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Dryad

Occurrence data from: Integrating multispecies habitat suitability and landscape connectivity to design biodiversity corridors for mountains

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Jun 01, 2026 version files 17.36 KB

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Abstract

In the Himalayan region, habitat loss from infrastructure development and land use changes threaten biodiversity by degrading biological corridors. Despite increased Protected Areas (PAs), maintaining connectivity between them remains challenging. A pilot study in Himachal Pradesh, India, aimed to map biodiversity corridors (landscape linkages between isolated protected areas) to support wildlife habitats and guide development planning. A total effort of 120 camera traps over 3605 trap nights and 94 trails covering 918 km recorded 20 species, with 8 species listed as threatened. Using transect surveys and camera-trapping data along with ensemble species-distribution models, we generated multi-species habitat-suitability maps. Additionally, connectivity tools such as Circuitscape, Core Mapper, and Linkage Mapper were utilized to map potential biodiversity corridors and connectivity between protected areas. High species richness areas were located between Inderkila NP & Kias WLS; Kanawar WLS & Khirgana NP; Dhauladar WLS & Nargu WLS. We identified 1722.16 km² of multispecies suitable habitat across the landscape and it is influenced by temperature and elevation. A total of four high connectivity blocks were identified, where the strongest connectivity was found between Inderkila and Kais, suggesting these areas should be regarded valuable for gene flow. Least-cost path and cost-weighted distance analyses mapped valuable wildlife movement routes and quantified resistance to movement across linkages. Several pinch points were identified, especially between Inderkila NP and Kais WLS, and within Dhauladhar WLS, indicating zones of movement constriction critical for maintaining landscape connectivity. This modelling technique offers a robust and scalable approach for designing ecological networks in mountain regions, enable policymakers and land use planners to integrate connectivity into landscape level conservation strategies for effective conservation under ongoing developmental pressures.