Predicting the Distribution Pattern of Small Carnivores in Response to Environmental Factors in the Western Ghats

摘要: Due to their secretive habits, predicting the pattern of spatial distribution small carnivores has been typically challenging, yet for conservation management it is essential understand association between this group animals and environmental factors. We applied maximum entropy modeling (MaxEnt) build models identify predictors including bioclimatic variables, forest land cover type, topography, vegetation index anthropogenic variables six carnivore species in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Species occurrence records were collated from camera-traps vehicle transects during years 2010 2011. used average training gain forty model runs each select best set predictors. The area under curve (AUC) receiver operating characteristic plot (ROC) ranged 0.81 0.93 data 0.72 0.87 test data. In habitat F. chaus, P. hermaphroditus, H. smithii “distance village” precipitation warmest quarter emerged as some most important variables. “Distance aspect V. indica while coldest significant vitticollis. village”, influential edwardsii. map predicted probabilities showed potentially suitable habitats accounting 46 km2 reserve 62 indica, 30 63 vitticollis, 45 28 Habitat heterogeneity driven by east-west climatic gradient was correlated with carnivores. This study exemplifies usefulness prioritize direct planning specialists southern India.