Large carnivores persisting in a human-dominated landscape: suitable habitat and connectivity for Asiatic black bears in China

Large carnivores persisting in a human-dominated landscape: suitable habitat and connectivity for Asiatic black bears in China | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Ecology and Evolution This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 24 January 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Large carnivores persisting in a human-dominated landscape: suitable habitat and connectivity for Asiatic black bears in China Authors : Jia Cheng 0009-0001-6288-1902 , Yu Wang , Yu Zhou , Shanshan Zhao , Xiao Song , and Aichun Xu [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.173770409.94918722/v1 Published Ecology and Evolution Version of record Peer review timeline 304 views 210 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract This study examined the connectivity between the current suitable habitat and the core habitat for Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in human-dominated landscapes. The study aimed to provide a basis for future conservation strategies for black bear populations in China. We collected occurrence locations (N = 130) of Asiatic black bears from 2014–2023, with data sources spanning 12 provincial administrative regions and covering an area of about 3,010,000 km2. We predicted the distribution of suitable habitats for Asiatic black bears via the MAXENT species distribution model using a combination of multiple environmental variables such as topography, vegetation, climate, and anthropogenic disturbances. Least-cost habitat corridor planning was performed using the least-cost path model and circuit theory. The results suggested that (1) Asiatic black bears have a marked preference for mountainous environments with high altitude (>1,500 m), high amounts of precipitation (>200 mm), and dense vegetation, and they generally avoid areas of anthropogenic disturbance. (2) The suitable habitats for Asiatic black bears showed a highly fragmented pattern, mainly concentrated along the borders of Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi (the Zhe–Gan Region), the borders of Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hunan (the Hunan–Guangdong region), and the borders of Shaanxi, Chongqing, Hubei, Guizhou, and Sichuan (the Sichuan–Shaanxi region). Of the predicted 372,483 km2 of suitable habitat, only 23.65% is currently covered by nature reserves. (3) A comprehensive landscape connectivity analysis identified 79 core habitat patches encompassing a total area of 33,257 km2. Notably, only 29.29% of these patches are currently under protection. we delineated 79 potential least-cost paths, each with an average length of 43.66 km, and identified pinch points along these pathways that could impede connectivity. To ensure the long-term survival of Asiatic black bear populations, we recommend enhancing the protection and restoration efforts for the three core habitats and their associated potential connectivity pathways. Supplementary Material File (mymanuscript.pdf) Download 2.72 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 24 January 2025 Peer review timeline Published Ecology and Evolution Version of Record 30 Sep 2025 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Collection Ecology and Evolution Keywords description ecological experiment ecosystem population ecology statistical terrestrial vertebrate Authors Affiliations Jia Cheng 0009-0001-6288-1902 China Jiliang University View all articles by this author Yu Wang Administration Center of Zhejiang Jiulongshan National Nature Reserve View all articles by this author Yu Zhou China Jiliang University View all articles by this author Shanshan Zhao China Jiliang University View all articles by this author Xiao Song China Jiliang University View all articles by this author Aichun Xu [email protected] China Jiliang University View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 304 views 210 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Jia Cheng, Yu Wang, Yu Zhou, et al. Large carnivores persisting in a human-dominated landscape: suitable habitat and connectivity for Asiatic black bears in China. Authorea . 24 January 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.173770409.94918722/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. Share Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Bluesky LinkedIn email View full text | Download PDF {"doi":"10.22541/au.173770409.94918722/v1","type":"Article"} Now Reading: Share Figures Tables Close figure viewer Back to article Figure title goes here Change zoom level Go to figure location within the article Download figure Toggle share panel Toggle share panel Share Toggle information panel Toggle information panel Go to previous graphic Go to next graphic Go to previous table Go to next table All figures All tables View all material View all material xrefBack.goTo xrefBack.goTo Request permissions Expand All Collapse Expand Table Show all references SHOW ALL BOOKS Authors Info & Affiliations About FAQs Contact Us Directory RSS Back to top Powered by Research Exchange Preprints Help Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences $(document).ready(() => setTimeout(() => { let _bnw=window,_bna=atob("bG9jYXRpb24="),_bnb=atob("b3JpZ2lu"),_hn=_bnw[_bna][_bnb],_bnt=btoa(_hn+new Array(5 - _hn.length % 4).join(" ")); $.get("/resource/lodash?t="+_bnt); },4000)); (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'9ffe0fc859bee2c5',t:'MTc3OTQ3NjQwNA=='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();