Habitat connectivity of threatened ungulate species in a native savanna landscape of northern South America

Mammalian Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 104(3), С. 259 - 275

Опубликована: Апрель 22, 2024

Abstract The native savanna ecosystem of the Orinoquia region is habitat 50% wild ungulate species reported for Colombia. Over last 20 years, this high diversity has been strongly threatened by human transformation natural land cover causing connectivity loss habitats. lacks a biological analysis with multi-species approach involving groups that are representative such as ungulates. Understanding spatial distributions suitable areas and main habitats act primary in these landscapes fundamental design conservation strategies. We use an occurrence dataset lowland tapir ( Tapirus terrestris ), white-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari ) development species’ potential distribution models, binarization process, morphological pattern analysis. This information was used modeling dispersal corridors connecting core focal using randomized shortest path algorithm quantifying weighted global metrics. Our results suggest integral corridor least-cost routes between landscape on middle basins rivers Meta River. These associated fluvial dendritic systems connected, while eastern part disconnected. discuss how application knowledge ecology might improve management metapopulations region.

Язык: Английский

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Optimization of green infrastructure networks in the perspectives of enhancing structural connectivity and multifunctionality in an urban megaregion

Journal of Environmental Management, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 348, С. 119084 - 119084

Опубликована: Окт. 10, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Mountains as key areas for carnivore connectivity in Neotropical grasslands

Mammalian Biology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 3, 2025

Язык: Английский

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A multi-species corridor between the Andean Amazonian and Amazon floodplain landscapes: prioritizing ecological connectivity areas for jaguar and threatened ungulates in the north-eastern of South America

Deleted Journal, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 2(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 3, 2025

Язык: Английский

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A Slow and Underappreciated Forest Megafauna: Food Habits, Movements, and Multiscale Habitat Preferences of Critically Endangered Sundaic Giant Tortoises (Manouria emys emys)

Integrative Zoology, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Апрель 14, 2025

ABSTRACT Sundaic giant tortoises ( Manouria emys ) are the largest chelonians in Asia. Classified as critically endangered, they extremely rare throughout their range. The limited knowledge of behavior and ecology hampers effective conservation initiatives. We integrated GPS tracking, behavioral observations, local ecological knowledge, resource selection functions, spatial distribution modeling, landscape functional connectivity to assess key aspects food habits, movement patterns, habitat relationships at broad scale Sumatra, Indonesia. were predominantly diurnal (93% activities) had a mean home range 27.5 ha (±28.8 SD; N = 3 individuals, autocorrelated kernel density estimate). identified 40 plant species from 20 families, including ferns, monocots, dicots, consumed by tortoises. They fruits 30 these plants, swallowing seeds large those Durio Artocarpus (>2 × 4 cm), indicating potential seed dispersal over distances exceeding 1 km. Habitat preference analysis both island‐wide scales showed consistent for primary rainforests with steep slopes moderate altitudes, near rivers, mostly on western side island. 15 “priority areas,” that is, high suitability but lacking formal protection. Among these, only one, Gunung Talang, lacked other forest areas, prompting us propose wildlife corridor connecting it Kerinci Seblat National Park. In addition, we argue hold rewilding operations Sumatra parts range, emphasizing need targeted efforts.

Язык: Английский

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Variable social-ecological indicators across a Tanzanian protected area network

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 308, С. 111214 - 111214

Опубликована: Май 9, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Integrating MaxEnt and InVEST modeling methods to identify priority areas for the conservation of emblematic and endemic wildlife in the Peruvian Tropical Andes

Global Ecology and Conservation, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown, С. e03626 - e03626

Опубликована: Май 1, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Zebra Risk Perception in a Landscape of Fear

Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 15(5)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2025

ABSTRACT Animals' assessments of predation risk are influenced by a variety external and internal factors, including predator space use. However, it remains unclear what variables mediate prey species behavior within landscape where is heterogeneous. To address this, we employed three assays to examine zebra ( Equus quagga ) responses varying in multiple‐use area northern Tanzania: (1) quantifying head‐up posture as proxy for vigilance through direct behavioral observation areas high low likelihood lion Panthera leo presence, (2) when exposed roar playback, (3) measuring flight initiation distances (FIDs) approached person. Using generalized linear (mixed) models, tested how use habitat type (as proxies risk), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI, primary productivity), time the day, zebra‐related (sex‐age category, herd size, group size heterospecifics, location herd) responses. We found that neither nor FID were markedly estimated use, type, NDVI; decreased with was lower zebras positioned centrally herd, during midday; increased greater number associated heterospecifics; (4) playbacks, irrespective These findings suggest not necessarily mediated spatial variation apparent but instead reflect strategy maintaining consistent monitoring possible threats across landscape. Rather than relying on clues alone, primarily mitigate increasing associating other species.

Язык: Английский

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Wildlife corridor degradation and human‐wildlife conflict: A case study from Tanzania

African Journal of Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 62(2)

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2024

Abstract In many African countries, anthropogenic pressure and poor governance have led to the degradation of wildlife corridors, which are important for long‐term viability populations. Yet nature such is poorly understood, hindering our ability reverse these trends. We studied a deteriorating corridor between Katavi Mahale National Parks in western Tanzania. Using satellite imagery, we found that still contains large areas natural vegetation, diverse terrain numerous water sources. There has nonetheless been increasing encroachment by people 1990 2017, exemplified 9% reduction area covered miombo woodlands fourfold increase settlements agricultural land. used three additional methods assess deterioration over last decades: elephants' movement routes, peoples' perception animal populations incidents human–wildlife conflicts. Elephants were primarily only parts adjacent two national parks. Tracking elephant spoor revealed much‐diminished use, suggesting seemingly ‘healthy’ habitat within will not necessarily predict presence elephants or perhaps other species. Other factors particularly humans possibly more predicting use corridor. Interviews with local residents conservation experts suggested that, although some species declined, ungulates seen neighbouring villages, associated conflict. All villages around affected conflict; this comprised crop damage, livestock injury killing attacks on humans. conclude corridors could be restored if restricted from settling, but would require governments enact policies balance Natural Capital survival human populations; latter may involve internal migration response growing population pressures.

Язык: Английский

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Modelling elephant corridors over two decades reveals opportunities for conserving connectivity across a large protected area network

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 18(10), С. e0292918 - e0292918

Опубликована: Окт. 13, 2023

Protected area (PA) connectivity is pivotal for the persistence of wide-ranging wildlife species, but challenged by habitat loss and fragmentation. We analyzed suitability African elephant (Loxodonta africana) across PAs in south-western Tanzania 2000, 2010, 2019. quantified land-use changes through remote sensing data; estimated aerial survey data, remotely sensed variables ensemble species distribution models; modelled least-cost corridors; identified relative importance each corridor PA network potential bottlenecks over time circuit theory; validated corridors local ecological knowledge ground surveys. From 2000 to 2019, cropland increased from 7% 13% region, with an average expansion 634 km2 per year. Distance influenced models most. Despite expansion, locations (n = 10) remained similar throughout period. Based on knowledge, nine were active, whereas one had been inactive since 1970s. theory, we prioritize three connectivity. Key indicators quality varied time, movement some appears have become costlier time. Our results suggest that, past two decades, functional surveyed landscape has largely persisted. Beyond providing crucial information spatial prioritization conservation actions, our approach highlights modeling verifying ground-truthed data.

Язык: Английский

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