Snow leopards are one of the least known large cats, the population of which has dramatically de- creased. Their habitat loss was considered the main reason for the decline during the last decade, but their habitat pr...Snow leopards are one of the least known large cats, the population of which has dramatically de- creased. Their habitat loss was considered the main reason for the decline during the last decade, but their habitat preferences are still not well known. In this paper, we studied the winter habitat preferences of snow leopards in the Tomur National Nature Reserve （TNNR） in Northwest China during 2004-2005. We used sign surveys and tran- sects to study the winter habitat selection of snow leopards. The results indicated that snow leopards showed a preference for habitat variabilities in slope aspect, vegetation cover, dominant topographical features, landform ruggedness and grazing status. We found that prey availability and dominant topographical features were the most important factors that determined the winter habitat selection of snow leopards. Our results supported the idea that the habitat preferences of snow leopards are a tradeoff between suitable habitat features and avoidance of potential human interactions.展开更多
lbex （Capra ibex）, a first grade protected animal, has not been well studied in China. Surveys were conducted to investigate the distribution of the ibex in the Tomur National Nature Reserve during October--November...lbex （Capra ibex）, a first grade protected animal, has not been well studied in China. Surveys were conducted to investigate the distribution of the ibex in the Tomur National Nature Reserve during October--November 2004, July 2005, and October-December 2005. The results were as follows： （1） Out of five valleys, the ibex was distributed in the Qiong-Tailan, Keqik-Tailan, and Muzart Valleys： （2） Ibexes were not observed in the Tomur Valley and Kuzbayi Valley in our surveys, but interview investigations indicated that they may be found here as well. Our results indicated that the nature reserve as a whole is in the distribution range of ibex and it plays an important role in protecting ibex and the alpine biodiversity. However, the uneven distribution pattern can be due to human activities. Therefore, the management of the reserve needs to be improved in the future.展开更多
Camera traps serve as an important tool for monitoring species diversity. We used data from camera traps set for capturing snow leopards（Panthera uncia） in the Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve,Gansu Province,China,...Camera traps serve as an important tool for monitoring species diversity. We used data from camera traps set for capturing snow leopards（Panthera uncia） in the Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve,Gansu Province,China,to assess species richness with respect to mammal and birds species. We also assessed survey efficiency for species detection,and conducted an initial analysis of species interactions. The survey effort of 10,171 camera workdays yielded 2,868 suitable animal image events involving 17 mammal and 20 bird species. Among these,the dhole（Cuon alpinus） is considered to be Endangered,the snow leopard and white-lipped deer（Cervus albirostris） Vulnerable,and the Pallas＇ s cat（Feli smanul）,mountain weasel（Mustela altaica）,Himalayan griffon（Gyps himalayensis） and cinereous vulture（Aegypius monachus） Near Threatened under the IUCN red list. Fourteen species were also listed as key protected wild animals according to China national standards. Both the rarefaction curves and richness estimators suggested our sampling for mammal and pheasant species is sufficient,while more survey efforts are still needed to detect other bird species. With a focus on the dominant species Eurasian lynx（Lynx lynx）,occupancy models were used to estimate site use and detection probability for selected species,and to investigate predator-prey relationships between lynx on the one hand and woolly hare（Lepus oiostolus）,pika（Ochotona spp.）and Tibetan partridge（Perdix hodgsoniae） on the other. We give recommendations on how to increase efficiency in camera-based species inventory and biodiversity monitoring.展开更多
Human-wildlife conflict（HWC） is a global conservation issue of increasing concern,and understanding the factors driving conflict is crucial for preventing or mitigating it. In many parts of China,large human populat...Human-wildlife conflict（HWC） is a global conservation issue of increasing concern,and understanding the factors driving conflict is crucial for preventing or mitigating it. In many parts of China,large human populations and increasing development has led to an escalation in HWC with both carnivore and prey species. In this paper we assess herder attitudes toward blue sheep（Pseudaois nayaur,Hodgson,1833）,white lipped deer（Carvus albirostris,Przewalski,1883）,red deer（Cervus elaphus,Linnaeus,1758）,and marmot（Marmota himalayana Hodgson,1841） through interview-based surveys conducted in 46 households across 8 villages in Qilianshan National Nature Reserve,Gansu,China. We also examine the perceived impact of three ecological-restoration policies（anti-grazing,sustainable grazing,and grass-planting policies） on livelihoods,and how this affects attitudes toward wildlife. Herders reported neutral attitudes toward wildlife species in general,but reported negative attitudes towards blue sheep. Mixed-effects modeling revealed that herder attitudes toward the target species varied significantly across villages,but other socioeconomic variables had limited explanatory power for attitudes. Furthermore,we found that while policy implementation was negatively perceived by herders,anti-grazing policy implementation and total policy implementation were positively correlated with positive attitudes toward wildlife,highlighting a potential gap between perceived threats and actual threats. Finally,we show that the leading cause of reported livestock death is preventable disease,alleviation of which may help improve attitudes toward wildlife.展开更多
Grey-sided voles(Myodes rufocanus)and bank voles(Myodes glareolus)co-exist in boreal forests in northern Scandinavia.Previous studies suggest that the 2 species interact interspecifically,the grey-sided vole be&...Grey-sided voles(Myodes rufocanus)and bank voles(Myodes glareolus)co-exist in boreal forests in northern Scandinavia.Previous studies suggest that the 2 species interact interspecifically,the grey-sided vole being the dominant species.We tested the hypothesis that bank voles shift their diet due to competition with the dominant grey-sided vole by studying stable isotope ratios in both species.Muscle samples were taken from voles in patches of old forest occupied by only bank voles and patches of old forest occupied by both grey-sided voles and bank voles.We found that:(i)stable isotope ratios of bank voles differed in areas with and without grey-sided voles;and that(ii)the stable isotope ratios of bank voles were more similar to those of grey-sided voles in areas where grey-sided voles were absent.Our data suggests that grey-sided voles forced bank voles to change their diet due to interspecific competition.展开更多
基金supported by the Science Supporting Project of the National Ministry of Science and Technology(2008BA C39B04)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30470262 and 30970340)+1 种基金the International Science and Technology Cooperation Program of China(2010DFA92720)the Chinese Academy of Sciences Visiting Professorships for Senior International Scientists(2009Z2-5)
文摘Snow leopards are one of the least known large cats, the population of which has dramatically de- creased. Their habitat loss was considered the main reason for the decline during the last decade, but their habitat preferences are still not well known. In this paper, we studied the winter habitat preferences of snow leopards in the Tomur National Nature Reserve （TNNR） in Northwest China during 2004-2005. We used sign surveys and tran- sects to study the winter habitat selection of snow leopards. The results indicated that snow leopards showed a preference for habitat variabilities in slope aspect, vegetation cover, dominant topographical features, landform ruggedness and grazing status. We found that prey availability and dominant topographical features were the most important factors that determined the winter habitat selection of snow leopards. Our results supported the idea that the habitat preferences of snow leopards are a tradeoff between suitable habitat features and avoidance of potential human interactions.
文摘lbex （Capra ibex）, a first grade protected animal, has not been well studied in China. Surveys were conducted to investigate the distribution of the ibex in the Tomur National Nature Reserve during October--November 2004, July 2005, and October-December 2005. The results were as follows： （1） Out of five valleys, the ibex was distributed in the Qiong-Tailan, Keqik-Tailan, and Muzart Valleys： （2） Ibexes were not observed in the Tomur Valley and Kuzbayi Valley in our surveys, but interview investigations indicated that they may be found here as well. Our results indicated that the nature reserve as a whole is in the distribution range of ibex and it plays an important role in protecting ibex and the alpine biodiversity. However, the uneven distribution pattern can be due to human activities. Therefore, the management of the reserve needs to be improved in the future.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(31470567)
文摘Camera traps serve as an important tool for monitoring species diversity. We used data from camera traps set for capturing snow leopards（Panthera uncia） in the Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve,Gansu Province,China,to assess species richness with respect to mammal and birds species. We also assessed survey efficiency for species detection,and conducted an initial analysis of species interactions. The survey effort of 10,171 camera workdays yielded 2,868 suitable animal image events involving 17 mammal and 20 bird species. Among these,the dhole（Cuon alpinus） is considered to be Endangered,the snow leopard and white-lipped deer（Cervus albirostris） Vulnerable,and the Pallas＇ s cat（Feli smanul）,mountain weasel（Mustela altaica）,Himalayan griffon（Gyps himalayensis） and cinereous vulture（Aegypius monachus） Near Threatened under the IUCN red list. Fourteen species were also listed as key protected wild animals according to China national standards. Both the rarefaction curves and richness estimators suggested our sampling for mammal and pheasant species is sufficient,while more survey efforts are still needed to detect other bird species. With a focus on the dominant species Eurasian lynx（Lynx lynx）,occupancy models were used to estimate site use and detection probability for selected species,and to investigate predator-prey relationships between lynx on the one hand and woolly hare（Lepus oiostolus）,pika（Ochotona spp.）and Tibetan partridge（Perdix hodgsoniae） on the other. We give recommendations on how to increase efficiency in camera-based species inventory and biodiversity monitoring.
基金Assessment on Snow Leopard Population and Habitat of China,Second National Survey of Terrestrial Wildlife in China,State Forestry Administration and Grassland of China(2012-LYS-JWT-29)
文摘Human-wildlife conflict（HWC） is a global conservation issue of increasing concern,and understanding the factors driving conflict is crucial for preventing or mitigating it. In many parts of China,large human populations and increasing development has led to an escalation in HWC with both carnivore and prey species. In this paper we assess herder attitudes toward blue sheep（Pseudaois nayaur,Hodgson,1833）,white lipped deer（Carvus albirostris,Przewalski,1883）,red deer（Cervus elaphus,Linnaeus,1758）,and marmot（Marmota himalayana Hodgson,1841） through interview-based surveys conducted in 46 households across 8 villages in Qilianshan National Nature Reserve,Gansu,China. We also examine the perceived impact of three ecological-restoration policies（anti-grazing,sustainable grazing,and grass-planting policies） on livelihoods,and how this affects attitudes toward wildlife. Herders reported neutral attitudes toward wildlife species in general,but reported negative attitudes towards blue sheep. Mixed-effects modeling revealed that herder attitudes toward the target species varied significantly across villages,but other socioeconomic variables had limited explanatory power for attitudes. Furthermore,we found that while policy implementation was negatively perceived by herders,anti-grazing policy implementation and total policy implementation were positively correlated with positive attitudes toward wildlife,highlighting a potential gap between perceived threats and actual threats. Finally,we show that the leading cause of reported livestock death is preventable disease,alleviation of which may help improve attitudes toward wildlife.
基金the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments.Financial support was received from stiftelsen Oscar och Lili Lamms minne,from Helge Ax:son Johnsons stiftelse and from the Swedish Research Council FORMAS(Dnr 2017-00867).
文摘Grey-sided voles(Myodes rufocanus)and bank voles(Myodes glareolus)co-exist in boreal forests in northern Scandinavia.Previous studies suggest that the 2 species interact interspecifically,the grey-sided vole being the dominant species.We tested the hypothesis that bank voles shift their diet due to competition with the dominant grey-sided vole by studying stable isotope ratios in both species.Muscle samples were taken from voles in patches of old forest occupied by only bank voles and patches of old forest occupied by both grey-sided voles and bank voles.We found that:(i)stable isotope ratios of bank voles differed in areas with and without grey-sided voles;and that(ii)the stable isotope ratios of bank voles were more similar to those of grey-sided voles in areas where grey-sided voles were absent.Our data suggests that grey-sided voles forced bank voles to change their diet due to interspecific competition.
