The rapid explosion of human populations and the associated development of human-dominated landscapes have drastically reduced and fragmented habitat for tigers(Panthera tigris)and leopards(Panthera pardus)across Asia...The rapid explosion of human populations and the associated development of human-dominated landscapes have drastically reduced and fragmented habitat for tigers(Panthera tigris)and leopards(Panthera pardus)across Asia,resulting in multiple small populations.However,Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica)habitat in Russia has remained largely interconnected,except for a break between tigers in southwest Primorye and the southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains.This habitat patch in southwest Primorye also retains the last population of Amur leopards(Panthera pardus orientalis).Genetic differentiation of tigers in southwest Primorye and the Sikhote-Alin Mountains along with survey data suggest that habitat fragmentation is limiting movement of tigers and leopards across the Razdolnaya River basin.We looked at historical and recent survey data on tigers and leopards and mapped existing cover types to examine land-use patterns of both large felids and humans in the development strip along the Razdolnaya River.We then used least-cost distance analyses to identify the most effective potential corridor to retain connectivity for large felids between Land of the Leopard National Park and Ussuriskii Zapovednik(Reserve).We identified a single potential corridor that still exists with a total distance of 62.5 km from Land of the Leopard National Park to Ussuriskii Zapovednik,mostly(93%)through forested habitat.We recommend formal recognition of a Razdolnaya ecological corridor and provide specific recommendations for each of 3 proposed management sections.展开更多
基金We thank the authors and the coordinators of surveys and monitoring programs for permission to use the data for this study,including D.G.Pikunov,V.V.Aramilev,M.N.Litvinov and others.Thanks to Y.Darman for background information on earlier conservation planning in this region.Support was provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society,the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenburg Foundation,and the Pacific Institute of Geography.In addition,this study is part of the Program of the Amur Tiger Research in the Russian Far East,which is conducted by the Permanent Expedition of the Russian Academy of Sciences for study of Russian Red Data Book animals and other key animals of Russian fauna,and was supported by the Russian Geographical Society and a Grant from the President of the Russia Federation(No MK-4313.2014.4).
文摘The rapid explosion of human populations and the associated development of human-dominated landscapes have drastically reduced and fragmented habitat for tigers(Panthera tigris)and leopards(Panthera pardus)across Asia,resulting in multiple small populations.However,Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica)habitat in Russia has remained largely interconnected,except for a break between tigers in southwest Primorye and the southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains.This habitat patch in southwest Primorye also retains the last population of Amur leopards(Panthera pardus orientalis).Genetic differentiation of tigers in southwest Primorye and the Sikhote-Alin Mountains along with survey data suggest that habitat fragmentation is limiting movement of tigers and leopards across the Razdolnaya River basin.We looked at historical and recent survey data on tigers and leopards and mapped existing cover types to examine land-use patterns of both large felids and humans in the development strip along the Razdolnaya River.We then used least-cost distance analyses to identify the most effective potential corridor to retain connectivity for large felids between Land of the Leopard National Park and Ussuriskii Zapovednik(Reserve).We identified a single potential corridor that still exists with a total distance of 62.5 km from Land of the Leopard National Park to Ussuriskii Zapovednik,mostly(93%)through forested habitat.We recommend formal recognition of a Razdolnaya ecological corridor and provide specific recommendations for each of 3 proposed management sections.
