Rivers and Rhinos
Linking river flow alteration to habitat quality for endangered floodplain herbivores
Jitse Bijlmakersa (Universiteit Utrecht)
Paulo van Breugel (HAS green academy)
Pita Verweij (Universiteit Utrecht)
Kshitiz Gautam (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
Mayuri Phukan (Universiteit Utrecht)
Abhinaya Pathak (University of California San Diego)
Matteo Sciumbata (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
Shant Raj Jnawali (WWF Nepal)
Kaycey Tomesen Kellaghan (Universiteit Utrecht)
Femke Boyd (Universiteit Utrecht)
Ajit Tumbahangphah
Jasper Griffioen (Geologische Dienst Nederland, Universiteit Utrecht)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
River flow regimes strongly shape floodplain ecosystems. However, human activities are increasingly altering these freshwater systems with uncertain consequences for floodplaindependent wildlife. The subtropical Karnali River floodplains at the foot of the Himalayas are a prime example of this. We previously showed that since the shift of the main discharge channel (Geruwa River) away from the western boundary of Bardia National Park in 2009, this reduction in the river flow regime was followed by lower dry-season water availability, reduced hydromorphological dynamics, and the expansion and changes in floodplain vegetation. These changes in the river system can strongly influence the pioneer grasslands and wetlands that serve as the primary forage for the vulnerable greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), a floodplain habitat specialist, and support prey base of the endangered Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). However, quantitative relationships between altered flow regimes and the habitat quantity and quality of terrestrial wildlife remain understudied.
Files
File under embargo until 17-10-2026