TWOSEASONHABITATSTUDY.csv

The Koklass Pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) is a group of ground-nesting birds of the northwestern Himalaya, remains understudied despite its wide distribution and ecological sensitivity. This study assesses its seasonal microhabitat preferences by examining four key ecologically important variables: tree structure, understory composition, ground cover, and climatic variables. Field surveys were conducted across multiple seasons, and detection data were analysed using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) fitted with a Tweedie distribution to account for non-linear ecological responses and overdispersion. The results revealed that temperature (F = 8.60, p < 0.001) had the strongest non-linear influence on capture rate (explaining 36% of deviance in capture rates), with moderate thermal conditions supporting higher detectability. Other significant predictors, i.e. among tree-layer predictors, Tree Cover had the most potent effect on capture rate (F = 5.32, p = 0.028), explaining 14.6% of deviance on capture rate. The Herb Density emerged as a significant predictor (F = 8.12, p = 0.006), explaining 13.6% of the deviance among the understory variables. The Litter Depth demonstrated a significant positive effect on capture rate (F = 6.05, p = 0.018), explaining 44.7% of deviance among ground variables. However, the Capture rates showed significant seasonal variation, with the highest values recorded in winter and spring. These findings underscore the importance of favourable and structurally complex forest habitats in supporting Koklass populations across seasons. The study offers critical insight into fine-scale habitat use and provides a scientific basis for microhabitat-based conservation strategies in Himalayan montane ecosystems.