Factors Affecting Habitat Occupancy of Tiger in the Terai ARC Landscape, India

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Micro-topography associated to forest edges

Forest edges are often defined as the discontinuity between the forest habitat and an adjacent open habitat, thus they are based on a clear difference in the structure of the dominant vegetation. However, beside this very general definition, in the field we can observe a large diversity of edges, with often different kinds of micro-topography features: bank, ditch, stone wall, path, etc. As these elements are rather common in many temperate forest edges, it seems important to start to characterize them more clearly and with consistency. From a set of observations in south-western France, we build a first typology of the micro-topographic elements associated to forest edges. For each of them we describe the process, natural or human induced, at their origin, and according to the literature available, we identify some of their key ecological roles. Banks, generated by the differential erosion between forest and crops along slopes, are especially analyzed since they are the most common micro-topographic element in our region. It offers many micro-habitat conditions in the soil used by a wide range of species, notably by several bee species. More research is required to study in details the importance of such micro-topographic elements

THE ECOLOGY OF MONTANE BENGAL TIGERS (Panthera tigris tigris) IN THE HIMALAYAN KINGDOM OF BHUTAN

Large carnivores are endangered across the globe. Loss of habitat and habitat fragmentation, prey depletion, and direct poaching for the illegal wildlife trade are the major causes driving them towards extinction. Although tigers (Panthera tigris) once roamed across Asia, they are now restricted to 7 % of their historical range and experiencing rapid population declines. This warrants a concerted, multipronged strategy that will halt further declines of tigers in the wild. One approach put forth by some scientists is to focus conservation on 6% of the presently occupied tiger habitat identified as tiger sources sites. Other scientists argued for a broader strategy to enhance tiger populations outside of tiger sources sites. Bhutan, for example, was not included in this 6% solution. Here we evaluate whether Bhutan is a potential tiger source site using spatially-explicit mark recapture models to estimate tiger density and spatial distribution in Bhutan. We used large scale remote-camera trapping across n=1,129 sites in 2014 – 2015 to survey all potential tiger range in Bhutan. We estimated 90 (95% CI 80 – 103) individual tigers with 45 females (95% CI 49 – 80) and with a mean density of 0.23 (0.21 – 0.27) adult tigers per 100 km2. Thus, Bhutan has significantly higher numbers of tigers than almost all identified source sites (mean=54) in the 6% solution. We used N-mixture models to estimate spatial distribution and relative abundance of primary prey species of tigers in Bhutan, and the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on tigers and their prey. Gaur (Bos gaurus) and sambar (Rusa unicolor) are concentrated in the southern part of Bhutan and were strong determinants of tiger occupancy. Wild pigs (Sus scrofa) and muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak) are wildly distributed across Bhutan, but did not affect tiger occupancy. In contrast to many other tiger ranges, anthropogenic disturbance did not show consistent negative impacts on tigers and their prey. We show how important the landscape of Bhutan and adjacent northeast India is to regional tiger conservation. With low human density and large swaths of forest cover, this landscape is a promising stronghold for tigers in future

Wildlife Protection and Habitat Management

The management of wildlife populations and their habitats are interdisciplinary fields that encompass many scientific disciplines that also impact the lives of people. Therefore, these are truly applied sciences where human dimensions play an important role.This book highlights the importance of conducting rigorous studies to design and implement the effective management and restoration of wild populations and their habitats. A new paradigm in conservation is developing that goes beyond the boundaries of protected areas to achieve the goal of sustainable development. The 16 papers in this book, including reviews and a project report, cover a broad range of topics, exploring a diversity of subjects that are representative of current practices and novel applications.We would like to thank both the MDPI publishers and editorial staff for their support and help during the process of editing this book, in addition to the authors for their contributions

Communities count: exploring the role of participatory monitoring in conservation and development initiatives

Working at the nexus of conservation and development is challenging. Participatory environmental monitoring (PEM) is, on paper, a win-win for conservation and development, but there has been limited evaluation of its effectiveness in improving the lives of local people while also supporting improved management of species of conservation concern. In this thesis, I use a multidisciplinary approach to gain a better understanding of the role and implications of PEM for conservation and development, using a project in Madagascar as a case study. I conducted a systematic literature review and online survey to describe approaches to PEM. I found that PEM schemes are variable, widespread and growing in number, but local participation is still limited and opportunities exist to improve use of modern technologies. Using occupancy modelling, I found that the case study lacks power to detect trends at the landscape level, but could provide useful presence-absence information on species and threats at the village level. However, the biggest issue highlighted by this research relates to inadequate data management that prevents most data being available for analyses and ‘learning-by-doing’ feedback loops. Using semi-structured interviews, I gathered local peoples’ perspectives of the project operating in their village and found that the project was widely known within the villages, but that not everyone benefits. Based on these findings and with my own first-hand experience of the case study project, I designed a tool for practitioners to use during the design and implementation of a PEM scheme. This thesis highlights the need to carefully consider all aspects of a PEM project, from the ecological knowledge gleaned from the data to the social impact across all sectors of the community. In doing so, this research demonstrates that PEM is challenging, complex and by no means a silver bullet for meeting dual conservation and development goals.Open Acces

Comparative biogeography and ecology of freshwater fishes in the Breede and associated river systems, South Africa

Distribution patterns and levels of genetic diversity in extant taxa are a product of complex palaeogeographic processes and climatic oscillations as well as the species’ intrinsic ecological adaptations. The Cape Floristic Region of South Africa presents a unique system for studying the processes that promote species diversification and distribution patterns. This region has a high degree of endemism of both terrestrial and aquatic biota and is clearly isolated from neighbouring areas by the Cape Fold Mountains and the Great Escarpment. The objective of this study was to firstly examine the ecology of freshwater fishes belonging to the genera Galaxias, Pseudobarbus and Sandelia in the south-western CFR. This was followed by an assessment of the genetic diversity of these taxa. Unique lineages were identified and their distribution was mapped. The work aimed to explore the role of the region’s complex palaeogeographic and climatic history as well as the role of the species’ ecological adaptations in driving lineage diversification and shaping contemporary distribution patterns. The four main components of the study can be summarised as follows: 1. Habitat associations of three widely distributed lineages of Galaxias zebratus Pseudobarbus burchelli and Sandelia capensis were evaluated at multiple localities in minimally disturbed mountain tributaries of the Breede, Duiwenhoks and Goukou River systems. The lineages have distinct habitat associations which were related to differences in their morphological traits. The slender-bodied Galaxias ‘nebula’ and the fusiform-shaped Pseudobarbus ‘Breede’ are capable of exploiting upper reaches with faster water velocity. By contrast, the laterally compressed Sandelia ‘eastern’ is restricted to lower reaches, making this lineage more susceptible to a wide array of impacts. 2. A recently discovered lineage of Galaxias zebratus, (Galaxias ‘nebula’), was found to be capable of tolerating emersion for a prolonged period of time. This is the first time that such capabilities have been documented in an African galaxiid. These adaptations have implications for the interpretation of Galaxias ‘nebula’s wide distribution range. 3. The phylogeography of Galaxias ‘nebula’ across its entire distribution range was investigated using two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (cyt b)). This lineage has a complex evolutionary history that was influenced by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Rare events such as episodic drainage connections during Pleistocene and Holocene pluvial periods, possibly augmented by river confluences during periods of lower sea-levels and river capture events seem to be the most credible explanation for the extensive contemporary distribution and the relatively shallow genetic divergence between different river systems. 4. Mitochondrial cyt b sequences were used (i) to assess genetic diversity in G. zebratus, P. burchelli and S. capensis from the south-western CFR and (ii) to determine the roles of intrinsic ecological adaptations and extrinsic landscape and climatic changes in promoting genetic diversification and shaping present day distribution patterns of lineages in the three taxa. Marine incursions during periods of major sea-level transgressions are proposed to have isolated populations in upland refugia, thereby driving allopatric divergence in these species. Subsequent connections of rivers during wetter periods and lower sea-levels are proposed to have facilitated post-speciation dispersal of lineages to attain present day distribution patterns. While detailed morphological studies and further genetic analysis are needed to substantiate the taxonomic status of the newly discovered lineages of Galaxias zebratus, Pseudobarbus burchelli and Sandelia capensis, results of the present study indicate that the south-western CFR represents a previously unrecognised centre of freshwater fish diversity and microendemism in the broader Cape Floristic Region. Accurate identification of lineages and comprehensive mapping of their distribution is a fundamental pre-requisite for ecological studies, assessing conservation status and implementation of appropriate conservation measures

Dipterocarps protected by Jering local wisdom in Jering Menduyung Nature Recreational Park, Bangka Island, Indonesia

Apart of the oil palm plantation expansion, the Jering Menduyung Nature Recreational Park has relatively diverse plants. The 3,538 ha park is located at the north west of Bangka Island, Indonesia. The minimum species-area curve was 0.82 ha which is just below Dalil conservation forest that is 1.2 ha, but it is much higher than measurements of several secondary forests in the Island that are 0.2 ha. The plot is inhabited by more than 50 plant species. Of 22 tree species, there are 40 individual poles with the average diameter of 15.3 cm, and 64 individual trees with the average diameter of 48.9 cm. The density of Dipterocarpus grandiflorus (Blanco) Blanco or kruing, is 20.7 individual/ha with the diameter ranges of 12.1 – 212.7 cm or with the average diameter of 69.0 cm. The relatively intact park is supported by the local wisdom of Jering tribe, one of indigenous tribes in the island. People has regulated in cutting trees especially in the cape. The conservation agency designates the park as one of the kruing propagules sources in the province. The growing oil palm plantation and the less adoption of local wisdom among the youth is a challenge to forest conservation in the province where tin mining activities have been the economic driver for decades. More socialization from the conservation agency and the involvement of university students in raising environmental awareness is important to be done

The Influence of Forest Structure on Sumatran Orangutan Nesting and Densities in the Lowland Dipterocarp Forests of North Sumatra

Prior studies on Bornean orangutans have suggested that orangutans were primarily selecting nest sites that provided more stable and sheltered platforms thereby offering greater comfort rather than selecting for nests which reduced the risk of predation by limiting access to ground predators (Ancrenaz et al. 2004a; Cheyne et al. 2013). The aims of this study were to answer three questions: why are nests built in a particular tree, why was the nest in that position and height within the tree and why build the nest in that part of the forest and not another? Nest and forest structure data were recorded from transects conducted at two sites in North Sumatra; Sikundur (a naturally recovered site) and Sei Betung (reforested site). Selection patterns for tree and forest structure variables showed no significant difference across sites when modelling nest trees against forest trees. Nest trees had properties that both increased both comfort through nest stability and shelter from adverse weather as well as attributes which reduced the threat from predators. However, a preference for trees with narrow trunks was also found, which would limit access to ground predators but also reduce stability, suggesting that predator avoidance may take precedent over comfort. A greater proportion of Position 2 and 3 nests were found in Sei Betung where tree height and connectivity are lower, further suggesting that predator avoidance has a greater influence than comfort or stability on Sumatran orangutan nest placement. The lower connectivity in Sei Betung was associated with increased rarity of tree-tied nests (Position 4) compared to Sikundur which went against our expected results based on those of Prasetyo et al. (2009). Over 60% of nest trees in Sei Betung held multiple nests, suggesting that there is significant pressure upon preferred nest sites in Sei Betung. Nest densities were most closely associated with variables linked with forest recovery such as higher canopy density, fewer gaps, increased rugosity and higher stem density. Nest densities were also associated with reduced distance to the edge of the forest, further research is needed to determine whether this is due to orangutans utilising neighbouring plantations. Our results show the need for protecting habitat not only for preferred food species but also nest trees