Vegetation as a Key Determinant in Sloth Bear Habitat Preference: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Sloth bears (Melursus ursinus), native to the Indian subcontinent, exhibit unique ecological behaviours and habitat preferences intricately tied to vegetation structure and diversity. This review summarizes current literature on the role of vegetation in shaping the habitat selection, dietary ecology, and spatial distribution of sloth bears. These predominantly myrmecophagous mammals depend on forest ecosystems rich in termite mounds, ant colonies, and seasonal fruiting trees. Vegetation characteristics such as canopy cover, species diversity, and ground structure influence their foraging patterns, denning sites, and movement behaviours. Habitat suitability studies across India and Nepal highlight sloth bears’ preference for dry and moist deciduous forests, sal-dominated landscapes, and scrub habitats, each offering distinct foraging and shelter opportunities. The seasonal availability of native fruiting species like Ziziphus mauritiana, Ficus spp., and Madhuca indica further governs bear movement and home range configurations. Utilizing remote sensing (RS) and species distribution models (SDMs), especially MaxEnt, researchers have identified vegetation indices such as NDVI as strong predictors of habitat suitability. However, inclusion of floristic composition enhances the ecological resolution of these models. Despite the sloth bear’s adaptability, habitat fragmentation and human disturbance pose significant threats, underscoring the need for vegetation-based conservation planning. This review bridges ecological findings with conservation applications, advocating for habitat restoration strategies that prioritize native fruit species and minimize forest degradation to ensure sustainable sloth bear populations across their fragmented range.