Research

Range-wide core areas and corridors

WildCRU’s habitat suitability modelling, for the entire ranges of both the mainland and Sunda clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa and N. diardi, is presented in a short video show-casing the two studies in which we identified core habitat and connectivity corridors (Macdonald et al, 2019 and Macdonald et al, 2018). To view the Clouded Leopard Programme video series, click here.

Further, led by Żaneta Kaszta, we measured, mapped and ranked core areas and corridors for mainland clouded leopard. We developed an empirically based landscape resistance model, building on WildCRU’s clouded leopard habitat suitability analysis (Macdonald et al, 2019). We used a cumulative resistant kernel analysis to define core areas and least‐cost network analysis to identify corridors for long distance dispersal. We then ranked core areas based on their strength and size, and corridors based on their strength and the strength of core areas they connect.

We found that the most important core areas and corridors are concentrated in Southeast Asia, largely in Myanmar, Laos and Malaysia. Myanmar contains nearly the entirety of the first and third highest ranked core areas, as well as the most important network of corridors in SE Asia. Laos encompasses one large potential core area, ranked as the second most important across the clouded leopard’s range. A large number (22) of very small (<8000 km2) and fairly isolated core areas are in China. Only 24% of clouded leopard core areas and 17% of corridors are protected.

This is the first example of using empirical models to prioritize conservation actions across the full range of a large carnivore. Our analysis identifies the location, size and connectivity of the most important remaining habitats of the clouded leopard across its range, which could provide quantitative guidance in the efforts to maximize the efficacy of regional conservation initiatives to conserve this species and the ecosystems it inhabits.

Kaszta, Ż., Cushman, S.A. and Macdonald, D.W. (2020), Prioritizing habitat core areas and corridors for a large carnivore across its range. Animal Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.12575

Macdonald, D. W., Bothwell, H. M., Kaszta, et al. (2019). Multi‐scale habitat modelling identifies spatial conservation priorities for mainland clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa). Diversity and Distributions, 25(10), 1639-1654.

Macdonald, D. W., Bothwell, H. M., Hearn, A. J., Cheyne, S. M., Haidir, I., Hunter, L. T., … & Cushman, S. A. (2018). Multi-scale habitat selection modeling identifies threats and conservation opportunities for the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi). Biological Conservation, 227, 92-103.

  • Clouded leopard core dispersal areas and network of protected areas.
  • Ranking of clouded leopard core areas by density of movement.
  • Ranking of clouded leopard network of corridors. Above figures from Kaszta et al, Animal Conservation, 2020
  • Top habitat patches for Sunda clouded leopard on Sumatra and Borneo. Figure from Macdonald et al, Biological Conservation, 2018.