Title
Integration of remote sensing, modeling, and field approaches for rangeland management and endangered species conservation in Central Asia
Date of Award
5-17-2018
Semester of Degree
May
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Major Professor
James P. Gibbs
Steering Committee Member
Giorgos Mountrakis
Steering Committee Member
Paul Hirsch
Steering Committee Member
Rodney Jackson
Steering Committee Member
Brian Underwood
Abstract
Integration of robust scientific approaches and on-the-ground conservation practice to “bridge the gap” between biologists and field managers is a perennial challenge in biodiversity conservation. In this thesis I present five, related case studies of integrating key scientific approaches (remote sensing techniques, habitat modeling and suitability analysis, and population modeling) with field practices to facilitate sustainable and locally accepted rangeland management, support conservation of snow leopard and Altai argali, and suggest options for tiger restoration in Central Asia. My synthesis of these case studies reveals that to advance regional long-term conservation initiatives, conservation science has to address relevant conservation problem directly, suggest solutions and recommendations that can be implemented by conservation managers given their capacity levels, fit into local knowledge systems as they pertain to the ecosystems under consideration, and focus on sharing lessons learned across projects.
Recommended Citation
Paltsyn, Mikhail, "Integration of remote sensing, modeling, and field approaches for rangeland management and endangered species conservation in Central Asia" (2018). Dissertations and Theses. 36.
https://digitalcommons.esf.edu/etds/36