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Conserving tigers Panthera tigris in selectively logged Sumatran forests

Linkie, Matthew, Haidir, Iding Achmad, Nugroho, Agung, Dinata, Yoan (2008) Conserving tigers Panthera tigris in selectively logged Sumatran forests. Biological Conservation, 141 (9). pp. 2410-2415. ISSN 0006-3207. (doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2008.07.002) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:15779)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2008.07.002

Abstract

The response of most large carnivores to selective logging is poorly understood. On the one hand, selective logging may represent loss of important habitat, yet, on the other hand, selective logging may increase browse availability for a terrestrial ungulate prey base, thereby indirectly benefiting large carnivores. Using a camera trap-based sampling method, we estimate tiger density in two primary-selectively logged forest areas that straddle Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra. We then investigate potential differences between the habitat use of tigers: within these study areas and forest types; and, within the finer-scale landscape features associated with these covariates. Across the mixed forest study areas, tiger density estimates (adult individuals/100 km(2) +/- S.E.) of 2.95 +/- 0.56 and 1.55 +/- 0.34 were produced. However, within these areas, tigers showed a preference for primary over degraded forest, and this was related to the greater accessibility of degraded forest sites to people, e.g., through their proximity to roads. Presently, the majority of Sumatran tigers occur within large tracts of primary forest, but these extend outside of the island's protected area borders, and these unprotected forests are especially at risk from the high levels of deforestation in Sumatra. As forest is cleared, previously remote, and therefore safer, tracts of primary forest become accessible and, eventually, degraded. Yet, from our study, degraded forest in combination with primary forest supported sufficiently high tiger densities and can, therefore, make an important contribution to tiger conservation. It is therefore essential to lessen the detrimental effects of accessibility through increasing law enforcement and destroying ex-logging roads. Crown Copyright

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.biocon.2008.07.002
Uncontrolled keywords: Deforestation; Detection; Habitat use; Large carnivore; Logging; Presence
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User: Jane Griffiths
Date Deposited: 12 Mar 2009 15:00 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:53 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/15779 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Linkie, Matthew.

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