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摘要
Malayan sun bear is one of the least known species, the population of which has dramatically decreased. Their habitat loss was considered the main reason for the decline during the last decade, but their habitat preferences are still not well known. The habitat use by sun bear was assessed based on direct sightings and indirect evidences such as claw marks, scats, nests, dens, digging sign and foot prints etc. in Namdapha Tiger Reserve. Six variables, namely elevation, slope, vegetation cover, distance to water, human disturbance and terrain type were used to measure habitat conditions for the bear sign locations sampled during the field surveys. The data on habitat use by sun bears collected from the 430 sample plots along the 43 transects showed maximum number of plots with bear signs in Tropical semi-evergreen forest. Although sun bears showed some preference for Tropical semi-evergreen forest and Tropical wet-evergreen forest habitat categories, but as such there was no preference or avoidance by bears for rest of the habitat types. Among various habitat categories, the proportional availability of Tropical semi-evergreen forest was found to be highest. In comparison to the availability of various habitat types, the expected use of these habitat categories was found in proportion. The habitat use by sun bear was assessed based on direct sightings and indirect evidences in Namdapha tiger reserve. Six variables, namely elevation, slope, vegetation cover, distance to water, human disturbance & terrain type were used to measure habitat conditions for the bear sign locations sampled during the field surveys. The habitat use based on density of bear signs per hectare was highest in Tropical semi-evergreen forest (0.271), followed by Tropical wet-evergreen forest (0.257), Semi-evergreen forest (0.195) Mix forest (0.139), Temperate forest (0.112) & Bamboo forest (0.027). Habitat used by sun bear were calculated using of fixed kernel method. Therefore its habitat composition resembled more that of the landscape, and comparison between K95 and the study area revealed better habitat selection within the landscape (second order selection). The proportions of two common habitat types (fields and spruce forests) differed between the core areas used in the study. Comparison between the smallest core areas (K50) and (K99) revealed best habitat preferences within the home range (third order habitat selection). Comparing the distribution of individual location points in different habitats to the habitat composition of home ranges did not reveal habitat preferences of sun bear.
- 出版日期2016
