Gap Analyses for the Western Ghats
Existing protected areas in India have been established based on administrative
convenience and the presence of charismatic large mammals like tigers and elephants.
The protected area network preserves some valuable areas with high biodiversity and
critical habitats but it has yet to be assessed with regard to whether it is
representative of species’ distributions at large. The location and boundaries of
existing protected areas may not protect all components of biodiversity, especially
among the lesser-known and less charismatic taxa such as plants, insects and
amphibians. GAP analysis identifies areas of conservation value that are not
currently covered by protected areas.
ATREE is conducting a GAP analysis of the Western Ghats region for the Ministry
of Environment and Forests (MoEF), in order to determine whether existing protected
areas adequately represent the distribution of biodiversity in the region.
This work involves development of a database with species’ ranges, distributions
and habitat preferences, combined with modeling techniques to determine the
probable extent of the ranges of these lesser-known taxa. GIS and RS tools are
being used to classify forest cover and map important habitat types. These maps,
in addition to modeled species’ range maps are overlaid on maps of existing
protected areas to determine how well the protected areas of the Western Ghats
represent the distribution of biodiversity and where the significant gaps in
protection lie. Mapping of threats on the basis of socio-economic pressures
is also being used to identify vulnerable areas. Conservation priorities
can thus be determined by combining biological and socio-economic data.
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