Distribution Patterns and Ecological Determinants of Suitable Habitats for the Dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) in China
As a keystone predator within forest ecosystems, the dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) plays a pivotal role in shaping the population structure and dynamics of these biomes. In China, dhole populations have experienced a dramatic decline, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poachi...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| author | Yuangang Yang Peng Luo Yu Zhao Tongzuo Zhang Feng Jiang Zhangqiang You |
| author_facet | Yuangang Yang Peng Luo Yu Zhao Tongzuo Zhang Feng Jiang Zhangqiang You |
| author_sort | Yuangang Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As a keystone predator within forest ecosystems, the dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) plays a pivotal role in shaping the population structure and dynamics of these biomes. In China, dhole populations have experienced a dramatic decline, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and other historical factors. However, the distribution patterns of suitable habitats and the key environmental factors influencing their suitability remained unclear. In this study, we employed the MaxEnt model to assess the habitat suitability for dholes across China. The results revealed that the primary factors influencing the distribution of potential suitable habitats for dholes were the mean diurnal range (Bio2), temperature seasonality (Bio4), minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6), and elevation. Potentially suitable habitats were predominantly located in the central-western and northwestern regions, with scattered distributions in the southeastern parts of China, while areas of high suitability were mainly concentrated in the central-western region. The proportion of suitable habitats varied significantly among the nine provinces analyzed. This study clarified the distribution patterns of suitable habitats and identified the key environmental constraints affecting dhole distribution in China. The findings provide critical ecological data to support the conservation and management of dholes in the region. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-bc03a8dba04e4d67a4f4eb8dd2514e3d2025-08-20T02:44:59ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-02-0115446310.3390/ani15040463Distribution Patterns and Ecological Determinants of Suitable Habitats for the Dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) in ChinaYuangang Yang0Peng Luo1Yu Zhao2Tongzuo Zhang3Feng Jiang4Zhangqiang You5Ecological Security and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Mianyang Normal University, Mianyang 621000, ChinaEcological Security and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Mianyang Normal University, Mianyang 621000, ChinaEcological Security and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Mianyang Normal University, Mianyang 621000, ChinaQinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, ChinaQinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, ChinaEcological Security and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Mianyang Normal University, Mianyang 621000, ChinaAs a keystone predator within forest ecosystems, the dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) plays a pivotal role in shaping the population structure and dynamics of these biomes. In China, dhole populations have experienced a dramatic decline, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and other historical factors. However, the distribution patterns of suitable habitats and the key environmental factors influencing their suitability remained unclear. In this study, we employed the MaxEnt model to assess the habitat suitability for dholes across China. The results revealed that the primary factors influencing the distribution of potential suitable habitats for dholes were the mean diurnal range (Bio2), temperature seasonality (Bio4), minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6), and elevation. Potentially suitable habitats were predominantly located in the central-western and northwestern regions, with scattered distributions in the southeastern parts of China, while areas of high suitability were mainly concentrated in the central-western region. The proportion of suitable habitats varied significantly among the nine provinces analyzed. This study clarified the distribution patterns of suitable habitats and identified the key environmental constraints affecting dhole distribution in China. The findings provide critical ecological data to support the conservation and management of dholes in the region.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/463dholeMaxEnt modelpotential suitable habitatenvironmental factorswildlife conservation |
| spellingShingle | Yuangang Yang Peng Luo Yu Zhao Tongzuo Zhang Feng Jiang Zhangqiang You Distribution Patterns and Ecological Determinants of Suitable Habitats for the Dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) in China Animals dhole MaxEnt model potential suitable habitat environmental factors wildlife conservation |
| title | Distribution Patterns and Ecological Determinants of Suitable Habitats for the Dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) in China |
| title_full | Distribution Patterns and Ecological Determinants of Suitable Habitats for the Dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) in China |
| title_fullStr | Distribution Patterns and Ecological Determinants of Suitable Habitats for the Dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distribution Patterns and Ecological Determinants of Suitable Habitats for the Dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) in China |
| title_short | Distribution Patterns and Ecological Determinants of Suitable Habitats for the Dhole (<i>Cuon alpinus</i>) in China |
| title_sort | distribution patterns and ecological determinants of suitable habitats for the dhole i cuon alpinus i in china |
| topic | dhole MaxEnt model potential suitable habitat environmental factors wildlife conservation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/4/463 |
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