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

Li An, Eve Bohnett, Curtis Battle, Jie Dai, Rebecca Lewison, Piotr Jankowski, Neil Carter, Dirgha Ghimire, Maheshwar Dhakal, Jhamak Karki and Alex Zvoleff
Additional contact information
Li An: Department of Geography, 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
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
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

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-15

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.

Keywords: sex-specific modeling; species distribution model; tiger conservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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