Effects of Climate Change on the Habitat of the Leopard (Panthera pardus) in the Liupanshan National Nature Reserve of China

Abstract

Climate change affects animal populations by affecting their habitats. The leopard population has significantly decreased due to climate change and human disturbance. We studied the impact of climate change on leopard habitats using infrared camera technology in the Liupanshan National Nature Reserve of Jingyuan County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China, from July 2017 to October 2019. We captured 25 leopard distribution points over 47,460 camera working days. We used the MAXENT model to predict and analyze the habitat. We studied the leopard’s suitable habitat area and distribution area under different geographical scales in the reserve. Changes in habitat area of leopards under the rcp2.6, rcp4.5, and rcp8.5 climate models in Guyuan in 2050 were also studied. We conclude that the current main factors affecting suitable leopard habitat area were vegetation cover and human disturbance. The most critical factor affecting future suitable habitat area is rainfall. Under the three climate models, the habitat area of the leopard decreased gradually because of an increase in carbon dioxide concentration. Through the prediction of the leopard’s distribution area in the Liupanshan Nature Reserve, we evaluated the scientific nature of the reserve, which is helpful for the restoration and protection of the wild leopard population.

Leopard subspecies conservation under climate and land‐use change

“…However, conservation efforts should focus on working with local communities across leopard ranges to convey the importance of apex predators and develop mitigation strategies based on local context. Examples include compensation schemes for those affected by leopards to reduce human‐wildlife conflict (Zeng et al., 2022 ), though the success of these schemes varies. Most importantly mitigation strategies should be specific to local needs and considered on a case‐by‐case basis.…”

“…However, the status of the nine recognised subspecies ranges from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened (Stein, 2020 ). Leopards now occupy 25%–37% of their historic range, but 97% of this is occupied by the African ( P. p. pardus ), Indian ( P. p. fusca ) and Persian ( P. p. tulliana ) leopard subspecies, while Arabian ( P. p. nimr ) and Amur ( P. p. orientalis ) leopards have lost up to 98% of their former range (Jacobson et al., 2016 ) and remaining suitable habitats are predicted to decrease further (Zeng et al., 2022 ). Climate change poses a growing threat to leopards because its impacts on vegetation cover and prey availability will likely translate into individual fitness costs (Ebrahimi et al., 2017 ; Zeng et al., 2022 ).…”

“…Leopards now occupy 25%–37% of their historic range, but 97% of this is occupied by the African ( P. p. pardus ), Indian ( P. p. fusca ) and Persian ( P. p. tulliana ) leopard subspecies, while Arabian ( P. p. nimr ) and Amur ( P. p. orientalis ) leopards have lost up to 98% of their former range (Jacobson et al., 2016 ) and remaining suitable habitats are predicted to decrease further (Zeng et al., 2022 ). Climate change poses a growing threat to leopards because its impacts on vegetation cover and prey availability will likely translate into individual fitness costs (Ebrahimi et al., 2017 ; Zeng et al., 2022 ). These impacts are likely to be exacerbated by changes to human distribution and activities due to climate change, which can further affect prey and habitat availability for leopards.…”

Drivers of Three Most Charismatic Mammalian Species Distribution across a Multiple-Use Tropical Forest Landscape of Sumatra, Indonesia

“…Strengthening the protection of their habitats and the corridors that connect their landscapes to function ecologically and obtain full support from all stakeholders are needed. The critical point is to reduce the risk of inbreeding and loss of genetic diversity by strengthening the network of protected and unprotected areas, preserving habitat connection among populations, and/or translocating individuals into small and isolated populations [ 104 ]. Providing opportunities for dispersal to other populations through connecting habitats and protecting population resources are crucial conservation measures for wide-ranging large mammals.…”