Potential habitat distribution and ecological corridors of Procapra picticaudata and their impact factors across the Pan-Himalayan region

Procapra picticaudata is an endemic ungulate species on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Understanding the potential distribution and impact factors of P. picticaudata habitat is conducive to its population conservation, so that we can regulate the conflict of interest between wildlife and human activities to achieve a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. In this study, we analyzed the overall extent of P. picticaudata distribution on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Hengduan Mountains, and east, central, and west Himalayan regions. We collected 150 species distribution data of P. picticaudata through literature review and used MaxEnt model and ArcGIS software to simulate and predict the potential habitat of P. picticaudata and Linkage Mapper to calculate the potential ecological corridors with ecological sources. The results were as follows: 1) The suitable habitat area of P. picticaudata on the basis of the current climate scenario is 8.805 × 10⁵ km², accounting for 23% of the total study area. The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau is the largest suitable area, followed by the Hengduan Mountains, Western Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas, and Central Himalayas. 2) The suitable habitats of P. picticaudata are mainly distributed in the central, northern, southern, and northeastern parts of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, northern Hengduan Mountains, and Northern Himalayas. The largest protected areas are Sanjiangyuan National Park, Chang Tang Nature Reserve, Kekexili Nature Reserve, Aitun Mountain Nation Nature Reserve, and Selin Co Reserve in the suitable area. Among them, 47.71% of the suitable areas are located outside the protected areas. The main environmental factors affecting the distribution of P. picticaudata are annual average temperature, slope, and altitude. 3) A total of 46 important ecological sources were identified, and 108 potential ecological corridors with an average length of 163.60 km were constructed. In this study, we analyzed the habitat status and ecological corridors of P. picticaudata at the macro scale, which is helpful to optimize habitat patterns, promote population migration and diffusion, and provide theoretical guidance for long-term monitoring, management, and reserve planning of P. picticaudata population.