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Sex-Specific Habitat Suitability Modeling for Panthera tigris in Chitwan National Park, Nepal: Broader Conservation Implications

Author

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  • Li An

    (Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
    Center for Complex Human-Environment Systems, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Eve Bohnett

    (Center for Complex Human-Environment Systems, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
    Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Curtis Battle

    (Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Jie Dai

    (Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
    Center for Complex Human-Environment Systems, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
    Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA)

  • Rebecca Lewison

    (Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Piotr Jankowski

    (Department of Geography, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA)

  • Neil Carter

    (School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA)

  • Dirgha Ghimire

    (Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, USA)

  • Maheshwar Dhakal

    (Biodiversity and Environment Division, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Jhamak Karki

    (Kathmandu Forestry College, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Alex Zvoleff

    (Conservational International, Arlington, VA 22202, USA)

Abstract

Although research on wildlife species across taxa has shown that males and females may differentially select habitat, sex-specific habitat suitability models for endangered species are uncommon. We developed sex-specific models for Bengal tigers ( Panthera tigris ) based on camera trapping data collected from 20 January to 22 March 2010 within Chitwan National Park, Nepal, and its buffer zone. We compared these to a sex-indiscriminate habitat suitability model to assess the benefits of a sex-specific approach to habitat suitability modeling. Our sex-specific models produced more informative and detailed habitat suitability maps and highlighted vital differences in the spatial distribution of suitable habitats for males and females, specific associations with different vegetation types, and habitat use near human settlements. Improving and refining habitat models for this and other critically endangered species provides the necessary information to meet established conservation goals and population recovery targets.

Suggested Citation

  • Li An & Eve Bohnett & Curtis Battle & Jie Dai & Rebecca Lewison & Piotr Jankowski & Neil Carter & Dirgha Ghimire & Maheshwar Dhakal & Jhamak Karki & Alex Zvoleff, 2021. "Sex-Specific Habitat Suitability Modeling for Panthera tigris in Chitwan National Park, Nepal: Broader Conservation Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:24:p:13885-:d:703486
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Carter, Neil & Levin, Simon & Barlow, Adam & Grimm, Volker, 2015. "Modeling tiger population and territory dynamics using an agent-based approach," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 312(C), pages 347-362.
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    1. Eve Bohnett & Sanju Lamichhane & Yanjing Tracy Liu & Scott Yabiku & Digambar Singh Dahal & Siraj Mammo & Kossi Fandjinou & Bilal Ahmad & Li An, 2023. "The Implications of Community Forest Income on Social and Environmental Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-23, April.

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