Research interests
My research interests range broadly in behavioural ecology,
evolutionary ecology and conservation biology of vertebrates.
Specific interests include ecology and conservation of threatened
and fragmented populations of vertebrates; wildlife-habitat
relationships, human and climate change impacts on the population
demography and life-history strategies of birds, developing
management tools for improving the biodiversity value of
human-altered habitats and community-based conservation.
Education
Ph. D. in Conservation Ecology, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural
History & Bharathiar University, India (2008)
M.Sc.
in Zoology,
Bharathiar University,
India (2001)
B.Ed.
in Natural Science, Calicut University, India (1999)
B.Sc.
in Zoology,
Calicut University, India (1997)
Appointments and research
experience
2005-present: Ecologist,
Wildlife Research and
Conservation Trust, Nilambur, India.
2008: Research Assistant, in a
project "Management of mistletoes in teak plantations"
at Kerala Forest Research Institute, Nilambur, India.
2004-2005: Senior Research Fellow, Salim Ali Centre
for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, India
2002-2004: Junior Research
Fellow, Salim Ali Centre
for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, India
Fellowships/awards/grants
Travel grants to attend
the 4th Student Conference on Conservation Science,
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, U.K.,
2006.
Senior Research
Fellowship from Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of
India, through SACON, during 2004-2005.
Junior Research
Fellowship from Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of
India, through SACON, during 2002-2004.
Publications
Papers/articles:
Balakrishnan, P. 2011. Breeding biology of the Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus priocephalus (Aves: Pycnonotidae) in the Western Ghats, India. Journal of Threatened Taxa 3(1): 1415-1424. pdf
Balakrishnan P. and T.N. Bindu 2011. Citizen science, teachers and conservation: a case study from south India. In: Proc. of the National seminar on empowering teachers for sustainable development. Farook Training College, Kozhikode.p.
Balakrishnan, P., T.V. Sajeev and
T.N. Bindu. 2010. Artificial incubation, hatching and release of the
Indian Rock Python Python molurus (Linnaeus, 1758), in Nilambur,
Kerala. REPTILE RAP, 10: 24-27.
pdf
Balakrishnan, P. 2010. Breeding biology of the Hill Swallow Hirundo domicola in the Western Ghats, India. Journal of the Bombay Natural history Society 107(2): 109-115. pdf
Balakrishnan, P. 2010. Reproductive biology of the Square-tailed Black Bulbul Hypsipetes ganeesa in the Western Ghats, India. Indian Birds 5(5): 134-138. pdf
Balakrishnan, P.
2010. Parental care strategies of grey-headed bulbul,
Pycnonotus priocephalus in the Western Ghats, South
India. Current Science 98(5): 673-680.
pdf
Balakrishnan, P. 2010. An education
programme and establishment of a citizen scientist network to reduce
killing of non-venomous snakes in Malappuram district, Kerala,
India. Conservation Evidence, 7: 7-15.
pdf
Balakrishnan, P. 2009. Breeding biology
and nest site selection of Yellow-browed Bulbul (Iole
indica) in Western Ghats, India. Journal of Bombay Natural
History Society, 106(2):176-183.
Balakrishnan, P. 2007. Reptiles of
Muthikkulam Reserved Forests, Kerala. Cobra, 1(4): 22-29.
Balakrishnan, P. 2007. Butterflies
of the Muthikkulam Reserved
Forest,
Kerala, India. Malabar Trogon, 5(3): 2-5.
Balakrishnan, P. 2006.
Ecology and Conservation of Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus
priocephalus, a restricted range bird species from the Western
Ghats, India. In Proc. of the
Student Conference on Conservation Science,
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, U.K. pp.
2-3.
Balakrishnan, P. 2005. Recent
sightings and habitat characteristics of the endemic Nilgiri Marten
Martes gwatkinsii in
Western Ghats, India. Small Carnivore Conservation, 33:
14-16.
pdf
Balakrishnan, P. 2005. A survey
report on the House Sparrow Passer domesticus in south
India.
Malabar Trogon, 3(2): 4-6.
Balakrishnan, P. 2002. A
preliminary study on the Lepidopteran fauna in the karuvarakundu
Reserve Forests, Nilambur, Kerala. In Proc. of the
international seminar on the emerging trends in insect biodiversity.
Layola Aquatic Insect Biodiversity Society & Kongunadu Arts and
Science College, Coimbatore.
Balakrishnan, P, Sheeba, M. and
Vijayakumar, T.N. 2002. Wintering avian migrants at Panagadu
Estuary, Kadalundy. In Proc.
National Seminar on
Ecology and Conservation of Wetlands. Limnological
Association of
Kerala & Christ
College, Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur.
Dissertation/reports:
Das, K.S.A., Zaibin, A.P. and
Balakrishnan, P. 2008. Preliminary observations on the
faunistic wealth of Golden Valley Estate, Nelliyampathy Hills,
Western Ghats. Report submitted to Inheritance India Land
Conservation Company Ltd., Mumbai.
Balakrishnan, P. 2007. Status,
distribution and ecology of Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus
priocephalus in the
Western Ghats,
India. PhD thesis.
Bharathiar University, Coimbatore.
pdf
Mukherjee, D., Das, K.S.A. and P. Balakrishnan. 2007. Status
Survey of
Chalcides pentadactylus (Beddome 1870) in Kadalundy,
Kerala, India. WRCT Technical Report No. 1, Wildlife Research and
Conservation Trust, Nilambur, India.
pdf
Balakrishnan, P. 2006. An
assessment of the faunal biodiversity in the
Muthikkulam
Reserved
Forest,
Western Ghats,
India. Technical Report. Salim Ali Centre for
Ornithology Natural History,
Coimbatore.
pdf
Sankaran, R., Azeez, P.A., Manchi,
S., and Balakrishnan, P. 2006. The effects of un-mined sand banks
on the
Palar
River, at Arthanaripalayam, Pollachi Taluk on well
water level.
Technical Report. Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology Natural History,
Coimbatore.
Vijayan, V.S., and Balakrishnan, P.
2005. Status,
Distribution and Ecology of the Grey-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus
priocephalus in
Western Ghats,
India. Final Report submitted to MoEF. Salim Ali
Centre for Ornithology Natural History,
Coimbatore. pdf
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