DOI: 10.5061/dryad.2v6wwq002
title: Data from: Large carnivores persisting in a human-dominated landscape: Suitable habitat and connectivity for Asiatic black bears in China

description: This study examined the connectivity between the current suitable habitat
 and the core habitat for Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) in
 human-dominated landscapes. The study aimed to provide a basis for future
 conservation strategies for black bear populations in China. We collected
 occurrence locations (N = 130) of Asiatic black bears from 2014–2023, with
 data sources spanning 12 provincial administrative regions and covering an
 area of about 3,010,000 km2. We predicted the distribution of suitable
 habitats for Asiatic black bears via the MAXENT species distribution model
 using a combination of multiple environmental variables such as
 topography, vegetation, climate, and anthropogenic disturbances.
 Least-cost habitat corridor planning was performed using the least-cost
 path model and circuit theory. The results suggested that (1) Asiatic
 black bears have a marked preference for mountainous environments with
 high altitude (&gt;1,500 m), high amounts of precipitation
 (&gt;200 mm), and dense vegetation, and they generally avoid areas of
 anthropogenic disturbance. (2) The suitable habitats for Asiatic black
 bears showed a highly fragmented pattern, mainly concentrated along the
 borders of Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, and Jiangxi (the Zhe–Gan Region), the
 borders of Guangxi, Guangdong, and Hunan (the Hunan–Guangdong region), and
 the borders of Shaanxi, Chongqing, Hubei, Guizhou, and Sichuan (the
 Sichuan–Shaanxi region). Of the predicted 372,483 km2 of suitable
 habitat, only 23.65% is currently covered by nature reserves. (3) A
 comprehensive landscape connectivity analysis identified 79 core habitat
 patches encompassing a total area of 33,257 km2. Notably, only 29.29% of
 these patches are currently under protection. Furthermore, we delineated
 79 potential least-cost paths, each with an average length of 43.66 km,
 and identified pinch points along these pathways that could impede
 connectivity. To ensure the long-term survival of Asiatic black bear
 populations, we recommend enhancing the protection and restoration efforts
 for the three core habitats and their associated potential connectivity
 pathways.
description: # Data from: Large carnivores persisting in a human-dominated landscape:
 Suitable habitat and connectivity for Asiatic black bears in China Dataset
 DOI: [10.5061/dryad.2v6wwq002](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.2v6wwq002) ##
 Description of the data and file structure ### **Data Description** This
 dataset supports the research article titled *"Large carnivores
 persisting in a human-dominated landscape: suitable habitat and
 connectivity for Asiatic black bears in China"*. The data were
 collected and generated to analyze the distribution of suitable habitats
 and landscape connectivity for Asiatic black bears (*Ursus thibetanus*) in
 China. Below is a detailed description of the data components: --- ####
 **1. Asiatic Black Bear Occurrence Data** * **Description**: This dataset
 contains the occurrence records of Asiatic black bears across 12 provinces
 in China, collected from 2014 to 2023. The data were obtained from two
 primary sources: infrared camera trap surveys and verified media reports.
 * **Content**: * Decimal latitude and longitude coordinates of bear
 occurrences. * Coordinates have been intentionally blurred (reduced
 precision) to protect the exact locations of sensitive species and comply
 with ethical guidelines. * **Purpose**: These data were used as input for
 the MAXENT species distribution model to predict suitable habitats for
 Asiatic black bears. --- #### **2. Environmental Variables** *
 **Description**: This dataset includes 29 environmental variables used as
 predictors in the MAXENT model. These variables cover topographic,
 climatic, hydrological, and anthropogenic factors. * **Content**: *
 **Topographic variables**: Elevation, slope, aspect. * **Climatic
 variables**: Mean annual temperature, precipitation, temperature
 seasonality, etc. * **Hydrological variables**: Distance to water sources,
 rivers, etc. * **Anthropogenic variables**: Distance to roads,
 settlements, and cultivated land. * **Vegetation variables**: Normalized
 Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). * **Purpose**: These variables were
 used to model habitat suitability and identify key environmental factors
 influencing the distribution of Asiatic black bears. **29 Environment
 Variables** **Bio1:** Mean annual temperature (°C)\ **Bio2:** Mean diurnal
 temperature range (°C)\ **Bio3:** Isothermal property (ratio)\ **Bio4:**
 Standard deviation of seasonal variation of temperature (SD)\ **Bio5:**
 Max temperature of the warmest month (°C)\ **Bio6:** Min temperature of
 the coldest month (°C)\ **Bio7:** Temperature annual range (°C)\ **Bio8:**
 Mean temperature of the wettest quarter (°C)\ **Bio9:** Mean temperature
 of driest quarter (°C)\ **Bio10:** Mean temperature of the warmest quarter
 (°C)\ **Bio11:** Mean temperature of the coldest quarter (°C)\ **Bio12:**
 Annual precipitation (mm)\ **Bio13:** Precipitation of the wettest month
 (mm)\ **Bio14:** Precipitation of the driest month (mm)\ **Bio15:**
 Precipitation seasonality (Coefficient of Variation)\ **Bio16:**
 Precipitation of the wettest quarter (mm)\ **Bio17:** Precipitation of the
 driest quarter (mm)\ **Bio18:** Precipitation of the warmest quarter (mm)\
 **Bio19:** Precipitation of the coldest quarter (mm)\ **altitude:**
 Altitude (m)\ **aspect:** Aspect (The absolute value of the actual slope
 aspect minus 180 degrees) (°)\ **slope:** Slope (°)\ **d_water:** Distance
 to water (Lakes, reservoirs, double-lined rivers and ditches, etc.) (m)\
 **d_river:** Distance to a river (Single-line rivers, ditches, river
 structure lines, etc.) (m)\ **d_house:** Distance to a house (m)\
 **d_road:** Distance to a road (m)\ **d_rail:** Distance to a railroad
 (m)\ **NDVI:** NDVI\ **landuse:** Land use (Forest land, Grassland,
 Cultivated land, Water, Residential land, Unutilised land) (Categorical
 Variable) --- #### **3. MAXENT Model Results** * **Description**: This
 dataset contains the results of the MAXENT species distribution model,
 which predicts the probability of suitable habitats for Asiatic black
 bears across the study area. * **Content**: * Habitat suitability maps
 (raster files) showing the probability of bear presence. * Response curves
 for key environmental variables (e.g., elevation, precipitation, slope,
 NDVI). * Model evaluation metrics, including the Area Under the Curve
 (AUC) value, which indicates the model's predictive accuracy. *
 **Purpose**: These results were used to identify highly suitable habitats,
 assess habitat fragmentation, and guide conservation planning. --- ####
 **4. Linkage Mapper Results** * **Description**: This dataset includes the
 results of the landscape connectivity analysis performed using Linkage
 Mapper and Circuitscape software. * **Content**: * Least-cost paths (LCPs)
 between core habitat patches, representing potential ecological corridors
 for bear movement. * Pinch points (narrow sections within corridors)
 identified using circuit theory, which are critical for maintaining
 connectivity. * Resistance surfaces representing the cost of movement for
 bears across the landscape. * **Purpose**: These results were used to
 assess habitat connectivity, identify key corridors, and prioritize areas
 for conservation and restoration. --- #### **5. Supplementary data and
 software** * **Description**: Additional data supporting the analysis,
 including metadata, README files, and scripts used for data processing and
 modeling. * **Content**: * Metadata describing the data collection
 methods, variable definitions, and data processing steps. * README files
 providing instructions for using the data and reproducing the analysis. *
 Scripts for running the MAXENT model and Linkage Mapper analysis. *
 **Purpose**: These supplementary materials ensure transparency and
 reproducibility of the research. --- ### **Ethical Considerations** * The
 latitude and longitude coordinates of Asiatic black bear occurrences have
 been intentionally blurred to protect the species from potential threats
 such as poaching or habitat disturbance. This approach aligns with ethical
 guidelines for sensitive species data sharing. --- ### **Data
 Availability** All data and software used in this study are available in
 the repository. For access to the full dataset, please refer to the **Data
 Accessibility Statement** in the manuscript or contact the corresponding
 author. --- This dataset provides a comprehensive foundation for
 understanding the distribution and connectivity of Asiatic black bear
 habitats in China, offering valuable insights for conservation planning
 and management. ## Code/software **1. GIS Software** * **ArcGIS** (Version
 10.8 or higher) * For spatial data processing, map creation, and basic
 spatial analysis * Extensions: Spatial Analyst, Network Analyst * **QGIS**
 (Open-source alternative) * For viewing and processing geospatial data
 **2. Species Distribution Modeling Software** * **MAXENT** (Version 3.3.3k
 or higher) * For habitat suitability modeling * Website:
 [http://biodiversityinformatics.amnh.org/open_source/maxent/](http://biodiversityinformatics.amnh.org/open_source/maxent/) **3. Landscape Connectivity Analysis Software** * **Linkage Mapper** * For identifying ecological corridors and least-cost paths * Requires: ArcGIS 10.x environment * **Circuitscape** (Version 4.0.7 or higher) * Connectivity analysis based on circuit theory * Can be integrated with Linkage Mapper * **CorridorDesigner** * For corridor design and analysis **4. Programming Languages and Environments** * **R** and **RStudio** * Key packages: * `dismo` (species distribution modeling) * `raster` (raster data processing) * `sp`, `sf` (spatial data processing) * `ggplot2` (data visualization) **5. Data Management and Processing Tools** * **Microsoft Excel** or **WPS Spreadsheets** * For basic data organization and viewing * **Text Editors** * Notepad++, Sublime Text, or VS Code * For viewing and editing scripts and README files **6. Specialized Toolboxes and Scripts** * **SDMtoolbox** (ArcGIS extension) * For species distribution model-related analyses * Includes "Spatially Rarify Occurrence Data" tool ## Access information Other publicly accessible locations of the data: * NA Data was derived from the following sources: * NA