Habitat fragmentation and logging affects the occurrence of the lesser mouse deer in tropical forest reserves

Due to rapid urbanization, logging, and agricultural expansion, forest
fragmentation is negatively affecting native wildlife populations
throughout the tropics. This study examined the effects of landscape and
habitat characteristics on the lesser mouse deer, Tragulus kanchil,
populations in Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 315 camera traps were
deployed in eight forest reserves. This study provides critical ecological
information for managing and conserving understudied populations of T.
kanchil. We found that the detection of T. kanchil was attributed to
forest fragmentation. Forest patches had the detection of T. kanchil four
times greater than continuous forests. The detection of T. kanchil was
nearly three times higher in the peat swamp forest compared to the lowland
dipterocarp forests. Surprisingly, the detection of T. kanchil was almost
twice lower in the unlogged forests compared to logged forests. The
detection of T. kanchil increased with the presence of trees, particularly
those with DBH of 5 cm to 45 cm, canopy cover, number of saplings and
palms, number of dead fallen trees, and distance from nearest roads.
However, detection decreased with a greater number of trees with a DBH
greater than 45 cm and higher elevation. We recommend that conservation
stakeholders take the necessary steps to support the conservation of mouse
deer species and its natural habitats regardless of whether these forests
are fragmented or continuous. These steps include eradicating poaching,
habitat degradation, and further deforestation.