Using fisher knowledge, mapping population, habitat suitability and risk for the conservation of dugongs in Johor Straits of Malaysia

摘要: Abstract In the coastal waters of Johor Straits, Peninsular Malaysia, dugongs occur and their habitat suitability model has yet not been attempted, while it could be critical information for developing conservation strategies. This study derived spatially explicit dugong population on abundance distribution based fisher surveys. The survey revealed highest around eastern areas, followed by southern areas Straits. Degradation seagrass habitat, which uses as feeding ground, main reason reducing sighting western areas. A map was produced presence interacting environmental factors such biomass, distance from shoreline, water depth. Using ArcGIS mapping capability, data layers those were fied into MaxEnt. MaxEnt output showed biomass contributing factor to likelihood presence. also estimated 20 kg/m 2 3 km shoreline a depth 25 m optimum condition population. combination interview, suitability, risk modeling ability provide adequate required monitoring policy strategies sustainable management marine mammals.