Suitable habitat of wild Asian elephant in Western Terai of Nepal

• Published in: Ecology and evolution 2020-06, Vol.10 (12), p.6112-6119
• Main Authors: Sharma, Purushottam, Panthi, Saroj, Yadav, Subodh Kumar, Bhatta, Manoj, Karki, Ajay, Duncan, Tom, Poudel, Megharaj, Acharya, Krishna Prasad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anthropogenic threats; Corridors; Elephants; Endangered & extinct species; Entropy; Habitat corridors; Habitat fragmentation; Habitats; Home range; low land; Maximum entropy; National parks; Original Research; Protected areas; Road construction; Roads; Species; variables; Websites; Wildlife; Wildlife conservation; wildlife corridor; Wildlife habitats; Wildlife management
• ISSN: 2045-7758; 2045-7758
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6356

Background There is currently very little available research on the habitat suitability, the influence of infrastructure on distribution, and the extent and connectivity of habitat available to the wild Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). Information related to the habitat is crucial for conservation of this species. Methods In this study, we identified suitable habitat for wild Asian elephants in the Western Terai region of Nepal using Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) software. Results Of 9,207 km2, we identified 3194.82 km2 as suitable habitat for wild Asian elephants in the study area. Approximately 40% of identified habitat occurs in existing protected areas. Most of these habitat patches are smaller than previous estimations of the species home range, and this may reduce the probability of the species continued survival in the study area. Proximity to roads was identified as the most important factor defining habitat suitability, with elephants preferring habitats far from roads. Conclusions We conclude that further habitat fragmentation in the study area can be reduced by avoiding the construction of new roads and connectivity between areas of existing suitable habitat can be increased through the identification and management of wildlife corridors between habitat patches. Of 9,207 km2, we identified 3,194.82 km2 as suitable habitat for elephants in the study area. Approximately 40% of identified habitat occurs in existing protected areas. Proximity to roads was identified as the most important factor defining habitat suitability, with elephants preferring habitats far from roads.