Houbaropsis bengalensis

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	GRUIFORMES	OTIDIDAE

Scientific Name:

Houbaropsis bengalensis

Species Authority:

(Gmelin, 1789)

Common Name/s:

English	–	Bengal Bustard, Bengal Florican
Spanish	–	Avutarda Bengalí, Sisón Bengali

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Critically Endangered A3bcd+4abcd ver 3.1

Year Published:

2010

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Calvert, R., Symes, A., Butchart, S.

Contributor/s:

Gray, T., Evans, T., Hogberg, S., Tordoff, A., Chamnan, H.

Justification:
This bustard has a very small, declining population; a trend that has recently become extremely rapid and is predicted to continue in the near future, largely as a result of widespread and ongoing conversion of its grassland habitat for agriculture. It therefore qualifies as Critically Endangered.

History:

2009	–	Critically Endangered
2008	–	Critically Endangered
2007	–	Critically Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Endangered
1994	–	Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species has two disjunct populations, one in the Indian Subcontinent, the other in South-East Asia. The former occurs from Uttar Pradesh, India, through the terai of Nepal, to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, India, and historically to Bangladesh. It has declined dramatically and only survives in small, highly fragmented populations. Declines have apparently continued in Nepal, even inside the protected Royal Chitwan National Park², but they may have stabilised in India¹. Surveys and interviews with staff at four protected areas in the North Bank area of Assam suggest that the species has been largely absent from three of them since 2000¹⁵. A 2007 estimate put the Nepalese population at just 28-36 mature individuals (restricted to a few widespread sites)⁶, down from 32-60 individuals in 2001⁴. The South-East Asian population occurs in Cambodia and may be extant in southern Vietnam. The population in the Tonle Sap region, an area which is likely to contain the vast majority of the population of Cambodia, has been estimated at between 666 and 1,004 birds (95% CI range based on surveys 2006-2007), with perhaps as few as 294 adult males remaining⁷. More than 50% of this estimated population occurs on seasonally inundated grasslands within Kompong Thom province⁷. This estimate, based on available habitat in 2005, represents a rapid decline, owing to habitat loss, from a projected 3,000 individuals in 1997³. Given accelerating post-2005 grassland loss of 28% within 10 grassland blocks holding >75% of the estimated population⁷, and a further 11% of habitat lost in four areas in 2008¹², projected rates of decline will equate to over 80% during a three generation period³. Were this decline to continue unchecked it is conceivable that the species may be extinct in the country by 2012³.
Countries:	Native: Cambodia; India; Nepal; Viet Nam Possibly extinct: Bangladesh
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	The population in Cambodia is estimated at c.600 individuals in 2007 (T. Evans et al. in litt. 2009), with just 32-60 individuals left in Nepal. No recent estimates are known from India but the total global population for this species is likely to fall in the range 250-999 individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It inhabits lowland dry, or seasonally inundated, natural and semi-natural grasslands, often interspersed with scattered scrub or patchy open forest. Most Indian populations appear to be resident. In Cambodia it is known to make relatively local seasonal movements, in response to the flooding regime of the Tonle Sap lake: in the dry season, the species breeds in grasslands in the inundation zone of the lake; it then moves to nearby open forest areas during the wet season. During the breeding season males preferentially select habitats related to low-intensity human activity, chiefly burned grassland, whereas females select unburned grassland but also use unburned, uncultivated grassland in dry-season rice head-ponds¹¹.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It inhabits lowland dry, or seasonally inundated, natural and semi-natural grasslands, often interspersed with scattered scrub or patchy open forest. Most Indian populations appear to be resident. In Cambodia it is known to make relatively local seasonal movements, in response to the flooding regime of the Tonle Sap lake: in the dry season, the species breeds in grasslands in the inundation zone of the lake; it then moves to nearby open forest areas during the wet season. During the breeding season males preferentially select habitats related to low-intensity human activity, chiefly burned grassland, whereas females select unburned grassland but also use unburned, uncultivated grassland in dry-season rice head-ponds¹¹.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	The key threat is extensive loss and modification of grasslands through drainage, conversion to agriculture and plantations, overgrazing, inappropriate cutting, burning and ploughing regimes, heavy flooding, invasion of alien species, scrub expansion, dam construction and inappropriate and illegal development^12,13,15. In particular, the spread of dry season rice cultivation in Cambodia is rapidly converting existing grassland habitat. Land sales and concessions are often pushed through despite resistance from local villagers¹². Excessive hunting for sport and food may have triggered its decline, and continues to be a serious threat, especially in Cambodia. At least in South Asia, most populations are small, isolated and vulnerable to local extirpation. Other threats may include human disturbance and trampling of nests by livestock. Detailed research into the species's ecology in Cambodia demonstrated that the effects of human disturbance are weak and annual burning is important, supporting the idea that community-based grassland management maintaining traditional practices will benefit Bengal Floricans. This has implications for the species's maintenance in South Asia, where remaining (and declining) populations are largely confined to strict protected areas in which such practices may not be occurring⁸. Further study has revealed that whilst burned grassland is selected by males during the breeding season, unburned grassland and other habitats providing cover are selected by females, demonstrating the need to conserve a variety of habitats to ensure the survival of this species¹¹.

Major Threat(s):

The key threat is extensive loss and modification of grasslands through drainage, conversion to agriculture and plantations, overgrazing, inappropriate cutting, burning and ploughing regimes, heavy flooding, invasion of alien species, scrub expansion, dam construction and inappropriate and illegal development^12,13,15. In particular, the spread of dry season rice cultivation in Cambodia is rapidly converting existing grassland habitat. Land sales and concessions are often pushed through despite resistance from local villagers¹². Excessive hunting for sport and food may have triggered its decline, and continues to be a serious threat, especially in Cambodia. At least in South Asia, most populations are small, isolated and vulnerable to local extirpation. Other threats may include human disturbance and trampling of nests by livestock. Detailed research into the species's ecology in Cambodia demonstrated that the effects of human disturbance are weak and annual burning is important, supporting the idea that community-based grassland management maintaining traditional practices will benefit Bengal Floricans. This has implications for the species's maintenance in South Asia, where remaining (and declining) populations are largely confined to strict protected areas in which such practices may not be occurring⁸. Further study has revealed that whilst burned grassland is selected by males during the breeding season, unburned grassland and other habitats providing cover are selected by females, demonstrating the need to conserve a variety of habitats to ensure the survival of this species¹¹.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway CITES Appendix I and II. Several populations occur within protected areas, the most important being Chitwan National Park, Royal Bardia National Park and Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal, Kaziranga, Dibru-Saikhowa and Dudwa National Parks, India. In South-East Asia a tiny population may still remain at Tram Chim National Park, Vietnam, and another at Ang Trapeang Thmor Sarus Crane Conservation Area, Cambodia. A PhD research project investigating movements and habitat requirements in the non-breeding season began in 2007 and at least 19 birds have been fitted with satellite or radio transmitters^9,14, the data from which have revealed previously unknown non-breeding sites¹⁴. The Wildlife Conservation Society, BirdLife International and their government partners are currently engaged in a programme of conservation activities in the Tonle Sap floodplain of Cambodia, aimed at reducing habitat loss and hunting pressure on the species⁵. Recent achievements include the designation of 380 km² of Bengal Florican habitat as 'Integrated Farming and Biodiversity Areas' (IFBAs)^1,10,13. In total, seven IFBAs have been created, although one was removed from the network by the Kampong Thom IFBA provincial committee. The extrapolation of survey data collected in 2009 suggests that IFBAs in Cambodia harboured 68 territorial males (95% CI: 44-105), representing 23% of the estimated national population¹³. Work is on-going to establish effective management structures for these areas and build constituencies of support for their conservation among local stakeholders. Official patrol teams are now operating in Kampong Thom and Siem Reap IFBAs, and a monthly patrol reporting system is now in place. Changes in land use are also monitored with the aid of satellite images¹³. An in-depth socio-economic study has been conducted by the Centre d'Etude et de Développement Agricole Cambodgien. The report highlights the economic benefits local communities derive through the traditional use of grasslands and will be used to build support among key decision makers and local communities. An IFBA awareness programme covering 71 villages and over 3,200 people has been conducted. A series of meetings has been held explaining IFBAs, the Provincial Declaration (Deika), and other relevant laws, such as the Land, Forest and Fisheries laws. Over fifteen thousand exercise books containing information on the Bengal Florican and IFBAs were distributed to children and adults. Training in selected villages was conducted to improve agricultural systems and reduce the immediate pressure on IFBAs from people wanting to convert grasslands into agriculture¹⁰. Villagers receive financial rewards for reporting nests¹³. These activities appear to be having some early success in arresting the rapid decline of the species in Cambodia, but their long-term outcome remains to be seen. Conservation Actions Proposed Conduct research on Bengal Florican breeding productivity and habitat utilisation. Continue to develop monitoring protocols for florican densities, habitat extent and human use in IFBAs. Introduce an IFBA and protected area management regime, including appropriate rotational burning, grazing and cutting. Advocate support for IFBA conservation and promote grassland conservation awareness initiatives in all range countries. Strengthen the legal protection for existing IFBAs and expand the network¹³. Continue surveys for populations, particularly in Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Pursat provinces, Cambodia, and Koshi Tappu and Koshi Barrage Wildlife Reserves, Nepal⁶. Monitor known populations. Extend, upgrade and link protected areas in India and Nepal, and establish new ones. Devise and promote a conservation strategy for all bustards in India. In Cambodia at least, conduct intensive outreach among dry season rice farmers immediately prior to harvesting in order to increase the number of nests reported¹³.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix I and II. Several populations occur within protected areas, the most important being Chitwan National Park, Royal Bardia National Park and Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve, Nepal, Kaziranga, Dibru-Saikhowa and Dudwa National Parks, India. In South-East Asia a tiny population may still remain at Tram Chim National Park, Vietnam, and another at Ang Trapeang Thmor Sarus Crane Conservation Area, Cambodia. A PhD research project investigating movements and habitat requirements in the non-breeding season began in 2007 and at least 19 birds have been fitted with satellite or radio transmitters^9,14, the data from which have revealed previously unknown non-breeding sites¹⁴. The Wildlife Conservation Society, BirdLife International and their government partners are currently engaged in a programme of conservation activities in the Tonle Sap floodplain of Cambodia, aimed at reducing habitat loss and hunting pressure on the species⁵. Recent achievements include the designation of 380 km² of Bengal Florican habitat as 'Integrated Farming and Biodiversity Areas' (IFBAs)^1,10,13. In total, seven IFBAs have been created, although one was removed from the network by the Kampong Thom IFBA provincial committee. The extrapolation of survey data collected in 2009 suggests that IFBAs in Cambodia harboured 68 territorial males (95% CI: 44-105), representing 23% of the estimated national population¹³. Work is on-going to establish effective management structures for these areas and build constituencies of support for their conservation among local stakeholders. Official patrol teams are now operating in Kampong Thom and Siem Reap IFBAs, and a monthly patrol reporting system is now in place. Changes in land use are also monitored with the aid of satellite images¹³. An in-depth socio-economic study has been conducted by the Centre d'Etude et de Développement Agricole Cambodgien. The report highlights the economic benefits local communities derive through the traditional use of grasslands and will be used to build support among key decision makers and local communities. An IFBA awareness programme covering 71 villages and over 3,200 people has been conducted. A series of meetings has been held explaining IFBAs, the Provincial Declaration (Deika), and other relevant laws, such as the Land, Forest and Fisheries laws. Over fifteen thousand exercise books containing information on the Bengal Florican and IFBAs were distributed to children and adults. Training in selected villages was conducted to improve agricultural systems and reduce the immediate pressure on IFBAs from people wanting to convert grasslands into agriculture¹⁰. Villagers receive financial rewards for reporting nests¹³. These activities appear to be having some early success in arresting the rapid decline of the species in Cambodia, but their long-term outcome remains to be seen.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Conduct research on Bengal Florican breeding productivity and habitat utilisation. Continue to develop monitoring protocols for florican densities, habitat extent and human use in IFBAs. Introduce an IFBA and protected area management regime, including appropriate rotational burning, grazing and cutting. Advocate support for IFBA conservation and promote grassland conservation awareness initiatives in all range countries. Strengthen the legal protection for existing IFBAs and expand the network¹³. Continue surveys for populations, particularly in Banteay Meanchey, Battambang and Pursat provinces, Cambodia, and Koshi Tappu and Koshi Barrage Wildlife Reserves, Nepal⁶. Monitor known populations. Extend, upgrade and link protected areas in India and Nepal, and establish new ones. Devise and promote a conservation strategy for all bustards in India. In Cambodia at least, conduct intensive outreach among dry season rice farmers immediately prior to harvesting in order to increase the number of nests reported¹³.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2010. Houbaropsis bengalensis. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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