Prioritizing Tiger Conservation through Landscape Genetics and Habitat Linkages

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 9(11), P. e111207 - e111207

Published: Nov. 13, 2014

Even with global support for tiger (Panthera tigris) conservation their survival is threatened by poaching, habitat loss and isolation. Currently about 3,000 wild tigers persist in small fragmented populations within seven percent of historic range. Identifying securing linkages that connect source maintaining landscape-level gene flow an important long-term strategy endangered carnivores. However, corridors link regional are often lost to development projects due lack objective evidence on importance. Here, we use individual based genetic analysis combination landscape permeability models identify prioritize movement across the Central Indian Landscape. By using a panel 11 microsatellites identified 169 from 587 scat 17 tissue samples. We detected four clusters India limited among three them. Bayesian likelihood analyses as having recent immigrant ancestry. Spatially explicit occupancy obtained extensive landscape-scale surveys 76,913 km(2) forest was found be only 21,290 km(2). After accounting detection bias, covariates best explained were large, remote, dense patches; large ungulate abundance, low human footprint. used probability parameterize modeling least-cost circuit theory pathway analyses. Pairwise differences (FST) between better modeled linkage costs (r>0.5, p<0.05) compared Euclidean distances, which consonance observed fragmentation. The results our study highlight many may still functional there contemporary migration. Conservation efforts should provide legal status corridors, smart green infrastructure mitigate impacts, restore habitats where connectivity has been lost.

Language: Английский

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iDNA from terrestrial haematophagous leeches as a wildlife surveying and monitoring tool – prospects, pitfalls and avenues to be developed

Frontiers in Zoology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Sept. 17, 2015

Invertebrate-derived DNA (iDNA) from terrestrial haematophagous leeches has recently been proposed as a powerful non-invasive tool with which to detect vertebrate species and thus survey their populations. However, date little attention given whether how this, or indeed any other iDNA-derived data, can be combined state-of-the-art analytical tools estimate wildlife abundances, population dynamics distributions. In this review, we discuss the challenges that face application of existing methods such site-occupancy spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models leech iDNA, in particular, possible violations key assumptions arising factors intrinsic invertebrate parasite biology. Specifically, review advantages disadvantages source iDNA summarize utility for presence, occupancy, models. The main uncertainty attends detections derived gut contents is attributable about spatio-temporal sampling frame, since retain host-blood months move after feeding. Subsequently, briefly address associated may apply sources iDNA. Our highlights despite considerable potential (and any) new tool, further pilot studies are needed assess overcome not biases assumption field Specifically argue compare standard camera trapping, those improve our knowledge on parasite) physiology, taxonomy, ecology will immense future value.

Language: Английский

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Animal movement affects interpretation of occupancy models from camera‐trap surveys of unmarked animals

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 9(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2018

Abstract Occupancy models are increasingly applied to data from wildlife camera‐trap ( CT ) surveys estimate distribution, habitat use, or relative abundance of unmarked animals. Fundamental the occupancy modeling framework is temporal pattern detections at camera stations, which influenced by animal population density and speed scale movement. How these factors interact with sampling designs affect interpretation parameter estimates unclear. We developed a simple yet ecologically relevant movement simulation create for populations varying in rate, home range area, density. also varied design duration s our simulated domain. A single‐species model was fitted detection histories, model‐estimated probabilities were compared asymptotic proportion area occupied PAO ), calculated as union all ranges. sensitive scenarios. overestimated when low animals moved quickly over large ranges this positive bias insensitive duration. Conversely, underestimated slowly large‐ intermediately sized This negative decreased increasing lower s. Our results emphasize that depends on underlying processes driving detections, specifically density, may not reliably reflect variation processes. recommend carefully defining if it order better match analytical frameworks ecology sampled species.

Language: Английский

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Examining the occupancy–density relationship for a low‐density carnivore

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 54(6), P. 2043 - 2052

Published: Feb. 8, 2017

Summary The challenges associated with monitoring low‐density carnivores across large landscapes have limited the ability to implement and evaluate conservation management strategies for such species. Non‐invasive sampling techniques advanced statistical approaches alleviated some of these can even allow spatially explicit estimates density, one most valuable wildlife tools. For species, individual identification comes at no cost when unique attributes (e.g. pelage patterns) be discerned remote cameras, while other species require viable genetic material expensive laboratory processing assignment. Prohibitive costs may still force efforts use distribution or occupancy as a surrogate which not appropriate under many conditions. Here, we used large‐scale study fisher Pekania pennanti effectiveness an approximation particularly informing harvest decisions. We combined cameras baited hair snares during 2013–2015 sample 70 096‐km 2 region western New York, USA . fit Royle–Nichols models detection–non‐detection data collected by spatial capture–recapture (SCR) encounter obtained genotyped samples. Variation in state variables within 15‐km grid cells was modelled function landscape known influence distribution. found close relationship between cell from using those SCR model, likely due informative covariates extent resolution that worked well movement ecology Fisher density were both positively proportion coniferous‐mixed forest negatively road density. As result, recommendations similar models, though relative variation dampened data. Synthesis applications Our work provides empirical evidence make inferences regarding focal population more encounters selected grain approximates is marginally smaller than home range size. When alone chosen cost‐effective variable monitoring, simulation sensitivity analyses should understand how will affected aspects design ecology.

Language: Английский

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Connectivity of Tiger (Panthera tigris) Populations in the Human-Influenced Forest Mosaic of Central India

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 8(11), P. e77980 - e77980

Published: Nov. 6, 2013

Today, most wild tigers live in small, isolated Protected Areas within human dominated landscapes the Indian subcontinent. Future survival of depends on increasing local population size, as well maintaining connectivity between populations. While significant conservation effort has been invested tiger few initiatives have focused landscape-level and understanding effect different landscape elements connectivity. We combined individual-based genetic ecology approaches to address this issue six protected areas with varying densities separation Central landscape. non-invasively sampled 55 from Maximum-likelihood Bayesian assignment tests indicate long-range dispersal (on order 650 km) areas. Further geo-spatial analyses revealed that was affected by such settlements, road density host-population density, but not distance Our results elucidate importance habitat viability outside provide a quantitative approach test functionality corridors. suggest future management strategies aim minimize urban expansion maximize Achieving goal context ongoing urbanization need sustain current economic growth exerts enormous pressure remaining habitats emerges big challenge conserve

Language: Английский

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The production of human-wildlife conflict: A political animal geography of encounter

Geoforum, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 95, P. 153 - 164

Published: June 30, 2018

Language: Английский

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Livestock grazing in protected areas and its effects on large mammals in the Hyrcanian forest, Iran

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 217, P. 377 - 382

Published: Nov. 28, 2017

Language: Английский

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To protect or neglect? Design, monitoring, and evaluation of a law enforcement strategy to recover small populations of wild tigers and their prey

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 202, P. 99 - 109

Published: Sept. 2, 2016

Language: Английский

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Combining detection dogs and camera traps improves minimally invasive population monitoring for the cheetah, an elusive and rare large carnivore

Ecological Solutions and Evidence, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract Monitoring large carnivores is imperative for conservation planning, but difficult due to their elusive behaviour and natural rarity. Some such as the cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus ) are particularly wide ranging often go undetected despite being present, or detected at rates too low make meaningful quantitative inferences. The combination of minimally invasive survey techniques, detection dog surveys camera traps, holds promise improving monitoring efforts carnivores. We surveyed a population within Acacia savanna biome central east Namibia, employing various search strategies trap configurations. analysed data in an occupancy framework estimated effort required confirm presence with 95% certainty. found that sign intensive field when walked road transects, detections scat by dogs were twice tracks (5/100 2.5/100 km, respectively, 7.5/100 km combined). Vehicular searches identify marking sites appear be efficient alternative complementary approach (3.8/100 km), if network available visually distinguishable. probability p cheetahs one station per sampling unit placed roads was = 0.167), increased traps identified through 0.244), particular multiple stations pooled across 0.348–0.750). minimum reliably detect each 256 2 45 10 h walking, 123 5 driving 150 nights trapping. Practical implications . showed complementing trapping can comprehensively efficiently inform occurrence patterns exceptionally wide‐ranging terrestrial carnivore. Our findings provide practical guidance designing effective programmes, which important empirically deriving distribution maps other data‐poor regions.

Language: Английский

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Influence of Connectivity, Wild Prey and Disturbance on Occupancy of Tigers in the Human-Dominated Western Terai Arc Landscape

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 7(7), P. e40105 - e40105

Published: July 5, 2012

Occupying only 7% of their historical range and confined to forested habitats interspersed in a matrix human dominated landscapes, tigers (Panthera tigris) typify the problems faced by most large carnivores worldwide. With heads governments tiger countries pledging reverse extinction process setting goal doubling wild numbers 2022, achieving this target would require identifying existing breeding cores, potential opportunities for dispersal. The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) represents one region which has recently witnessed recovery populations following conservation efforts. In study, we develop spatially explicit occupancy model with survey data from 2009–10 based on priori knowledge biology specific issues plaguing western TAL (6,979 km2), occurs two disjunct units (Tiger Habitat Blocks; THBs). Although overall was 0.588 (SE 0.071), our results clearly indicate that loss functionality regional corridor resulted now occupying 17.58% available habitat THB I comparison 88.5% II. current patterns were best explained models incorporating interactive effect blocks (AIC w = 0.883) prey availability 0.742) anthropogenic disturbances 0.143). Our analysis helped identify areas high both within outside protected areas, highlights need unified control landscape under single unit primary focus managing associated wildlife. Finally, light global targets recent legislations India, study assumes significance as secure (e.g. II) increase I) landscape.

Language: Английский

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