Potential Distribution of the Critically Endangered Chinese Pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla ) in Different Land Covers of Nepal: Implications for Conservation

Hari Prasad Sharma, Bhagawat Rimal, Mingxia Zhang, Sandhya Sharma, Laxman Prasad Poudyal, Sujan Maharjan, Ripu Kunwar, Prativa Kaspal, Namrata Bhandari, Laxmi Baral, Sujita Dhakal, Ashish Tripathi, Nimisha Karki, Bibasa Khadki, Prakash Thapa, Bipin Kumar Acharya, Suman Acharya, Kedar Baral and Hem Bahadur Katuwal
Additional contact information
Hari Prasad Sharma: Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Bhagawat Rimal: College of Applied Sciences (CAS)-Nepal, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44613, Nepal
Mingxia Zhang: Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yezin, Nay Pyi Taw 05282, Myanmar
Sandhya Sharma: Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Laxman Prasad Poudyal: Suklaphata National Park, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kanchanpur 10400, Nepal
Sujan Maharjan: Planning, Monitoring and Coordination Division, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Kathmandu 44613, Nepal
Ripu Kunwar: Cultural and Spatial Ecology, Department of Geosciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
Prativa Kaspal: Natural Heritage Nepal & Women for Conservation, Bhaktapur 66400, Nepal
Namrata Bhandari: Valdosta State University, Valdosta, Georgia, GA 31601, USA
Laxmi Baral: Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, Hetauda 44107, Nepal
Sujita Dhakal: Kathmandu Forestry College, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44613, Nepal
Ashish Tripathi: Kathmandu Forestry College, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44613, Nepal
Nimisha Karki: Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Kathmandu University, Kavrepalanchok 45200, Nepal
Bibasa Khadki: School of Environmental Science and Management, Pokhara University, Kathmandu 44613, Nepal
Prakash Thapa: Division Forest Office, Baglung 33300, Nepal
Bipin Kumar Acharya: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat Sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
Suman Acharya: Anthropology and Environmental Policy, Department of Anthropology, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
Kedar Baral: Division Forest Office, Tanahun 33900, Nepal
Hem Bahadur Katuwal: Center for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yunnan 666303, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Anthropogenic activities have driven many wildlife species towards extinction. Among these species, the geographic distributions of many are poorly documented, which can limit the effectiveness of conservation. The critically endangered Chinese pangolin ( Manis pentadactyla) is experiencing population decline throughout its range due to land-use changes and illegal trade for food and traditional medicine. Using distribution records and maximum entropy modeling, we predicted the potential distribution of the Chinese pangolin across Nepal. Most suitable potential habitats of the Chinese pangolin occurred in forest areas of the mid-hill region in central and eastern Nepal, followed by cultivated land. Almost all potential suitable habitats of the Chinese pangolin occurred outside of protected areas, and most of them were encroached upon by cultivated land, human settlements, and infrastructure developments. The results from this study provide baseline information on the potential suitable habitats of the Chinese pangolin in Nepal, which helps to develop site- and species-specific management plans and to identify priority areas to minimize the current threats to the pangolin and enhance the stewardship of species conservation.

Keywords: Chinese pangolin; conservation; physiographic regions; land use; modeling; suitable habitat (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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