Transboundary cooperation improves endangered species monitoring and conservation actions: A case study of the global population of Amur leopards

Vitkalova, Anna V.; Feng, Limin; Rybin, Alexander N.; Gerber, Brian D.; Miquelle, Dale G.; Wang, Tianming; Yang, Haitao; Shevtsova, Elena I.; Aramilev, Vladimir V.; Ge, Jianping

doi:10.1111/conl.12574

Cited by 42 publications

(54 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…In conclusion, our lynx density estimates for the French Jura mountains complement nicely the estimates recently provided for the Northwestern Swiss Alps (Pesenti & Zimmermann, ). The use of camera trapping coupled with SCR models in both France and Switzerland was the result of a cooperation between the two countries with the perspective of a transboundary monitoring (Gervasi et al, ; Vitkalova et al, ). This approach would prove useful to accurately estimate densities in other areas where habitats and prey availability might differ, and overall lynx detectability varies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial density estimates of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains

Giménez

Gatti

Duchamp

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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Obtaining estimates of animal population density is a key step in providing sound conservation and management strategies for wildlife. For many large carnivores however, estimating density is difficult because these species are elusive and wide‐ranging. Here, we focus on providing the first density estimates of the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We sampled a total of 413 camera trapping sites (with two cameras per site) between January 2011 and April 2016 in seven study areas across seven counties of the French Jura and Vosges mountains. We obtained 592 lynx detections over 19,035 trap days in the Jura mountains and 0 detection over 6,804 trap days in the Vosges mountains. Based on coat patterns, we identified a total number of 92 unique individuals from photographs, including 16 females, 13 males, and 63 individuals of unknown sex. Using spatial capture–recapture (SCR) models, we estimated abundance in the study areas between 5 (SE = 0.1) and 29 (0.2) lynx and density between 0.24 (SE = 0.02) and 0.91 (SE = 0.03) lynx per 100 km2. We also provide a comparison with nonspatial density estimates and discuss the observed discrepancies. Our study is yet another example of the advantage of combining SCR methods and noninvasive sampling techniques to estimate density for elusive and wide‐ranging species, like large carnivores. While the estimated densities in the French Jura mountains are comparable to other lynx populations in Europe, the fact that we detected no lynx in the Vosges mountains is alarming. Connectivity should be encouraged between the French Jura mountains, the Vosges mountains, and the Palatinate Forest in Germany where a reintroduction program is currently ongoing. Our density estimates will help in setting a baseline conservation status for the lynx population in France.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial density estimates of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains

Giménez

Gatti

Duchamp

et al. 2019

Ecology and Evolution

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“…Large carnivores live in a wide range of habitat types across their global range and understanding the variability in their density and what affects it is of continuing interest for ecologists (Hearn et al 2017, Suryawanshi et al 2019. Although great variation in density estimates of leopards is seen across their global range (Vitkalova et al 2018, Balme et al 2019, they can reach exceptionally high densities in montane environments (Grey et al 2013, Williams et al 2017. Our findings suggest that without incorporating elevation and topographic relief in surface estimation, density measures can potentially be overestimated in mountainous landscapes.…”

Section: Ecological Outcomes Along Elevation Gradientmentioning

confidence: 82%

Vertical relief facilitates spatial segregation of a high density large carnivore population

Farhadinia

Heit

Montgomery

et al. 2019

Oikos

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Quantifying the distribution and size of home ranges is critical for understanding animal spatial dynamics. This is particularly important for large carnivores in fragmented landscapes. Most studies that estimate home range consider only a bivariate frequency distribution represented by a two‐dimensional planimetric surface. The underlying assumption of these approaches is that the animals inhabit landscapes that are completely flat. Of course, this is rarely the case. Here we investigated the influence of vertical relief and three‐dimensional landscape features on the home range patterns of a high density carnivore. Via GPS telemetry‐tracking of a population of Persian leopards Panthera pardus saxicolor (n = 6), and globally‐available digital elevation models (DEMs), we calculated the surface area of home ranges in comparison to traditional planimetric estimates. We also investigated predation patterns of leopards across elevation gradients using GPS location data and kill site analysis. The topographic measurements exceeded planimetric estimates by up to 38% which suggests that planimetric modeling underestimates home range size, particularly when animals inhabit variable terrain. We also observed that resident leopards exhibit significant altitudinal partitioning of predation, suggesting that leopards that have overlapping home ranges may still utilize exclusive hunting territories. We discuss the ways in which planimetric approaches may be underestimating aspects of animal ranging behavior and ecology. We conclude that topography should be considered, not as an ancillary metric, but as an important aspect of home range calculation. Our approach can enhance understanding of spatial requirements, population density, intra‐guild sympatric competition and conflict management of large felids inhabiting rugged landscapes.

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“…Border zones also are areas of expansion of security barriers , human populations, and commerce (McCallum et al 2015), which suggests that a focus on transboundary protected areas is timely. In addition to the increased size and connectivity of protected areas that are achieved through a transboundary focus, other benefits such as cooperative management of resources, increased research rigor (Bischof et al 2016, Gervasi et al 2016, Vitkalova et al 2018, and social/political cooperation, also may occur (Sandwith et al 2001). However, transboundary cooperation for protected areas across country borders also can add costs and time in terms of communication and management requirements (McCallum et al 2015) as well as potentially disadvantage local communities (Petursson and Vedeld 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and connectivity of protected areas in the Americas facilitates transboundary conservation

Thornton

Branch

Murray

2019

Ecological Applications

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Large‐scale anthropogenic changes to landscapes will cause species to move and shift their ranges against a backdrop of international political boundaries. Transboundary conservation efforts are therefore key to preserving intact and connected landscapes, particularly if such efforts can be implemented within the framework of protected area networks that provide for resiliency and persistence in the face of threats such as climate change. We studied the distribution, connectivity, and integrity of protected areas in regions near international borders within the Americas. We found that there is a greater proportion of land protected near vs. far from borders, with this effect extending approximately 125 km from the border. This trend was most pronounced when considering multiuse categories of protected areas in the analysis. We also found that there is greater connectivity of protected areas in border regions than more internally within countries, and relatively low rates of habitat loss within border‐situated and internal protected areas. Our results indicate that protected area networks are larger and more connected if considered in a transboundary context and that efforts to conserve species and mitigate effects of long‐term stressors like climate change will be most successful when planning includes neighboring countries. Despite a relative lack of attention to transboundary conservation in the Americas, our results suggest substantial opportunities for linking landscapes via a focus on international border regions and coordination across borders in protected areas management.

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Transboundary cooperation improves endangered species monitoring and conservation actions: A case study of the global population of Amur leopards

Cited by 42 publications

References 28 publications

Spatial density estimates of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains

Spatial density estimates of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in the French Jura and Vosges Mountains

Vertical relief facilitates spatial segregation of a high density large carnivore population

Distribution and connectivity of protected areas in the Americas facilitates transboundary conservation

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