Factors Associated with Habitat Segregation Among the Four Species of Cervids in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal

Research reveals that habitat segregation among four cervid species—chital, sambar deer, hog deer, and northern red muntjac—in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, is significantly influenced by seasonal changes. The study found higher niche overlap during the summer compared to winter, with chital and muntjac showing unstable competition due to their generalist nature. Discriminant analysis and canonical correlation analysis were used to assess habitat partitioning across four key dimensions: habitat type, human disturbance, predator presence, and season. Data was collected via line transects spanning diverse habitats. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining habitat heterogeneity and minimizing human disturbances for the coexistence of these herbivores, offering insights applicable to similar lowland regions in Nepal.

Bhattarai, B. P. (2019). Factors Associated with Habitat Segregation Among the Four Species of Cervids in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Ekológia (Bratislava), 38(1), 37–48. https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2019-0004