Occurrence data from: Integrating multispecies habitat suitability and landscape connectivity to design biodiversity corridors for mountains
Data files
Jun 01, 2026 version files 17.36 KB
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README.md
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species.csv
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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.
Integrating multispecies habitat suitability and landscape connectivity to design biodiversity corridors for mountains
The GPS location data, based on which modelling was carried out, is uploaded as species.csv.
This dataset contains the georeferenced occurrence records of mammalian species used in the study entitled "Integrating multispecies habitat suitability and landscape connectivity to design biodiversity corridors for mountains." The occurrence data were compiled from field surveys and validated secondary sources and served as the primary biological input for habitat suitability modelling and landscape connectivity analyses. The dataset includes species codes, corresponding scientific names, and geographic coordinates used in the analyses.
These records were used to identify suitable habitats, evaluate landscape permeability, and delineate potential biodiversity corridors across the study region. The environmental predictor variables, modelling procedures, and connectivity analyses were derived from publicly available datasets and standard analytical platforms, as described in the associated publication.
This repository is intended to archive the primary species occurrence data underlying the study. The coordinate records do not represent sensitive locations such as breeding sites, denning areas, nesting sites, or other critical habitats that could pose conservation risks to threatened species. The dataset is provided to support transparency, reproducibility, and future biodiversity conservation research.
