A leopard's favourite spots: Habitat preference and population density of leopards in a semi-arid biodiversity hotspot. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mann, Gareth K.H.; O'Riain, M. Justin; Parker, Daniel M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of arid environments. Volume 181(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Panthera pardus -- population density -- spatial capture recapture -- habitat suitability; Arid regions ecology -- Periodicals; Arid regions -- Periodicals; Écologie des régions arides -- Périodiques; Régions arides -- Périodiques; 577.54
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2020.104218
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-1963

Abstract

Abstract : Leopards (Panthera pardus) are the only free-ranging large predators to still occur naturally throughout much of Africa, but are vulnerable to habitat loss, ecosystem degradation and persecution. We used a systematic camera trap survey covering an area of ∼3100 km 2 in the Little Karoo, a semi-arid biodiversity hotspot in South Africa, to assess the impacts of land use and habitat type on leopard density. Camera data were supplemented by opportunistic scat collection to produce a habitat suitability model. We used a habitat suitability model to inform spatially explicit capture-recapture models used to estimate population density. We recorded 152 independent photographs of 27 individually recognizable leopards at 54 camera stations and collected scats from a further 76 locations. Our habitat suitability model showed that primary productivity and vegetation type were the best predictors of leopard habitat suitability. Our best performing population density model allowed for detection and movement of individuals to vary according to sex, and estimated population density at 1.26 (SE ± 0.25) leopards/100 km 2 . Our results suggest that the Little Karoo contains large areas of leopard habitat, but that leopards only persist at low densities within this area. Our study serves as an important baseline estimate for leopard populations in mixed land-use, semi-arid areas. Highlights: NDVI and vegetation type were the best predictors of leopard habitat suitability. Leopard distribution appears to be constrained by geophysical and anthropogenic factors. Leopard population density in the Little Karoo was 1.26 (SE0.25) leopards/100 km 2 .