Three's Company: Human infrastructure and diminishing savannas accentuate meso-carnivore interactions in a shared landscape of western India.
| Title | Three's Company: Human infrastructure and diminishing savannas accentuate meso-carnivore interactions in a shared landscape of western India. |
| Publication Type | Journal |
| Year of Publication | 2025 |
| Authors | Ganguly D, Srivathsa A, Vasudev D, Ramakrishnan U |
| Keywords | Free-ranging dogsInterspecific interactionsHabitat useHuman impactsCarnivoresShared landscapesTropics |
| Abstract | Human changes to natural habitats affect carnivores differently—some species benefit from new resources, while others face higher risks. In semi-arid Kachchh, India, researchers studied four meso-carnivores (golden jackal, jungle cat, Indian fox, and desert cat). They mapped habitats, measured fragmentation, and used camera traps and signs to understand where each species occurs and how they interact. Despite being the most fragmented, open savanna still supported three of the four species. Larger species showed dominance patterns influencing how they share space and time. Human disturbances, especially roads, reduced how often species co-occurred. Protecting savanna habitats and considering species interactions in policy can help prevent competition-based losses and maintain healthy carnivore communities. |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111618 |