Vegetation structure and elevation determine the occupancy and abundance of the Sky Island endemic Banasura laughingthrush in the Western Ghats

The endangered Banasura laughingthrush ( Montecincla jerdoni ) has a restricted range (~ 50–60 km²) within the high-elevation forests (Sky Islands) of India’s Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot. It is one of the rarest and least-studied species in the Western Ghats because its habitat is largely inaccessible terrain and heavy rains and mist that shroud the area during the monsoon season. For the first time, this study investigates the factors influencing the distribution and occupancy, which are crucial for guiding its conservation. We applied an occupancy modeling framework with spatial replicates to estimate detection probability and occupancy. The species was detected in 79 out of 157 spatial replicates (naïve detection probability p = 0.503) across 35 of the 54 grids (naïve occupancy ψ=0.648). The naïve detection probability and occupancy of the species showed a decreasing trend from south to north, with the highest rate observed at the southernmost site, Camel’s Hump Mountain. Based on a set of competitive models and summed model weights, the occupancy of the species was positively influenced by terrain (elevation ( β = 2.1744, z = 1.598), slope ( β = 0.7103, z = 0.671), local vegetation structure (shrub cover ( β = 6.4432, z = 1.516), and high NDVI ( β = 2.7481, z = 1.424). The species was recorded at elevations ranging from 1,400 to over 2,300 m a.s.l. However, occupancy rates increased markedly above 1700 m a.s.l, confirming the unique and threatened Sky Island ecosystem as its primary habitat. The encounter rate and mean abundance of the species were highest in the shola forests with a Strobilanthes shrub understory. Major threats include forest fires, a proposed twin-tube tunnel road, and landslides. These cumulative threats underscore the urgent need for stricter habitat protection. We recommend policy measures to designate the habitat of the species as a National Park to enhance its long-term conservation.