Prioritizing conservation of threatened raptor species using synergistic distribution modeling of high potential areas in foothills of Eastern Himalayas, India

Abstract

Species Distribution Models are widely used to predict single and multiple species distribution based on different environmental parameters concerned. Such a framework often ignores distribution overlapping of associated species of the same taxon or genus which may lead to high-cost conservation for the concerned authority. Cost effective conservation management can be practiced by prioritizing areas of high suitability, shared by one or more related species. Here, we proposed the concept of the high probable distribution area shared by at least two species i.e. Synergistic potential distribution area in Assam. Analysis of the synergistic distribution map showed that the average combined high potential area of all the species is 3140 km2, and the average synergistic distribution area shared by at least two species accounts for 1367.63 km2 (Falco severus + Gyps tenuirostris = 1446.19 km2, Falco severus + Haliaeetus leucoryphys = 1404.75 km2, Gyps tenuirostris + Haliaeetus leucoryphus = 1251.95 km2). We found that the highly suitable areas of raptors in Assam were mostly concentrated in the Manas Tiger Reserve landscape, Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape and Upper Brahmaputra valley. This concept would definitely help to identify areas shared by raptors and prioritize cost effective conservation efforts.