文献类型：期刊文献

英文题名：Habitat Restoration and Conservation Challenges for Asiatic Black Bear in a Changing Landscape: Implications for Human-Wildlife Coexistence

作者：Ji, Yunrui[1,2] Wei, Xuelei[1] Li, Diqiang[1,2]

第一作者：Ji, Yunrui

机构：[1] Ecology and Nature Conservation Institute, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing, 100091, China; [2] Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing, 100091, China

年份：2023

外文期刊名：SSRN

收录：EI(收录号：20230178735)

语种：英文

外文关键词：Animals - Biodiversity - Conservation - Economics - Ecosystems - Forestry

摘要：Over the past few decades, environmental changes resulting from conservation programs and socio-economic development have contributed to the restoration of many carnivores and presented new challenges for human-wildlife coexistence. Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) play a crucial role as an umbrella species by providing numerous ecological benefits to their surrounding ecosystems. It is also a conflict-prone species that frequently interact with rural people. However, information is lacking about whether and how the habitat and population of black bear, and human-bear interactions vary in China. This study conducted a comprehensive assessment of suitable habitat, landscape connectivity, population trend, and human-bear interface (HBI) for Asiatic black bears in a biodiversity hotspot of China from 2000 to 2020. We identified potential suitable habitats and high-quality corridors and measured their variations in Western Yunnan, China, from 2000 to 2020. Increased forest cover promoted overall improvements with local loss in habitat and connectivity. We conducted semi-structured interviews to gain people's perceptions of the bear population. Most respondents (77.1%) reported that forest restoration and reduced human impact have contributed to an increasing bear population in the same period. We employed an approach that combined landscape connectivity and human-bear conflict (HBC) occurrence to identify HBI. The area of HBI has increased, and the distance of HBI from human settlements has decreased from 2000 to 2020, increasing the risk of human-bear interaction. We attributed this change mainly to the restorations of many low-quality areas that transformed from anthropogenic landscapes to HBI. This study provides crucial information to support recovery efforts and refine conservation practices in human-dominated landscapes to ensure the long-term survival of bears. ? 2023, The Authors. All rights reserved.