Published: Jan. 1, 2022

The world is currently facing an accelerated loss of biodiversity, which considered a human-induced mass extinction. Large carnivores face multitude anthropogenic threats and are particularly prone to local extirpation due their biological traits, including low reproductive rates large spatial requirements. These animals play key ecological roles at the top natural food webs high socio-economic relevance, making protection priority in biodiversity conservation. This also applies snow leopard (Panthera uncia), represents predator high-altitude ecosystems Asia, with only about 3,000 mature individuals remaining wild. faces various threats, habitat degradation, exploitation, wild prey depletion, retaliatory killings as consequence livestock depredation. Addressing these requires intensive efforts both international levels leopards occupy vast ranges fragile remote landscapes where depredation poses major obstacle co-existence communities. Moreover, cryptic behaviour, population densities, hardly accessible terrain make monitoring challenging, limiting understanding interactions between leopards, prey, livestock, humans, and, hence, impeding prioritisation management actions. aims this dissertation were evaluate performance current conservation measures targeting its generate more profound knowledge on relationships populations, husbandry. By deducing relevant implications, I intended contribute preservation habitats well long-term big cat communities high-mountain Asia. Chapter 2 attends blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), representing main Annapurna region elsewhere. medium-sized ungulate common species but increasingly threatened by activities. In spring autumn 2019, my colleagues walked along transects (262.6 km) monitor Manang district Conservation Area. We applied multivariate analyses explore status choice ungulate. Total counts yielded minimum density estimates 6.0–7.8 individuals/km2, quite compared other regions inside outside Nepalese Himalaya roughly fit range before after establishment protected area 1992. According generalised additive models (GAMs), selection was mainly driven elevation vegetation characteristics, while effects variables insignificant. results suggest that has been largely maintained over past 30 years, can be interpreted preliminary success integrated development approach conclusion, our findings indicate potential protect mountain ungulates through approaches. establishing scheme for allow early detection trends potentially time-lagged ongoing tourism 3 examines complex socio-ecological humans landscape region. project team sampled total 82 study units (4 x 4 km cells) Area, wildlife populations (490.8 conducting extensive questionnaire surveys (n = 479 households) quantify 2018 2021. linear (GLMs) suggested strong positive effect relative abundance, increased ruggedness decreased increasing densities human population. Marmot presence related lower goats, attacked most frequently (38.5% events) represented majority killed (68.6%), whereas size holdings seemingly shaped (yak, cattle, horse). insights obtained from stress crucial role highlight importance integrating recovery into plans. They abundance would neither solve nor inflict human-snow conflicts Our call improvement intervention strategies (e.g., predator-proofing corrals optimising daytime herding practices) further exploring secondary like marmots additional interventions mitigation tools. work extends previous significance patterns, supporting managers setting priorities promote focuses patterns attributed husbandry practices reported rates. 2020, conducted detailed interviews 329 owners living Mustang districts Jacob’s selectivity index, sample comparison tests, investigate spatio-temporal variation depredation, assess vulnerability different groups, examine strategies, identify associated two years. respondents cause estimated annual 3.2–3.6% heads mortality (25.4–39.8% all deaths). Corralling during night-time inconsistently not decreases losses. However, some indicated dogs, deterrents (light, dung burning, music playing, flapping tape), applications multiple reduce yaks. To validate findings, we controlled randomised experiments measure effectiveness quantitatively. Finally, application effective practical beyond. PhD extended evidence providing implications wildlife. First, it preserve relatively when agendas. Second, confirmed impact highlighting protecting base, especially considering limited observed Third, showed urgent need improve ones lay foundation co-existence. Based recommend regular schemes elsewhere, detect declines, measures, guide future ecosystems.

Language: Английский