Assessment of grass diversity and habitat suitability for herbivores in Kawal Tiger Reserve, India

Abstract

Grasslands form a crucial ecological component of tropical dry deciduous forests, providing forage for herbivores and indirectly sustaining apex predators like tigers. This study assessed grass diversity, habitat distribution, palatability, and conservation implications in the Kawal tiger reserve (KTR), Telangana, India, through systematic field surveys conducted between 2020 and 2023. Using transects and quadrats across 16 ranges, 74 grass species belonging to 44 genera were documented, representing approximately 4.84% of India’s grass flora. Taxonomic analysis revealed dominance of subfamily Panicoideae (66.21%), reflecting its C4 photosynthetic efficiency and ecological adaptability. Species were distributed across five habitat types, with open grasslands (48.68%) and open moist areas (22.97%) serving as primary reservoirs of diversity and forage. Palatability analysis indicated that 21.62% of species were exceptionally good (Grade A), 50% good (Grade B), and 28.37% medium quality (Grade C), suggesting limited availability of highly nutritious forage, potentially constraining herbivore carrying capacity. Awn analysis showed a near balance between awnless (54.05%) and awned (45.95%) species, highlighting trade-offs between herbivore preference and long-term ecological resilience. While all species are currently listed as Not Evaluated by the IUCN, localized threats-livestock grazing, invasive species (Lantana camara, Parthenium hysterophorus), and habitat degradation-pose risks to grassland integrity. Comparisons with regional studies confirm that KTR is moderately rich in grass diversity within the central Indian tiger landscape.