College of Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Forestry, Agriculture and Forestry University, Katari, Udayapur, Nepal.
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
PeerJ. 2024 Sep 26;12:e18034. doi: 10.7717/peerj.18034. eCollection 2024.
The endangered hispid hare () is one of the least studied mammal species. The recent rediscovery of hispid hare in Chitwan National Park (CNP) after three decades, necessitated urgent conservation measures. A detailed investigation into the species' ecology is imperative for developing evidence-based conservation strategies to support these efforts. The main objective of this study is to investigate the current distribution pattern and habitat preferences, offering vital insights for the effective preservation and management of the species and its habitat. Between 28 January and 13 February 2023, fifty-two surveys using strip transects were carried out in the potential areas. If any indirect signs of the presence of the hispid hare were identified, the corresponding value is coded as 1 "used plot". In contrast, a value of 0 was assigned if there is an absence of any indirect signs "habitat availability plot". Nine habitat predictors (habitat type, ground cover, distance to water source, distance to roads/path/firelines, ground condition, dominant plant species, presence/absence of (anthropogenic disturbance, predators, and invasive species), were measured from both plot types ("used plot" and "habitat availability plot"). Our research indicates a clumped distribution pattern within the CNP, with the Sukhibhar grassland identified as a key hotspot. Our study reveals the hispid hare's adaptability to diverse grassland conditions, favoring both tall and short grasslands. It is essential to integrate the species' preference for various grassland habitats and critical water sources to enhance conservation strategies. This requires a comprehensive grassland management plan for Chitwan National Park that preserves habitat diversity, safeguards key water sources, and adapts to evolving environmental conditions.
濒危的喜马拉雅旱獭（）是研究最少的哺乳动物物种之一。在经历了三十年的时间后，喜马拉雅旱獭在奇特万国家公园（CNP）的重新发现，促使人们急需采取保护措施。对该物种的生态进行详细调查对于制定基于证据的保护策略至关重要，以支持这些努力。本研究的主要目的是调查其当前的分布格局和栖息地偏好，为有效保护和管理该物种及其栖息地提供重要的见解。在 2023 年 1 月 28 日至 2 月 13 日期间，在潜在区域进行了 52 次使用条带样带的调查。如果确定存在喜马拉雅旱獭的任何间接迹象，则相应的值编码为 1“使用样带”。相比之下，如果不存在任何间接迹象“栖息地可用样带”，则赋值为 0。从两种样带类型（“使用样带”和“栖息地可用样带”）测量了 9 个栖息地预测因子（栖息地类型、地面覆盖物、到水源的距离、到道路/路径/防火线的距离、地面状况、优势植物物种、存在/不存在（人为干扰、捕食者和入侵物种）。我们的研究表明，在 CNP 内存在聚集分布模式，苏基巴草原被确定为一个关键热点。我们的研究揭示了喜马拉雅旱獭对各种草原条件的适应性，喜欢高草和矮草草原。将物种对各种草原栖息地和关键水源的偏好纳入保护策略至关重要。这需要为奇特万国家公园制定全面的草原管理计划，以保留栖息地多样性、保护关键水源，并适应不断变化的环境条件。
