Habitat suitability modelling for Lagotis cashmeriana (ROYLE) RUPR., a threatened species endemic to Kashmir Himalayan alpines

Abstract

Rare and endemic species comprise globally a priority conservation concern in view of being at a higher risk of extinction. Recording the occurrence data for such species, especially in hardly accessible alpine habitats, is a rather challenging task. Modelling serves as effective tool for predicting habitat suitability and practising artificial introductions for such species with encouraging conservation implications. We used Maxent modelling to predict the habitats suitable for Lagotis cashmiriana (ROYLE) RUPR., a threatened species endemic to Kashmir Himalaya. Our modelling approach consisted of two rounds of modelling and one round of ground validations. The first round of modelling was based on the published literature and herbarium records and the second round included the new records that were obtained from ground validations based on first model predictions. Through this approach, we were able to identify several new populations of L. cashmiriana and reported a significant increase in its range size. We also identified the suitable areas for reintroduction of L. cashmiriana in the western Himalayan region after identifying a broad range of environmental factors that determine the distribution of this species.

Keywords

• conservation
• maxent
• lagotis cashmiriana
• ground validation
• reintroduction