Snow Leopard Habitat Modeling Using Neuro-Fuzzy Technique and a Comparative Analysis Between Traditional Overlay and Neuro-Fuzzy Technique—A Case Study of Chamoli and Pithorgarh District of Uttarakhand

Snow leopard (uncia uncia) is the elusive, mysterious predator of the Himalayan region, found in the 5 Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh in India. The species is classified as endangered as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. India, has 10 % of the snow leopard population in less than 5 % of its habitat area which faces serious danger from several natural and anthropogenic factors. Moreover, the animal is not restricted to wildlife sanctuaries only but is also found spread across the whole area. In the following work, habitat suitability modeling for snow leopards has been undertaken to accommodate this behavior of the cats. The study has been carried out in the state of Uttaranchal using the neuro-fuzzy technique. A comparison with the general weighted overlay method has been drawn to analyze which model is more accurate to predict the habitat suitability surface. Landsat images of ETM+ as well as TM have been used to extract the land use land cover of the study area. ASTER DEM has been used to find the slope, relief, aspect, and ruggedness index of the area. Prey citation data along with the snow leopard citation data further completes the database that is required for snow leopard habitat modeling. Finally, a neuro-fuzzy model has been developed using the MATLAB ANFIS editor to determine the suitable habitat zones for snow leopards in the Himalayan state. The surface generated has been then divided into six suitability zones, ranging from very high suitability to very low suitability areas, depending upon the combination of various input parameters. The model has been finally validated with ground observation data and has been compared with the traditional weighted overlay method. It was seen that while the neuro-fuzzy modeling has successfully defined specific suitability zones, the weighted overlay technique has given a much more general idea about the suitability of the area for the snow leopard habitat. Though this technique is being used for studies including landslide susceptibility and pollution vulnerability, implementing it in habitat modeling is a comparatively new endeavor. Since it takes into consideration the fact that in reality, there exist a range of possibilities, it has the ability to provide a more realistic approach toward habitat modeling. Thus, geospatial techniques used here will give a cost effective solution toward conservation of these elusive yet endangered cats.