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72-457: The name Shuklaphanta was derived from one of the grasslands called phantas inside the protected area. The main grassland called Shukla Phanta is the largest patch of continuous grassland in Nepal covering an area of about 16 km (6.2 sq mi). The area was a favourite hunting ground for Nepal's ruling class and was declared a Royal Hunting Reserve in 1969. In 1973, the area

144-689: A 38–43 cm (15–17 in) long tapering tail. The Small Indian civet occurs in most of India, Sri Lanka , Myanmar , Thailand , Laos , Cambodia , Vietnam , south and central China , and Taiwan . Recent records are not known in Bhutan , Bangladesh , Peninsular Malaysia , Java and Bali , where it was historically recorded. Its current status in Singapore is unclear. It is widely distributed in Chitwan National Park , both grasslands and Sal ( Shorea robusta ) forest. In 2008,

216-552: A birth. Captive small Indian civets in Kerala were observed to mate in March to May and October to December. Mean gestation lasts 65 to 69 days. Kittens weigh between 90 and 110 g (3.2 and 3.9 oz) at birth and open their eyes after five days. They reach 1,000 g (35 oz) at the age of ten weeks. The life span in captivity is eight to nine years. Viverricula indica is listed on CITES Appendix III . In Myanmar, it

288-624: A broad spatial scale. Because plant productivity is limited by grassland precipitation, carbon stocks are highest in regions where precipitation is heaviest, such as the high grass prairie in the humid temperate region of the United States. Similarly, as annual temperatures rise, grassland carbon stocks decrease due to increased evapotranspiration . Grasslands have suffered large losses of organic carbon due to soil disturbances, vegetation degradation, fires, erosion, nutrient deficiencies, and water shortages. The type, frequency and intensity of

360-428: A discount in biodiversity as faster-growing plants outcompete others. A study of a California grassland found that global change may speed reductions in diversity and forb species are most prone to this process. Misguided afforestation efforts, for example as part of the global effort to increase carbon sequestration, can harm grasslands and their core ecosystem services. Forest centric restoration efforts can create

432-523: A higher amount of xerothermic grasslands occurred in the Mediterranean area. Within temperate Europe, the range of types is quite wide and also became unique due to the exchange of species and genetic material between different biomes. The semi-natural grasslands first appeared when humans started farming. So for the use of agriculture, forests got cleared in Europe. Ancient meadows and pastures were

504-522: A range of marketed and non-marketed ecosystem services that are fundamental to the livelihoods of an estimated one billion people globally. Grasslands hold about twenty percent of global soil carbon stocks. Herbaceous (non-wooded) vegetation dominates grasslands and carbon is stored in the roots and soil underground. Above-ground biomass carbon is relatively short-lived due to grazing, fire, and senescence . Grassland species have an extensive fibrous root system, with grasses often accounting for 60-80% of

576-489: A result of human activity. Hunting cultures around the world often set regular fires to maintain and extend grasslands and prevent fire-intolerant trees and shrubs from taking hold. The tallgrass prairies in the U.S. Midwest may have been extended eastward into Illinois , Indiana , and Ohio by human agency. Much grassland in northwest Europe developed after the Neolithic Period when people gradually cleared

648-821: A small Indian civet was recorded for the first time in Dachigam National Park at an elevation of 1,770 m (5,810 ft) in a riverine forest . In northeast India , it was recorded up to an elevation of 2,500 m (8,200 ft). In Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve , it was recorded foremost in grassland, riverine areas and sighted near a tea plantation during surveys in 2002. In India's Western Ghats , small Indian civets were observed in Anamalai and Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserves, and in Parambikulam and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuaries during surveys in 2008. In Mudumalai Tiger Reserve , it

720-891: A variety of habitats including semi-evergreen and deciduous forest, mixed deciduous forest, bamboo forest, scrubby areas, grasslands and riverine habitat. In Cambodia's Cardamom Mountains , small Indian civets were recorded in deciduous dipterocarp forests, often close to water bodies and in marshes during surveys conducted between 2000 and 2009. Records in eastern Cambodia were obtained mostly in semi-evergreen forest in Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary and Mondulkiri Protected Forest , but also in deciduous diptertocarp forests in Siem Pang Protected Forest , Snoul Wildlife Sanctuary , Virachey National Park and Chhep Wildlife Sanctuary . In China's Guangxi , Guangdong and Hainan provinces, it

792-508: Is a lack of agreement on the amount of carbon that can be stored in grassland ecosystem. This is partly caused by different methodologies applied to measure soil organic carbon and limited respective datasets. Further, carbon accumulation in soils changes significantly over time and point in time measurements produce an insufficient evidence base. Grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems. Global losses from grassland degradation are estimated to be over $ 7 billion per year. According to

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864-762: Is a winter visitor. The black-necked stork ( Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus ) and red-headed vulture ( Sarcogyps calvus ) visit the park occasionally. A total of 450 bird species had been recorded by mid 2019. Between November 2019 and spring 2020, six additional species were observed comprising little forktail ( Enicurus scouleri ), wood snipe ( Gallinago nemoricola ), great barbet ( Psilopogon virens ), Laggar falcon ( Falco jugger ), Indian nuthatch ( Sitta castanea ) and black-breasted thrush ( Turdus dissimilis ). As of September 2019, 56 reptile species have been recorded in Shuklaphanta National Park. The mugger crocodile ( Crocodylus palustris )

936-778: Is bounded by the Mahakali river in the west, the Mahendra Highway in the north and the Syali river in the east. A wildlife corridor in the south connects it to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve in India. Located in the Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands , it is also included in the Terai Arc Landscape . The soils in the alluvial floodplain vary from sandy loam to clay and are slightly alkaline . The climate of

1008-591: Is known that grasslands have existed in Europe throughout the Pleistocene (the last 1.8 million years). Following the Pleistocene ice ages (with their glacials and interglacials ), grasslands expanded in the hotter, drier climates, and began to become the dominant land feature worldwide. Since the grasslands have existed for over 1.8 million years, there is high variability. For example steppe-tundra dominated in Northern and Central Europe whereas

1080-483: Is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List because of its widespread distribution, widespread habitat use and healthy populations living in agricultural and secondary landscapes of many range states. This is the only species in genus Viverricula . The small Indian civet has a rather coarse fur that is brownish grey to pale yellowish brown, with usually several longitudinal black or brown bands on

1152-627: Is often a plagioclimax ; it remains dominant in a particular area usually due to grazing , cutting, or natural or man-made fires, all discouraging colonization by and survival of tree and shrub seedlings . Some of the world's largest expanses of grassland are found in the African savanna, and these are maintained by wild herbivores as well as by nomadic pastoralists and their cattle , sheep or goats. Grasslands have an impact on climate change by slower decomposition rates of litter compared to forest environments. Grasslands may occur naturally or as

1224-553: Is still controversial. A study in Brazilian Subtropical Highland Grasslands found that grasslands without traditional land management—which uses fire every two years and extensive cattle grazing—can disappear within 30 years. This study showed that grasslands inside protected areas , in which fire is not allowed and cattle grazing is banned, grasslands were quickly replaced by shrubs ( shrub encroachment ). Land cover has always changed during

1296-604: Is the dominant tree species in the forest. Grassland encroachment by tree and shrub saplings are major threats to the long-term existence of the main grasslands. The extensive open grasslands and wetlands around the lakes of the park provide habitat for a wide range of fauna. The congregation of barasingha ( Rucervus duvaucelii ) in the park's grasslands is the largest known population in the world, with 1674 individuals estimated in 2007. Barasingha and Indian hog deer ( Axis porcinus ) herds live mainly in grasslands, whereas chital ( A. axis ) herds use grasslands and forest patches;

1368-566: Is totally protected under the Wildlife Act of 1994. Civetta indica was the scientific name given to the species by Étienne Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire in 1803 when he described a small Indian civet skin from India in the collection of the French Museum d'Histoire Naturelle . Viverricula was the generic name introduced by Brian Houghton Hodgson in 1838 when he described new mammal genera and species collected in Nepal. In

1440-505: The Earth . Furthermore, grasslands are one of the largest biomes on Earth and dominate the landscape worldwide. There are different types of grasslands: natural grasslands, semi-natural grasslands, and agricultural grasslands. They cover 31–69% of the Earth's land area. Included among the variety of definitions for grasslands are: Semi-natural grasslands are a very common subcategory of

1512-918: The Everglades of Florida , the Pantanal of Brazil , Bolivia and Paraguay or the Esteros del Ibera in Argentina , are classified with flooded savannas as the flooded grasslands and savannas biome and occur mostly in the tropics and subtropics. The species that live in these grasslands are well adapted to the hydrologic regimes and soil conditions. The Everglades—the world's largest rain-fed flooded grassland—is rich in 11,000 species of seed-bearing plants, 25 species of orchids , 300 bird species, and 150 fish species. Water-meadows are grasslands that are deliberately flooded for short periods. High-altitude grasslands located on high mountain ranges around

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1584-498: The Indian muntjac ( Muntiacus muntjak ) frequents forests close to water bodies, and the nilgai ( Boselaphus tragocamelus ) uses foremost forest edge areas and semi-open habitats. During camera trapping surveys carried out in three cold seasons, 11 tigers ( Panthera tigris ) and nine leopards ( P. pardus ) were identified in the southern part of the national park. In spring 2016, a rusty-spotted cat ( Prionailurus rubiginosus )

1656-480: The encroachment of woody species . Species richness is particularly high in grasslands of low soil fertility such as serpentine barrens and calcareous grasslands, where woody encroachment is prevented as low nutrient levels in the soil may inhibit the growth of forest and shrub species. Another common predicament often experienced by the ill-fated grassland creatures is the constant burning of plants, fueled by oxygen and many expired photosynthesizing organisms, with

1728-439: The hispid hare ( Caprolagus hispidus ) may be of international significance. The population density was estimated at 5.76 individuals/km (14.9 individuals/sq mi) and 219 ± 40 individuals within 41 km (16 sq mi) of grasslands in 2012. The Indian crested porcupine ( Hystrix indica ) was recorded mainly in grasslands and exhibited a nocturnal activity pattern in winter. The Malayan porcupine ( H. brachyura )

1800-871: The prairie and Pacific grasslands of North America , the Pampas of Argentina , Brazil and Uruguay , calcareous downland , and the steppes of Europe . They are classified with temperate savannas and shrublands as the temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome . Temperate grasslands are the home to many large herbivores , such as bison , gazelles , zebras , rhinoceroses , and wild horses . Carnivores like lions , wolves , cheetahs and leopards are also found in temperate grasslands. Other animals of this region include deer , prairie dogs , mice , jack rabbits , skunks , coyotes , snakes , foxes , owls , badgers , blackbirds, grasshoppers , meadowlarks , sparrows , quails , hawks and hyenas . Grasslands that are flooded seasonally or year-round, like

1872-509: The tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas and shrublands biome . The rainfall level for that grassland type is between 90 and 150 centimeters per year. Grasses and scattered trees are common for that ecoregion, as well as large mammals , such as wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus ) and zebra ( Equus zebra ). Notable tropical and subtropical grasslands include the Llanos grasslands of South America . Mid-latitude grasslands, including

1944-697: The western United States during the Miocene and Pliocene epochs, a period of some 25 million years, created a continental climate favourable to the evolution of grasslands. Around 5 million years ago during the Late Miocene in the New World and the Pliocene in the Old World, the first true grasslands occurred. Existing forest biomes declined, and grasslands became much more widespread. It

2016-519: The 19th and 20th centuries, the following scientific names were proposed: Pocock subordinated them all as subspecies to Viverricula indica when he reviewed civet skins and skulls in the collection of the Natural History Museum, London . The following subspecies were considered valid taxa as of 2005: A phylogenetic study showed that the small Indian civet is closely related to the genera Civettictis and Viverra . It

2088-778: The African savannas or the Iberian deheza. As flowering plants and trees, grasses grow in great concentrations in climates where annual rainfall ranges between 500 and 900 mm (20 and 35 in). The root systems of perennial grasses and forbs form complex mats that hold the soil in place. Grasslands support the greatest aggregations of large animals on Earth, including jaguars, African wild dogs, pronghorn , black-footed ferret , plains bison , mountain plover , African elephant, Sunda tiger, black rhino, white rhino, savanna elephant, greater one-horned rhino, Indian elephant and swift fox . Grazing animals, herd animals, and predators in grasslands, like lions and cheetahs live in

2160-510: The American West—and introduction of invasive species , like cane toads in northern Australia, have disrupted the balance in these ecosystems and damaged a number of other species. Grasslands are home to a number of the foremost magnificent animals on the planet—elephants, bison, lions—and hunters have found them to be enticing prey. But when hunting is not controlled or is conducted illegally, species can become extinct. Grasslands provide

2232-539: The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the most significant threat to grasslands is human land use, especially agriculture and mining. The vulnerability of grasslands stems from a range of factors, such as misclassification, poor protection and cultivation. Grasslands have an extensive history of human activity and disturbance . To feed a growing human population, most of

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2304-572: The atmosphere). It can have severe negative consequences on key ecosystem services, like land productivity and groundwater recharge. Despite growing recognition of the importance of grasslands, understanding of restoration options remains limited. Cost of grassland restoration is highly variable and respective data is scarce. Successful grassland restoration has several dimensions, including recognition in policy, standardisation of indicators of degradation, scientific innovation, knowledge transfer and data sharing. Restoration methods and measures include

2376-412: The back and longitudinal rows of spots on the sides. Usually there are five or six distinct bands on the back and four or five rows of spots on each side. Some have indistinct lines and spots, with the dorsal bands wanting. Generally there are two dark stripes from behind the ear to the shoulders, and often a third in front, crossing the throat. Its underfur is brown or grey, often grey on the upper parts of

2448-478: The biomass carbon in this ecosystem. This underground biomass can extend several meters below the surface and store abundant carbon into the soil, resulting in deep, fertile soils with high organic matter content. For this reason, soil carbon accounts for about 81% of the total ecosystem carbon in grasslands. The close link between soil carbon and underground biomass leads to similar responses of these carbon pools to fluctuations in annual precipitation and temperature on

2520-416: The body and brown on the lower. The grey hairs on the upper parts are often tipped with black. The head is grey or brownish grey, the chin often brown. The ears are short and rounded with a dusky mark behind each ear, and one in front of each eye. The feet are brown or black. Its tail has alternating black and whitish rings, seven to nine of each colour. It is 53–58 cm (21–23 in) from head to body with

2592-417: The disturbance can play a key role in the soil organic carbon ( SOC ) balance of grasslands. Bedrock , irrigation practices, soil acidification , liming , and pasture management can all have potential impacts on grassland organic carbon stocks. Good grassland management can reverse historical soil carbon losses. The relationship of improved biodiversity with carbon storage is subject of research. There

2664-501: The economics that the world's grasslands have to offer, from producing grazing animals, tourism, ecosystems services such as clean water and air, and energy extraction. Vast areas of grassland are affected by woody encroachment , which is the expansion of woody plants at the expense of the herbaceous layer. Woody encroachment is caused by a combination of human impact (e.g. fire exclusion, overstocking and resulting overgrazing ) and environmental factors (i.e. increased CO 2 levels in

2736-544: The first pre-monsoon rains arrive in the area in May. Some 700 species of flora are estimated in the park including 553 vascular plants , 18 pteridophytes , 410 dicots and 125 monocots . The main grass species in the grasslands are Imperata cylindrica and Heteropogon contortus . Phragmites karka and Saccharum spontaneum grow in the marshes surrounding the seven small lakes. Acacia catechu and Dalbergia sissoo grow alongside rivers, and sal ( Shorea robusta )

2808-898: The following, the biodiversity of the plants evolve. Also, the species that already lived there adapted to the new conditions. Most of the grassland areas have been turned to arable fields and disappeared again. The grasslands permanently became arable cropping fields due to the steady decrease in organic matter. Nowadays, semi-natural grasslands are rather located in areas that are unsuitable for agricultural farming. Grasslands dominated by unsown wild-plant communities ("unimproved grasslands") can be called either natural or "semi-natural" habitat. Although their plant communities are natural, their maintenance depends upon anthropogenic activities such as grazing and cutting regimes. The semi-natural grasslands contain many species of wild plants, including grasses, sedges, rushes, and herbs; 25 plant-species per 100 square centimeters can be found. A European record that

2880-804: The following: For the period 2021–2030 the United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed the UN Decade on Restoration, involving a joint resolution by over 70 countries. It is led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization . Grassland types by Schimper (1898, 1903): Grassland types by Ellenberg and Mueller-Dombois (1967): Formation-class V. Terrestrial herbaceous communities Grassland types by Laycock (1979): These grasslands can be classified as

2952-463: The forest to create areas for raising their livestock. Grasslands often occur in areas with annual precipitation is between 600 mm (24 in) and 1,500 mm (59 in) and average mean annual temperatures ranges from −5 and 20 °C. However, some grasslands occur in colder (−20 °C) and hotter (30 °C) climatic conditions. Grassland can exist in habitats that are frequently disturbed by grazing or fire, as such disturbance prevents

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3024-612: The grassland type and on how strong it is affected by human impact. Dominant trees for the semi-natural grassland are Quercus robur , Betula pendula , Corylus avellana , Crataegus and many kinds of herbs. In chalk grassland , the plants can vary from very tall to very short. Quite tall grasses can be found in North American tallgrass prairie , South American grasslands, and African savanna . Woody plants, shrubs or trees may occur on some grasslands—forming savannas, scrubby grassland or semi-wooded grassland, such as

3096-576: The grasslands biome. These can be defined as: They can also be described as the following: There are many different types of semi-natural grasslands, e.g. hay meadows . The graminoids are among the most versatile life forms . They became widespread toward the end of the Cretaceous period, and coprolites of fossilized dinosaur feces have been found containing phytoliths of a variety of grasses that include grasses that are related to modern rice and bamboo . The appearance of mountains in

3168-443: The grasslands of the African savanna. Mites , insect larvae , nematodes , and earthworms inhabit deep soil, which can reach 6 metres (20 feet) underground in undisturbed grasslands on the richest soils of the world. These invertebrates, along with symbiotic fungi , extend the root systems, break apart hard soil, enrich it with urea and other natural fertilizers, trap minerals and water and promote growth. Some types of fungi make

3240-1101: The island's northeast. It was also introduced to Pemba Island and Mafia Island in the Zanzibar Archipelago , where it used to be kept for its musk , which is added to traditional African medicine and as a scent to perfume. Small Indian civets are nocturnal , mostly terrestrial and insectivorous . They inhabit holes in the ground, under rocks or in thick bush. Occasionally, pairs are formed (for mating and hunting). In areas not disturbed by humans, they have been reported to sometimes also hunt by day. Small Indian civets are primarily terrestrial, though they also climb well. Individuals sleep in burrows or hollow logs. They can dig their own burrows, but also occupy abandoned burrows of other species. In suburban habitats they use gutters or other hollow, dark spaces as makeshift burrows. The small Indian civets feed on rats , mice , birds, snakes , fruit , roots and carrion . Some individuals were observed while carrying off poultry. The female has usually four or five young at

3312-840: The lack of rain pushing this problem to further heights. When not limited by other factors, increasing CO 2 concentration in the air increases plant growth, similarly as water use efficiency, which is very important in drier regions. However, the advantages of elevated CO 2 are limited by factors including water availability and available nutrients , particularly nitrogen. Thus effects of elevated CO 2 on plant growth will vary with local climate patterns, species adaptations to water limitations, and nitrogen availability. Studies indicate that nutrient depletion may happen faster in drier regions, and with factors like plant community composition and grazing. Nitrogen deposition from air pollutants and increased mineralization from higher temperatures can increase plant productivity, but increases are often among

3384-448: The land is also important, as it is then easier to fertilize, for example. For instance, if it is located near a road. With the development of technology, it is becoming increasingly easy to cultivate land with a steeper gradient, to the detriment of grasslands. The management of grasslands is also changing permanently. There is increased use of mineral fertilizers, furthermore borders and field edges are removed to enlarge fields and leveling

3456-437: The land, 49.7%, was covered with forest and there was also more semi-natural grassland (18.8%) than arable land (15.8%). In 2015 this has changed drastically. The forest cover has increased (50.8%) and arable land has also increased (20.4%), but the semi-natural grassland cover has decreased. Although it still covers a large area of the earth (10.6%). A quarter of semi-natural grassland was lost through intensification, i.e. it

3528-545: The landscape change due to agriculture of the last century. The original wild-plant communities having been replaced by sown monocultures of cultivated varieties of grasses and clovers, such as perennial ryegrass and white clover . In many parts of the world, "unimproved" grasslands are one of the most threatened types of habitat, and a target for acquisition by wildlife conservation groups or for special grants to landowners who are encouraged to manage them appropriately. Grassland vegetation can vary considerably depending on

3600-670: The original diversity of plants having been destroyed by cultivation and by the use of fertilizers. Almost 90% of the European semi-natural grasslands do not exist anymore due to political and economic reasons. This loss took place during the 20th century. The ones in Western and Central Europe have almost disappeared completely. There are a few left in Northern Europe. Unfortunately, a large amount of red-listed species are specialists of semi-natural grasslands and are affected by

3672-780: The park in 1993, but were reintroduced in 17 March 2024 to the Chaudhar River. Asian common toad ( Duttaphrynus melanostictus ) and marbled toad ( D. stomaticus ), Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis , Jerdon's bull frog ( Hoplobatrachus crassus ) and Asian bullfrog ( H. tigerinus ), Chunam tree frog ( Polypedates maculatus ) and Terai tree frog ( P. taeniatus ) , grey balloon frog ( Uperodon globulosus ), marbled balloon frog ( U. systoma ) and painted globular frog ( U. taprobanicus ) , Minervarya pierrei , M. syhadrensis and M. teraiensis , Microhyla and Sphaerotheca species were recorded between January 2017 and September 2019. As of 2005, 28 fish species have been recorded in

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3744-409: The parts that were suitable for cultivation. The semi-natural grasslands were formed from these areas. However, there's also evidence for the local persistence of natural grasslands in Europe, originally maintained by wild herbivores, throughout the pre-Neolithic Holocene. The removal of the plants by the grazing animals and later the mowing farmers led to co-existence of other plant species around. In

3816-445: The plants more resistant to insect and microbial attacks. Grassland in all its form supports a vast variety of mammals, reptiles, birds, and insects. Typical large mammals include the blue wildebeest , American bison , giant anteater , and Przewalski's horse . The plants and animals that live in grasslands are connected through an unlimited web of interactions. But the removal of key species—such as buffalo and prairie dogs within

3888-1459: The protected area. It is the western limit of several resident birds including swamp francolin ( Ortygornis gularis ), Jerdon's bush chat ( Saxicola jerdoni ), Indian grassbird ( Graminicola bengalensis ), chestnut-capped babbler ( Timalia pileata ) and Jerdon's babbler ( Chrysomma altirostre ), and the north-western limit of the yellow-eyed babbler ( Chrysomma sinense ). Forest birds include Oriental pied hornbill ( Anthracoceros albirostris ), rufous-bellied eagle ( Lophotriorchis kienerii ), spot-bellied eagle owl ( Bubo nipalensis ) and dusky eagle owl ( B. coromandus ). The forests are also important for great slaty woodpecker ( Mulleripicus pulverulentus ) and white-naped woodpecker ( Chrysocolaptes festivus ). The white-rumped vulture ( Gyps bengalensis ), slender-billed vulture ( G. tenuirostris ), lesser adjutant ( Leptoptilos javanicus ), grey-headed fish eagle ( Haliaeetus ichthyaetus ) and Oriental darter ( Anhinga melanogaster ) are breeding residents. Sarus crane ( Antigone antigone ), painted stork ( Mycteria leucocephala ) and bristled grassbird ( Schoenicola striatus ) are summer visitors. Greater racquet-tailed drongo ( Dicrurus paradiseus ), white-capped redstart ( Phoenicurus leucocephalus ), rusty-tailed flycatcher ( Ficedula ruficauda ) and rufous-gorgeted flycatcher ( F. strophiata ) are uncommon winter visitors. The white-throated bush chat ( Saxicola insignis )

3960-505: The region is subtropical monsoonal with a mean annual rainfall of 1,579 mm (62.2 in) occurring from June to September and peaking in August. The winter months of December and January are fairly cold with daytime temperatures of 7–12 °C (45–54 °F) and occasional frost. The temperature rises from February onward up to 25 °C (77 °F) in March and reaching 42 °C (108 °F) by end of April. Humidity increases when

4032-824: The risk of misreading and misclassifying of landscapes. A map created by the World Resources Institute in collaboration with the IUCN identifies 2 billion hectares for potential forest restoration . It is criticised for including 900 million hectares of grasslands. It is expected that non-native grasses will continue to outperform native species under warmer and drier conditions that occur in many grasslands due to climate change. The type of land management used in grasslands can also lead to grassland loss/degradation. Many grasslands and other open ecosystems depend on disturbances such as wildfires , controlled burns and/or grazing to persist, although this subject

4104-405: The rivers and lakes in the national park. Grassland A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses ( Poaceae ). However, sedge ( Cyperaceae ) and rush ( Juncaceae ) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes , like clover , and other herbs . Grasslands occur naturally on all continents except Antarctica and are found in most ecoregions of

4176-709: The sal forest. Indian rhinoceros ( Rhinoceros unicornis ) were translocated from Chitwan National Park to establish a third viable population in the country. Since 2015, the population in Shuklaphanta National Park has increased from eight to 17 individuals as of March 2021. In 2011, the Asian elephant ( Elephas maximus ) was thought to migrate seasonally from Uttar Pradesh through the park and beyond, with 3–5 individuals staying in far-western Nepal. The park and its buffer zone provide only about 352 km (136 sq mi) suitable elephant habitat with sufficient natural vegetation cover close to water sources. The population of

4248-413: The terrain to facilitate the use of agricultural machinery. The professional study of dry grasslands falls under the category of rangeland management , which focuses on ecosystem services associated with the grass-dominated arid and semi-arid rangelands of the world. Rangelands account for an estimated 70% of the earth's landmass; thus, many cultures including those of the United States are indebted to

4320-593: The wild-plant diversity of the "unimproved" grasslands is usually a rich invertebrate fauna; there are also many species of birds that are grassland "specialists", such as the snipe and the little bustard . Owing to semi-natural grasslands being referred to as one of the most-species rich ecosystems in the world and essential habitat for many specialists, also including pollinators, there are many approaches to conservation activities lately. Agriculturally improved grasslands, which dominate modern intensive agricultural landscapes, are usually poor in wild plant species due to

4392-467: The world's grasslands are converted from natural landscapes to fields of corn, wheat or other crops. Grasslands that have remained largely intact thus far, such as the East African savannas , are in danger of being lost to agriculture. Grasslands are very sensitive to disturbances, such as people hunting and killing key species, or plowing the land to make more space for farms. Grassland vegetation

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4464-560: The world, like the Páramo of the Andes Mountains . They are part of the montane grasslands and shrublands biome and can be tropical, subtropical, and temperate. The plants and animals, that can be found in the tropical montane, are able to adapt to cool, wet conditions as well as intense sunlight. Small Indian civet The small Indian civet ( Viverricula indica ) is a civet native to South and Southeast Asia . It

4536-483: The years. The following relates to the changes between 1960 and 2015. There has been a decrease in semi-natural grasslands and an increase in areas with arable land , forest and land used for infrastructure and buildings. The line style and relative thickness of the lines indicates the percentage of the total area that changed. Changes less than 1% and land-cover classes with all changes less than 1% (i.e. semi-natural wetlands and water) are not included. In 1960 most of

4608-514: Was gazetted as Royal Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve , initially comprising 155 km (60 sq mi), and extended to its present size in the late 1980s. A buffer zone of 243.5 km (94.0 sq mi) was added in May 2004. In 2017, the status of the protected area was changed to a national park. Shuklaphanta National Park covers 305 km (118 sq mi) of open grasslands, forests, riverbeds and tropical wetlands at an elevation of 174 to 1,386 m (571 to 4,547 ft). It

4680-602: Was also recorded in a close tall forest in 1999. In Thailand, small Indian civets were recorded in Kaeng Krachan and Khao Yai National Parks , in evergreen gallery forest of Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary , in secondary and dipterocarp forest of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary , and in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary at 700–900 m (2,300–3,000 ft) altitude in deciduous forest. In Laos, small Indian civets were recorded in

4752-412: Was converted into arable or pasture land and forests. It is more likely that intensification will occur in flat semi-natural grasslands, especially if the soil is fertile. On the other hand, grasslands, where the land is drought-prone or less productive, are more likely to persist as semi-natural grasslands than grasslands with fertile soil and low gradient of the terrain. Furthermore, the accessibility of

4824-627: Was found on a meadow in Estonia described 76 species of plants in one square meter. Chalk downlands in England can support over 40 species per square meter. In many parts of the world, few examples have escaped agricultural improvement (fertilizing, weed killing, plowing, or re-seeding). For example, original North American prairie grasslands or lowland wildflower meadows in the UK are now rare and their associated wild flora equally threatened. Associated with

4896-1787: Was observed at Rani Tal, one of the natural lakes in the east of the national park. Both Bengal monitor ( Varanus bengalensis ) and yellow monitor ( V. flavescens ) have frequently been observed in the national park's buffer zone. Venomous snakes are represented by king cobra ( Ophiophagus hannah ), Indian cobra ( Naja naja ) and monocled cobra ( N. kaouthia ), Russell's viper ( Daboia russelii ), common krait ( Bungarus caeruleus ) and banded krait ( B. fasciatus ). Non-venomous snakes comprise Burmese python ( Python bivittatus ), Oriental ratsnake ( Ptyas mucosa ), Ahaetulla laudankia , Ahaetulla nasuta , Forsten's cat snake ( Boiga forsteni ) and common cat snake ( B. trigonata ), Chrysopelea ornata , trinket snake ( Coelognathus helena ) and radiated ratsnake ( C. radiatus ), bronzeback ( Dendrelaphis tristis ), rainbow water snake ( Enhydris enhydris ) and Siebold's water snake ( Ferania sieboldii ), red sand boa ( Eryx johnii ) and rough-scaled sand boa ( E. conicus ), brahminy blind snake ( Indotyphlops braminus ), Indian wolf snake ( Lycodon aulicus ), twin-spotted wolf snake ( L. jara ) and barred wolf snake ( L. striatus ), banded kukri snake ( Oligodon arnensis ) and coral kukri snake ( O. kheriensis ), Psammophis condanarus , Sibynophis sagittarius , buff striped keelback ( Amphiesma stolatum ) and checkered keelback ( Fowlea piscator ). Testudines comprise tricarinate hill turtle ( Melanochelys tricarinata ), Indian black turtle ( M. trijuga ), Indian roofed turtle ( Pangshura tecta ), Indian tent turtle ( Pangshura tentoria ), elongated tortoise ( Indotestudo elongata ) and Indian narrow-headed softshell turtle ( Chitra indica ). Gharials became extinct in

4968-449: Was photographed by a camera-trap for the first time in the national park. The fishing cat ( Prionailurus viverrinus ) was recorded mainly in the wetlands. The smooth-coated otter ( Lutrogale perspicillata ) is present in the many streams and around lakes. Asian palm civet ( Paradoxurus hermaphroditus ), small Indian civet ( Viverricula indica ), honey badger ( Mellivora capensis ) and Bengal fox ( Vulpes bengalensis ) were recorded in

5040-500: Was recorded in deciduous forest, semi- evergreen and thorn forests , and in the dry season also at a water hole near a village. In Myanmar, it was recorded in mixed deciduous and bamboo forests in Hlawga National Park . In Hukawng Valley , it was recorded in grasslands and edges of forests at 240–580 m (790–1,900 ft) elevation during surveys between 2001 and 2003. In Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park , it

5112-539: Was recorded in subtropical forest patches during interview and camera-trapping surveys carried out between 1997 and 2005. The Small Indian civet was introduced to Madagascar . Feral small Indian civets were recorded in Ranomafana National Park in southeastern Madagascar, in an unprotected dry deciduous forest near Mariarano in northwestern Madagascar, and in Masoala − Makira protected areas in

5184-477: Was recorded in the sal forest. The singing bush lark ( Mirafra cantillans ) and Finn's weaver ( Ploceus megarhynchus ) were first observed in the park's grasslands in May 1996. In 2001, the national park supported the largest population of the Bengal florican ( Houbaropsis bengalensis ) in Nepal with 20–28 individuals estimated to live in the grasslands. By 2009, a total of 423 bird species had been recorded in

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