Understanding the habitat shifting pattern is a prerequisite for implementing in situ conservation of migratory species.Spotted seals(Phoca largha)inhabiting the Yellow Sea ecoregion(YSE)comprise a small population wi...Understanding the habitat shifting pattern is a prerequisite for implementing in situ conservation of migratory species.Spotted seals(Phoca largha)inhabiting the Yellow Sea ecoregion(YSE)comprise a small population with independent genes and represent a charismatic flagship species in this region.However,this population has declined by 80%since the 1940s,and increased support from the countries around the YSE is urgently needed to address the potential local extinction risk.A time-series niche model and life-history weighted systematic conservation planning were designed on the basis of a satellite beacon tracking survey(2010–2020)of the YSE population.The results showed clustering and spreading shifting patterns during the breeding and migratory seasons,respectively.The closed-loop migration route formed in the YSE indicated that this population might be geographically isolated from populations in other breeding areas around the world.The conservation priority area(CPA),with an area of 19632 km^(2)(3.58%of the total YSE area),was the most effective response to the potential in situ risk.However,nearly 80%of the CPA was exposed outside the existing marine protected areas(MPAs).Future establishment of MPAs in China should strategically consider the conservation gap identified herein,and it is recommended for Korea’s closed fishing season to be spatially set in the western Korean Peninsula from May to August.This study also exemplified that the lack of temporal information would lead to the dislocation of niche modeling for migratory species represented by spotted seals.Attention should be paid to protecting small and migratory populations in marine biodiversity conservation planning.展开更多
基金This study was funded by the National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFF0802204)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(grant no.32201433)+1 种基金World Wildlife Fund(project code:Ocean-A000588)the National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFD0900806).
文摘Understanding the habitat shifting pattern is a prerequisite for implementing in situ conservation of migratory species.Spotted seals(Phoca largha)inhabiting the Yellow Sea ecoregion(YSE)comprise a small population with independent genes and represent a charismatic flagship species in this region.However,this population has declined by 80%since the 1940s,and increased support from the countries around the YSE is urgently needed to address the potential local extinction risk.A time-series niche model and life-history weighted systematic conservation planning were designed on the basis of a satellite beacon tracking survey(2010–2020)of the YSE population.The results showed clustering and spreading shifting patterns during the breeding and migratory seasons,respectively.The closed-loop migration route formed in the YSE indicated that this population might be geographically isolated from populations in other breeding areas around the world.The conservation priority area(CPA),with an area of 19632 km^(2)(3.58%of the total YSE area),was the most effective response to the potential in situ risk.However,nearly 80%of the CPA was exposed outside the existing marine protected areas(MPAs).Future establishment of MPAs in China should strategically consider the conservation gap identified herein,and it is recommended for Korea’s closed fishing season to be spatially set in the western Korean Peninsula from May to August.This study also exemplified that the lack of temporal information would lead to the dislocation of niche modeling for migratory species represented by spotted seals.Attention should be paid to protecting small and migratory populations in marine biodiversity conservation planning.
