Stepping Stone Strategy: A Cost-Effective Way to Address Habitat Fragmentation of Endangered Wildlife in Montane Forest

Habitat fragmentation affects the survival of wildlife and is a main threat to biodiversity. Corridors are frequently used alleviate habitat fragmentation. However, corridors costly often ineffective in practice. Endangered species montane regions particularly affected by therefore require economic efficient conservation strategies. We propose stepping stone strategy (SSS) deal with threatening an endangered primate, black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys ( Rhinopithecus bieti ). selected southern range R. as study area, which covers 3,580 km 2 . evaluated status formulated SSS based on dispersal ability adult male Six sustainable patches 340 natural stones were detected. Thirteen artificial needed establish weak connectivity habitats. Forty-four proposed key for attaining strong connectivity. The projected incur substantially less pecuniary investment than corridor (0.06 million versus 5.65 million, USD). conclude that 5 steps SSS: (a) assessing habitats plan restorative intervention activities, (b) designing weakly link habitats, (c) proposing allow stable connection between (d) identifying small protected (e) recovery fragmented reinstatement habitat. Our suggests cost-effective practical way maintaining supporting regions.