The Experts below are selected from a list of 1371 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Charudutt Mishra - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
impact of wild prey availability on livestock predation by Snow Leopards
Royal Society Open Science, 2017Co-Authors: Kulbhushansingh R. Suryawanshi, Yash Veer Bhatnagar, Stephen M Redpath, Uma Ramakrishnan, Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Sophie Smout, Charudutt MishraAbstract:An increasing proportion of the world9s poor is rearing livestock today, and the global livestock population is growing. Livestock predation by large carnivores and their retaliatory killing is becoming an economic and conservation concern. A common recommendation for carnivore conservation and for reducing predation on livestock is to increase wild prey populations based on the assumption that the carnivores will consume this alternative food. Livestock predation, however, could either reduce or intensify with increases in wild prey depending on prey choice and trends in carnivore abundance. We show that the extent of livestock predation by the endangered Snow Leopard Panthera uncia intensifies with increases in the density of wild ungulate prey, and subsequently stabilizes. We found that Snow Leopard density, estimated at seven sites, was a positive linear function of the density of wild ungulates—the preferred prey—and showed no discernible relationship with livestock density. We also found that modelled livestock predation increased with livestock density. Our results suggest that Snow Leopard conservation would benefit from an increase in wild ungulates, but that would intensify the problem of livestock predation for pastoralists. The potential benefits of increased wild prey abundance in reducing livestock predation can be overwhelmed by a resultant increase in Snow Leopard populations. Snow Leopard conservation efforts aimed at facilitating increases in wild prey must be accompanied by greater assistance for better livestock protection and offsetting the economic damage caused by carnivores.
-
Population density of Snow Leopard, wild prey and livestock
2017Co-Authors: Kulbhushansingh Suryawanshi, Vaibhav Chaturvedi, Uma Ramakrishnan, Yash Bhatnagar, Charudutt MishraAbstract:The file contains information on the area of all study sites and population of Snow Leopard, wild prey and livestock species at each of the seven sites. Column names are self explanatory. The file structure is suitable to run the functional analysis code
-
land sharing is essential for Snow Leopard conservation
Biological Conservation, 2016Co-Authors: Thomas M. Mccarthy, Orjan Johansson, Gustaf Samelius, Henrik Andren, Lkhagvasumberel Tumursukh, Geir Rune Rauset, Charudutt MishraAbstract:Abstract Conserving large carnivores in an increasingly crowded planet raises difficult challenges. A recurring debate is whether large carnivores can be conserved in human used landscapes (land sharing) or whether they require specially designated areas (land sparing). Here we show that 40% of the 170 protected areas in the global range of the Snow Leopard ( Panthera uncia ) are smaller than the home range of a single adult male and only 4–13% are large enough for a 90% probability of containing 15 or more adult females. We used data from 16 Snow Leopards equipped with GPS collars in the Tost Mountains of South Gobi, Mongolia, to calculate home range size and overlap using three different estimators: minimum convex polygons (MCP), kernel utility distributions (Kernel), and local convex hulls (LoCoH). Local convex hull home ranges were smaller and included lower proportions of unused habitats compared to home ranges based on minimum convex polygons and Kernels. Intra-sexual home range overlap was low, especially for adult males, suggesting that Snow Leopards are territorial. Mean home range size based on the LoCoH estimates was 207 km 2 ± 63 SD for adult males and 124 km 2 ± 41 SD for adult females. Our estimates were 6–44 times larger than earlier estimates based on VHF technology when comparing similar estimators, i.e. MCP. Our study illustrates that protected areas alone will not be able to conserve predators with large home ranges and conservationists and managers should not restrict their efforts to land sparing.
-
status assessment of the endangered Snow Leopard panthera uncia and other large mammals in the kyrgyz alay using community knowledge corrected for imperfect detection
Oryx, 2016Co-Authors: Julia Taubmann, Koustubh Sharma, Kubanychbek Zhumabai Uulu, James E Hines, Charudutt MishraAbstract:The Endangered Snow Leopard Panthera uncia occurs in the Central Asian Mountains, which cover c. 2 million km 2 . Little is known about its status in the Kyrgyz Alay Mountains, a relatively narrow stretch of habitat connecting the southern and northern global ranges of the species. In 2010 we gathered information on current and past (1990, the last year of the Soviet Union) distributions of Snow Leopards and five sympatric large mammals across 14,000 km 2 of the Kyrgyz Alay. We interviewed 95 key informants from local communities. Across 49 400-km 2 grid cells we obtained 1,606 and 962 records of species occurrence (site use) in 1990 and 2010, respectively. The data were analysed using the multi-season site occupancy framework to incorporate uncertainty in detection across interviewees and time periods. High probability of use by Snow Leopards in the past was recorded in > 70% of the Kyrgyz Alay. Between the two sampling periods 39% of sites showed a high probability of local extinction of Snow Leopard. We also recorded high probability of local extinction of brown bear Ursus arctos (84% of sites) and Marco Polo sheep Ovis ammon polii (47% of sites), mainly in regions used intensively by people. Data indicated a high probability of local colonization by lynx Lynx lynx in 41% of the sites. Although wildlife has declined in areas of central and eastern Alay, regions in the north-west, and the northern and southern fringes appear to retain high conservation value.
-
Livestock Husbandry and Snow Leopard Conservation
Snow Leopards: Biodiversity of the World: Conservation from Genes to Landscapes, 2016Co-Authors: Ghulam Mohammad, Sayed Naqibullah Mostafawi, Jigmet Dadul, Pranav Trivedi, Radhika Timbadia, Ajay Bijoor, Tatjana Von Rosen, Yash Veer Bhatnagar, Charudutt Mishra, Raj MuraliAbstract:Livestock depredation is a key source of Snow Leopard mortality across much of the species' range. Snow Leopards break into livestock corrals, killing many domestic animals and thereby inflicting substantial economic damage. Locals may retaliate by killing the cat and selling its parts. Predator-proofing of corrals has emerged as an important conflict-mitigation tool across many Snow Leopard range countries, including Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, and Tajikistan. Decline in wild ungulate populations due to competition from livestock is another threat to Snow Leopards. Village reserves are grazing set-asides created in partnership with local communities to enable the recovery of wild ungulate populations. A case study in India is applicable to additional range countries. In Pakistan, the Ecosystem Health Program enhances community tolerance toward Snow Leopards by establishing sustainable, community-managed livestock vaccination programs that improve community livelihoods. Program sites record at least 50% reduction in disease-caused mortalities that resulted in no killing of Snow Leopards.
Philip Riordan - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
predicting global population connectivity and targeting conservation action for Snow Leopard across its range
Ecography, 2016Co-Authors: David Mallon, Philip Riordan, Kun Shi, Samuel A. Cushman, Joelene HughesAbstract:Movements of individuals within and among populations help to maintain genetic variability and population viability. Therefore, understanding landscape connectivity is vital for effective species conservation. The Snow Leopard is endemic to mountainous areas of central Asia and occurs within 12 countries. We assess potential connectivity across the species’ range to highlight corridors for dispersal and genetic flow between populations, prioritizing research and conservation action for this wide-ranging, endangered top-predator.
-
on the high trail examining determinants of site use by the endangered Snow Leopard panthera uncia in qilianshan china
Oryx, 2016Co-Authors: Justine S Alexander, Kun Shi, Lucy A Tallents, Philip RiordanAbstract:There is a need for simple and robust techniques for assessment and monitoring of populations of the Endangered Snow Leopard Panthera uncia to inform the development of action plans for Snow Leopard conservation. We explored the use of occupancy modelling to evaluate the influence of environmental and anthropogenic features on Snow Leopard site-use patterns. We conducted a camera trap survey across 480 km 2 in Gansu Province, China, and used data from 60 camera traps to estimate probabilities of site use and detection using the single season occupancy model. We assessed the influence of three covariates on site use by Snow Leopards: elevation, the presence of blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and the presence of human disturbance (distance to roads). We recorded 76 captures of Snow Leopards over 2,906 trap-days, representing a mean capture success of 2.62 captures per 100 trap-days. Elevation had the strongest influence on site use, with the probability of site use increasing with altitude, whereas the influence of presence of prey and distance to roads was relatively weak. Our findings indicate the need for practical and robust techniques to appraise determinants of site use by Snow Leopards, especially in the context of the limited resources available for such work.
-
resistance landscape for Snow Leopard
2016Co-Authors: Philip Riordan, David Mallon, Kun Shi, Samuel A. Cushman, Joelene HughesAbstract:Floating point raster resistance landscape model for Snow Leopard range in Central Asi
-
Estimates of β coefficient values for different covariates hypothesized to influence Snow Leopard site use in Qilianshan National Nature Reserve, 2014.
2016Co-Authors: Justine Shanti Alexander, Joelene Hughes, Kun Shi, Arjun M Gopalaswamy, Philip RiordanAbstract:Estimates of β coefficient values for different covariates hypothesized to influence Snow Leopard site use in Qilianshan National Nature Reserve, 2014.
-
face value towards robust estimates of Snow Leopard densities
PLOS ONE, 2015Co-Authors: Justine S Alexander, Kun Shi, Arjun M Gopalaswamy, Philip RiordanAbstract:When densities of large carnivores fall below certain thresholds, dramatic ecological effects can follow, leading to oversimplified ecosystems. Understanding the population status of such species remains a major challenge as they occur in low densities and their ranges are wide. This paper describes the use of non-invasive data collection techniques combined with recent spatial capture-recapture methods to estimate the density of Snow Leopards Panthera uncia. It also investigates the influence of environmental and human activity indicators on their spatial distribution. A total of 60 camera traps were systematically set up during a three-month period over a 480 km2 study area in Qilianshan National Nature Reserve, Gansu Province, China. We recorded 76 separate Snow Leopard captures over 2,906 trap-days, representing an average capture success of 2.62 captures/100 trap-days. We identified a total number of 20 unique individuals from photographs and estimated Snow Leopard density at 3.31 (SE = 1.01) individuals per 100 km2. Results of our simulation exercise indicate that our estimates from the Spatial Capture Recapture models were not optimal to respect to bias and precision (RMSEs for density parameters less or equal to 0.87). Our results underline the critical challenge in achieving sufficient sample sizes of Snow Leopard captures and recaptures. Possible performance improvements are discussed, principally by optimising effective camera capture and photographic data quality.
Thomas M. Mccarthy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
defining priorities for global Snow Leopard conservation landscapes
Biological Conservation, 2020Co-Authors: Byron V Weckworth, Rodney M Jackson, Thomas M. Mccarthy, Xuchuang Liang, Yanlin Liu, Rui Xing, Yuguang Zhang, Yadong Xue, Lingyun Xiao, Chen ChengAbstract:Abstract The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) is an apex predator on the Tibetan Plateau and in the surrounding mountain ranges. It is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN's Red List. The large home range and low population densities of this species mandate range-wide conservation prioritization. Two efforts for range-wide Snow Leopard conservation planning have been conducted based on expert opinion, but both were constrained by limited knowledge and the difficulty of evaluating complex processes, such as connectivity across large landscapes. Here, we compile >6000 Snow Leopard occurrence records from across its range and corresponding environmental covariates to build a model of global Snow Leopard habitat suitability. Using spatial prioritization tools, we identified seven large continuous habitat patches as global Snow Leopard Landscape Conservation Units (LCUs). Each LCU faces differing threat levels from poaching, anthropogenic development, and climate change. We identified ten potential inter-LCU linkages, and centrality analysis indicated that Tianshan-Pamir-Hindu Kush-Karakorum, Altai, and the linkage between them play a critical role in maintaining the global Snow Leopard habitat connectivity. However, international border fences, railways and major roads can fragment LCUs and potentially obstruct linkages. We propose LCU-specific conservation strategies and transboundary cooperation that should be highlighted in future Snow Leopard conservation. This effort represents the first range-wide, systematic landscape conservation plan for Snow Leopards, and provides a rigorous and analytically sound basis for further survey and evaluation.
-
Contribution and permutation importance values of each environmental variable in the Snow Leopard habitat suitability model.
2019Co-Authors: Sophie M. Watts, Thomas M. Mccarthy, Tsewang NamgailAbstract:Contribution and permutation importance values of each environmental variable in the Snow Leopard habitat suitability model.
-
Modelling potential habitat for Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) in Ladakh, India
2019Co-Authors: Sophie M. Watts, Thomas M. Mccarthy, Tsewang NamgailAbstract:The Snow Leopard Panthera uncia is an elusive species inhabiting some of the most remote and inaccessible tracts of Central and South Asia. It is difficult to determine its distribution and density pattern, which are crucial for developing conservation strategies. Several techniques for species detection combining camera traps with remote sensing and geographic information systems have been developed to model the habitat of such cryptic and low-density species in challenging terrains. Utilising presence-only data from camera traps and direct observations, alongside six environmental variables (elevation, aspect, ruggedness, distance to water, land cover, and prey habitat suitability), we assessed Snow Leopard habitat suitability across Ladakh in northern India. This is the first study to model Snow Leopard distribution both in India and utilising direct observation data. Results suggested that elevation and ruggedness are the two most influential environmental variables for Snow Leopard habitat suitability, with highly suitable habitat having an elevation range of 2,800 m to 4,600 m and ruggedness of 450 m to 1,800 m. Our habitat suitability map estimated approximately 12% of Ladakh's geographical area (c. 90,000 km2) as highly suitable and 18% as medium suitability. We found that 62.5% of recorded livestock depredation along with over half of all livestock corrals (54%) and homestays (58%) occurred within highly suitable Snow Leopard habitat. Our habitat suitability model can be used to assist in allocation of conservation resources by targeting construction of livestock corrals to areas of high habitat suitability and promoting ecotourism programs in villages in highly suitable Snow Leopard habitat.
-
land sharing is essential for Snow Leopard conservation
Biological Conservation, 2016Co-Authors: Thomas M. Mccarthy, Orjan Johansson, Gustaf Samelius, Henrik Andren, Lkhagvasumberel Tumursukh, Geir Rune Rauset, Charudutt MishraAbstract:Abstract Conserving large carnivores in an increasingly crowded planet raises difficult challenges. A recurring debate is whether large carnivores can be conserved in human used landscapes (land sharing) or whether they require specially designated areas (land sparing). Here we show that 40% of the 170 protected areas in the global range of the Snow Leopard ( Panthera uncia ) are smaller than the home range of a single adult male and only 4–13% are large enough for a 90% probability of containing 15 or more adult females. We used data from 16 Snow Leopards equipped with GPS collars in the Tost Mountains of South Gobi, Mongolia, to calculate home range size and overlap using three different estimators: minimum convex polygons (MCP), kernel utility distributions (Kernel), and local convex hulls (LoCoH). Local convex hull home ranges were smaller and included lower proportions of unused habitats compared to home ranges based on minimum convex polygons and Kernels. Intra-sexual home range overlap was low, especially for adult males, suggesting that Snow Leopards are territorial. Mean home range size based on the LoCoH estimates was 207 km 2 ± 63 SD for adult males and 124 km 2 ± 41 SD for adult females. Our estimates were 6–44 times larger than earlier estimates based on VHF technology when comparing similar estimators, i.e. MCP. Our study illustrates that protected areas alone will not be able to conserve predators with large home ranges and conservationists and managers should not restrict their efforts to land sparing.
-
What is a Snow Leopard? Biogeography and Status Overview
Snow Leopards, 2016Co-Authors: Thomas M. Mccarthy, David Mallon, Eric W. Sanderson, Peter Zahler, Kim FisherAbstract:Abstract Paleontological records provide little evidence regarding Snow Leopard evolution or historic range. A reasonably accurate range map was published in 1972, and maps using GIS modeling to predict potential Snow Leopard habitat followed in 1997. Today we know Snow Leopards occur in 12 countries coinciding with the prominent mountain ranges of central Asia, but what constitutes occupied range within that vast area has been poorly addressed. An expert knowledge mapping and assessment process was undertaken in 2008. Participants mapped potential range, current range and identified Snow Leopard conservation units (SLCUs) thought to be important for survival of the species. SLCU habitat quality, prey availability and connectivity were characterized, and Snow Leopard population size and trend were estimated. SLCUs covered ∼1.2 million km 2 or 44% of current range. The Snow Leopard population estimate within SLCUs was 4678–8745, which is more than most previous estimates for the entire range.
Jan E Janecka - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
range wide Snow Leopard phylogeography supports three subspecies
Journal of Heredity, 2017Co-Authors: Jan E Janecka, Bariushaa Munkhtsog, Dibesh Karmacharya, Yuguang Zhang, Kubanychbek Zhumabai Uulu, Munkhtsog Bayaraa, Naranbaatar Galsandorj, Tshewang R Wangchuk, Ajay Gaur, Satish KumarAbstract:The Snow Leopard, Panthera uncia, is an elusive high-altitude specialist that inhabits vast, inaccessible habitat across Asia. We conducted the first range-wide genetic assessment of Snow Leopards based on noninvasive scat surveys. Thirty-three microsatellites were genotyped and a total of 683 bp of mitochondrial DNA sequenced in 70 individuals. Snow Leopards exhibited low genetic diversity at microsatellites (AN = 5.8, HO = 0.433, HE = 0.568), virtually no mtDNA variation, and underwent a bottleneck in the Holocene (∼8000 years ago) coinciding with increased temperatures, precipitation, and upward treeline shift in the Tibetan Plateau. Multiple analyses supported 3 primary genetic clusters: (1) Northern (the Altai region), (2) Central (core Himalaya and Tibetan Plateau), and (3) Western (Tian Shan, Pamir, trans-Himalaya regions). Accordingly, we recognize 3 subspecies, Panthera uncia irbis (Northern group), Panthera uncia uncia (Western group), and Panthera uncia uncioides (Central group) based upon genetic distinctness, low levels of admixture, unambiguous population assignment, and geographic separation. The patterns of variation were consistent with desert-basin "barrier effects" of the Gobi isolating the northern subspecies (Mongolia), and the trans-Himalaya dividing the central (Qinghai, Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal) and western subspecies (India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan). Hierarchical Bayesian clustering analysis revealed additional subdivision into a minimum of 6 proposed management units: western Mongolia, southern Mongolia, Tian Shan, Pamir-Himalaya, Tibet-Himalaya, and Qinghai, with spatial autocorrelation suggesting potential connectivity by dispersing individuals up to ∼400 km. We provide a foundation for global conservation of Snow Leopard subspecies, and set the stage for in-depth landscape genetics and genomic studies.
-
genetically based low oxygen affinities of felid hemoglobins lack of biochemical adaptation to high altitude hypoxia in the Snow Leopard
The Journal of Experimental Biology, 2015Co-Authors: Jan E Janecka, Simone Nielsen, Sidsel D Andersen, Federico G Hoffmann, Trevor Anderson, Jay F Storz, Angela FagoAbstract:Genetically based modifications of hemoglobin (Hb) function that increase blood–O2 affinity are hallmarks of hypoxia adaptation in vertebrates. Among mammals, felid Hbs are unusual in that they have low intrinsic O2 affinities and reduced sensitivities to the allosteric cofactor 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG). This combination of features compromises the acclimatization capacity of blood–O2 affinity and has led to the hypothesis that felids have a restricted physiological niche breadth relative to other mammals. In seeming defiance of this conjecture, the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) has an extraordinarily broad elevational distribution and occurs at elevations above 6000 m in the Himalayas. Here, we characterized structural and functional variationof bigcatHbs andinvestigatedmolecularmechanisms ofHb adaptationandallostericregulationthat maycontributetotheextreme hypoxia tolerance of the Snow Leopard. Experiments revealed that purified Hbs from Snow Leopard and African lion exhibited equally low O2 affinities and DPG sensitivities. Both properties are primarily attributable to a single amino acid substitution, β2His→Phe, which occurred in the common ancestor of Felidae. Given the low O2 affinity and reduced regulatory capacity of feline Hbs, the extreme hypoxia tolerance of Snow Leopards must be attributable to compensatory modifications of other steps in the O2-transport pathway.
-
Food habits of the Snow Leopard Panthera uncia (Schreber, 1775) in Baltistan, Northern Pakistan
European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2011Co-Authors: Muhammad Bilal Anwar, Jan E Janecka, Rodney Jackson, Muhammad Sajid Nadeem, Shafqat Hussain, Ghulam Muhammad, Mazhar QayyumAbstract:The Snow Leopard ( Panthera uncia ) inhabits the high, remote mountains of Pakistan from where very little information is available on prey use of this species. Our study describes the food habits of the Snow Leopard in the Himalayas and Karakoram mountain ranges in Baltistan, Pakistan. Ninety-five putrid Snow Leopard scats were collected from four sites in Baltistan. Of these, 49 scats were genetically confirmed to have originated from Snow Leopards. The consumed prey was identified on the basis of morphological characteristics of hairs recovered from the scats. It was found that most of the biomass consumed (70%) was due to domestic livestock viz. sheep (23%), goat (16%), cattle (10%), yak (7%), and cattle–yak hybrids (14%). Only 30% of the biomass was due to wild species, namely Siberian ibex (21%), markhor (7%), and birds (2%). Heavy predation on domestic livestock appeared to be the likely cause of conflict with the local inhabitants. Conservation initiatives should focus on mitigating this conflict by minimizing livestock losses.
-
comparison of noninvasive genetic and camera trapping techniques for surveying Snow Leopards
Journal of Mammalogy, 2011Co-Authors: Jan E Janecka, Bariushaa Munkhtsog, Rodney M Jackson, Galsandorj Naranbaatar, David Mallon, William J MurphyAbstract:The endangered Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) is widely but sparsely distributed throughout the mountainous regions of central Asia. Detailed information on the status and abundance of the Snow Leopard is limited because of the logistical challenges faced when working in the rugged terrain it occupies, along with its secretive nature. Camera-trapping and noninvasive genetic techniques have been used successfully to survey this felid. We compared noninvasive genetic and camera-trapping Snow Leopard surveys in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. We collected 180 putative Snow Leopard scats from 3 sites during an 8-day period along 37.74 km of transects. We then conducted a 65-day photographic survey at 1 of these sites, approximately 2 months after scat collection. In the site where both techniques were used noninvasive genetics detected 5 individuals in only 2 days of fieldwork compared to 7 individuals observed in the 65-day camera-trapping session. Estimates of population size from noninvasive genetics ranged be...
-
population monitoring of Snow Leopards using noninvasive collection of scat samples a pilot study
Animal Conservation, 2008Co-Authors: Jan E Janecka, Bariushaa Munkhtsog, Rodney M Jackson, Z Yuquang, L Diqiang, V Buckleybeason, William J MurphyAbstract:The endangered Snow Leopard Panthera uncia occurs in rugged, high-altitude regions of Central Asia. However, information on the status of this felid is limited in many areas. We conducted a pilot study to optimize moecular markers for the analysis of Snow Leopard scat samples and to examine the feasibility of using noninvasive genetic methods for monitoring this felid. We designed Snow Leopardspecific primers for seven microsatellite loci that amplified shorter segments and avoided flanking sequences shared with repetitive elements. By redesigning primers we maximized genotyping success and minimized genotyping errors. In addition, we tested a Y chromosome-marker for sex identification and designed a panel of mitochondrial DNA primers for examining genetic diversity of Snow Leopards using scat samples. We collected scats believed to be from Snow Leopards in three separate geographic regions including north-western India, central China and southern Mongolia. We observed Snow Leopard scats in all three sites despite only brief 2-day surveys in each area. There was a high rate of species misidentification in the field with up to 54% of Snow Leopard scats misidentified as red fox. The high rate of field misidentification suggests sign surveys incorporating scat likely overestimate Snow Leopard abundance. The highest ratio of Snow Leopard scats was observed in Ladakh (India) and South Gobi (Mongolia), where four and five Snow Leopards were detected, respectively. Our findings describe a species-specific molecular panel for analysis of Snow Leopard scats, and highlight the efficacy of noninvasive genetic surveys for monitoring Snow Leopards. These methods enable large-scale noninvasive studies that will provide information critical for conservation of Snow Leopards.
Kun Shi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Assessment of habitat suitability of the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) in Qomolangma National Nature Reserve based on MaxEnt modeling
Science Press PR China, 2018Co-Authors: De-feng Bai, Pengju Chen, Luciano Atzeni, Lhaba Cering, Kun ShiAbstract:Habitat evaluation constitutes an important and fundamental step in the management of wildlife populations and conservation policy planning. Geographic information system (GIS) and species presence data provide the means by which such evaluation can be done. Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) is widely used in habitat suitability modeling due to its power of accuracy and additional descriptive properties. To survey Snow Leopard populations in Qomolangma (Mt. Everest, QNNR) National Nature Reserve, Tibet, China, we pooled 127 pugmarks, 415 scrape marks, and 127 non-invasive identifications of the animal along line transects and recorded 87 occurrences through camera traps from 2014–2017. We adopted the MaxEnt model to generate a map highlighting the extent of suitable Snow Leopard habitat in QNNR. Results showed that the accuracy of the MaxEnt model was excellent (mean AUC=0.921). Precipitation in the driest quarter, ruggedness, elevation, maximum temperature of the warmest month, and annual mean temperature were the main environmental factors influencing habitat suitability for Snow Leopards, with contribution rates of 20.0%, 14.4%, 13.3%, 8.7%, and 8.2% respectively. The suitable habitat area extended for 7001.93 km2, representing 22.72% of the whole reserve. The regions bordering Nepal were the main suitable Snow Leopard habitats and consisted of three separate habitat patches. Our findings revealed that precipitation, temperature conditions, ruggedness, and elevations of around 4000 m influenced Snow Leopard preferences at the landscape level in QNNR. We advocate further research and cooperation with Nepal to evaluate habitat connectivity and to explore possible proxies of population isolation among these patches. Furthermore, evaluation of subdivisions within the protection zones of QNNR is necessary to improve conservation strategies and enhance protection
-
status and conservation of the endangered Snow Leopard panthera uncia in qomolangma national nature reserve tibet
Oryx, 2017Co-Authors: Pengju Chen, Yufang Gao, Jun Wang, Cering Lhaba, Kun ShiAbstract:Little is known about the status of the Snow Leopard Panthera uncia in Qomolangma National Nature Reserve, located on the northern aspect of Mount Everest in Tibet. To address this, during May–September 2014 we conducted line transects, camera trapping, household interviews, and socioeconomic statistics analysis. We surveyed 14 transects and located 287 putative Snow Leopard signs, with a mean density of 1.9 sign sites km –1 , 3.8 signs km –1 , and 1.4 scrapes km –1 . We set 41 camera traps and recorded a minimum of seven individual Snow Leopards. Our results were comparable to Snow Leopard abundance estimates for neighbouring protected areas in Nepal. Semi-structured interviews with 46 (59%) households found that local people were generally supportive of Snow Leopard conservation, for a variety of economic, legislative, and religious reasons. The socio-economic situation in the Reserve underwent dramatic changes between 2000 and 2014. The human population increased by 28.9%, the livestock population decreased by 9.9%, the number of tourists in 2014 was 6.8 times greater than in 2005, and the local gross domestic product underwent an annual increase of 15%. We discuss the current threats to Snow Leopards, and recommend that more rigorous, comprehensive, and interdisciplinary research be undertaken to provide an evidential basis for the formulation of effective conservation policies and programmes.
-
predicting global population connectivity and targeting conservation action for Snow Leopard across its range
Ecography, 2016Co-Authors: David Mallon, Philip Riordan, Kun Shi, Samuel A. Cushman, Joelene HughesAbstract:Movements of individuals within and among populations help to maintain genetic variability and population viability. Therefore, understanding landscape connectivity is vital for effective species conservation. The Snow Leopard is endemic to mountainous areas of central Asia and occurs within 12 countries. We assess potential connectivity across the species’ range to highlight corridors for dispersal and genetic flow between populations, prioritizing research and conservation action for this wide-ranging, endangered top-predator.
-
on the high trail examining determinants of site use by the endangered Snow Leopard panthera uncia in qilianshan china
Oryx, 2016Co-Authors: Justine S Alexander, Kun Shi, Lucy A Tallents, Philip RiordanAbstract:There is a need for simple and robust techniques for assessment and monitoring of populations of the Endangered Snow Leopard Panthera uncia to inform the development of action plans for Snow Leopard conservation. We explored the use of occupancy modelling to evaluate the influence of environmental and anthropogenic features on Snow Leopard site-use patterns. We conducted a camera trap survey across 480 km 2 in Gansu Province, China, and used data from 60 camera traps to estimate probabilities of site use and detection using the single season occupancy model. We assessed the influence of three covariates on site use by Snow Leopards: elevation, the presence of blue sheep Pseudois nayaur and the presence of human disturbance (distance to roads). We recorded 76 captures of Snow Leopards over 2,906 trap-days, representing a mean capture success of 2.62 captures per 100 trap-days. Elevation had the strongest influence on site use, with the probability of site use increasing with altitude, whereas the influence of presence of prey and distance to roads was relatively weak. Our findings indicate the need for practical and robust techniques to appraise determinants of site use by Snow Leopards, especially in the context of the limited resources available for such work.
-
resistance landscape for Snow Leopard
2016Co-Authors: Philip Riordan, David Mallon, Kun Shi, Samuel A. Cushman, Joelene HughesAbstract:Floating point raster resistance landscape model for Snow Leopard range in Central Asi
