Potential Distribution of the Asiatic Black Bear in Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim Eastern Himalaya using MaxEnt Modeling

A study using MaxEnt modeling reveals that the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) occupies approximately 360.32 km², or 20.19% of the core area in Khangchendzonga National Park, with a strong preference for temperate zones over sub-alpine and alpine regions. Critical factors influencing its distribution include precipitation patterns (driest and wettest months), mean diurnal temperature range, aspect, and land use/land cover (LULC). The research employed sign surveys, camera trapping, and trail monitoring to collect presence-only data, with 15 key environmental variables identified after addressing multicollinearity. The model demonstrated excellent predictive accuracy (mean AUC = 0.941), highlighting significant bear activity in broadleaved forests, coniferous patches, and grasslands. Notably, large distributional areas were predicted outside the core zone, suggesting potential for human-bear interactions in buffer and transition zones. These findings provide actionable insights for conservation planning to mitigate conflicts.

Basnett, R., Kumar, A., & Yomcha, T. (2023). Potential Distribution of the Asiatic Black Bear in Khangchendzonga National Park, Sikkim Eastern Himalaya using MaxEnt Modeling. European Journal of Ecology, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.17161/eurojecol.v9i1.16766