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Dear Mishkat
You were so quick in finishing your padlet, that the initial evaluation questions took me (and others!) by surprise. So let me make up for this and (re)do the job right!
Your BioArea is looking excellent!
Your MHNP-rendering was very inspiring. You are very well aware and knowledgeable of the threats your BioArea is faced with,  and managed to convey and illustrate both this and its beauty with relevant material. Thanks for sharing this unique location with us. May MHNP be safeguarded for future generations. Thanks also for the early-on comments to my padlet. You are herewith kindly invited to give a final formal comment.
Thank you!
And let's all leave our footprints in our threatened BioAreas!
Sonja

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Mireille's peer assessment of Mishkat's BioArea

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Mireille's peer assessment of Mishkat's BioArea

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Dear Mishkat, So many thanks for having shared so well with us the passion you have about your country. I have deeply enjoyed going through your padlet and had almost the impression to be there. I especially appreciated how you used a logical organization of the information provided (whihc this padlet tool is a real challenge). I also want to mention your excllent analysis you made for each assignment as well as the originallity of the examples used. You provided clear reference of each content with an assignment title and a theme reference which helped me to read. Each  content was well summarized and supported by the reference documents you researched. In conclusion, my assessment is that  your  BioArea padlet is excellent! Congratulations! Would you mind also evaluate mine? Many thanks.

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Theme 3: Step 3: Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation or habitat degradation in your BioArea and its potential consequences to the local plant and animal populations

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Theme 3: Step 3: Habitat loss, habitat fragmentation or habitat degradation in your BioArea and its potential consequences to the local plant and animal populations

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The biodiversity of the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) are facing numerous threats that may cause irreparable damage to the natural ecological settings of this scenic protected area.

Encroachment: Human settlements in designated natural areas of the MHNP constitute the most serious threat to park resources. The issues relating to the settlements and their impact on the park are complex and present a difficult challenge for park management. About 80% of the Park comes under the CDA’s jurisdiction, but many settlers continue to illegally occupy the property and resist CDA efforts to move them from the park.

Wood cutting & Overgrazing: The average number of livestock population is 3 to 4 animal heads per house and all of them are dependent upon the vegetation cover of the area. The people living in the villages are also heavily dependent on the park resources for timber, fuel wood, non-timber forest products and subsistence agriculture.

Increasing Number of Visitors: According to officials of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) which takes care of the park, the increasing number of the visitors to the national park contribute towards habitat degradation, pollution and biodiversity disturbance.

Metalled Road with Road side Lights: A two-lane metalled road from Islamabad to Daman-e-Koh, Pir Sohawa, and the Makhnial range, and the installation of roadside lights in the park has increased traffic and subsequently air and noise pollution. This increasing traffic and the roadside lights which are not switched off till midnight restrict the movement of the animals and disturb their night life patterns.

Forest Fires: Fires are a common occurrence in the Margalla Hills and its extinguishment require significant expenditure and manpower. About 85 % of these fires occur during the dry season May-June period and are all caused by the people. One of the main causes of the forest fires is visitors’ negligence (visitors throw cigarettes or do not completely extinguish fire after cooking). Park management say when members of the local community are fined or punished for illegal activities, they get involved in starting forest fires as revenge against authorities.

Quarries: There are many rock mining quarries in the Park where the habitat is severely degraded and reduce vegetation cover at effected parts. Most of the quarries have discontinued operations and others are expected to be closed soon.

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Look for similarities and differences:
Similarities: All participants presented their BioArea by representing National parks, Islands, Regions and Countries. All participants elaborated about endemic species. All areas were under threat because of Human intervention in these habitats. All participants tell their stories through photographs and videos. Biodiversity threats were almost in one way or other ways similar.
Differences: I strongly liked the idea of Sonja who took a great step on local level from her village and tried to conserve its biodiversity interacting with local government, owner and villagers.  Although my BioArea MHNP is facing problem of Invasive plant species Paper Mulberry, Lantana and Parthenium plants. Every BioArea resolve Biodiversity and climate issue as per their own social fabric and response.

"Biodiversity is life and without it planet will be mound of rock and minerals so conserve it"

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Theme 3: Step 3:  Possible signs of climate change in your BioArea, such as weather extremes.

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Theme 3: Step 3:  Possible signs of climate change in your BioArea, such as weather extremes.

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Temperature: Comparing temperatures over 1961-90 and 1990- 2010, the Islamabad Capital Territory has become warmer. Its average has been increased 3° centigrade. Summer season got prolonged and winter season become squeezed. Spring season arrive earlier and shorter.

Precipitation: During the period from 1961 to 2010, quantities of rainfall increased. However, over 1990-2010 the rate of increase in rainfall slowed and in some cases even decreased slightly. In this way, while the overall pattern is one of a moderate increase in rain, the recent trend has been towards decreasing rain. Therefore, Monsoon season onset date is delayed, rain intensity increased results  into hydro-meteorological events expected to increase

The further detail can be seen in following link http://www.suparco.gov.pk/news/Climate%20Change%20report.pdf

https://www.globalvillagespace.com/senate-committee-finally-discusses-margalla-fires-and-climate-change/

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Theme 3: Step 3: Species of your BioArea that appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

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Theme 3: Step 3: Species of your BioArea that appear on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

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The IUCN Red List animal species occurring solely in the MHNP.

1.       Indian Pangolin (IUCN red data list: decreasing Endangered)

2.       Common Leopard (National Status: Critically Endangered)

3.       Grey Goral (IUCN Red data list: Near Threatened)

4.       Barking Deer (IUCN red data list: decreasing Least Concerned)

5.       Red fox (IUCN red data list: stable Least Concerned)

6.       Jungle Cat (IUCN red data list: decreasing Least Concerned)

7.       Kashmir small flying squirrel (IUCN red data list: Least Concerned) Endemic

8.       White-crested Kaleej Pheasant (Lophura leucomelana) (IUCN Red data list: Least Concerned)

9.       Peregrine or Shaheen Falcon (Falco peregrinus) (IUCN Red data List : Least Concerned)

10.   Fairy Pitta or Indian Pitta or Blue-winged (Pitta brachyura) (IUCN Red data list: Decreasing Least Concerned)

11.   Tytler’s or Slender-Billed Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus tytleri) (IUCN Red data list: Decreasing Near Threatened)

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Following plant species are exploited for medicinal purposes by Ayurvadic medicine traders

1.       Berberis lyceum

2.       Carissa opaca

3.       Olea ferruginea

4.       Butea monosperma

5.       Cichorium intybus

Following animals are exploited for pet trade and medicine

1.       Indian pangolin, thick-tailed pangolin, or scaly anteater (Manis crassicaudata) is poached for its scales used in Chinese medicine

2.       Black francolin (Francolinus francolinus henrici) kept as pet in cages at home

3.       Pheasants (Monal Pheasants & Kaleej Pheasants) hunting

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Theme 2: Step Simplified trophic pyramid of Margalla Hills National Park

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Theme 2: Step Simplified trophic pyramid of Margalla Hills National Park

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Theme 2: Step 3: Ecological Niche Characteristic of two animals

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Theme 2: Step 3: Ecological Niche Characteristic of two animals

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(i) Barking deer like to live in Scrub forest near streams in Margalla Hills National Park.
(ii). White-crested Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelana) This bird species is found between 600-2000 meters altitudes in all kind of Mixed forests e.g., Subtropical deciduous forests, mixed chir-pine forest, mixed temperate broad-leaf forests. In MHNP it is common in mixed chir-pine forest.

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Theme 2: Step 3: Two organisms that share the same food and the way they manage it

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Theme 2: Step 3: Two organisms that share the same food and the way they manage it

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The given two species are feeding on rodents, birds, reptile and insects but one species feed in day time only while second feed at night mostly
(i). Short-toed Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) is a diurnal bird and like to feed on rodents, birds, reptiles and insects.
(ii). The tawny owl (Strix aluco) is nocturnal and feeding on rodents, birds, reptiles and insects.  It very very occasionally hunt in daylight when it has young to feed.

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Theme 2: Step 3: Two examples of  Parasites

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Theme 2: Step 3: Two examples of  Parasites

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(i). Babesiosis: Babesia is unicellular protozoa, transmitted by ticks. It is intracellular. Babesia resides in RBCs. Old animals are more susceptible to infection. Wild animal host range includes, Leopard, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, and some other species.
(ii). Ancyclostoma caninum (hook worm): final hosts are wild canines commonly foxes, infection lead to bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia and in chronic infestations lead to death of the host.

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Theme 3: Step 3: Possible invasions of alien species in your BioArea during the last decade

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Theme 3: Step 3: Possible invasions of alien species in your BioArea during the last decade

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Following important invasive species reported from Margalla Hills National Park (PMNH)

1.       Paper Mulberry Broussonetia papyrifera (intentionally introduced to make the Islamabad  and Rawalpindi area green but it become invasive and cause chronic pollen allergy to local of both cities) MNHP

2.       Parthenium hysterophorus (invade marginal land , roadside, meadows and forests)

3.       Cannabis sativa

4.       Lantana camara

Invasive Animals species in MHNP

1.       Tilapia sp. (Fish) now everywhere and invaded all freshwater aquatic systems and threat to local fish species

2.       Aedes aegypti (Insect)

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Theme 2: Step 3: Two examples of  Predator-Prey Relationships

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Theme 2: Step 3: Two examples of  Predator-Prey Relationships

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(i) COMMON LEOPARD & WILD BOAR: Common Leopard usually visit Margalla Hills National Park in winter season. Wild boar is very abundant in MHNP bushy dense canopy forests. Therefore, common leopard easily hunt on Wild boars in this habitat.

(ii) JUNGLE CATS & RODENTS: Jungle cats is common in MHNP and prefer to eat rodents. This cat is carnivore and used to feed on small mammals such as gerbils, hares and rodents.

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Theme1: Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP)

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Theme1: Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP)

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This (Urdu: مارگلہ پہاڑیاں ملی باغ‎) is a national park located in Islamabad Capital Territory, Pakistan. The park includes the Margalla Hills, which form's the foothills of the Himalayas. It was established in 1980 and covers approximately 17,386 hectares (67.13 sq mi). Tilla Charouni is the tallest peak with a height of 1604 meters.

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Theme 1: Map of Margalla Hills National Park

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Theme 1: Map of Margalla Hills National Park

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3.     The wolves were brought in because the increased elk population was overgrazing the deciduous, woody species such as aspen and cottonwood.
Possible Reasons (Trophic cascade)
Trophic cascade of Yellowstone National Park was disturbed because of elimination of Grey Wolf which was top predator. There was no check on Elk, Mule Deer and Koyotes population growth. This change reduced vegetation cover and resulted lack of micro niches for other animals like insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, beavers and bears. Koyotes as omnivores feed on rabbits, rodents, beavers, squirrels, berries and fruits. Rodents and rabbits population decrease led to decrease in soil fertility and aeration. Beavers population reduction changed river morphology which led to soil erosion and fish diversity. Therefore, top predator eradication ruined whole trophic cascade. The top predator (Grey Wolf) reintroduction kept check on Elk, Mule Deer and Koyotes. Even Elk and Mule Deer Changed their grazing behavior (niche), vegetation cover improved, new niches developed for birds, insects and birds. Kyotoes reduction tend improved rodents, rabbits, foxes and beavers population. Infect Trophic cascade completed and a balance established in Yellowstone National Park ecosystem.

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The fauna of the Margalla hills is quite diverse because of habitat diversity, thick vegetative cover, and steep slopes. The MHNP is home to many animal species such as rhesus monkey, barking deer, wild boar, jackal, porcupine, mongoose, pangolin, leopard, various birds of prey, game birds, reptiles, fish, snakes, and a variety of butterflies. Surveys conducted by Himalayan Wildlife Foundation (HWF) in the Park recorded 31 species of small & large mammals, and 218 of birds (82 species resident, 32 species summer visitors, 73 species winter visitors, and 31 species transit migrants). The number of amphibian and reptile species observed in the surveys were 21, while 22 species of fish and 25 species of butterfly were recorded.

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Climate subtropical semi-arid and park region lies in the monsoon belt which experiences two rainy seasons. Winter rains last from January until March, and summer rains from July to September. Temperatures range from 1-15 °C in winter and 20-40 °C during the summer. Annual average rainfall is 1,000 mm. There have been occasional incidents of light snowfall in severe winters (Niazi 1999, Kalyar 2004, Gulshan 2004)

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The formation of the Margalla Hills dates to the Miocene epoch. Margalla hills are situated on Main Boundary Thrust Fault line. The dominant limestone of the Margalla is mixed with sandstone and occasional minor beds of shale.

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There are over 30 settlements in and immediately around the periphery of the National Park. The total population in the settlements in national park is close to 70,000. The largest settlement is in Nurpur with a population of just over 15,000 persons, followed by Chauntra with 12,000, and Kot Hathial, Gokena, Talhar and Shah Allah Dita with about 9,000 persons each.

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Theme 1: Threats to Margalla Hills National Park

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Theme 1: Threats to Margalla Hills National Park

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Encroachment

Increasing Number of visitors

Alien Invasive plant species

Wood cutting and grazing

Summer forest fires

Quarries

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The population of communities living inside the Park has increased over the years. These communities use the national park for grazing which destroys the vegetation cover and tramples young seedlings. Moreover, the communities cut trees and bushes for fuel, gather fodder for their animals, divert natural water streams to cultivated plots near their homes, and gather products such as kachnarand rethas for sale. Considerable damage is done to the trees by these activities. Some residents even hunt native animals such as hares and birds for food and sport. Inadequate disposal of liquid and solid waste by the communities is a major reason for environmental pollution and degradation.

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The population of communities living inside the Park has increased over the years. These communities use the national park for grazing which destroys the vegetation cover and tramples young seedlings. Moreover, the communities cut trees and bushes for fuel, gather fodder for their animals, divert natural water streams to cultivated plots near their homes, and gather products such as kachnarand rethas for sale.

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Theme 1: MHNP Alien Invasive Plant species

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Theme 1: MHNP Alien Invasive Plant species

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Following distinct vegetation habitats or zones can be identified in the Park

subtropical forest at lower and higher elevations

subtropical pine forest

subtropical dry semi-evergreen forest

In addition to the tree dominated areas, settlements, cultivated land, degraded lands and ravines can be seen in the Park

Common trees of the national park include Black Catechu(Khair), Arabic Gum (Kikar), Phulai, Orchid Tree(Kachnar), Palas, Wild Olive (Khuwan), Indian Gooseberry (Alma), Chir Pine (Chir), Oak (Shah Baloot)Golden Shower Tree (Amaltas). Common shrubs include Rubber bush(Ak), Hopbush (Sanatha), Malabar Nut(Bheaakr), as well as Garanda and Chiti Buti while some common herbs of the Margallah Hills include Giant Cane, Marijuana (Bhang), Iberian Knapweed, Eulophia, Geranium (Bhand) and Hibiscus, Green Amaranth (Chaulai), Nerium (Kaner).

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Margalla Hills National Park - Promo | HD PAKISTAN

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Theme 1: Margalla Hills litter collection campaign

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Theme 1: Margalla Hills litter collection campaign

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Theme 1: Margalla hills National park detailed video (35 minutes)

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Theme 1: Margalla hills National park detailed video (35 minutes)