Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation

Ecological Baseline Survey

EQMS's ecologists design ethical, species-specific methodologies and conduct biodiversity surveys to create detailed ecological profiles. Activities include habitat assessment, vegetation mapping, species surveys, conservation evaluations, and IUCN-listed species checklists. Their work ensures accurate data for effective ecological management and conservation planning .

Fisheries Resources Study

Capture fisheries assess species composition, diversity, CPUE, richness, habitat suitability, hatchling availability, and PL production. Culture fisheries focus on species diversity and productivity. Research on crustaceans and aquatic invertebrates enriches ecological understanding, while evaluating fish nets and gears enhances fishing efficiency, supporting sustainable practices across fisheries and aquaculture systems.

Phytosociological Analysis and Species Diversity

Phytosociological analysis examines floristic composition and vegetation, focusing on plant growth, canopy coverage, and overall health. It includes calculating plant density, frequency, and dominance while analyzing diversity through metrics like the Shannon Diversity Index and Evenness. This approach provides insights into ecosystem structure, species diversity, and ecological balance.

Wildlife Population Ecology

Wildlife population studies focus on censusing mammals, including bats, birds, and herpetofauna, with emphasis on population estimation and density analysis. Key metrics include population density, relative density, and species abundance. Additionally, the identification of conservation-significant and threatened species supports efforts to protect biodiversity and maintain ecological balance.

Dolphin Survey

Dolphin studies involve population and abundance surveys, mapping migration routes, and identifying territories, breeding grounds, and hotspots. Behavioral pattern analysis provides insights into their ecology. These findings contribute to developing a comprehensive Dolphin Management and Conservation Action Plan, ensuring the protection and sustainability of dolphin populations and their habitats.

Shorebirds and Migratory Winter Bird Survey

Shorebird survey focus on species occurrence and composition, mapping foraging, roosting, and nesting sites, and analyzing behavioral ecology, including foraging, feeding, preening, and nesting. Monitoring programs are designed for wintering and breeding populations, while threats are identified and analyzed to support conservation and habitat management efforts.

Turtle and Tortoise Survey

The Turtle and Tortoise Survey involves identifying and documenting turtle and tortoise species in the area, along with locating and characterizing nesting grounds. It includes observing breeding behaviors, mating patterns, egg-laying activities, and managing hatchlings and nests. Continuous monitoring of hatchlings and nesting sites ensures effective conservation and protection of these species.

Bat and Bird Survey for Wind Projects

The Bat and Bird Survey for wind projects involves establishing a baseline of existing bat and bird species, identifying flagship species, and determining flight heights. It includes assessing vegetation occurrence and habitat types, while focusing on managing collision risks. A monitoring plan is implemented, along with carcass surveys, to ensure species safety and mitigate potential impacts of wind turbines.

Critical Habitat Assessment

EQMS's ecologists provide detailed habitat assessments, leveraging IBAT for screening and targeted surveys of threatened species. They determine Ecologically Appropriate Areas of Analysis (EAAA) and evaluate Critical Habitat Assessment Criteria for species, ecosystems, and key evolutionary processes, ensuring precise baseline data for effective Critical Habitat Assessments.

Biodiversity Management and Conservation Plan

The Biodiversity Management and Conservation Plan includes identifying potential threats and suggesting field-based monitoring strategies. It outlines habitat enhancement and protection plans for key species, a Greenbelt Development Plan, and an Invasive Species Management Plan. These initiatives aim to safeguard biodiversity, mitigate risks, and ensure the long-term sustainability of ecosystems.

Ecosystem Services Assessment and Valuation

EQMS engages experts having expertise in forestry, natural resources, ecosystems evaluation and forest economics for forest resources assessment, identification of ecosystem services and their types, and baseline evaluation of identified ecosystem services. The team is capable of preparing the Payment for Ecosystem (PES) Scheme Framework for any protected area.

Ecological Monitoring

EQMS ecologists provide comprehensive ecological services during project implementation. This includes third-party biodiversity monitoring, long-term fisheries studies, support for mitigation measures, greenbelt development, invasive species management, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, all aligned with EMP/CEMP guidelines.

Conservation Awareness and Capacity Building

The highly experienced professionals of EQMS are capable of imparting conservation awareness campaigns on different aspects such as Wildlife and Nature Conservation, Climate Change, Community Resilience, Environmental and Social Issues, Gender issues etc. EQMS also operates Training of Trainers and arranges external training regularly on Biodiversity Inclusive Impact Assessment and Biodiversity Conservation related topics.