Authors:
Dr. Ananya Rao, Dr. Karthik Menon, Priya Nair
Publication Year:
2025
Abstract:
Stable isotope analysis provides powerful insights into how organisms interact with their environment. This study explores the use of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes to investigate nutrient cycling, plant–animal interactions, and changes in ecological processes across fragmented forest landscapes in the Eastern Ghats. Isotopic signatures from vegetation, soil, and selected wildlife species were compared across restored and undisturbed forest patches.
Research Objective:
To understand how forest fragmentation and restoration influence nutrient pathways and trophic relationships within Eastern Ghats ecosystems.
Methodology:
Researchers collected samples of soil, leaves, and biological tissues from multiple forest sites representing undisturbed, degraded, and restored habitats. Carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) isotope ratios were analyzed using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. The resulting signatures were compared across habitat types to identify differences in water-use strategies, nutrient availability, and trophic interactions.
Key Findings:
- Restored forests showed emerging similarities in nutrient cycling patterns with older forest patches.
- δ¹³C signatures indicated differences in plant water-use strategies between fragmented and continuous forests.
- Nitrogen isotope patterns suggested changes in nutrient availability across degraded sites.
- Stable isotopes provided a useful approach for tracking ecological recovery following forest restoration.
Significance:
The study demonstrates how stable isotope techniques can complement conventional ecological surveys by revealing processes that are difficult to observe directly. These findings may help researchers evaluate long-term restoration outcomes and understand how ecological networks respond to landscape change.