IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library
   

 

View printer friendly
Kanagaraj, R.; Wiegand, T.; Goyal, S.P.; Kramer-Schadt, S.; Johnsingh, A.J.T.; Ramesh, K.; Qureshi, Q.; Anwar, M.; David, A.
Assessing Habitat Suitability for Tiger (_Panthera tigris_) and its Prey Species in the Indian Part of Terai Arc Landscape
2007  Conference Proceeding

The tiger (_Panthera tigris_), large carnivore of the cat family, with its special habitat needs such as abundant large wild ungulate prey and undisturbed habitats, cannot be saved in small forest fragments. We developed Habitat Suitability (HS) models using logistic regression for tiger and its four major prey species, sambar (_Cervus unicolor_), chital (_Axis axis_), nilgai (_Boselaphus tragocamelus_) and wild pig (_Sus scrofa_), in the Indian part of Terai Arc Landscape. This Landscape was surveyed for tiger and its prey species and sampling of foot transects (1001.2km), 887 and 1530 circular plots for pellet groups and vegetation, respectively, were carried out. Prey models were included in developing tiger model. Models were evaluated with separate data sets. This study revealed that this biologically rich habitat, which was contiguous in the past, is fragmented and tiger habitats are in nine blocks connected by 12 potential corridors but it makes only five units when connectivity with Nepal considered. HS model for tiger showed prey species and habitat features were effective predictors. HS models for prey species showed habitat features (e.g., dense forest, tall grass, open forest, river and elevation) and disturbance factors (e.g., village and road) were effective predictors.

PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here

 

(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union)