https://linc.nus.edu.sg/record=b1606260

In this era of deforestation and human-dominated landscapes, fragmentation disrupts once continuous wildlife ranges into unnatural subpopulations. In the tropics, where habitat is changing rapidly, there are limited data on activity patterns of large mammals and on their tolerance to habitat disturbance. Therefore, to inform habitat and wildlife management, biologists must work with imperfect datasets in innovative ways. I explored potential range connectivity for the forest dependent sun bear, using density of tree cover (%) as a proxy for habitat condition to classify land area into non-habitat, and marginal, sub-optimal, and core habitat. Potential range fractures were visualised using non-habitat, habitat quality, and severity of human disturbance. Global sun bear range was divided into seven potential subpopulations, within which habitat fragmentation occurs in a continuum of severity. Almost 90% of core sun bear habitat fell outside protected areas, and large areas of core habitat fell in areas where sun bear are considered Extirpated by the IUCN. Habitat fragmentation likely restricts sun bear from functioning as continuous populations; instead, subpopulations may require inter-area movements, either naturally or through human-assisted translocation. The resulting maps can be used as a visual guide for those researching and managing sun bears in order to steer priorities. Further ground studies will determine if the habitat classifications and assumptions in this analysis are justified.