Habitat characterizations and suitability analysis for conservation implications of Gymnosphaera gigantea (Wall. ex Hook.) S.Y.Dong: a threatened tree fern

Elucidating the relative importance of landscape composition including habitat structure, landscape features, and environmental factors can help prioritize management action for developing effective conservation measures. The present study aims to investigate the habitat characteristics, relative influence of key habitat environmental factors on the abundance of Gymnosphaera gigantea and to propose suitable habitats for conservation implications in the study area. Statistical modelling, habitat suitability analyses, and micro-level land use planning were done through the generalized linear models (GLMs), geostatistic interpolation based on Entropy Weighted Habitat Index (EWHI) and synthetic indicator (SI), and Strength-Weakness-Opportunity-Threat (SWOT) analysis, respectively, using significant habitat environmental factors derived from principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 57 (28 juvenile and 29 adults) individuals of G. gigantea was recorded from 19 populations with altitude varying from 59–747 m asl. GLMs analysis revealed that the vegetation and water occurrence as well as their combination significantly affects the abundance of G. gigantea . Suitability analysis and micro-level land use planning resulted in two priority areas (priority area I and II) in Tripura having greater potential for future conservation planning and reintroduction of this threatened fern. Overall, considering the fragmented populations and smaller patch size, the conservation of study species will require an integrated landscape as well as local-scale geospatial habitat management strategies to protect the natural populations and enhance the distributional range.