Megafauna recovery and relevance amidst people and poverty in India
Seminar followed by Q&A and drinks – all welcome

Humans have historically extirpated large animals, or megafauna, on a global scale, a trend that has only intensified with the Anthropocene. Contrary to this pattern, some megafauna species are demonstrating a remarkable comeback, even amidst the densely populated landscapes of Earth. This talk demonstrates rare cases from India, where the decline in some megafauna populations has been effectively halted and examines factors contributing to megafauna recovery. Utilizing large-scale, long-term population assessments, our investigation focuses on the sustenance and recoveries of tigers, megaherbivores, and snow leopards. Beyond ecological factors such as habitat and food resources, we show how the economics of coexistence, political stability, and landscape sustainability have shaped megafauna trajectories. In an era of unprecedented novelty, these species are not just surviving but are potentially becoming central to promoting biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. India’s ecosystems, at crossroads of rapid global change and deep cultural ties to nature, offer valuable insights into the evolving model of megafauna conservation. It rekindles hope for a biodiverse Anthropocene.

Ninad Mungi is an ecologist with a research focus on conservation biology, functional ecology, and biogeography. His collaborative work includes development of methodologies for monitoring megafauna populations and contributing to their effective conservation plans. His PhD research at the Wildlife Institute of India examined the ecology and adaptive potential of invasive plants, aiding policies and management of invasive species. He currently leads multiple experiments on ecosystem restoration designed to understand the role of trophic control, trait space, and nutrient dynamics in emerging ecosystems. His research employs integrative and quantitative frameworks to understand metacommunity dynamics, while aiming to promote socioecological resilience notably in the Global South. He is presently an Assistant Professor at the Center for Ecological Dynamics in a Novel Biosphere at Aarhus University in Denmark.
Date: 30 May 2025, 16:15
Venue: Dyson Perrins Building, off South Parks Road OX1 3QY
Venue Details: Main lecture theatre (1st floor, lift available)
Speaker: Ninad Mungi (Aarhus University, Denmark)
Organising department: Environmental Change Institute
Organisers: Carlyn Samuel (University of Oxford), Jane Applegarth (University of Oxford, Oxford University Centre for the Environment)
Organiser contact email address: biodiversity@ouce.ox.ac.uk
Host: Professor Yadvinder Malhi (University of Oxford)
Part of: Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and the Biodiversity Network seminar series
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://bookwhen.com/oxfordbiodiversitynetwork
Cost: Free
Audience: Public
Editor: Jane Applegarth