Forecasting Suitable Habitats of the Clouded Leopard () in Asia: Insights into the Present and Future Climate Projections Within and Beyond Extant Boundaries.

Fuente: PubMed
Gespeichert in:
Bibliographische Detailangaben
Hauptverfasser: Abedin, Imon, Singha, Hilloljyoti, Kang, Hye-Eun, Kim, Hyun-Woo, Kundu, Shantanu
Format: Artículo científico
Sprache:en
Veröffentlicht: Biology 2024
Online-Zugang:
Tags: Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
_version_ 1868266275376988163
author Abedin, Imon
Singha, Hilloljyoti
Kang, Hye-Eun
Kim, Hyun-Woo
Kundu, Shantanu
author_facet Abedin, Imon
Singha, Hilloljyoti
Kang, Hye-Eun
Kim, Hyun-Woo
Kundu, Shantanu
Abedin, Imon
Singha, Hilloljyoti
Kang, Hye-Eun
Kim, Hyun-Woo
Kundu, Shantanu
collection PubMed - marine biology
contents Forecasting Suitable Habitats of the Clouded Leopard () in Asia: Insights into the Present and Future Climate Projections Within and Beyond Extant Boundaries. Abedin, Imon Singha, Hilloljyoti Kang, Hye-Eun Kim, Hyun-Woo Kundu, Shantanu Terrestrial carnivores, such as the clouded leopard (), are 'vulnerable' and experiencing significant population declines in mainland Asia. Considering the assessed threats, the IUCN has repetitively revised the range of this felid and now characterized it into four distinct categories (extant, possibly extant, possibly extinct, and extinct). Although several ecological works have been accomplished on this enigmatic carnivore, the overall view of its habitat suitability, fragmentation, and corridor connectivity in both present and historical ranges is lacking. Thus, achieving this ecological information under present and future climate scenarios is crucial. The model identified merely 44,033 sq. km falling within the extant range (representing 31.66%) and 20,034 sq. km (8.13%) in the possibly extant range. Fascinatingly, within the historical ranges, an additional 15,264 sq. km (6.58%) has been identified as suitable habitat in the possibly extinct range and 14,022 sq. km (2.38%) in the extinct range. Notably, a total of 25,614 sq. km of suitable habitat is found within designated protected areas across the entire range. Nevertheless, climate change is expected to drive habitat loss of up to 41% (overall IUCN range) for in both present and historical extent, with habitat patches becoming increasingly fragmented. This is reflected in a projected decline in the number of viable habitat patches (NP) by up to 23.29% in the future. This study also identified 18 transboundary biological corridors for , with Southeast Asian countries expected to experience the most significant declines in corridor connectivity. In contrast, the South Asian countries (Bhutan, Nepal, and India) are projected to maintain relatively higher connectivity in the future. Nevertheless, a substantial decline in overall mean corridor connectivity is projected in the near future due to the impacts of climate change. This study underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and multifaceted conservation strategy for , focusing on mitigating habitat loss and fragmentation. Practical measures must be implemented to protect the species' shrinking range, considering its declining corridor networks and heightened vulnerability to inbreeding depression. Moreover, the assessment of habitat suitability both within and beyond the extant range, alongside corridor connectivity measures, provides valuable insights into potential translocation and reintroduction sites for this species. These findings provide a critical foundation for developing a strategic conservation plan tailored to the specific needs of this felid species across South and Southeast Asia, ensuring enhanced climate resilience and mitigating associated threats.
format Artículo científico
id pubmed_39596857
institution PubMed
language en
publishDate 2024
publisher Biology
record_format pubmed
spellingShingle Forecasting Suitable Habitats of the Clouded Leopard () in Asia: Insights into the Present and Future Climate Projections Within and Beyond Extant Boundaries.
Abedin, Imon
Singha, Hilloljyoti
Kang, Hye-Eun
Kim, Hyun-Woo
Kundu, Shantanu
Forecasting Suitable Habitats of the Clouded Leopard () in Asia: Insights into the Present and Future Climate Projections Within and Beyond Extant Boundaries. Abedin, Imon Singha, Hilloljyoti Kang, Hye-Eun Kim, Hyun-Woo Kundu, Shantanu Terrestrial carnivores, such as the clouded leopard (), are 'vulnerable' and experiencing significant population declines in mainland Asia. Considering the assessed threats, the IUCN has repetitively revised the range of this felid and now characterized it into four distinct categories (extant, possibly extant, possibly extinct, and extinct). Although several ecological works have been accomplished on this enigmatic carnivore, the overall view of its habitat suitability, fragmentation, and corridor connectivity in both present and historical ranges is lacking. Thus, achieving this ecological information under present and future climate scenarios is crucial. The model identified merely 44,033 sq. km falling within the extant range (representing 31.66%) and 20,034 sq. km (8.13%) in the possibly extant range. Fascinatingly, within the historical ranges, an additional 15,264 sq. km (6.58%) has been identified as suitable habitat in the possibly extinct range and 14,022 sq. km (2.38%) in the extinct range. Notably, a total of 25,614 sq. km of suitable habitat is found within designated protected areas across the entire range. Nevertheless, climate change is expected to drive habitat loss of up to 41% (overall IUCN range) for in both present and historical extent, with habitat patches becoming increasingly fragmented. This is reflected in a projected decline in the number of viable habitat patches (NP) by up to 23.29% in the future. This study also identified 18 transboundary biological corridors for , with Southeast Asian countries expected to experience the most significant declines in corridor connectivity. In contrast, the South Asian countries (Bhutan, Nepal, and India) are projected to maintain relatively higher connectivity in the future. Nevertheless, a substantial decline in overall mean corridor connectivity is projected in the near future due to the impacts of climate change. This study underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and multifaceted conservation strategy for , focusing on mitigating habitat loss and fragmentation. Practical measures must be implemented to protect the species' shrinking range, considering its declining corridor networks and heightened vulnerability to inbreeding depression. Moreover, the assessment of habitat suitability both within and beyond the extant range, alongside corridor connectivity measures, provides valuable insights into potential translocation and reintroduction sites for this species. These findings provide a critical foundation for developing a strategic conservation plan tailored to the specific needs of this felid species across South and Southeast Asia, ensuring enhanced climate resilience and mitigating associated threats.
title Forecasting Suitable Habitats of the Clouded Leopard () in Asia: Insights into the Present and Future Climate Projections Within and Beyond Extant Boundaries.
url https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39596857/