Temporal Non-stationarity of Path-Selection Movement Models and Connectivity: An Example of African Elephants in Kruger National Park

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 9

Опубликована: Апрель 27, 2021

Effective conservation and land management require robust understanding of how landscape features spatially temporally affect population distribution, abundance connectivity. This is especially important for keystone species known to shape ecosystems, such as the African elephant ( Loxodonta africana ). work investigates monthly patterns movement connectivity in Kruger National Park (KNP; South Africa), their temporal relationship with over a 12-month period associated occurrence severe drought. Based on locations from GPS collars short acquisition interval, we explored spatial-autocorrelation using Mantel correlograms, developed scale-optimized path-selection resistant kernel models. Our results showed high variability autocorrelation movements across individuals months, preponderance directional movement, which believe related drought induced range shifts. We also found non-stationarity models; most models exhibited qualitative similarity general nature predicted ecological relationships, but large quantitative differences resistance year. suggests variation space-utilization shifts core habitat areas elephants KNP. Even during extreme drought, rainfall itself was not strong driver movement; movements, instead, were strongly driven by selection green vegetation near waterholes small rivers. findings highlight potentially serious problem particular snapshot infer effects movement. Conservation strategies focusing only certain identified temporarily idiosyncratic might be appropriate or efficient guide allocating scarce resources relationships.

Язык: Английский

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Where have all the lions gone? Establishing realistic baselines to assess decline and recovery of African lions

Diversity and Distributions, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 28(11), С. 2388 - 2402

Опубликована: Окт. 3, 2022

Abstract Aim Predict empirically the current and recent historical (c1970) landscape connectivity population size of African lion as a baseline against which to assess conservation species. Location Continental Africa. Methods We compiled records distribution generate range for Historical was predicted using generalized additive model. Resistant kernel factorial least‐cost path analyses were used predict compare this with contemporary at continental, regional country scales. Results estimate ~92,054 (83,017–101,094 95% CI) lions in c1970, suggesting Africa's has declined by ~75%, over last five decades. Although greatly reduced from extents (c1500AD), habitat substantially connected. However, comparison, dramatically, many populations now isolated, well large declines within remaining core areas. This decline most marked West Central region, 90% connected compared its c1970 extent. The Eastern Southern regions have experienced lower, though significant, (44% 55%, respectively). Contemporary are three non‐core linkages 15 potential corridors (spanning unconnected habitat) that may allow dispersal gene flow. Declining mirrors studies showing loss genetic diversity increasing isolation populations. Main conclusions provide an derived size, extent present evaluate species, avoiding shifting syndrome where success/failure is measured only or range. recommend priorities existing connections avoid further fragmentation.

Язык: Английский

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Barriers and corridors: Assessment of gene flow and movement among red panda populations in eastern Himalayas

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 931, С. 172523 - 172523

Опубликована: Апрель 22, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Forecasting Suitable Habitats of the Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) in Asia: Insights into the Present and Future Climate Projections Within and Beyond Extant Boundaries

Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 13(11), С. 902 - 902

Опубликована: Ноя. 5, 2024

Terrestrial carnivores, such as the clouded leopard (

Язык: Английский

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The effectiveness of connectivity of existing biodiversity corridors in Central Annamite, Vietnam

Journal for Nature Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. 126952 - 126952

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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