M.
  14. Rapid survey of the Asian Openbill Storks (Anastomus oscitans) nesting at Danapur Cantonment, Bihar, North India” Submitted to the Danapur Cantonment Board, Ministry of Defence, Patna, Bihar. (2012) Investigators – Mahendiran A

National

  1. Amit J Patil, Bhupendra Shrike, S Babu G. Babu Rao, Shirish Manchi S. and Goldin Quadros. Record of a Few Pelagic Bird Sightings along Sindhudurg Coast, Maharashtra 2019.Ambient Science, 2019: Vol. 06(2 DOI:10.21276/ambi.2019.06.2.nn01
  2. Siva, T, Sathyamoorthy, S, Mahendiran, M & Goldin Q (2019) Observation of Baillon’s Crake (Zapornia pusilla) in Oomayampatti Lake the first record for Namakkal district, Tamilnadu, India.  Ambient Science, 2019: Vol. 06(2) DOI:10.21276/ambi.2019.06.2.nn02
  3. Dwevedi, R., Aniket, K & Mahendiran A monospecific colony of cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis in agricultural landscape of central Uttar Pradesh, India. 2015Indian BIRDS  10 (6): 149-150
  4. Dilip Shenai and Goldin Quadros. Comparison between a manmade lake and a natural lake in Mumbai using select water quality parameters. 2014 Ecology, Environment & Conservation 20(2) : 777-782.
  5. Jayakumar,, Babu, S & M. Mahendiran Stray dog Canis familiaris preying on Threatened Birds in Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu 2014 ZOO’S PRINT Volume XXIX, Number 1 P. 32
  6. P.Athalye, Goldin Quadros and K.S. Gokhale. Environmental Management strategies for creeks and estuaries: a case study of Thane creek, India. 2012 Bionano frontier 73-76.
  7. Quadros Goldin and Athalye R.P. Decline of fish diversity in the anthropogenically polluted Thane creek along the Central West Coast of India. 2012 ISCA Journal of Biological Sciences. Vol. 1(4): 17-21. (Open Access)
  8. Somani Vaishali, Quadros Goldin and Pejaver Madhuri K. Occurrence of Rotifers and its Relation to the Water Quality during the Bioremediation process in Lake Kacharali, Thane, MS, India. 2012 ISCA Journal of Biological Sciences. Vol. 1(3): 54-58. (Open Access)

International

  1. Mahendiran, M., &  Azeez PA. Ecosystem Services of Birds: A Review of Market and Non-market Values. 2018 Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology: Current Research7(2) DOI: 10.4172/2161-0983.1000209
  2. Mahendiran M, Parthiban M, Azeez PA, Nagarajan R. In situmeasurements of animal morphological features: A non-invasive method. 2017 Methods Ecol Evol.;00: 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/2041-210X.12898
  3. Mahendiran, M. Coexistence of three sympatric cormorants (Phalacrocorax); partitioning of time as an ecological resource. 2016 Royal Society of Open Science 3, 160175. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsos.160175
  4. Amit J Patil, Bhupendra Shrike, S Babu G. Babu Rao, and Goldin Quadros. Unusual weather condition causing the transfer of seahorses Hippocampus kuda onto the sandy beaches of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. 2016. Current Science. Vol.111(5): 792 -793.
  5. U. Borkar, R.P. Athalye and Quadros Goldin. Salinity induced changes in the leaf anatomy of the mangrove Avicennia marina along the anthropogenically stressed tropical creek. 2011 Journal of Coastal Development. Vol.14 (3): 191-201. (Open Access)
  6. Mahendiran, M & A. Urfi The status and distribution of the Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogasterin the Delhi region, India. 2011 Cormorant Research Group Bulletin 7: 47-56
  7. Mahendiran, M & A. J. Urfi  Foraging patterns and kleptoparasitism among three sympatric cormorants (Phalacrocorax) from the Delhi region, North India. 2010 Hydrobiologia 638:21-28.

in Books/ Proceedings of International / National Seminars / Conferences.

  1. Amit J Patil, G. Babu Rao, Bhupendra Shrike, S Babu and Goldin Quadros. Diversity of avifauna in the shallow Pat lake in Kudal taluka of Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. 2015. Proc. of National Seminar on ‘Wetlands-Present status, ecology & Conservation’ pp. 20 – 25.
  2. Babu Rao G., Amit J Patil, Bhupendra Shrike, Goldin Quadros and S Babu. Flock structure and composition of mixed species flocks of gulls in the Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra. 2015. Proc. of National Seminar on ‘Wetlands-Present status, ecology & Conservation’ pp. 52 – 56.
  3. Bhupendra Shrike, Amit J Patil, G. Babu Rao, S Babu and Goldin Quadros. Molluscan diversity from the tourist destinations of Malvan. 2015. Proc. of National Seminar on ‘Wetlands-Present status, ecology & Conservation’ pp. 73 – 76.
  4. Vaishali Somani, Milan Gholba, Goldin Quadros and Madhuri Pejaver. ABC analysis –  A simple approach for grouping of plankton based on abundance. 2015. Proc. of National Seminar on ‘Wetlands-Present status, ecology & Conservation’ pp. 152 – 155.
  5. Mahendiran, M& PA, Azeez, PA (2015) Birds, habitat services, unsung functional Values. (Eds Thivakaran, Mahoto and Gajera) Dryland Birds: Strategy for Conservation and Management. Proceedings of the National symposium Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology Gujarat
  6. Hemambika B., Julffia Begam A., Kirubhanandhini V., Babu S., Mahendiran M. And Goldin Quadros. Diversity of birds from the urban wetlands of Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu India 2014 Proceedings of National Conference on Recent trends in Zoological research. pp. 186-189.
  7. Goldin Quadros Impact of pollution on the flora and fauna – a loss of ecosystem services.. National Conference on Biodiversity: Status and Challenges in Conservation FAVEO 2013. 29– 30 November, 2013. B.N.Bandodkar college of Science, Thane Maharashtra.
  8. Devyani Singh and Goldin Quadros. A study of Maharashtra Nature Park for its role in Environment Education. National Conference on Biodiversity: Status and Challenges in Conservation FAVEO 2013. 29– 30 November, 2013.  B.N.Bandodkar college of Science, Thane Maharashtra.
  9. Nita Shashidharan and Goldin Quadros. Bridging gaps: Open source geospatial technology as a public participatory tool for landscape assessment. National Conference on Biodiversity: Status and Challenges in Conservation FAVEO 2013. 29– 30 November, 2013. B.N.Bandodkar college of Science, Thane Maharashtra.
  10. Kashmira Khot, Goldin Quadros and Vaishali Somani.Ant diversity in an urban garden at Mumbai Maharashtra. National Conference on Biodiversity: Status and Challenges in Conservation FAVEO 2013. 29– 30 November, 2013. B.N.Bandodkar college of Science, Thane Maharashtra
  11. Goldin Quadros, Heena Khan and Gauri Gurav. Awareness about mangroves among the citizens of Mumbai –  an island metropolitian city of India surrounded by mangroves. “International workshop on Mangrove conservation in India” 26-27July, 2013. GEC, Govt. Of Gujarat.
  12. Thangalakshmi, R., Eswaran, R &M, Mahendiran (2013) Preliminary observations on the bird diversity, environmental and sociological aspects of selected wetlands of Madurai IN (ed John Joseph) Food security, issues and concerns, Shanlax publications Madurai.
  13. Thinh Duc Nguyen &M, Mahendiran (2013) Foraging behavior of White-headed babbler Turdoides affinis – A model organism for ecosystem services (Eds Raja Jayapal, babu….Azeez) Ecosystem services and functions of birds. Proceedings of the Second international Conference on Indian Ornithology, SACON, Coimbatore, INDIA ISBN 81 -902136-0-4
  14. Goldin Quadros, Kamini Thakur, Gauri Gurav and Vaishali U Somani. Importance of conserving wetlands as a habitat for birds as observed at Uran a coastal town in Maharashtra, India. 2012 in‘7th Symposium on Limnology and Aquatic Birds’
  15. Goldin Quadros, Gauri Gurav, Kaustubh Bhagat, Aniruddha Dhamorikar, Kashmira Khot and Alok Chorghe. Avian fauna of Indian Institute of Technology campus-Bombay, Powai. 2011 in Of first international conference on Indian Ornithology – Status of Indian birds and their conservation. pp.173-174.
  16. Goldin Quadros, R.P.Athalye, Vaishali U. Somani, N.N. Patil and M.U. Borkar. Distribution of water birds from the intertidal mudflats of Thane creek, the central west-coast of India. 2011 in Of first international conference on Indian Ornithology – Status of Indian birds and their conservation. pp. 292-293.

Books  Published

  1. Prioritised wetlands and its Biodiversity in Tamil Nadu – Goldin Quadros, M. Mahendiran, T. Siva, Mohammed Ibrahim and A. Julffia Begam (2020)
  2. The Field Guide to Birds in Sindhudurg – Vasudevan N., Babu S., Babu Rao G.and Goldin Quadros (2017) Published by the GoI-UNDP-GEF Sindhudurg Project, from the office of the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mangrove Cell, Maharashtra Forest Department.
  3. A Bibliography of Tamil Nadu Wetlands – Goldin Quadros, B. Hemambika, A Julffia Begam, N. Mohamed Ibrahim and K Sankar (2017) Published by SACON. ISBN:978-93-5276-676-2
  4. Glimpses to the biodiversity of Ramsar sites in India – Goldin Quadros, B. Hemambika, A Julffia Begam, A Srinivasan and P A Azeez (2015) Published by SACON. ISBN: 978-93-5254-302-1
  5. Lakes of Coimbatore City – Goldin Quadros, B. Hemambika, A Julffia Begam and P A Azeez (2014) Published by SACON. ISBN: 978-93-5174-749-9
  6. Ecosystem Services and Functions of Birds – Rajah Jayapal, S. Babu, Goldin Quadros, P R Arun, P Pramod, H N Kumara and P A Azeez (2013) Published by SACON. ISBN: 81-902136-0-4
  7. Biodiversity: Status and Challenges in Conservation – Poonam Kurve, Goldin Quadros and Vaishali Somani (2013) Published by Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, B.N.Bandodkar College of Science. ISBN: 978-81-923628-1-6
  8. Status of Indian Birds and their Conservation – S Bhupathy, B Anjan Kumar Prusty, H N Kumara, R S C Jayaraj, Goldin Quadros and P Pramod. (2011) Published by SACON. ISBN: 81-902136-0-3