Title
Identifying ecological corridors for Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) and Amur leopards (Panthera pardus orientalis)
Author(s)
Miquelle, D.G.;Rozhnov, V.V.;Ermoshin, V.;Murzin, A.A.;Nikolaev, I.G.;Hernandez-Blanco, J.A.;Naidenko, S.V.
Published
2015
Publisher
Integrative Zoology
Abstract
The rapid explosion of human populations and the associated development of human-dominated landscapes have drastically reduced and fragmented habitat for tigers (Panthera tigris, Linnaeus 1758) and leopards (Panthera pardus, Linnaeus 1758) across Asia, resulting in multiple, small populations. However, Amur tiger (P .t. altaica, Timminck 1884) 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, Schlegel 1857). Genetic differentiation of tigers in Southwest Primorye and the Sikhote-Alin Mountains along with survey data suggests 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 the 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 three proposed management sections.
Keywords
Amur tiger;ecological corridor;Sikhote-Alin Mountains

Access Full Text

A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the WCS Library to request.



Back

PUB15611