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Understanding the spatial distribution and hot spots of collared Bornean elephants in a multi-use landscape. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12830. [PMID: 35896774 PMCID: PMC9329282 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16630-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In the Kinabatangan floodplain, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, oil palm and settlements have reduced and fragmented lowland tropical forests, home to around 200 endangered Bornean elephants (Elephas maximus borneensis). In this region, elephants range within forests, oil palm and community areas. The degree to which elephants are using these areas remains unclear. We used GPS telemetry data from 2010 to 2020 for 14 collared elephants to map their entire known ranges and highly used areas (hot spots) across four land use categories and estimate time spent within these. The use of land use types across elephants varied significantly. Typically, females had strong fidelity to forests, yet many of these forests are threatened with conversion. For the three males, and several females, they heavily used oil palm estates, and this may be due to decreased landscape permeability or foraging opportunities. At the pooled level, the entire range and hot spot extents, constituted 37% and 34% for protected areas, respectively, 8% and 11% for unprotected forests, 53% and 51% for oil palm estates, and 2% for community areas. Protecting all forested habitats and effectively managing areas outside of protected areas is necessary for the long-term survival of this population.
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2
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Whittington J, Hebblewhite M, Baron RW, Ford AT, Paczkowski J. Towns and trails drive carnivore movement behaviour, resource selection, and connectivity. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2022; 10:17. [PMID: 35395833 PMCID: PMC8994267 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-022-00318-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global increases in human activity threaten connectivity of animal habitat and populations. Protection and restoration of wildlife habitat and movement corridors require robust models to forecast the effects of human activity on movement behaviour, resource selection, and connectivity. Recent research suggests that animal resource selection and responses to human activity depend on their behavioural movement state, with increased tolerance for human activity in fast states of movement. Yet, few studies have incorporated state-dependent movement behaviour into analyses of Merriam connectivity, that is individual-based metrics of connectivity that incorporate landscape structure and movement behaviour. METHODS We assessed the cumulative effects of anthropogenic development on multiple movement processes including movement behaviour, resource selection, and Merriam connectivity. We simulated movement paths using hidden Markov movement models and step selection functions to estimate habitat use and connectivity for three landscape scenarios: reference conditions with no anthropogenic development, current conditions, and future conditions with a simulated expansion of towns and recreational trails. Our analysis used 20 years of grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) and gray wolf (Canis lupus) movement data collected in and around Banff National Park, Canada. RESULTS Carnivores increased their speed of travel near towns and areas of high trail and road density, presumably to avoid encounters with people. They exhibited stronger avoidance of anthropogenic development when foraging and resting compared to travelling and during the day compared to night. Wolves exhibited stronger avoidance of anthropogenic development than grizzly bears. Current development reduced the amount of high-quality habitat between two mountain towns by more than 35%. Habitat degradation constrained movement routes around towns and was most pronounced for foraging and resting behaviour. Current anthropogenic development reduced connectivity from reference conditions an average of 85%. Habitat quality and connectivity further declined under a future development scenario. CONCLUSIONS Our results highlight the cumulative effects of anthropogenic development on carnivore movement behaviour, habitat use, and connectivity. Our strong behaviour-specific responses to human activity suggest that conservation initiatives should consider how proposed developments and restoration actions would affect where animals travel and how they use the landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Whittington
- Park Canada, Banff National Park Resource Conservation, PO Box 900, Banff, AB T1L 1K2 Canada
| | - Mark Hebblewhite
- Wildlife Biology Program, Department of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive, Missoula, MT 59801 USA
| | - Robin W. Baron
- Park Canada, Banff National Park Resource Conservation, PO Box 900, Banff, AB T1L 1K2 Canada
| | - Adam T. Ford
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC V1V 1V7 Canada
| | - John Paczkowski
- Alberta Environment and Parks, Kananaskis Region, 201, 800 Railway Avenue, Canmore, AB T1W 1P1 Canada
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3
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Cui Z, Zhao W, Zhang Y, Zhao N, Shan G, Yu X, Ye X. Testing the efficacy of camera-trap sampling designs for monitoring giant pandas in a heterogeneous landscape. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:14098-14110. [PMID: 34601689 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16765-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The use of camera traps is prevalent in the ecological study of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). The reliability of camera-trap surveying results greatly depends on sampling designs that significantly influence the detection probability of the target species. Few studies have tested the efficacy of sampling designs on camera-trap surveys for monitoring giant pandas in a heterogeneous landscape. In this study, we conducted camera trapping of giant pandas based on two different sampling schemes in Changqing National Nature Reserve of China, and evaluated their outcomes based on three aspects: occupancy analysis, photographic rate, and activity pattern. The results demonstrated that both climate heterogeneity and distance to the nearest road had a strong positive influence on site occupancy, and slope and forest cover had a significant negative impact on site occupancy. Significant differences in the direction or magnitude of variables' influences indicated that there were apparently spatial-temporal dynamics of giant panda distribution between two sampling schemes. The low detection probabilities indicated that both sampling schemes were not robust to accurately monitor giant pandas in the whole study area. We recommended that more suitable sampling designs with local covariates be developed for camera-trap surveys monitoring giant pandas to account for temporal variability and small-scale variation in heterogeneous landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxia Cui
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
- Research Center for UAV Remote Sensing, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenai Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
- Research Center for UAV Remote Sensing, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
| | - Yashuai Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
- Research Center for UAV Remote Sensing, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
| | - Naxun Zhao
- Administration of Shaanxi Changqing National Nature Reserve, Hanzhong, 723000, People's Republic of China
| | - Guoyu Shan
- Administration of Shaanxi Changqing National Nature Reserve, Hanzhong, 723000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping Yu
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
- Research Center for UAV Remote Sensing, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinping Ye
- College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China.
- Research Center for UAV Remote Sensing, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710119, People's Republic of China.
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4
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Zan Zeng, Wang H, Gao S, van Gils H, Zhou Y, Huang L, Wang X. Identification of Release Habitat of Captive-bred Mammals Demonstrated for Giant Panda in Sichuan Province, China. BIOL BULL+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359021130082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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5
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Liu X, Liu L, Liu L, Jin X, Songer M. Modeling Potential Dispersal Routes for Giant Pandas in Their Key Distribution Area of the Qinling Mountains, China. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.636937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The national surveys on giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population and habitat quality have shown a high-density population of this species in the Qinling Mountains, China. We investigated five adjacent nature reserves (NR), i.e., the key distribution area of giant pandas in the Qinling Mountains, to model and identify the potential dispersal routes for giant pandas. We hypothesized that giant pandas will spread to neighboring areas when the population of the species keeps increasing. Habitat suitability was firstly evaluated based on environmental and disturbance factors. We then identified source and sink patches for giant pandas’ dispersal. Further, Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model was applied to calculate cost of movement. Finally, the Current Theory was adopted to model linkages between source and sink patches to explore potential dispersal routes of giant pandas. Our results showed that (1) the three large source patches and eight potential sink patches were identified; (2) the 14 potential corridors were predicted for giant pandas dispersing from source patches to the neighboring areas; (3) through the predicted corridors, the giant pandas in the source patches could disperse to the west, the south and the east sink patches. Our research revealed possible directional patterns for giant pandas’ dispersal in their key distribution area of the Qinling Mountains, and can provide the strong recommendations in policy and conservation strategies for improving giant panda habitat management in those identified sink patches and also potential dispersal corridors.
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Hameed S, Din JU, Ali H, Kabir M, Younas M, ur Rehman E, Bari F, Hao W, Bischof R, Nawaz MA. Identifying priority landscapes for conservation of snow leopards in Pakistan. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228832. [PMID: 33151925 PMCID: PMC7644022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pakistan's total estimated snow leopard habitat is about 80,000 km2 of which about half is considered prime habitat. However, this preliminary demarcation was not always in close agreement with the actual distribution-the discrepancy may be huge at the local and regional level. Recent technological developments like camera trapping and molecular genetics allow for collecting reliable presence records that could be used to construct realistic species distribution based on empirical data and advanced mathematical approaches like MaxEnt. The current study followed this approach to construct an accurate distribution of the species in Pakistan. Moreover, movement corridors, among different landscapes, were also identified through circuit theory. The probability of habitat suitability, generated from 98 presence points and 11 environmental variables, scored the snow leopard's assumed range in Pakistan, from 0 to 0.97. A large portion of the known range represented low-quality habitat, including areas in lower Chitral, Swat, Astore, and Kashmir. Conversely, Khunjerab, Misgar, Chapursan, Qurumber, Broghil, and Central Karakoram represented high-quality habitats. Variables with higher contributions in the MaxEnt model were precipitation during the driest month (34%), annual mean temperature (19.5%), mean diurnal range of temperature (9.8%), annual precipitation (9.4%), and river density (9.2). The model was validated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) plots and defined thresholds. The average test AUC in Maxent for the replicate runs was 0.933 while the value of AUC by ROC curve calculated at 0.15 threshold was 1.00. These validation tests suggested a good model fit and strong predictive power. The connectivity analysis revealed that the population in the Hindukush landscape appears to be more connected with the population in Afghanistan as compared to other populations in Pakistan. Similarly, the Pamir-Karakoram population is better connected with China and Tajikistan, while the Himalayan population was connected with the population in India. Based on our findings we propose three model landscapes to be considered under the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP) agenda as regional priority areas, to safeguard the future of the snow leopard in Pakistan and the region. These landscapes fall within mountain ranges of the Himalaya, Hindu Kush and Karakoram-Pamir, respectively. We also identified gaps in the existing protected areas network and suggest new protected areas in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan to protect critical habitats of snow leopard in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoaib Hameed
- Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jaffar ud Din
- Snow Leopard Trust, Pakistan Program, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Hussain Ali
- Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Kabir
- Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan
| | | | - Ejaz ur Rehman
- Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Fathul Bari
- Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Wang Hao
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Richard Bischof
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Muhammad Ali Nawaz
- Department of Zoology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Snow Leopard Trust, Pakistan Program, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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8
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Li J, Li D, Xue Y, Wu B, He X, Liu F. Identifying potential refugia and corridors under climate change: A case study of endangered Sichuan golden monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Qinling Mountains, China. Am J Primatol 2019; 80:e22929. [PMID: 30380174 PMCID: PMC6644296 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Climate change threatens endangered species and challenges current conservation strategies. Effective conservation requires vulnerability assessments for species susceptible to climate change and adaptive strategies to mitigate threats associated with climate. In this paper, we used the Maxent to model the impacts of climate change on habitat suitability of Sichuan golden monkey Rhinopithecus roxellana. Our results showed that (i) suitable habitat for Sichuan golden monkey was predicted to decrease by 37% in 2050s under climate change; (ii) the mean elevations of suitable habitat in the 2050s was estimated to shift 160 m higher; (iii) nature reserves protect 62% of current suitable habitat and 56% of future suitable habitat; and (iv) 49% of current suitable habitat was predicted to be vulnerable to future climate change. Given these results, we proposed conservation implications to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Sichuan golden monkey, including adjusting range of national park, establishing habitat corridors, and conducting long‐term monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry/Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of State Forestry Administration, Haidian, Beijing, China.,Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Diqiang Li
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry/Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of State Forestry Administration, Haidian, Beijing, China
| | - Yadong Xue
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry/Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of State Forestry Administration, Haidian, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Wu
- Institute of Desertification Studies, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojia He
- The Administrative Center for China's Agenda 21, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Liu
- Research Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry/Key Laboratory of Forest Ecology and Environment of State Forestry Administration, Haidian, Beijing, China
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9
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Huang C, Li X, Khanal L, Jiang X. Habitat suitability and connectivity inform a co-management policy of protected area network for Asian elephants in China. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6791. [PMID: 31041155 PMCID: PMC6476284 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Enlarging protected area networks (PANs) is critical to ensure the long-term population viability of Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), which are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation. Strict policies of PAN enlargement that focus on wildlife conservation have failed largely due to difficulties in encouraging stakeholder participation and meeting the elephant habitat requirement. A co-management policy that promotes sustainable resource use, wildlife conservation, and stakeholder participation may have greater feasibility than the strict policies in a developing world. Here, we identified the suitable habitat of elephants using maximum entropy models and examined whether habitat suitability is indirectly associated with local economic development in human-dominated landscapes. We found that (1) the suitable habitat was mainly in areas of forest matrix (50% natural forest cover) with multiple land-use practices rather than relatively intact forest and near communities (mean distance two km) and (2) habitat suitability was negatively associated with local economic development (rP = −0.37, P = 0.04). From the standpoint of elephant habitat and its socio-economic background, our results indicate that co-management will be more effective than the currently strict approaches of enlarging PAN. Additionally, our results provide on-ground information for elephant corridor design in southern China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Huang
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.,Kunming College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Xueyou Li
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
| | - Laxman Khanal
- Central Department of Zoology, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Xuelong Jiang
- Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
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10
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Dickson BG, Albano CM, Anantharaman R, Beier P, Fargione J, Graves TA, Gray ME, Hall KR, Lawler JJ, Leonard PB, Littlefield CE, McClure ML, Novembre J, Schloss CA, Schumaker NH, Shah VB, Theobald DM. Circuit-theory applications to connectivity science and conservation. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2019; 33:239-249. [PMID: 30311266 PMCID: PMC6727660 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Revised: 09/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/30/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Conservation practitioners have long recognized ecological connectivity as a global priority for preserving biodiversity and ecosystem function. In the early years of conservation science, ecologists extended principles of island biogeography to assess connectivity based on source patch proximity and other metrics derived from binary maps of habitat. From 2006 to 2008, the late Brad McRae introduced circuit theory as an alternative approach to model gene flow and the dispersal or movement routes of organisms. He posited concepts and metrics from electrical circuit theory as a robust way to quantify movement across multiple possible paths in a landscape, not just a single least-cost path or corridor. Circuit theory offers many theoretical, conceptual, and practical linkages to conservation science. We reviewed 459 recent studies citing circuit theory or the open-source software Circuitscape. We focused on applications of circuit theory to the science and practice of connectivity conservation, including topics in landscape and population genetics, movement and dispersal paths of organisms, anthropogenic barriers to connectivity, fire behavior, water flow, and ecosystem services. Circuit theory is likely to have an effect on conservation science and practitioners through improved insights into landscape dynamics, animal movement, and habitat-use studies and through the development of new software tools for data analysis and visualization. The influence of circuit theory on conservation comes from the theoretical basis and elegance of the approach and the powerful collaborations and active user community that have emerged. Circuit theory provides a springboard for ecological understanding and will remain an important conservation tool for researchers and practitioners around the globe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett G. Dickson
- Conservation Science Partners Inc., 11050 Pioneer Trail, Suite 202, Truckee, CA, 96161, U.S.A
- Landscape Conservation Initiative, Northern Arizona University, Box 5694, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, U.S.A
| | - Christine M. Albano
- Conservation Science Partners Inc., 11050 Pioneer Trail, Suite 202, Truckee, CA, 96161, U.S.A
| | | | - Paul Beier
- School of Forestry, Northern Arizona University, Box 15018, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, U.S.A
| | - Joe Fargione
- The Nature Conservancy – North America Region, 1101 West River Parkway, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, U.S.A
| | - Tabitha A. Graves
- U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, 38 Mather Drive, West Glacier, MT, 59936, U.S.A
| | - Miranda E. Gray
- Conservation Science Partners Inc., 11050 Pioneer Trail, Suite 202, Truckee, CA, 96161, U.S.A
| | - Kimberly R. Hall
- The Nature Conservancy – North America Region, 1101 West River Parkway, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN, 55415, U.S.A
| | - Josh J. Lawler
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Box 352100, Seattle, WA, 98195, U.S.A
| | - Paul B. Leonard
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Science Applications, 101 12th Avenue, Number 110, Fairbanks, AK, 99701, U.S.A
| | - Caitlin E. Littlefield
- School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, University of Washington, Box 352100, Seattle, WA, 98195, U.S.A
| | - Meredith L. McClure
- Conservation Science Partners Inc., 11050 Pioneer Trail, Suite 202, Truckee, CA, 96161, U.S.A
| | - John Novembre
- Department of Human Genetics, Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 920 East 58th Street, Chicago, IL, 60637, U.S.A
| | - Carrie A. Schloss
- The Nature Conservancy, 201 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA, 94105, U.S.A
| | - Nathan H. Schumaker
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 200 Southwest 35th Street, Corvallis, OR, 97330, U.S.A
| | - Viral B. Shah
- Julia Computing, 45 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, U.S.A
| | - David M. Theobald
- Conservation Science Partners Inc., 11050 Pioneer Trail, Suite 202, Truckee, CA, 96161, U.S.A
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Zhang Y, Clauzel C, Li J, Xue Y, Zhang Y, Wu G, Giraudoux P, Li L, Li D. Identifying refugia and corridors under climate change conditions for the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey ( Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Hubei Province, China. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:1680-1690. [PMID: 30847064 PMCID: PMC6392490 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 11/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Using a case study of an isolated management unit of Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana), we assess the extent that climate change will impact the species' habitat distribution in the current period and projected into the 2050s. We identify refugia that could maintain the population under climate change and determine dispersal paths for movement of the population to future suitable habitats. Hubei Province, China. We identified climate refugia and potential movements by integrating bioclimatic models with circuit theory and least-cost model for the current period (1960-1990) and the 2050s (2041-2060). We coupled a maximum entropy algorithm to predict suitable habitat for the current and projected future periods. Suitable habitat areas that were identified during both time periods and that also satisfied home range and dispersal distance conditions were delineated as refugia. We mapped potential movements measured as current flow and linked current and future habitats using least-cost corridors. Our results indicate up to 1,119 km2 of currently suitable habitat within the study range. Based on our projections, a habitat loss of 67.2% due to climate change may occur by the 2050s, resulting in a reduced suitable habitat area of 406 km2 and very little new habitat. The refugia areas amounted to 286 km2 and were located in Shennongjia National Park and Badong Natural Reserve. Several connecting corridors between the current and future habitats, which are important for potential movements, were identified. Our assessment of the species predicted a trajectory of habitat loss following anticipated future climate change. We believe conservation efforts should focus on refugia and corridors when planning for future species management. This study will assist conservationists in determining high-priority regions for effective maintenance of the endangered population under climate change and will encourage increased habitat connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Forestry/Key Laboratory of Biodiversity of National Forestry and Grassland AdministrationResearch Institute of Forest EcologyEnvironment and ProtectionBeijingChina
- Key Lab of Hazard Risk Management and Wildlife Management and Ecosystem HealthYunnan University of Finance and EconomicsKunmingChina
| | - Céline Clauzel
- Key Lab of Hazard Risk Management and Wildlife Management and Ecosystem HealthYunnan University of Finance and EconomicsKunmingChina
- LADYSS, UMR7533‐CNRS, University Paris DiderotSorbonne Paris CitéParisFrance
| | - Jia Li
- Chinese Academy of Forestry/Key Laboratory of Biodiversity of National Forestry and Grassland AdministrationResearch Institute of Forest EcologyEnvironment and ProtectionBeijingChina
| | - Yadong Xue
- Chinese Academy of Forestry/Key Laboratory of Biodiversity of National Forestry and Grassland AdministrationResearch Institute of Forest EcologyEnvironment and ProtectionBeijingChina
| | - Yuguang Zhang
- Chinese Academy of Forestry/Key Laboratory of Biodiversity of National Forestry and Grassland AdministrationResearch Institute of Forest EcologyEnvironment and ProtectionBeijingChina
| | - Gongsheng Wu
- Key Lab of Hazard Risk Management and Wildlife Management and Ecosystem HealthYunnan University of Finance and EconomicsKunmingChina
- School of Urban Management and Resource EnvironmentYunnan University of Finance and EconomicsKunmingChina
| | - Patrick Giraudoux
- Key Lab of Hazard Risk Management and Wildlife Management and Ecosystem HealthYunnan University of Finance and EconomicsKunmingChina
- Chrono‐Environnement, UMR 6249 CNRSUniversity of Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéBesançonFrance
| | - Li Li
- Key Lab of Hazard Risk Management and Wildlife Management and Ecosystem HealthYunnan University of Finance and EconomicsKunmingChina
- School of Urban Management and Resource EnvironmentYunnan University of Finance and EconomicsKunmingChina
| | - Diqiang Li
- Chinese Academy of Forestry/Key Laboratory of Biodiversity of National Forestry and Grassland AdministrationResearch Institute of Forest EcologyEnvironment and ProtectionBeijingChina
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12
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Ma T, Hu Y, Russo IRM, Nie Y, Yang T, Xiong L, Ma S, Meng T, Han H, Zhang X, Bruford MW, Wei F. Walking in a heterogeneous landscape: Dispersal, gene flow and conservation implications for the giant panda in the Qinling Mountains. Evol Appl 2018; 11:1859-1872. [PMID: 30459834 PMCID: PMC6231463 DOI: 10.1111/eva.12686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the interaction between life history, demography and population genetics in threatened species is critical for the conservations of viable populations. In the context of habitat loss and fragmentation, identifying the factors that underpin the structuring of genetic variation within populations can allow conservationists to evaluate habitat quality and connectivity and help to design dispersal corridors effectively. In this study, we carried out a detailed, fine‐scale landscape genetic investigation of a giant panda population from the Qinling Mountains for the first time. With a large microsatellite data set and complementary analysis methods, we examined the role of isolation‐by‐barriers (IBB), isolation‐by‐distance (IBD) and isolation‐by‐resistance (IBR) in shaping the pattern of genetic variation in this giant panda population. We found that the Qinling population comprises one continuous genetic cluster, and among the landscape hypotheses tested, gene flow was found to be correlated with resistance gradients for two topographic factors, slope aspect and topographic complexity, rather than geographical distance or barriers. Gene flow was inferred to be facilitated by easterly slope aspect and to be constrained by topographically complex landscapes. These factors are related to benign microclimatic conditions for both the pandas and the food resources they rely on and more accessible topographic conditions for movement, respectively. We identified optimal corridors based on these results, aiming to promote gene flow between human‐induced habitat fragments. These findings provide insight into the permeability and affinities of giant panda habitats and offer important reference for the conservation of the giant panda and its habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianxiao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Yibo Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | | | - Yonggang Nie
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
| | - Tianyou Yang
- School of Life Sciences Guizhou Normal University Guiyang Guizhou China
| | - Lijuan Xiong
- School of Life Sciences Guizhou Normal University Guiyang Guizhou China
| | - Shuai Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | - Tao Meng
- Guangxi Forest Inventory & Planning Institute Nanning Guangxi China
| | - Han Han
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China
| | | | - Michael W Bruford
- Cardiff School of Biosciences Cardiff University Cardiff UK.,Sustainable Places Research Institute Cardiff University Cardiff UK
| | - Fuwen Wei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology Institute of Zoology Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics Chinese Academy of Sciences Kunming China
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13
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Wang F, Zhao Q, McShea WJ, Songer M, Huang Q, Zhang X, Zhou L. Incorporating biotic interactions reveals potential climate tolerance of giant pandas. Conserv Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- National Zoological ParkSmithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal Virginia
- Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan
| | - Qing Zhao
- School of Natural ResourcesUniversity of Missouri Columbia Missouri
| | - William J. McShea
- National Zoological ParkSmithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal Virginia
| | - Melissa Songer
- National Zoological ParkSmithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal Virginia
| | - Qiongyu Huang
- National Zoological ParkSmithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Front Royal Virginia
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14
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Wei W, Swaisgood RR, Dai Q, Yang Z, Yuan S, Owen MA, Pilfold NW, Yang X, Gu X, Zhou H, Han H, Zhang J, Hong M, Zhang Z. Giant panda distributional and habitat‐use shifts in a changing landscape. Conserv Lett 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education)China West Normal University Nanchong China
| | - Ronald R. Swaisgood
- Division of Recovery EcologyInstitute for Conservation Research Escondido California
| | - Qiang Dai
- Chengdu Institute of BiologyChinese Academy of Sciences Chengdu China
| | - Zhisong Yang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education)China West Normal University Nanchong China
| | - Shibin Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education)China West Normal University Nanchong China
| | - Megan A. Owen
- Division of Recovery EcologyInstitute for Conservation Research Escondido California
| | - Nicholas W. Pilfold
- Division of Recovery EcologyInstitute for Conservation Research Escondido California
| | - Xuyu Yang
- Wildlife Conservation DivisionSichuan Forestry Bureau Chengdu China
| | - Xiaodong Gu
- Wildlife Conservation DivisionSichuan Forestry Bureau Chengdu China
| | - Hong Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education)China West Normal University Nanchong China
| | - Han Han
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education)China West Normal University Nanchong China
| | - Jindong Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education)China West Normal University Nanchong China
| | - Mingsheng Hong
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education)China West Normal University Nanchong China
| | - Zejun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education)China West Normal University Nanchong China
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15
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Ancient DNA from Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) of South-Western China Reveals Genetic Diversity Loss during the Holocene. Genes (Basel) 2018; 9:genes9040198. [PMID: 29642393 PMCID: PMC5924540 DOI: 10.3390/genes9040198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The giant panda was widely distributed in China and south-eastern Asia during the middle to late Pleistocene, prior to its habitat becoming rapidly reduced in the Holocene. While conservation reserves have been established and population numbers of the giant panda have recently increased, the interpretation of its genetic diversity remains controversial. Previous analyses, surprisingly, have indicated relatively high levels of genetic diversity raising issues concerning the efficiency and usefulness of reintroducing individuals from captive populations. However, due to a lack of DNA data from fossil specimens, it is unknown whether genetic diversity was even higher prior to the most recent population decline. We amplified complete cytb and 12s rRNA, partial 16s rRNA and ND1, and control region sequences from the mitochondrial genomes of two Holocene panda specimens. We estimated genetic diversity and population demography by analyzing the ancient mitochondrial DNA sequences alongside those from modern giant pandas, as well as from other members of the bear family (Ursidae). Phylogenetic analyses show that one of the ancient haplotypes is sister to all sampled modern pandas and the second ancient individual is nested among the modern haplotypes, suggesting that genetic diversity may indeed have been higher earlier during the Holocene. Bayesian skyline plot analysis supports this view and indicates a slight decline in female effective population size starting around 6000 years B.P., followed by a recovery around 2000 years ago. Therefore, while the genetic diversity of the giant panda has been affected by recent habitat contraction, it still harbors substantial genetic diversity. Moreover, while its still low population numbers require continued conservation efforts, there seem to be no immediate threats from the perspective of genetic evolutionary potential.
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16
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Wang F, McShea WJ, Li S, Wang D. Does one size fit all? A multispecies approach to regional landscape corridor planning. DIVERS DISTRIB 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fang Wang
- Conservation Ecology Center; Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute; National Zoological Park; Front Royal VA USA
| | - William J. McShea
- Conservation Ecology Center; Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute; National Zoological Park; Front Royal VA USA
| | - Sheng Li
- School of Life Sciences; Peking University; Beijing China
| | - Dajun Wang
- School of Life Sciences; Peking University; Beijing China
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17
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Nüchel J, Svenning JC. Recent tree cover increases in eastern China linked to low, declining human pressure, steep topography, and climatic conditions favoring tree growth. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0177552. [PMID: 28591146 PMCID: PMC5462372 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0177552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2017] [Accepted: 04/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, the extent of forest continues to decline, however, some countries have increased their forest extent in recent years. China is one of these countries and has managed to increase their tree cover through huge reforestation and afforestation programs during recent decades as well as land abandonment dynamics. This study investigates tree cover change in the eastern half of China between 2000 and 2010 on three different scales, using random forest modeling of remote sensing data for tree cover in relation to environmental and anthropogenic predictor variables. Our results show that between the years 2000 and 2010 2,667,875 km2 experienced an increase in tree cover while 1,854,900 km2 experienced a decline in tree cover. The area experiencing ≥10% increase in tree cover is almost twice as large as the area with ≥10% drop in tree cover. There is a clear relation between topography and tree cover change with steeper and mid-elevation areas having a larger response on tree cover increase than other areas. Furthermore, human influence, change in population density, and actual evapotranspiration are also important factors in explaining where tree cover has changed. This study adds to the understanding of tree cover change in China, as it has focus on the entire eastern half of China on three different scales and how tree cover change is linked to topography and anthropogenic pressure. Though, our results show an increase in tree cover in China, this study emphasizes the importance of incorporating anthropogenic factors together with biodiversity protection into the reforestation and afforestation programs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Nüchel
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Sino-Danish Center for Education and Research, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Jens-Christian Svenning
- Section for Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
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18
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Liu F, McShea WJ, Li D. Correlating habitat suitability with landscape connectivity: A case study of Sichuan golden monkey in China. Ecol Modell 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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19
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Marrotte RR, Bowman J. The relationship between least-cost and resistance distance. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0174212. [PMID: 28350863 PMCID: PMC5369686 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0174212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Least-cost modelling and circuit theory are common analogs used in ecology and evolution to model gene flow or animal movement across landscapes. Least-cost modelling estimates the least-cost distance, whereas circuit theory estimates resistance distance. The bias added in choosing one method over the other has not been well documented. We designed an experiment to test whether both methods were linearly related. We also tested the sensitivity of these metrics to variation in Euclidean distance, spatial autocorrelation, the number of pixels representing the landscape, and data aggregation. We found that least-cost and resistance distance were not linearly related unless a transformation was applied. Resistance distance was less sensitive to the number of pixels representing a landscape and was also less sensitive than least-cost distance to the Euclidean distance between nodes. Spatial autocorrelation did not affect either method or the relationship between methods. Resistance distance was more sensitive to aggregation in any form compared to least-cost distance. Therefore, the metric used to infer movement or gene flow and the manipulations applied to the data used to calculate these metrics may govern findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robby R. Marrotte
- Environmental & Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Jeff Bowman
- Wildlife Research & Monitoring Section, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald R. Swaisgood
- Recovery Ecology, San Diego Zoo Global; Institute for Conservation Research; San Diego CA 92027 USA
| | - Dajun Wang
- School of Life Sciences; Peking University; Beijing China
| | - Fuwen Wei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology; Chinese Academy of Sciences; Beijing China
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21
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Conservation planning beyond giant pandas: the need for an innovative telecoupling framework. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2016; 60:551-554. [DOI: 10.1007/s11427-016-0349-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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22
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Abrahms B, Sawyer SC, Jordan NR, McNutt JW, Wilson AM, Brashares JS. Does wildlife resource selection accurately inform corridor conservation? J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Briana Abrahms
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California‐Berkeley 130 Mulford Hall #3114 Berkeley CA 94720 USA
| | - Sarah C. Sawyer
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region 1323 Club Drive Vallejo CA 94592 USA
| | - Neil R. Jordan
- Centre for Ecosystem Science School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales (UNSW) Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia Taronga Western Plains Zoo Wildlife Reproduction Centre Obley Road Dubbo NSW 2830 Australia
- Botswana Predator Conservation Trust Private Bag 13 Maun Botswana
| | - J. Weldon McNutt
- Botswana Predator Conservation Trust Private Bag 13 Maun Botswana
| | - Alan M. Wilson
- Structure & Motion Lab Royal Veterinary College University of London Hatfield AL97TA UK
| | - Justin S. Brashares
- Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management University of California‐Berkeley 130 Mulford Hall #3114 Berkeley CA 94720 USA
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23
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