SNOW LEOPARD NETWORK

SNOW LEOPARD SURVIVAL STRATEGY RESEARCH TOPIC TABLES

The Snow Leopard Survival Strategy incorporates 31 topics in the "Research and Information Needs" section (beginning on page 47 of the SLSS), all of which require further study in order to effectively conserve snow leopards, their habitat, and their prey species. These research tables address the need for five specific areas of snow leopard study: Status and Distribution, Ecology and Natural History, Native Ecosystems, Coexistance with Humans, and Integrated Approaches. The SLSS research topics are organized in these tables according to which umbrella issue they address, giving the significance, examples, and further research needs for each. To reference work that is already being done on these issues, see the "Case Studies" listed under each research topic in the SLSS.

Table 2-5: Integrated Approaches to Snow Leopard Conservation
Research Topic	Significance	Examples	Highest Priority Regions	Current Projects
R.5 Protected area coverage- extent & representation of habitats (gap analysis)	The specific areas of potential snow leopard habitat in which snow leopards do not dwell is unknown.	Gap analysis is urgently needed to determine priority areas for establishment of protected areas & other conservation measures, employing the "Conservation Unit" concept.	NRANG, RW	Case Studies R.5
R.18 Grazing pressure & range conditions	Establish range conditions & competition levels with wild ungulates, especially in priority conservation areas.	An interactive GIS database incorporating range information would allow priority areas to be identified.	HIMLY	Case Studies R.18
R.27 Socio-economic profiling of herder communities in snow leopard habitat	Local communities' motivations for conserving or "using" snow leopards can only be understood if their socio-economic status & concerns are known	Identify socio-economic profiles & patterns using appropriate participatory methods.	HIMLY, KK/HK	Case Studies, R.27
R.30 Analysis of existing policies & laws	A sound legal framework is necessary for conservation to be effective.	Review & analyze existing legislation practices & policies in snow leopard areas to determine best practices & remove perverse incentives.	KK/HK	Case Studies, R.30
Others
R.X2 Management of trophy hunting programs of prey species	Single species focus, along with over-hunting of snow leopard prey species may pose problems to ecosystem management & snow leopard survival.	A careful monitoring program must be established, cataloging the population & movement of prey species, as well as the reduction from hunting.	CISWC, KK/HK	See SLN Position Paper
R.X3 Issues related to the institutional capacity to conserve snow leopards, prey, & habitat	The informal & formal institutions that are in place to preserve snow leopards do not always have the ability to carryout necessary operations to conserve.	Evaluate existing institutional structures, identify problem area, & recommend improvements.	All	None
R.X4 Critical baseline information for strategic planning & completion of country action plans	Effective conservation hinges upon implementation of a coherent national conservation strategy	Review existing snow leopard conservation plans & other relevant "Action Plans" to establish criteria, including "best practices."	See list of countries lacking Snow Leopard Action Plans	Contact SLN Action Planning Committee