PhD Student - Bibidishananda Basu

Program: Eastern Himalaya Program

Guide: Dr. Aparajita Datta

While writing the book titled "Trees of Arunachal Pradesh," Bibi discovered the vast plant diversity present in northeast India. However, a scarcity of studies limits our knowledge of the basic ecology of these plants and consequently affects their conservation. Northeast India is among the few places in the Asian tropics that retains vast rainforests that harbor a rich biodiversity. He decided to investigate plant-mammal interactions there (i.e., seed dispersal), due to its crucial contributions to habitat sustainability. In tropical regions, over 60% of woody plants rely on animals for seed dispersal, with birds and mammals being the major seed dispersers. Very little is known about seed dispersal by other important fruit-consumers such as carnivores and ungulates, nor the seed predation roles of mammals like wild pigs, porcupines and murid-rodents.

Another significant group of frugivores is tree squirrels. Despite conventional wisdom often portraying squirrels as seed predators, our observations suggest that they primarily consume fruit pulp, and only destroy seeds of few species. In forest ecosystems, certain fruits attract both birds and mammals, which collectively play crucial roles in seed dispersal. Yet, there is limited research on the redundancy or complementarity between these two groups of seed dispersers.

Through this project, he aims to investigate the effectiveness of mammals as seed dispersers, elucidate the specific roles of squirrels, and examine the contributions of birds and mammals to seed dispersal for plants dispersed by both groups. This pioneering study in the Indian tropics focuses on a diverse mammal seed disperser community. The insights gained from this research will be invaluable for the future conservation of both plants and mammals.

This project aims to provide detailed critical and basic information on plants and frugivorous mammals. Seed dispersal is a vital process for habitat sustainability, yet our understanding of the functional roles of certain frugivorous mammals, such as carnivores and ungulates, remains limited. Additionally, there is scant knowledge regarding which mammals disperse which plants and how effectively they do so. This project seeks to address these knowledge gaps, facilitating a better understanding of plant-mammal interactions in the landscape, ultimately aiding in the conservation of both plants and mammals.

Through our study, we aim to identify plant and mammal species that play potentially crucial roles in maintaining biodiversity hotspots but whose roles in seed dispersal are poorly recognized. Some of these dispersers and plant species are threatened, underscoring the importance of generating information to garner conservation attention and public support. Moreover, while some species are relatively common, recognizing their widespread roles is crucial for implementing activities aimed at the long-term preservation of the ecosystem. Consequently, our study will provide the necessary information to support the conservation of Northeast India’s tropical forests.

In this landscape, mammal hunting is prevalent, posing a significant threat to biodiversity. Previous studies on the loss of key dispersers from Asian rainforests, including hornbills from our study region, have demonstrated reduced seed dispersal and plant recruitment. To address these threats, efforts will be made to enhance the positive image of the studied animals and plants through outreach initiatives targeting children, the forest department, and the public. Leveraging the expertise of our local field team, along with the addition of a new local field assistant, we aim to collect data and generate interest in the conservation of these plants and mammals among local villagers as well.

Bibi is an unimpeachable and fun fellow from a small town in West Bengal (Uluberia). He did his undergrad from Scottish Church College (Kolkata) in Botany and a masters from Savitribai Phule Pune University in Botany as well.

He has set priorities when not chasing or being chased by mammals, he cooks, play or watch sports. He is a chef extraordinaire and loves to feed his hungry enthusiastic friends.

Bibidishananda Basu, Rohit Naniwadekar, Kim McConkey, Aparajita Datta

Field collaborators - Khem Thapa, Arjun Rai, Sagar Kino, late Tali Nabam, Turuk Bruh, Peter Wage