Discussion
The conservation status of the red panda is a barometer
of regional conservation efforts for monitoring the integrity of the
Eastern Himalayan Broadleaf and Conifer Eco-region (Williams 2003). This
study represents a major advance on past sparse and the restricted study
which has principally relied on historical anecdotal information. Using
extensive field-based survey ever conducted in Western Nepal, spanning
red pandas’ range districts of Western Nepal, we demonstrate how
bioclimatic variables can be used to identify potential suitable habitat
along with primary habitat requirements, distribution and potential
corridor for the red panda
conservation.
Based on extensive field survey and predictive potential habitat
suitability model using bioclimatic variables to build a Maxent habitat
model of red panda in Western Nepal. Our major findings have been 1)
Potentially suitable habitat in Western Nepal, 2) Important attributes
that influence red panda presence and 3) Number of potential corridors
in Western Nepal. Our result with regards to total potential red panda
habitat, habitat preference and potential corridors in Western Nepal
could be critical for setting appropriate management goals, monitoring
effectiveness, informing policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders.
Western Nepal harbors 3,222
km2 i.e. 23.38
% according to Panthi et al. (2019) and 14.86 % as per Thapa et al.
(2020) of potential red panda habitat in Nepal. This might suggest that
Western Nepal has suitable ecological variables such as bamboo cover,
canopy cover, aspects and water body needed for red panda survival.
Our study concluded that tree and bamboo cover, proximity to the water
body and aspect were the strongest predictor of red panda distribution
which is supported by findings of previous studies (Thapa et al. 2020;
Thapa et al. 2018; Bista et al. 2017; Dorji et al. 2011; Williams 2006;
Pradhan et al. 2001; Yonzon & Hunter 1991a). Tree canopy cover has
structured an ideal microclimatic setting (e.g., temperature, relative
humidity; Anhuf & Rollenbeck 2001) which favored the better growth of
the understory of bamboo (Thapa et al. 2018) and also provide shelter
and protection (Thapa et al. 2020; Bista et al. 2019; Pradhan et al.
2001; Yonzon & Hunter 1991a). Also, canopy cover contributes for the
safety shelter away from the avian predators which could showed the high
record of fecal pellets in the tree branches. Also, 62.21 % of the red
panda latrine site was recorded on tree branches. This might be due to
as tree provides better shelter and safety from predators and easy
movement from the branches of trees (Reid et al. 1991; Pradhan et al
2001; Thapa et al. 2020).
The presence of bamboos was observed in 85% of sign plots. This
demonstrates the importance of bamboos as one of the fundamental
parameters affecting red panda distribution (Yonzon & Hunter 1991b; Fox
et al. 1996; Williams 2004; Dorji et al. 2011). Bamboo species
contributes more than 90% food of the Himalayan red panda (Thapa et al.
2020; Panthi et al. 2019; Sharma et al. 2014 Pradhan et al. 2001; Yonzon
& Hunter 1989). Besides bamboo species, other food such as seasonal
fruiting berries contribute a very little proportion in food of the red
pandas (Yonzon & Hunter 1991b). Such a near inclusive reliance on
bamboo may be a survival strategy. Proximity to bamboo lessens the
travel needed to forage, which conserve red panda energy (Hu 2001; Reid
et al. 1991).
Occurrence of Himalayan red panda is positively associated with distance
to water resources. Almost 90 of red panda fecal pellets were recorded
within 150 m which might suggested that red panda frequently need water
for their physiological food processing due to poor digestive system.
Our findings are identical to the results of previous studies (Yonzon &
Hunter 1991b; Pradhan et al. 2001; Williams 2006; Dorji et al. 2011;
Bista et al. 2017; Thapa et al. 2018). Such proximity might help the red
panda to avoid predators such as snow leopard, marten, and human and
conserve its energy (Pradhan et al. 2001; Bista et al. 2017). Proximity
to the water is important to conserve their energy as they do not
require a long distance to travel for water (Bista et al. 2017; Pradhan
et al. 2001). Also, this might be also due to low water content
associated with bamboo leaves (Reid et al. 1991; Wei et al. 1999b). In
Wolong Reserve, the water content in their scat was 72.4±5.5%, and that
in B. faberi leaves 59.7±8.1 % or less than 12.7 % less than in
the scat. (Johnson et al.1988). In the wild, their traces, including
fecal pellets, foraging sites were frequently found at a site close to
the water body. For instance, in Mabian Reserve, red pandas often
foraged at sites less than 200 m away from the water body (Wei et al.
1999a). In CHAL, observation indicated that proximity to water may be an
important habitat requirement because 90 % of the fecal pellets were
found within 100 m of the nearest water body (Bista et al. 2017).
Red pandas were detected more frequently on northerly and westerly
slopes in our study, which supports similar observations by Yonzon (et
al. 1991a) in Langtang National Park. Yonzon (et al. 1991a) hypothesized
that the Northern slope receives fewer sunlight periods which are
conducive to the growth of fir-jhapra bamboo forest. In Jigme
Dorji and Thrumshingla National Parks, Bhutan, red pandas were
associated strongly associated with southerly slopes as southerly slope
receives direct sunlight during winter and red pandas rested in direct
sunlight during winter to reduce heat loss (Reid et al. 1991).We noted
that northerly and westerly slopes in our study areas had relatively
high bamboo densities, which might be associated with sunlight and
rainfall. Due to the lack of detailed knowledge of bamboo ecology in
Nepal, more studies are needed to investigate the effects of the
physical landscape variables on bamboo species.
In Nepal, forests are integral to human subsistence,
however, because of the common
reliance on forests by humans and red pandas, sustainable management of
natural resources is critical to meet the needs of both people and red
panda conservation. This proposes that red pandas are primarily
dependent on bamboo species. Bamboo species are vulnerable to climate
change because of their uncommon reproduction intervals (Janzen 1976),
apart from limited seed dispersal capacity (Taylor et al. 1991; Mao Ning
et al. 2012). To ensure red panda survival bamboo conservation should be
the highest importance. Therefore, the establishment of red panda
focused conservation zones is needed to secure the long-term survival of
red pandas through maintaining habitat connectivity that ensures the
conservation of a genetically viable population in the long run. This
study recommended potential five potential corridors in western Nepal.
Although, a detailed field-based assessment is needed to validate it
scientifically.
The present study identified five potential corridors in Western Nepal
with an important cluster in Jumla, Jajarkot, and Dolpa district. These
corridors are the vital repository of biodiversity in this region.
Although, biodiversity of the suggested corridor has not been affected
by any detrimental development activities, the same cannot be forecast
for the future. It is imperative that the partnerships and
collaborations with the community should be nurtured to ensure the
long-term conservation of suggested the corridor. This study also
further highlighted the need for site-specific conservation strategies
that need to be bolstered with comprehensive information on bamboo
distribution, other palatable species, and microclimatic conditions.