Cats, connectivity and conservation: incorporating data sets and integrating scales for wildlife management

摘要: Understanding resource selection and quantifying habitat connectivity are fundamental to conservation planning for both land-use species management plans. However, datasets available authorities analyses often highly limited fragmentary. As a result, measuring is challenging, poorly integrated within wildlife management. To exacerbate the challenge, scale-dependent use makes inference across scales problematic, modelled in areas where not present, typically measured using source-to-sink approach, erroneously assuming animals possess predefined destinations. Here, we used large carnivore, leopard Panthera pardus, characterise landscape vast, biodiverse region of southern Africa. Using range counter data deficiencies inherent carnivore management, overcame methodological limitations by employing occupancy modelling functions three orders selection, estimated landscape-scale – independent priori source sink locations circuit theory. We evaluated whether on its own was capable accurately informing connectivity, identified priorities necessary applied management. We detected markedly different relationships all orders. Our multi-data, multi-scale approach predicted multiple demonstrates how can more suitably utilise fragmentary datasets. further developed an unbiased depiction key linkages need targeted did find support as proxy caution context. Synthesis applications. Maintaining remains component conservation, yet inform these biological ecological processes scarce. present robust that incorporates (e.g. mortality data, permit sightings data), routinely collected authorities, planning. recommend employ approach—as here—to identify units at risk low connectivity.