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Abstract |
Reliable estimates of how human activities may affect wildlife populations are critical for making
scientifically sound resource management decisions. A significant issue in estimating the consequences
of management, development, or conservation measures is the need to account for a
variety of biotic and abiotic factors, such as land use and climate change, that interact over time
altering wildlife habitats and populations. The snow leopard Panthera uncia (Schreber, 1775), as a
vulnerable species, is extremely sensitive to indirect impacts of climate change. Given that it is
highly difficult undertaking conservation measures on the entire range of snow leopards, identifying
hotspots for conservation is necessary. This study was conducted in Bagrot and Haramosh
valleys, in the Trans-Himalayan region, to evaluate the impacts of climate and human pressure on
snow leopard habitat. Hybrid classification of Landsat satellite data for 2010 and 2020 was
performed to elucidate land use changes that suggested a decrease in permanent snow by 10 %
and 3 % in Haramosh and Bagrot while an increase in settlements cover by 16 % and 23 %,
respectively. Life zone comparison for 2010 and 2020 using the Holdridge life zone (HLZ) classification
system disclosed a change from three life zones to five life zones in Haramosh, and four
life zones to five life zones in Bagrot, caused by a temperature increase of 2◦C to 3◦C, indicating
that the area is becoming more and more suitable for settlements and less favorable for snow
leopards. This study underlines again that mountainous regions are more vulnerable to the impacts
of climate change. Warming weather is making survival more difficult for snow leopards.
Although they are resilient to the direct effects of climate change, indirect impacts like avalanches,
flash floods, urbanization, and human-wildlife conflict make them more vulnerable and
threaten their survival. Thus, we recommend establishing further protected areas, better controlling
illegal wildlife trade, and conducting genetic studies to understand impacts on snow
leopards and rangeland management, livelihood improvement, and human-wildlife conflict
reductions. |
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