Current and Future Distribution of Striped Hyena in Nepal

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Conservation Biology
• Zoology

Background:

• The striped hyena (Hyena hyena) faces distribution shifts driven by human activities and climate change.
• Understanding these shifts is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies.
• Current knowledge on the extent and direction of striped hyena habitat changes is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess current and future potential suitable habitats for striped hyenas in Nepal.
• To identify key environmental factors influencing striped hyena habitat suitability.
• To inform conservation planning by predicting habitat changes under different climate scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Species Distribution Modeling (SDM) using ensemble modeling techniques.
• Incorporation of bioclimatic and land use variables.
• Utilized striped hyena occurrence data from field surveys and literature in Nepal.

Main Results:

• Approximately 17.01% (25,199 km²) of Nepal's land identified as suitable striped hyena habitat.
• 23.15% of suitable habitat lies within protected areas.
• Significant habitat declines predicted by 2070 (74% and 79.3% under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios, respectively).
• Key habitat factors include temperature, precipitation, and proximity to water.

Conclusions:

• Conservation strategies must extend beyond protected areas to encompass crucial striped hyena habitats.
• Future habitat availability is projected to decrease significantly, necessitating urgent conservation actions.
• Integrated conservation approaches are vital for the long-term survival of the striped hyena.