Functional Division Analysis and Optimization Design of Nanling Nature Reserve

Nanling National Nature Reserve is established on the basis of 5 provincial nature reserves, and the original functional zoning is maintained. This paper explored problems of the reserve in division range and functional zoning, and gavea pertinent adjustment scheme. The adjustment results are(1) cutting out the scattered areas in neighborhood, and fi lling in the internal split parts;(2) establishing corridors between the reserve and neighboring nature reserves;(3) redividing the functional zones.

Temporal patterns of three sympatric pheasant species in the Nanling Mountains: N-mixture modeling applied to detect abundance

Background:The reliability of long-term population estimates is crucial for conservation and management purposes.Most previous studies assume that count indices are proportionally related to abundance;however,this assumption may not hold when detection varies spatially and temporally.We examined seasonal variations in abundance of three bird species(Cabot’s Tragopan Tragopan caboti,Silver Pheasant Lophura nycthemera,and Whitenecklaced Partridge Arborophila gingica) along an elevational gradient,using N-mixture models that take into account imperfect detection in our bird data.Methods:Camera-trapping was used to monitor temporal activity patterns of these species at Guangdong Nanling National Nature Reserve from December 2013 to November 2017(4 seasons per year).For abundance analysis(N-mixture modeling),we divided a year into 4 seasons,i.e.3 months per season,and performed the analysis by season.Elevation was incorporated into the N-mixture model as a covariate that may affect abundance.We compared the N-mixture model with a null model(no covariate model) and selected the better model based on AIC values to make an inference.Results:From 24 sampling sites,we obtained 6786 photographs of 8482 individuals of 44 bird species and 26 mammal species.Silver Pheasant was photographed much more frequently and showed higher temporal activity frequency than White-necklaced Partridge or Cabot’s Tragopan.Silver Pheasant was camera-captured most frequently in summer,and other two species in winters.All three species had two daytime activity peaks:between 6:00 a.m.and 10:00 a.m.,and between 5:00 p.m.and 7:00 p.m.,respectively.Our estimated abundance and detection probability from the N-mixture model were variable by season.In particular,all three species showed greater abundance in summer than in winter,and estimated abundance patterns of all three species were more similar with observed cameratrapping counts in summers.Moreover,in winter,elevation had a positive impact on abundance of Silver Pheasant and Cabot’s Tragopan,but not on White-necklaced Partridge.Conclusions:Our results demonstrate that the N-mixture model performed well in the estimation of temporal popu lation abundance at local fixed permanent plots in mountain habitat in southern China,based on the modeling of repeated camera-trapping counts.The seasonal differences in abundance of the three endemic bird species and the strong effect of elevation on abundance of two species in winter were only indicative of variations in spatio-tempora distribution within species and between species.In identifying suitable habitat for endemic pheasants,the positive elevational effect also suggests that more attention should be paid to conservation of areas with higher elevation in the Nanling Mountains.

The moth Joelminetia kostjuki Speidel & Witt, 2007(Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) newly recorded from China

A newly recorded genus Joelminetia Speidel Witt, 2007 in the family Pyralidae and the newly recorded species Joelminetia kostjuki Speidel Witt, 2007 are reported from South China. Morphological descriptions and illustrations of the genus and species are given.