Diversity and Conservation of Wild Mammals and Tree Species in a Protected Area of Southeast Bangladesh

Abstract

Protected areas in torrid zone are progressively susceptible to habitat fragmentation, anthropogenic pressure, and governance limitations, elevating major issue about their efficacy in conserving biodiversity. This research was conducted between November 2022 and March 2026. This study illustrates and evaluates mammalian persistence, forest structure and regeneration, spatial distribution of biodiversity, threats analysis through community perceptions, and governance challenges to establish an empirical foundation for conservation and management of the Inani National Park, a fragmented critical tropical protected forest of southeastern Bangladesh. Field investigations were executed between November 2022 and June 2024, applying a multi-pronged approach. Consistent line transects and considerable camera trapping, generating over 4,700 trap-days of data were utilized for the estimation of mammalian diversity and persistence. Imperfect detection was determined through occupancy modeling, while species distribution modeling using the MaxEnt algorithm was applied to map habitat suitability and find out biodiversity hotspots. Stratified random sampling across 131 plots representing four land-cover strata were utilized for analyzing forest vegetation composition, structure, and regeneration dynamics of the park. Socio-ecological parameters were analyzed through structured community surveys (n=271) and semi-structured KII stakeholder interviews (n=43) for evaluation of community perceptions, human-wildlife conflict, and protected area governance potency. A total of 23 species of wild mammals, inclusive of globally threatened species were recorded during this study. Habitat heterogeneity such as undisturbed hill forests and shrub-dominated mosaics assisting the highest diversity significantly impacted mammalian richness and persistence, especially during the monsoon. It is very enthusiastic that the first confirmed photographic and field evidence of a few survivals population of the threatened species clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) in degraded protected forest, Inani National Park (INP) was identified through the study. Occupancy modeling divulged nearly finished sites used by the Asian Elephant, while evasive carnivores such as the clouded leopard exhibits low detection probability and confined occupancy, validating the persistence of a minuscule and vulnerable population. Species distribution models pinpointed profound biodiversity hotspots such as riparian corridors and southern forest patches, accentuated their significance for habitat connectivity within the fragmented forest landforms. In total 66 tree species across 33 families and 90 regenerating species were recorded through vegetation analyses, which indicating average but spatially uneven diversity. Shrub-dominated strata demonstrated higher species richness and regeneration potential, whereas plantation and heavily modified areas showed simplified structure and limited recruitment of late-successional species. The dominance of invasive and pioneer taxa exhibits ongoing disturbance and ecological imbalance. Taken as a whole, this dissertation confirmed Inani National Park as a biologically important yet extremely vulnerable refuge and ecological corridor. By incorporating ecological, spatial, and governance analyses, the research offers a comprehensive conservation foundation highlighting habitat restoration, assisted natural regeneration, protection of riparian corridors, conflict mitigation, and strengthened participatory governance. The findings furnish to more extensive insight of protected area effectiveness in the Global South and suggest implementation guidelines for biodiversity conservation and better management in degraded tropical landscapes.