Evaluating landscape connectivity and bottle-necks for tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in Tadoba-Andhari landscape complex, Maharashtra, India.

Abstract

The theory of meta-population dynamics as proposed by Richard Levins in 1969 becomes more evident every day with wild animal populations being compartmentalized into far flung isolated habitats. Everyday animal populations are being driven into several isolated populations, and they face the risk of extinction as a consequence of demographic stochasticity which rises from the probable chance of inbreeding depression in smaller populations. The current study has identified 7555.28 km2 of area outside PAs that arei crucial for-the dispersal and movement of tigers in the Eastern Vidarbha Landscape 2481.23 km2 (32.84%) fall inside notified forest lands. Tiger movement data was analyzed and pockets were identified in the landscape outside PAs where they were spending a considerable amount of time while dispersing or exploring. The eco-geographical characteristics of these pockets were extracted and based on this information we extrapolated it to other areas of the landscape using a MaxEnt model. By extrapolation, the study aimed at identifying patches potentially similar to the ones indicated by the tracking data, which may provide refuge to the dispersing or exploring tigers. Radio collar data from two sub-adult males (514 and 363 days), one adult male (75 days) and three adult females (78, 66 and 422 days) totaling 14,448 GPS fixes was used to calculate Linear Time Density (LTD) Home Range in 500 X 500 m grids across the landscape.