Farmland Increases Indian Crested Porcupine Occupancy in Parsa-Koshi Complex, Nepal
Author Information
Author(s): Subedi Bishal, Regmi Sandeep, Bhattarai Bishnu Prasad, Katuwal Hem Bahadur, Ram Ashok Kumar, Belant Jerrold L., Sharma Hari Prasad
Primary Institution: Central Department of Zoology, Institute of Science and Technology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Hypothesis
Porcupine occurrence would increase in areas closer to croplands and human presence, while decreasing in areas with higher canopy cover.
Conclusion
The study found that porcupines are more likely to occupy areas with more farmland and human presence, but less likely in areas with dense forest cover.
Supporting Evidence
- Porcupines were detected at 29 of 154 sites, indicating moderate occupancy.
- Occupancy was positively associated with farmland area and human presence.
- Occupancy declined with increasing forest canopy cover.
Takeaway
Porcupines like to live near farms and people because they can find food there, but they don't like thick forests.
Methodology
Cameras were deployed at 154 sites for 21 days to estimate porcupine occupancy using a single season single species occupancy model.
Limitations
The study was limited to winter and lower elevations, potentially missing seasonal variations in porcupine behavior.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website