Tiger conservation 891
FIG. 2 Search path used to identify publications eligible for conducting the systematic scoping review.
We charted the data across two elevation profiles (above
and below 2,000 m), for several reasons. Firstly, extreme variation in bioclimatic and physiographic zones occurs over short distances in the Himalayas, with the most distinct change at c. 2,000 m, where subtropical and temperate zones change to subalpine, alpine and nival zones (Paudel et al., 2018). Secondly, species richness (particularly of threa- tened mammal species)monotonically decreases with eleva- tion, but the relationship flattens above 2,000 m (Paudel et al., 2018). Thirdly, changes in human density during the 21st century will impact tiger range, population health and behaviour, all of which are expected to shift as human po- pulations in Asia migrate from rural to metropolitan areas (Sanderson et al., 2019). The implication for tigers is that areas of low or decreasing human density and greater range size availability (i.e. above 2,000 m) may harbour an increas- ing number of tigers (Cardillo et al., 2004; Sanderson et al., 2019). Because of their remoteness and inaccessibility, areas above 2,000 m may serve as corridors for tigers roaming between areas of suitable habitat (Thinley et al., 2020).
Synthesis and interpretation
Thesystematic scoping reviewallowedus toexaminethe trends, extent, topics and outcomes of research focused on tiger con- servation in the Terai Arc Landscape and Himalayas. During 2000–2020, an increasing amount of research was published
over time. We identified 62 publications on various tiger conservation issues in Chitwan National Park, indicating this is a primary research area in the region. Corbett Tiger Reserve (38 publications) and Bardiya National Park (26 publications) were the second and third most frequently researched protected areas, and Namdapha and Buxa Tiger Reserves in north-east India the least (Fig. 1). The ma- jority of research has been conducted in protected areas in India and Nepal below 2,000 m altitude, but in Bhutan, more research has been conducted above 2,000mand with- in protected areas (Fig. 3). Weidentified five themes in the 216 studies: (1) tiger habi-
tat and ecology, (2) human–tiger conflict, (3) human–tiger coexistence, (4) community-based tiger conservation, and (5) tiger killing and trade (Fig. 4). We identified these the- matic groups by reading the articles and reports, iterative meetings among the research team, and referencing known tiger conservation issues. We categorized studies that evaluated prey availability, habitat, ecology and travel corri- dors into the theme tiger habitat and ecology. Publications dealingwith conflicts,mainly focused on human and livestock depredation,were categorized under the human–tiger conflict theme. All studies documenting stakeholders’ perceptions of and attitudes towards tigers were categorized in the theme human–tiger coexistence. We categorized studies re- lated to compensation and alternative livelihoods in the community-based tiger conservation theme. Studies focused
Oryx, 2022, 56(6), 888–896 © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605322001156
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