On the impact of earthquake-induced landslides on Red Panda Ailurus fulgens (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ailuridae) habitat in Langtang National Park, Nepal

Yogesh Rana Magar,Man Kumar Dhamala,Ajay Mathema,Raju Chauhan,Sijar Bhatta

doi:10.11609/jott.6451.13.9.19191-19202

Yogesh Rana Magar, Man Kumar Dhamala + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.6451.13.9.19191-19202

Copy DOI

Abstract

In addition to the threats of human encroachment, infrastructure development, tourism activities, habitat fragmentation, and human-wildlife interactions, natural disasters also pose a threat to the habitat of endangered species such as the Red Panda. This study aims to assess the impact of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake-induced landslides on the Red Panda’s habitat in Langtang National Park (LNP), central Nepal Himalaya. Remote sensing and geographical information system were applied to estimate the potential and core habitats of the Red Panda, and collect information on earthquake-induced landslides. Field sampling and verification of remotely collected data were done within a year of the earthquake. Considering preferred vegetation types, elevation range, aspects, distance from water sources, and Red Panda presence points, an area of 214.34 km2 was estimated as the potential habitat of Red Panda in the Park. Thirty-nine landslides were identified in LNP triggered by the Gorkha earthquake, 14 of which occurred in the core Red Panda habitat. As a result of the earthquake-induced landslides, a significant decrease in tree density was observed in the areas affected by the landslides. Similarly, the bamboo cover was observed to be significantly lower in the areas affected by landslides compared to the unaffected adjacent areas. The average size of the landslide, causing damage to the Red Panda habitat was 0.8 ha. The potential habitat damaged by the earthquake-induced landslide was estimated to be 11.20 ha which is equivalent to the habitat required by one Red Panda. The findings could be useful in initiating restoration of the damaged Red Panda habitat in LNP.

Highlights

Natural disasters such as earthquakes can severely affect the earth’s biodiversity
In addition to the threats of human encroachment, infrastructure development, tourism activities, habitat fragmentation, and human-wildlife interactions, natural disasters pose a threat to the habitat of endangered species such as the Red Panda
This study aims to assess the impact of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake-induced landslides on the Red Panda’s habitat in Langtang National Park (LNP), central Nepal Himalaya

Summary

Introduction

Natural disasters such as earthquakes can severely affect the earth’s biodiversity. Some disasters may severely threaten plant and animal species due to the destruction of resources than the other ones (Lai et al 2007; Ding & Miao 2015). The Gorkha earthquake (Mw 7.8), that hit Nepal on 25 April 2015, had triggered 4,312 co-seismic and post-seismic landslides (Kargel et al 2016). The Gorkha earthquake had severely impacted forests and biodiversity, mainly by the earthquakeinduced landslides (MOSTE 2015). The debris avalanche and the air blasts that were triggered by the earthquake flattened the forests up to 1 km (Collins & Jibson 2015). A loss of around USD 303 million was estimated in the environment and forestry sector due to the Gorkha earthquake (NPC 2015a,b)

Objectives

Methods

Results