Research Interests:

My research interests include: i) the development and application of detection/non-detection surveys to estimate the occupancy of cryptic species living at low densities; ii) investigating tropical deforestation patterns; iii) human-wildlife conflict mitigation; and, iv) community-based conservation initiatives linked to tourism. I am currently managing five overseas projects with a strong focus on building in-country capacity to help improve biodiversity conservation

Large carnivores occur at naturally low densities. This makes them vulnerable to the direct threats of poaching and habitat loss and the indirect threats of prey base poaching. The conservation of tigers in human-dominated landscapes therefore presents a dilemma. Are tigers able to survive in areas with human disturbance and varying levels of threat?

Working with Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP) management, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and seven Indonesian universities, my research team is investigating the response of tigers and their prey to living in these mosaic habitats that surround one of the largest tiger habitats in Asia, KSNP, Sumatra.

Across KSNP, we are using detection/non-detection surveys to estimate tiger and prey occupancy. Within priority areas within KSNP, we are using camera traps to estimate tiger densities. To monitor the loss of tiger habitat in and around KSNP, we are using satellite images within a GIS to map forest cover change. From this we are able to investigate the landscape factors that best explain forest loss in this area and use these to develop a predictive forest loss map for KSNP. The combined tiger, prey and forest change data will be used to investigate the influence of human-related threats, and physical factors, such as logging roads, on tiger and prey occupancy and abundance. These data will also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation strategies aimed at protecting tigers in KSNP.

Links

The Sumatran Tiger Site

Friends of Conservation

Selected Publications

Linkie, M., Dinata, Y., Nofrianto, A. and Leader-Williams, N. (2007). Patterns and perceptions of wildlife crop raiding in and around Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra. Animal Conservation, 10, 127-135.

Linkie, M, Dinata, Y., Nugroho, A. and Achmad Haidir, I. (2007). Estimating occupancy of a Data Deficient mammalian species living in tropical rainforests: sun bears in the Kerinci Seblat region, Sumatra. Biological Conservation, 137, 20-27.

Linkie, M, Chapron, G, Martyr, DJ, Holden, J and Leader-Williams, N (2006). Assessing the viability of tiger subpopulations in a fragmented landscape. Journal of Applied Ecology, 43, 576-586.

Linkie, M, Smith, RJ & Leader-Williams, N (2004). Mapping and predicting deforestation patterns in the lowlands of Sumatra. Biodiversity and Conservation 13, 1809-1818.