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Miquelle, D.G.; Rozhnov, V.V.; Ermoshin, V.; Murzin, A.A.; Nikolaev, I.G.; Hernandez-Blanco, J.A.; Naidenko, S.V.
Identifying ecological corridors for Amur tigers (_Panthera tigris altaica_) and Amur leopards (_Panthera pardus orientalis)_
2015  Integrative Zoology (10): 389-402

The rapid explosion of human populations and the associated development of human-dominated landscapes have drastically reduced and fragmented habitat for tigers (_Panthera tigris_) and leopards (_Panthera pardus_) across Asia, resulting in multiple small populations. However, Amur tiger (_Panthera tigris altaica_) habitat in Russia has remained largely interconnected, except for a break between tigers in southwest Primorye and the southern Sikhote-Alin Mountains. This habitat patch in southwest Primorye also retains the last population of Amur leopards _(Panthera pardus orientalis_). Genetic differentiation of tigers in southwest Primorye and the Sikhote-Alin Mountains along with survey data suggest that habitat fragmentation is limiting movement of tigers and leopards across the Razdolnary River basin. We looked at historical and recent survey data on tigers and leopards and mapped existing cover types to examine land-use patterns of both large felids and humans in the development strip along the Razdolnaya River. We then used least-cost distance analyses to identify the most effective potential corridor to retain connectivity for large felids between Land of the Leopard National Park and Ussuriskii Zapovednik (Reserve). We identified a single potential corridor that still exists with a total distance of 62.5 km from Land of the Leopard National Par to Ussuriskii Zapovednik, mostly (93%) through forested habitat. We recommend formal recognition of a Razdolnaya ecological corridor and provide specific recommendations for each of 3 proposed management sections.

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