| dc.description.abstract | The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) of Nepal is a global priority conservation area for the Bengal
Tiger (Panthera tigristigris). The Bengal Tiger faces numerous threats to its survival, including
a decrease in prey availability as a result of the degradation and loss of critical habitats such as
grasslands and wetlands. Fluctuating groundwater tables can potentially contribute to the loss
of these habitats as grasslands thrive with shallower groundwater levels. The potential impacts
of human development and climate change on groundwater in the region necessitates the
investigation on the dynamic relationship between hydrologic and vegetation processes. This
Master's thesis forms a part of the "Save the Tiger! Save the Grasslands! Save the Water!"
(Tiger) project that aims to contribute to the conservation efforts of tiger habitats in the TAL
through recognizing the significance of ecohydrology and its impact on these crucial tiger
habitats.
The primary objective of this research is to develop a protocol to facilitate the systematic
collection of consistent and reliable data on Leaf Area Index (LAI), Fractional Vegetation
Cover (FVC), and Surface Soil Moisture (SSM) - key parameters that describe ecohydrological
relationships. Moreover, a secondary objective is investigated, utilizing the data acquired
through implementation of the developed protocol to validate satellite products to explore the
potential of upscaling in-situ data.
The protocol demonstrated its ability to capture consistent and reliable data for LAI and FVC
across various vegetation types, showing potential for application across different regions in
the TAL. Additionally, the study explored the viability of a smartphone-based LAI method, the
PocketLAI, which proved to be a feasible alternative to the more established and high-cost
AccuPAR-LP80, albeit requiring further investigation on the effect of specific smartphone
models and LAI retrieval. While the protocol captured consistent SSM data, improvements are
necessary to enhance the reliability of these measurements. The validation of satellite products
revealed significant relationships with in-situ LAI and FVC. Despite largely underestimating
LAI and FVC values, the results have important implications for monitoring patterns of these
parameters across the TAL.
Further iterations of the protocol, implemented across different fieldwork campaigns within
The Tiger Project, are crucial for establishing a robust protocol. Such a comprehensive protocol
will have invaluable implications for conservation efforts towards tiger habitats and form a
fundamental platform for future research and analysis in the TAL. | |
