Eco-Planning Approaches to Wildlife-Oriented Water Structures in High-Altitude Regions

Access to clean and reliable water is essential for sustaining wildlife populations. In high-altitude and topographically rugged rural areas, access becomes increasingly difficult due to summer scarcity and poses a freezing risk during winter, creating serious survival challenges.This study proposes two nature-based conceptual habitat designs that integrate both natural and artificial water sources. The models incorporate multifunctional ecological components, including windbreak vegetation belts, gently sloped shoreline access zones, native plant assemblages, and wildlife movement corridors. Results indicate that habitat structures with a minimum size of one hectare, aligned with natural hydrological flow regimes, significantly improve habitat quality and overall biodiversity. Practices such as enhancing shoreline accessibility, planting native vegetation to increase microhabitat heterogeneity, and reducing moisture loss through windbreak systems further strengthen ecological performance. In conclusion, this study provides planners and policymakers with a conceptual framework, highlighting the role of nature-based solutions in biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.