Assessing habitat suitability of leopards (Panthera pardus) in unprotected scrublands of Bera, Rajasthan, India

Abstract Information regarding species distributions in context to the spatiotemporal scale is indispensable for ecology and evolution as well as in conservation biology. Models on species allocations are commonly used in the assessment of conservation issues that not only include evaluation of probable management actions. Along with this, knowledge of habitat preferences with their requirements is very significant in habitat mapping of species of interest. Most sophisticated remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System tools have already successfully been applied in the mapping of the distribution of several plants as well as animal species in association with their niche that contains landscapes, bioclimatic conditions, and factors facilitating invasions. The existence of predators like a common leopard (Panthera pardus) has often been associated with high biodiversity, so the protection of their habitats is one of the most effective ways to conserve biodiversity globally. Leopards (P. pardus) are highly adaptable and live extensively across varied climates. Considering this background of the study, the key objective of the present study is to assess the high abundance and suitable habitats of common Leopard (P. pardus) in the unprotected scrub forests of Bera, which is located in the southwestern part of Rajasthan by field-based data and RS and geospatial approach. Based on the field-based study and Global Positioning System location of leopard sightings, ‘habitat suitability index’ has been prepared at the primary level. In the secondary level, identification of a suitable and non-suitable habitat zone for the Indian Leopards in Bera has been done through geospatial techniques and finally concluded with the demarcation of the core habitat zone for the Indian Leopard in this region. The significance of the study would not be only to prove that the area has a highly abundant leopard population living in close proximity to human settlements but also to analyze the suitable habitat for the leopard population that is present in the region with the aim of protecting and managing the area. This study hopes that with this database the study aims at protecting these majestic predators without compromising on the lives and livelihood of the locals of the region.