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ECOLOGICAL
ROLE OF BIOLOGY
SOME INVESTIGATORY
ANIMALS PROJECT
OBSERVED IN
A LOCAL
AREA
BY ADITYA KUKRETI
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I, Aditya Kukreti hereby declare that the
Project entitled “Ecological role of some
animals observed in a local area" is my
original work. I have conducted all the
experiments, analyses, and research for this
project independently, following ethical
guidelines and scientific principles.
The data presented in this project has been
collected with utmost diligence and
accuracy. Any external sources or references
have been duly acknowledged, and I affirm
that the results and conclusions drawn are a
true representation of my findings.
NAME-
CLASS-
ROLL NO-
3
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude
to everyone who supported me throughout
this investigatory project
First, my heartfelt thanks to our biology
instructor Mrs. Aneena Poozhikuth
Chalukulangara for her invaluable guidance
and feedback. I also appreciate Indian
School Ibri for providing the necessary
resources for my research.
A special thanks to my parents for their
unwavering love and support, and to my
friends for their encouragement and
understanding. Lastly, I thank God for His
divine guidance and blessings, which have
been with me throughout this project.
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CONTENT
SNO TOPIC Page
1 INTRODUCTION 6
2 OBJECTIVES 8
3 METHODS 9
4 INFERENCES 13
5 DISCUSSIONS 19
6 CONCLUSIONS 20
7 BIBLOGRAPHY 21
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Introduction
Ecology is the branch of biology
that deals with the relationships
between living organisms and their
environment. Animals play crucial
roles in maintaining the balance of
ecosystems, each contributing to
various ecological processes such
as pollination, seed dispersal, pest
control, and nutrient cycling. This
investigatory project aims to study
the ecological roles of specific
animals observed in a local area,
highlighting their importance in
maintaining ecological balance.
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The area that I've chosen for this
project is the Indian state of
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand, located in the
northern part of India, is a state
rich in biodiversity, with its varied
landscapes ranging from the
foothills of the Himalayas to dense
forests and alpine meadows. The
region is home to a wide variety of
animal species, each playing a vital
role in maintaining the ecological
balance of their habitats. The state
is home to several protected areas,
including national parks, wildlife
sanctuaries, and biosphere
reserves, which host a wide variety
of flora and fauna.This project also
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aims to contribute to the broader
understanding of Uttarakhand’s
natural heritage and the urgent
need for its preservation.
Objectives
1)To identify and observe
animals in different regions of
Uttarakhand.
2)To understand the ecological
roles played by these animals in
their natural habitats.
3)To analyze the interactions
between these animals and
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other components of the
ecosystem.
4)To raise awareness about the
importance of biodiversity and
conservation in Uttarakhand
Methodology:
1. Site Selection:
o Diverse habitats across
Uttarakhand were selected,
including the dense forests
of Jim Corbett National
Park, the alpine meadows
of Nanda Devi Biosphere
Reserve, the rugged
landscapes of Kedarnath
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Wildlife Sanctuary, and
local village forests.
o Each site represented a
distinct ecosystem, offering
varied opportunities for
observing wildlife.
2. Species Identification:
o Species encountered in
each habitat were identified
using field guides, noting
their physical
characteristics, behaviors,
and habitat preferences.
o Detailed descriptions and
records were made to
ensure accurate
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documentation of each
species observed.
3. Observation:
o Systematic observations
were conducted at various
times of the day, focusing
on capturing variations in
behavior and interactions
with the environment.
o Particular attention was
given to interactions
involving plants (e.g.,
pollination and seed
dispersal) and other
animals (e.g., predation
and scavenging).
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4. Data Collection:
o Frequency and timing of
species sightings were
documented, along with
environmental conditions
such as temperature,
humidity, and habitat type.
5. Data Analysis:
o The collected data was
analyzed to determine the
ecological roles of the
observed animals.
o Key processes such as
pollination, seed dispersal,
predation, and
decomposition were
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identified, along with the
species involved.
o Comparisons were made
across different habitats to
understand variations in
ecological roles.
INFERENCES
1. Species Profiles:
● Bengal Tiger (Panthera
tigris):
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o Habitat: Dense forests and
grasslands, primarily in Jim
Corbett National Park.
o Ecological Role: Apex
predator; regulates prey
populations, such as deer
and wild boar, preventing
overgrazing and
maintaining ecosystem
balance.
o Observations: Tigers were
observed hunting during
early morning and late
evening hours, primarily
targeting large herbivores.
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● Himalayan Monal
(Lophophorus impejanus):
o Habitat: Alpine meadows
and subalpine forests,
especially in Kedarnath
Wildlife Sanctuary.
o Ecological Role: Seed
disperser and insectivore;
contributes to plant
regeneration by dispersing
seeds and controlling insect
populations.
o Observations: Monals
were seen foraging on the
forest floor, consuming
seeds, berries, and insects,
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and dispersing seeds
through their droppings.
● Asian Elephant (Elephas
maximus):
o Habitat: Forests and
grasslands in Rajaji
National Park.
o Ecological Role: Keystone
species; aids in seed
dispersal, forest
regeneration, and habitat
modification by creating
clearings and trails.
o Observations: Elephants
were observed moving in
herds, feeding on a variety
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of vegetation, and
dispersing seeds across
large areas.
● Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes):
o Habitat: Temperate forests
and open areas in the
higher altitudes of
Uttarakhand.
o Ecological Role:
Scavenger and predator;
helps in nutrient recycling
by feeding on carrion and
controlling small mammal
populations.
o Observations: Foxes were
observed scavenging on
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the remains of other
animals
o contributing to nutrient
cycling in the ecosystem.
2. Interaction Networks:
● Pollination: In alpine
meadows, various species of
bees and butterflies were
observed pollinating flowering
plants, crucial for the
reproduction of endemic
species.
● Seed Dispersal: Birds like
the Himalayan Monal and
mammals like the Asian
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elephant played key roles in
dispersing seeds, contributing
to the spread of plant species
across different habitats.
● Predation: Apex predators
like the Bengal tiger played a
significant role in regulating
prey populations, maintaining
the balance between different
trophic levels.
● Decomposition: Scavengers
like the red fox and various
insect species were observed
aiding in the decomposition of
organic matter, recycling
nutrients back into the soil.
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Discussion
Each of the observed species
plays a crucial role in
maintaining the health and
stability of Uttarakhand’s
ecosystems. The Bengal tiger, as
an apex predator, controls prey
populations, which prevents
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overgrazing and supports
vegetation growth. The Asian
elephant’s role in seed dispersal
and habitat modification
supports forest regeneration and
biodiversity. Pollinators like bees
and butterflies ensure the
reproduction of a wide
Conclusion
This project highlights the vital
ecological roles played by
various animal species in
Uttarakhand. Each species
contributes to the health and
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stability of ecosystems through
processes such as pollination,
seed dispersal, predation, and
nutrient cycling. Protecting
Uttarakhand’s wildlife is
essential not only for preserving
its natural beauty but also for
maintaining the ecological
balance that supports life in the
region.
BIBLOGRAPHY
Champion, H.G., & Seth, S.K. (1968). A
Revised Survey of the Forest Types of India.
Manager of Publications.
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Negi, S.S. (1993). Biodiversity and
Conservation in the Himalayas. Indus
Publishing.
WIKIPEDIA
GOOGLE
Uttarakhand Forest Department. (2023).
Wildlife Conservation in Uttarakhand.
