Geospatial Analysis of Habitat Suitability for Himalayan Serow Capricornis sumatraensis (Bechstein, 1799) in Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal by using MaXent Model

Iranian Journal of Animal Biosystematics

مقاله 3، دوره 18، شماره 2 - شماره پیاپی 33، اسفند 2022، صفحه 121-138   

نوع مقاله: Research articles

شناسه دیجیتال (DOI): 10.22067/ijab.2022.79064.1041

نویسندگان

Rajeev Joshi^{* 1}؛ Datta Bahadur Basnet²؛ Bishow Poudel³

¹ollege of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry University, Katari-56310, Udayapur, Nepal

²ribhuvan University, Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus, Pokhara, Nepal

³Amity Global Education (Lord Buddha College), CTEVT, Tokha -11, Kathmandu-44600, Nepa

چکیده

Capricornis sumatraensis Bechstein, the only sub-species of Serow found in Nepal, is a threatened species distributed across protected mountainous areas. In this study, we conducted a preliminary systematic survey to record the presence or absence of C. sumatraensis, and used satellite imagery, topo-maps, and field data to analyze habitat suitability and vegetation preference using MAXENT and ArcGIS. We also conducted focus group discussions, questionnaire surveys, and key informant surveys to assess the severity of various threats. The results showed that 18.3% of the total area was highly suitable, 16.8% was moderately suitable, and the remaining 64.76% was less suitable habitat. C. sumatraensis preferred a Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum-dominated forest, where Drepanostachyum falcatum and Girardinia diversifolia were the dominant shrubs and Anaphalis busua and Tracheophyta were dominant herbs. The major threats to C. sumatraensis were poaching and hunting, open grazing, illegal resource collection, climate change, and development activities. Our findings can inform conservation efforts for this species and benefit conservation area managers, researchers, and academicians.

کلیدواژه‌ها

Conservation؛ Distribution؛ Habitat preference؛ IVI؛ Threats