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Ecosystem restoration is a key strategy for biodiversity conservation, with umbrella species playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. This chapter evaluates the ecological response to the recovery of tigers (Panthera tigris) in Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), India, highlighting their influence on trophic interactions, prey dynamics, and co-predator relationships. The concept of umbrella species is explored, emphasizing the significance of large carnivores in structuring ecosystems. Following the local extinction of tigers in PTR in 2009, a reintroduction programme was implemented, leading to a significant population recovery. Using systematic camera trapping, occupancy modelling, and spatial capture–recapture techniques, this chapter examines tiger–leopard (Panthera pardus) coexistence, the role of striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) as scavengers, and changes in prey availability. The findings indicate that tiger recovery has induced spatial segregation among co-predators, with leopards shifting to denser habitats and hyenas exhibiting high conditional occupancy alongside tigers, underscoring their reliance on scavenging tiger kills. Prey density trends show seasonal fluctuations, with stronger tiger–prey associations observed in summer, highlighting the necessity for prey base management. Additionally, this chapter emphasizes the role of habitat connectivity in sustaining long-term carnivore populations. Landscape-level conservation strategies, including stepping stones and satellite core areas, are essential for facilitating dispersal and maintaining genetic flow. Despite successful tiger population recovery, challenges persist due to human-induced habitat fragmentation and prey depletion. This chapter underscores the importance of integrating ecological monitoring with adaptive management approaches to ensure sustained conservation outcomes. PTR serves as a model for reintroduction success, demonstrating how science-based interventions can restore apex predator populations while fostering ecosystem resilience. The findings provide valuable insights for future large carnivore conservation programmes across fragmented landscapes.

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Ecosystem Restoration Through Umbrella Species: Tracking Ecological Response of Tiger Recovery in Panna Tiger Reserve, Central India

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2025年

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  • Ramesh Krishnamurthy,
  • Supratim Dutta,
  • Sankarshan Chaudhuri

摘要

Ecosystem restoration is a key strategy for biodiversity conservation, with umbrella species playing a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. This chapter evaluates the ecological response to the recovery of tigers (Panthera tigris) in Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR), India, highlighting their influence on trophic interactions, prey dynamics, and co-predator relationships. The concept of umbrella species is explored, emphasizing the significance of large carnivores in structuring ecosystems. Following the local extinction of tigers in PTR in 2009, a reintroduction programme was implemented, leading to a significant population recovery. Using systematic camera trapping, occupancy modelling, and spatial capture–recapture techniques, this chapter examines tiger–leopard (Panthera pardus) coexistence, the role of striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) as scavengers, and changes in prey availability. The findings indicate that tiger recovery has induced spatial segregation among co-predators, with leopards shifting to denser habitats and hyenas exhibiting high conditional occupancy alongside tigers, underscoring their reliance on scavenging tiger kills. Prey density trends show seasonal fluctuations, with stronger tiger–prey associations observed in summer, highlighting the necessity for prey base management. Additionally, this chapter emphasizes the role of habitat connectivity in sustaining long-term carnivore populations. Landscape-level conservation strategies, including stepping stones and satellite core areas, are essential for facilitating dispersal and maintaining genetic flow. Despite successful tiger population recovery, challenges persist due to human-induced habitat fragmentation and prey depletion. This chapter underscores the importance of integrating ecological monitoring with adaptive management approaches to ensure sustained conservation outcomes. PTR serves as a model for reintroduction success, demonstrating how science-based interventions can restore apex predator populations while fostering ecosystem resilience. The findings provide valuable insights for future large carnivore conservation programmes across fragmented landscapes.