GIS and remote sensing-based wildlife habitat suitability analysis for Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) at Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia

A study analyzing habitat suitability for the endangered Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) in Ethiopia's Bale Mountains National Park reveals that 60% of the park's land area is suitable for the species, with highly and moderately suitable habitats concentrated in the northern region, western border, and Harrena forest. The research used GIS and remote sensing techniques, including Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data and Landsat 9 imagery, combined with environmental factors like vegetation, soil types, topography, climate, and proximity to human settlements. By applying Multi-Criteria Evaluation (MCE) with pair-wise comparison methods, the study identified five suitability classes, providing critical insights for conservation efforts and park management decisions. The findings highlight the importance of targeted protection strategies in these key habitats to ensure the survival of this vulnerable species.

Masha, M., Tadila, G., & Bojago, E. (2024). GIS and remote sensing-based wildlife habitat suitability analysis for Mountain Nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni) at Bale Mountains National Park, Ethiopia. Quaternary Science Advances, 16, 100251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.qsa.2024.100251