The Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Globally Threatened Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus

Area of Science:

• Conservation Biology
• Wildlife Management
• Biodiversity Conservation

Background:

• Protected areas (PAs) are crucial for conserving biodiversity amid global extinction crises.
• The Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus), an endangered species, is endemic to Pakistan and India.
• Assessing the management effectiveness of PAs is vital for conservation success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct the first management effectiveness assessment of Pakistan's Protected Areas.
• To evaluate conservation outcomes for the Western Tragopan within these PAs.
• To identify gaps in habitat coverage and management practices.

Main Methods:

• Machine learning ensemble models were used to map potential habitat distribution.
• Management effectiveness of protected areas was assessed using a standardized framework.
• Spatial analysis linked PA coverage to the Western Tragopan's distributional range.

Main Results:

• Most assessed PAs demonstrated weak to poor management effectiveness (scores below 50%).
• Only 2% of the Western Tragopan's potential habitat is covered by existing PAs.
• Planning elements and essential inputs like research, staffing, and funding were found to be inadequate.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need to expand protected areas within the Western Tragopan's habitat.
• Integrating species-specific conservation plans into PA management is essential.
• Improving management effectiveness, including planning and resource allocation, is critical for species survival.