Table 4 Variables and a-priori hypotheses for analysing factors influencing Human–Elephant conflict in chhattisgarh.

Landcover

Distance from Built-up Areas(dba)

Distance between conflict points and built-up areas is calculated using the Near Table tool in ArcPro 3.0.0. Built-up areas are extracted from classified land cover data.

Proximity to built-up areas may negatively impact HEC due to higher human activity and potential habitat loss for elephants.

Distance from Cropland(dc)

Distance between conflict points and croplands is calculated using the Near Table tool in ArcPro 3.0.0, based on classified land cover.

Proximity to cropland is expected to increase HEC due to crop damage and competition for resources.

Distance from Forest(df)

Distance between conflict points and forests is calculated using the Near Table tool in ArcPro 3.0.0, based on classified land cover.

Proximity to forest may increase HEC as elephants may venture into human settlements in search of food and habitat.

Distance from Waterbodies(dw)

Distance between conflict points and waterbodies is calculated using the Near Table tool in ArcPro 3.0.0. Waterbodies are extracted from classified land cover.

Proximity to waterbodies may increase HEC, particularly during the dry season when elephants move closer to human settlements in search of water.

Distance from Mines and Quarries(dmn)

Distance between conflict points and mines/quarries is calculated using the Near Table tool in ArcPro 3.0.0. and Google Earth Pro for digitization.

Mining activities significantly influence the occurrence of HEC by disrupting elephant habitats; areas close to mines may show a higher likelihood of conflict.

Anthropogenic

Distance from Roads(dr)

Distance between conflict points and roads is calculated using OpenStreetMap data and the Near Table tool in ArcPro 3.0.0.

Proximity to roads may elevate HEC due to increased human activity, habitat fragmentation, and infrastructure development.

Distance from Protected Areas(dpa)

Distance between conflict points and protected areas is calculated using shapefiles from WII’s Elephant Cell and the Near Table tool in ArcPro 3.0.0.

Proximity to protected areas is expected to influence HEC, with potential increase in conflict near edges where human activities are more prevalent.

Distance from Elephant Reserves

Distance between conflict points and elephant reserves is calculated using the Near Table tool in ArcPro 3.0.0.

Proximity to elephant reserves will impact HEC, as increased elephant movements around reserves may lead to more frequent conflicts near settlements.

Landscape Metrics

Patch Density (PD)

Patch density is calculated using the Fragstat based on landcover data from classified imagery.

Higher patch density, indicating more fragmented landscapes, may lead to increased conflict due to disrupted habitats and movement corridors for elephants.

Edge Density (ED)

Edge density is calculated using the Fragstat, focusing on boundaries between different land cover classes (e.g., forest/cropland, forest/built-up).

Higher edge density may increase HEC by creating more interfaces between habitats and human settlements, where elephants are more likely to cross paths with humans.

Largest Patch Index (LPI)

Largest patch index is calculated using Fragstat, measuring the size of the largest continuous patch of a particular land cover type (e.g., forest).

A larger largest patch index may indicate a more stable habitat for elephants, potentially reducing HEC; however, fragmentation of the largest patches could lead to more conflicts.