Trends and current state of research on greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): a systematic review of the literature over a period of 33 years (1985–2018)
Article
Article Title | Trends and current state of research on greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis): a systematic review of the literature over a period of 33 years (1985–2018) |
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ERA Journal ID | 3551 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Pant, Ganesh (Author), Maraseni, Tek (Author), Apan, Armando (Author) and Allen, Benjamin L. (Author) |
Journal Title | Science of the Total Environment |
Journal Citation | 710, pp. 1-14 |
Article Number | 136349 |
Number of Pages | 14 |
Year | 2020 |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 0048-9697 |
1879-1026 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.136349 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969719363454 |
Abstract | Greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is one of the most iconic wildlife species in the world. Once reduced to fewer than 500 during the 1960s, its global population has been recovering and is now over 3500, thanks to effective conservation programs in India and Nepal, the only two countries in the world where this species is found. It is one of the greatest success stories in biodiversity conservation given that hundreds of other species have disappeared, and thousands of species are on the verge of extinction. However, poaching is not the only threat for the long-term survival of rhinoceros. Loss and degradation of grassland habitat and the drying-up of wetlands are emerging threats predicted to worsen in the future, but the published information on rhinoceros has never been synthesized. In order to better understand the trends and current status of rhinoceros research and identify research gaps inhibiting its long-term conservation, we analyzed the themes discussed in 215 articles covering a period of 33 years between 1985 and 2018. Our findings suggest that studies on both free-ranging and captive rhinoceros are skewed towards biological aspects of the species including morphology, anatomy, physiology, and behaviour. There are no studies addressing the likely effects of climate change on the species, and limited information is available on rhinoceros genetics, diseases, habitat dynamics and the impacts of tourism and other infrastructure development in and around rhinoceros habitat. These issues will need addressing to maintain the conservation success of greater one-horned rhinoceros into the future. |
Keywords | habitat dynamics, population monitoring, climate change, vulnerability assessment, megaherbivore, invasive plant species |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 410407. Wildlife and habitat management |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | Institute for Life Sciences and the Environment |
Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q59qz/trends-and-current-state-of-research-on-greater-one-horned-rhinoceros-rhinoceros-unicornis-a-systematic-review-of-the-literature-over-a-period-of-33-years-1985-2018
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