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<p>Urbanization is rapidly altering habitats worldwide, threatening wildlife in small, fragmented protected areas. The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi is one such area, embedded within a heavily urbanized matrix. Understanding how wildlife responds to both ecological resources and human disturbance is essential for conserving biodiversity in such landscapes. This study examined space use patterns of six medium-to-large herbivores—stray cattle (<i>Bos taurus</i>), rhesus macaque (<i>Macaca mulatta</i>), nilgai (<i>Boselaphus tragocamelus</i>), Indian crested porcupine (<i>Hystrix indica</i>), spotted deer (<i>Axis axis</i>), and wild pig (<i>Sus scrofa</i>)—to identify drivers that can guide management. We deployed 22 camera traps for 638 trap-nights in May–June 2024, covering diverse habitat types. Independent detections (≥ 30&#xa0;min apart) were converted to Relative Abundance Indices. Species-specific Generalized Linear Models (Poisson, Negative Binomial, or Zero-Inflated Poisson) tested effects of NDVI, land-cover type, distances to roads, villages, and waterholes, and presence of other species. Multicollinearity checks and residual diagnostics confirmed robust model fit. Results revealed distinct species-specific responses. Stray cattle occurrence increased with dog presence (β = 0.037, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), indicating strong synanthropy. Rhesus macaques showed descriptive increases near roads and edges. Nilgai were detected across most habitats without significant associations. Spotted deer showed descriptive trends toward higher detections near waterholes and in greener areas, but no predictors reached statistical significance. Wild pigs occurred closer to roads (β = −0.0025, <i>p</i> = 0.015) and more often in leopard areas (β = 0.153, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Porcupines showed broad habitat tolerance. These findings demonstrate that both resource distribution and human pressures structure herbivore communities in the sanctuary. By clarifying these relationships, our study provides actionable evidence for reducing edge disturbance, protecting water sources, and managing synanthropic species—critical steps to sustain wildlife in urban-edge sanctuaries worldwide.</p>

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Ecological and anthropogenic drivers of multiple herbivore mammalian species space use in a fragmented urban landscape in India

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月12日

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  • Parvaiz Yousuf,
  • Mukesh Chand,
  • Bilal Habib,
  • Salvador Lyngdoh,
  • Bhupendra Singh Adhikari

摘要

Urbanization is rapidly altering habitats worldwide, threatening wildlife in small, fragmented protected areas. The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi is one such area, embedded within a heavily urbanized matrix. Understanding how wildlife responds to both ecological resources and human disturbance is essential for conserving biodiversity in such landscapes. This study examined space use patterns of six medium-to-large herbivores—stray cattle (Bos taurus), rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica), spotted deer (Axis axis), and wild pig (Sus scrofa)—to identify drivers that can guide management. We deployed 22 camera traps for 638 trap-nights in May–June 2024, covering diverse habitat types. Independent detections (≥ 30 min apart) were converted to Relative Abundance Indices. Species-specific Generalized Linear Models (Poisson, Negative Binomial, or Zero-Inflated Poisson) tested effects of NDVI, land-cover type, distances to roads, villages, and waterholes, and presence of other species. Multicollinearity checks and residual diagnostics confirmed robust model fit. Results revealed distinct species-specific responses. Stray cattle occurrence increased with dog presence (β = 0.037, p < 0.001), indicating strong synanthropy. Rhesus macaques showed descriptive increases near roads and edges. Nilgai were detected across most habitats without significant associations. Spotted deer showed descriptive trends toward higher detections near waterholes and in greener areas, but no predictors reached statistical significance. Wild pigs occurred closer to roads (β = −0.0025, p = 0.015) and more often in leopard areas (β = 0.153, p < 0.001). Porcupines showed broad habitat tolerance. These findings demonstrate that both resource distribution and human pressures structure herbivore communities in the sanctuary. By clarifying these relationships, our study provides actionable evidence for reducing edge disturbance, protecting water sources, and managing synanthropic species—critical steps to sustain wildlife in urban-edge sanctuaries worldwide.