The rapid pace of development of GIS （geographical information system） has assisted in identification of conservation priority sites by delineating species distribution using models on habitat suitability. Gaur, Bos...The rapid pace of development of GIS （geographical information system） has assisted in identification of conservation priority sites by delineating species distribution using models on habitat suitability. Gaur, Bos gaurus, is categorized as ＂Vulnerable＂ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2009. The study has used ENFA （ecological niche factor analysis） to understand the distribution status of Gaur in TATR （Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve）, Central India. TATR was sampled using stratified random sampling strategy. A total of 21 continuous variables were used, categorised under 4 environmental descriptors categories viz. habitat, anthropogenic, topographic and hydrological variables. All the variables were tested for the correlation and one of the variable among strongly correlated （r 〉 0.7） variables was discarded to avoid redundancy. A total of 14 variables were retained. The model resulted in marginality of 0.56 and specialization of 2.608. Presence of Gaur showed the positive association with canopy density classes （〈 30% ＆ 40-60%） and open forest. However, it was negatively associated with elevation, non-forest, riparian forest, scrub and teak forest. The study has delineated the areas where appropriate habitat conditions exist to sustain Gaur populations vital for planning strategies for conservation of this megaherbivore species in tropical forests.展开更多
文摘The rapid pace of development of GIS （geographical information system） has assisted in identification of conservation priority sites by delineating species distribution using models on habitat suitability. Gaur, Bos gaurus, is categorized as ＂Vulnerable＂ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2009. The study has used ENFA （ecological niche factor analysis） to understand the distribution status of Gaur in TATR （Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve）, Central India. TATR was sampled using stratified random sampling strategy. A total of 21 continuous variables were used, categorised under 4 environmental descriptors categories viz. habitat, anthropogenic, topographic and hydrological variables. All the variables were tested for the correlation and one of the variable among strongly correlated （r 〉 0.7） variables was discarded to avoid redundancy. A total of 14 variables were retained. The model resulted in marginality of 0.56 and specialization of 2.608. Presence of Gaur showed the positive association with canopy density classes （〈 30% ＆ 40-60%） and open forest. However, it was negatively associated with elevation, non-forest, riparian forest, scrub and teak forest. The study has delineated the areas where appropriate habitat conditions exist to sustain Gaur populations vital for planning strategies for conservation of this megaherbivore species in tropical forests.
