Understanding the environmental and anthropogenic correlates of tiger presence in a montane conservation landscape

摘要: Abstract Management of tigers is a response to global conservation crisis. Range contraction, population decline, habitat fragmentation, prey loss, and poaching cause aggravate this There debate as whether conserving source sites or maintaining landscape connectivity the greater priority. Both approaches rely on understanding environmental anthropogenic factors. We used large dataset from nation-wide camera trapping survey investigate factors affecting use across montane Bhutan. tested effects covariates while accounting for imperfect detection using hierarchical occupancy model. Tiger showed strong positive association with closeness protected area, distance human settlement availability abundant prey. Our findings can help identify drivers tiger decline contribute refinement strategies combat that in landscape. provide general approach by highlighting importance basic ecology apex predator, including relationship between variables use. Bhutan, unusually legislation, high percentage its area under contiguous forest cover, set standard carnivore an important component wider complex South Asia.