Identifying gaps in the conservation of small wild cats of Southeast Asia

Biodiversity and Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 20, 2025

Abstract Southeast Asia hosts more felid species than any other region and, although smaller (< 30 kg) felids have important ecological roles, regional conservation has mainly focused on a few charismatic big cats. Information the ecology and status of small is often lacking or geographically limited. We used empirically derived scale-optimized models for seven in three regions (mainland, Borneo Sumatra) to evaluate effectiveness existing protected areas network preserving suitable habitats, map protection. Finally, we assessed whether are good proxies broader terrestrial biodiversity. On mainland, largest most habitats occurred Northern Forest Complex Myanmar between Eastern Myanmar, Laos Vietnam. In these also highlighted areas. Borneo, central highlands Sabah. Sumatra, strongholds habitat suitability were Barisan Mountains, western extent island, highly concentrated within found that aggregated was correlated strongly vertebrate biodiversity single individually, suggesting multiple an association with high overall Overall, our assessment distribution highlights fundamental importance conservation, given associated large extents forest. Our results clarion call expand extent, improve management, remaining core Asia, work enhance protect connectivity them ensure long-term demographic genetic exchange among region’s wildlife populations.

Язык: Английский

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Habitat suitability of common leopard in northern Pakistan

Ecosphere, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 16(3)

Опубликована: Март 1, 2025

Abstract Habitat fragmentation and loss are considered primary threats to common leopards ( Panthera pardus ) across their geographical range. We investigated anthropogenic environmental factors influencing the habitat suitability of in northern Pakistan using an ensemble model direct indirect leopard signs during 2014–2022. Using location data from 206 sightings model's performance was good (true skill statistic, TSS = 0.52). highest forest cover negatively related density settlements roads. peaked at intermediate elevations (about 1000–2000 m). Based on model, we estimated 4543 km 2 Pakistan, which 3144 (69%) occurred six contiguous patches least 58 (range 65–951 ), minimum size support one female leopard. There patch within a protected area, overall, 36% total areas were as suitable. Our findings suggest that current network does not adequately represent suitable for leopards; increasing expanding area could improve suitability.

Язык: Английский

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Eco-Spatial Modeling of Two Giant Flying Squirrels (Sciuridae: Petaurista): Navigating Climate Resilience and Conservation Roadmap in the Eastern Himalaya and Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspots

Life, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(4), С. 589 - 589

Опубликована: Апрель 3, 2025

Global warming and anthropogenic threats are significant drivers of biodiversity loss, particularly impacting smaller mammalian species. Hence, this study assessed two overlooked giant flying squirrel species, Petaurista magnificus nobilis, distributed across the transboundary regions Eastern Himalayas Indo-Burma hotspots. Utilizing a maximum entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution model, delineated suitable habitats within IUCN-defined extent both based on modeling approaches: habitat–climate model (HCM) climate-only (COM). The models identified habitat coverage only 3.92% 3.75% (COM) for P. 14.17% 10.04% nobilis. However, as HCM integrates environmental variables, providing more holistic assessment, it revealed limited biological corridor connectivity Furthermore, future projections indicate loss up to 81.90% 89.88% nobilis due climate change, alongside severe fragmentation, leading disappearance viable patches. These remaining patches expected shrink become increasingly isolated in change. centroid shift analyses predict northwestward westward under different scenarios. address these conservation challenges, underscores necessity extensive field surveys, genetic assessments, evaluations, establishment frameworks formulate an evidence-based management strategy

Язык: Английский

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Integrating direct anthropogenic disturbances and habitat connectivity to guide the restoration of the Amur tiger population in a newly established national park in China

Landscape Ecology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 40(5)

Опубликована: Апрель 21, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Understanding Multi‐Scale and Multi‐Species Habitat Selection by Mammals in the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(4)

Опубликована: Апрель 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Human‐induced habitat loss and fragmentation threaten biodiversity in the Eastern Himalayas, a crucial part of Indo‐Myanmar hotspot. This study examines distribution 10 mammal species Arunachal Pradesh using multi‐scale ensemble modeling approach, integrating Generalized Linear Models (GLM), Additive (GAM), MaxEnt to assess suitability. By analyzing 57 environmental predictor variables across multiple spatial scales, we found that elevation is key determinant for carnivores such as dhole Asiatic golden cat, while herbivores like northern red muntjac mainland serow prefer broadleaf forests. Species distributions showed distinct patterns, with most concentrated south, except widely distributed yellow‐throated marten. Dhole leopard cat preferred elevated forests, favored mixed Herbivores were at higher elevations, whereas Indian wild pig grasslands degraded habitats near human settlements. While protected areas (PAs) exhibited richness, significant suitable also exist outside these regions, underscoring need landscape‐level conservation strategies. Precipitation seasonality population density emerged predictors, highlighting influence climatic anthropogenic factors on Our findings emphasize necessity conserving large, connected landscapes mitigate human‐induced pressures climate change impacts species. combining ecological insights, this provides framework prioritizing efforts. Future research should expand data collection broader temporal geographic scales incorporate projections anticipate shifts. These are critical guiding effective planning management ecologically rich yet vulnerable region.

Язык: Английский

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