Effect of disturbances and habitat fragmentation on an arboreal habitat specialist mammal using GPS telemetry: a case of the red panda
Article
Article Title | Effect of disturbances and habitat fragmentation on an arboreal habitat specialist mammal using GPS telemetry: a case of the red panda |
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ERA Journal ID | 3283 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Bista, Damber (Author), Baxter, Greg S. (Author), Hudson, Nicholas J. (Author), Lama, Sonam Tashi (Author) and Murray, Peter John (Author) |
Journal Title | Landscape Ecology |
Journal Citation | 37 (3), pp. 795-809 |
Number of Pages | 15 |
Year | 2022 |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 0921-2973 |
1572-9761 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-021-01357-w |
Web Address (URL) | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10980-021-01357-w |
Abstract | Context: Habitat specialists residing in human-modified landscapes are likely to be more vulnerable to disturbance because of a functional reliance on very particular habitat features. However, there have been few studies designed to specifically address that issue. Objectives: This study aimed to explore how the red panda, an iconic endangered habitat specialist, behaves when faced with disturbances and habitat fragmentation. In particular, we attempted to examine the effect of anthropogenic disturbances and fragmentation on home-range size, activity patterns, and recursion. Methods: Using GPS telemetry we monitored 10 red pandas and documented disturbances using camera trapping for one year in eastern Nepal. We performed spatial analysis, analysed activity patterns and evaluated the effect of habitat fragmentation and disturbances on home-range size and residence time using Linear Mixed Models. Results: Home-range size increased in areas with low availability of forest cover whilst home ranges were smaller in areas with a high road density. Red pandas spent more time in large habitat patches away from roads and cattle stations. Crossing rates suggested that roads acted as a barrier for movement across their habitat. Red pandas also partitioned their activity to minimize interactions with disturbances. Conclusions: Red pandas seem to make a trade-off to co-exist in human-dominated landscapes which may have adverse long-term effects on their survival. This indicates that current patterns of habitat fragmentation and forest exploitation may be adversely affecting red panda conservation efforts and that landscape-scale effects should be considered when planning conservation actions. |
Keywords | home range, habitat fragmentation, barrier effect, activity pattern, residence time, anthropogenic disturbances |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 310301. Behavioural ecology |
410402. Environmental assessment and monitoring | |
410407. Wildlife and habitat management | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | University of Queensland |
Red Panda Network, Nepal | |
School of Sciences | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q6v85/effect-of-disturbances-and-habitat-fragmentation-on-an-arboreal-habitat-specialist-mammal-using-gps-telemetry-a-case-of-the-red-panda
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