Abstract
Disturbances caused by livestock grazing are considered as a key attributable factor for the habitat loss of red panda. The present study was carried out in Eastern Nepal mainly focusing on the habitat preferences of red panda and impacts of livestock grazing on it. In total, 15 linear transects were delineated at an elevation interval of 100 m assessing indirect signs of red panda and livestock. Habitat preferences of red panda, vegetation abundance, coverage percentage of vegetation layers (canopy and shrub layer) and distance to water source were recorded using randomly plotted 58 quadrats of 10 m × 10 m. Questionnaire survey and Key Informant Interviews were carried out to evaluate the perception of local community on conservation threats and importance of red panda conservation. Jaccard’s similarity index was used to determine the spatial habitat overlap of livestock and red panda. Litsea elongata, Lithocarpus pachyphylla and Rhododendron falconeri were the most common species in the study area. Grazing signs were observed from 51% of red panda habitats in the study area. Livestock herding has induced negative impacts on the habitat of red panda inside the community forests. The study findings will extend the existing body of knowledge regarding the status of red panda in Eastern Himalayas. In addition, this research will help in the formulation of effective legal and strategic framework of sustainable grazing management.
Highlights
Recognizing environmental and anthropogenic factors which affect distribution and survival of species is a key pursuit of ecology [1] [2]
Habitat Availability and Preferences In Chipchipe CF, 48% plots were characterized as livestock only plot, 21% as red panda only plot, 18% as habitat overlap plot and 13% as non-sign plot (N = 44)
In Singhadevi CF, 71% were noted as livestock only plot and 29% as habitat overlap plot (N = 14) In total, 20 different tree species were recorded from the red panda potential habitat range in Chipchipe CF (Figure 2) suggesting Persea odoraissima, Lithocarpus pachyphylla, Rhodendrom falconeri, Schefflera impressa and Quercus spp as their favourable plant species
Summary
Recognizing environmental and anthropogenic factors which affect distribution and survival of species is a key pursuit of ecology [1] [2]. Red panda is a flagship species of the Eastern Himalayan eco-region with its distribution limited in five countries: China, Myanmar, India, Bhutan and Nepal [5] [7]. It prefers forests dominated by Betula utilis, Rhododendron spp, Abies spp and bamboo species in the understory [8]. The report on Population and Habitat Viability Assessment (PHVA) estimated the total population of red panda ranging from 237 to 1061 individuals in Nepal [10]. Adequate information about the habitat preferences, ecology and conservation threats to red panda is limited [11] [12]
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