Are Anthropogenic Factors Altering Distribution of Himalayan Black Bears in Nepal?

Are Anthropogenic Factors Altering Distribution of Himalayan Black Bears in Nepal? | 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 Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL Ecology and Evolution This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed.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. 12 May 2026 V1 Latest version Share on Are Anthropogenic Factors Altering Distribution of Himalayan Black Bears in Nepal? Authors : Suman Neupane 0000-0001-9487-4718 [email protected] , Sean Maher [email protected] , Rabin K.C. 0000-0002-6877-0525 [email protected] , and Giorgia Auteri [email protected] Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/authorea.15003080/v1 21 views 6 downloads Contents Abstract Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract Human activities are fragmenting Himalayan black bear (HBB) habitat but may also create benefits such as increased resource availability. To understand these contrasting effects, we explored the relationship between HBBs and humans by constructing species distribution models for HBBs in Nepal. Specifically, we developed two distribution models using MaxEnt—one that assumed no human alterations of the landscape (Natural Environment model) and the other that included components of human activity (Anthropogenic Environment model). The models were based on a total of 475 presence records and potential environmental variables included bioclimatic and anthropogenic factors. Estimated distributions from the two models were then overlaid onto Nepal's Land Use and Land Cover map and categorized by land cover type (e.g., forest, grassland, anthropogenic) to analyze the net change between HBB distribution and land use patterns. The Natural and Anthropogenic environment distribution models predicted similar extents of suitable range for HBBs, with the natural distribution being slightly larger (+21,021 km²). We evaluated natural forests as highly suitable habitats under both models, while areas modified by human activity exhibited lower but still notable levels of suitability. Our findings indicate that current levels of anthropogenic habitat alteration in Nepal have a near net-neutral effect on the overall distribution of HBBs. However, the degree of anthropogenic development in Nepal’s mid-altitudes (that make up the bulk of the HBB habitat) is relatively low in intensity, consisting almost entirely of pervious surfaces (e.g. agricultural areas and villages with little to no pavement). Thus, it could be that more intense anthropogenic development (like paved areas) would equate to habitat destruction for HBBs. Despite the compensation some bears may reap through crops and livestock raiding, conservation activities to address human-HBB interactions and safeguard vital habitat for the species are necessary. KEYWORDS: Himalayan Black Bear, species distribution, MaxEnt, anthropogenic influences Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 12 May 2026 Collection Ecology and Evolution Authors Affiliations Suman Neupane 0000-0001-9487-4718 [email protected] View all articles by this author Sean Maher [email protected] Nanu Foundation, Kathmandu, Nepal, 44600 View all articles by this author Rabin K.C. 0000-0002-6877-0525 [email protected] Nanu Foundation, Kathmandu, Nepal, 44600 View all articles by this author Giorgia Auteri [email protected] View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 21 views 6 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Suman Neupane, Sean Maher, Rabin K.C., et al. Are Anthropogenic Factors Altering Distribution of Himalayan Black Bears in Nepal?. Authorea . 12 May 2026. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/authorea.15003080/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. 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