Evaluating scenarios of landscape change for Sunda clouded leopard connectivity in a human dominated landscape

摘要: Abstract The forests of Borneo support some the highest biodiversity in world, yet have experienced among world's rates deforestation. Such rapid forest loss and associated fragmentation reduces availability suitable habitat for wildlife creates dispersion barriers. Understanding prevalence impacts this anthropogenic disturbance, developing ways which to mitigate such changes, is thus critical conservation Borneo's wildlife. Here, we applied a path selection function with conditional logistic regression used it develop resistance surface population Sunda clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi) residing within fragmented human dominated landscape Malaysian Borneo. We cumulative resistant kernel factorial least-cost analysis predict how connectivity may change response four future scenarios involving conversion remaining unproductive palm oil plantations, back forest, restoration riparian buffer zone along river, combination two scenarios. showed that leopard movement facilitated by canopy cover resisted non-forest vegetation, particularly recently cleared/planted underproductive (flooded) plantation areas low closure. By combining modelling mapped core main linkages them, identified several key pinch points limit regional population. region can be greatly enhanced through protection privately owned patches reforestation areas, creation forested river. Conversely, show if region's unprotected were converted plantations then across Kinabatangan floodplain would significantly reduced.