Determinants of smooth-coated otter occupancy in a rapidly urbanizing coastal landscape in Southeast Asia

摘要: Abstract Urbanization often has negative impacts on wildlife, nevertheless many species can persist in heavily modified habitats. Understanding factors that promote persistence urbanizing landscapes is therefore important for maintaining biodiversity changing and may inform more biodiversity-friendly development. We investigated effects of landscape-scale variables habitat occupancy Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) the Inner Gulf Thailand. In this internationally wetland complex, 86% natural habitats have been altered are now highly urbanized. conducted track sign surveys 60, 25 km2 grid cells encompassing 1,474 km2. Within each cell, we quantified landscape cover types including urban areas, (predominately thin ribbons mangrove along waterways), agriculture, aquaculture, potential prey availability using a GIS field surveys. used models to identify affected probability detection occupancy. Estimated occupancy, based top model, was 0.33 ± 0.07 (95% CI 0.18–0.48) 0.50 ± 0.05 0.41–0.60). Otter positively associated with proportion traditional aquaculture ponds, but negatively agriculture cover. The remaining patches appear act as critical refuges otter, allowing them an otherwise transformed landscape. Because ponds likely sources otters, it lead conflict farmers. Further studies feeding movement patterns cooperation farmers would be beneficial developing detailed management plans human dominated