Application of Multi-Species Occupancy Modeling to assess mammal diversity in northeast Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries on earth with 1033 persons/km2, yet it also harbors a high level of mammal diversity. Unfortunately, general ecological knowledge is limited in many areas of the country, leading to a lack of cohesive conservation initiatives. As a result, the country is quickly losing integral wildlife habitat. Here we assess the presence and community composition of mammal species in Northeastern Bangladesh. Between May 2014 and January 2015 we conducted camera trapping in four Reserve Forests in Northeastern Bangladesh: Atora Hill Reserve Forest (Atora Hill), Patharia Hill Reserve Forest (Patharia Hill), Rajkandi Reserve Forest (Rajkandi), and Tarap Hill Reserve Forest (Tarap Hill); for a combined total of 1283 trap nights across the four reserves. We then used a Multi-Species Occupancy Model (MSOM) to estimate mammal species occupancy, richness, and community composition in Northeastern Bangladesh. We recorded 27 species of mammals, 23 of which were non-domesticated mammals, consisting of six orders and 15 taxonomic families. Our model suggests there are potentially 37 species of mammals occur in the Northeast Bangladesh. MSOM model also suggests occupancy for each species varies in the region from 69 percent for wild boar (Sus scrofa) to 0.1 percent for small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica). Our study provides the baseline for mammal species richness and community composition in Northeastern Bangladesh. Based on our findings we recommend that public-private partnerships, targeted protected areas, and increased capacity of the local people, are integral to facilitate coexistence between humans and wildlife and to aid in the conservation of mammal diversity in Northeastern Bangladesh.