Functional connectivity for large mammals in the southern western ghats

Submitted by srini on Tue, 07/19/2016 - 15:26
Summary

Large mammal populations in the Periyar and Agasthyamalai reserves of the Western Ghats, India were once contiguous, but are now isolated by a mosaic of human-impacted habitat and linear barriers. Restoration of movement is essential to buffer their populations from demographic stochasticity and loss of genetic diversity. Past projects by FERAL have identified a 185 km2 linkage zone where movement corridors can potentially be restored. However, the precise locations, optimal habitat compositions, and conflict management strategies for small-scale movement corridors through this human-dominated linkage are unknown. We will quantify large mammal habitat preferences at a fine scale, and hence a) identify optimal corridor locations; b) identify the factors that influence animal use of a site. Study results will help in the restoration of corridors and in mitigating human-wildlife conflict in this landscape.

Objectives

 

 

Project Information

FERAL Team

Aditya Gangadharan
Srinivas Vaidyanathan

Project Information

Budget:$65,810

Duration: to

Funding Agencies:

Wildlife Conservation Society, U.S.Fish and Wild Life Service USA

.
lab1
FERAL - once wild, runs wild again.