Abstract:
Tigers are one of the most recognized and charismatic predators on earth, yet their habitats have declined, their numbers are low, and substantial threats to their survival persist. Although tiger conservation is a high priority globally and tigers are generally considered well-studied, there has been no comprehensive global assessment of tiger-related publications aimed at identifying trends, assessing their status and pinpointing research gaps. Utilizing PRISMA framework, we conducted an extensive search across multiple databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect, to gather research related to Bengal tigers. Following thorough screening, we selected and evaluated 491 articles published between 2010 and 2022 to address these issues. The results show that publications on Bengal tigers have steadily risen, with an average of 40 papers per year within this period. We found that most research was focused on the theme of tiger biology. Information on leopards and dholes was also frequently associated with tiger research. The highest number of lead authors originated from India (n=192), where most research was also conducted. Authors from USA (n=111) and UK (n=38) were the next most productive, even though tigers are not found in or anywhere near these countries. We demonstrate that there is only a limited amount of transboundary research, and that relatively little tiger research is conducted in the forests beyond protected areas. Similarly, very important but least studied themes ─Poaching, Population and Sociocultural dimension should be the priority of future research efforts. Additionally, research on tourism, economic aspects and technological inputs are essential for the sustainable conservation of Bengal tigers.
Maharjan, A., Maraseni, T., Allen, B.L. et al. A systematic literature review: Trends and current state of research on Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), 2010–2022. Biodivers Conserv 33, 1871–1894 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02856-3
