A multiscale assessment of snow leopard distribution, habitat-use and landscape connectivity in a new national park in China

The newly established Qilian Mountain National Park (QMNP), with and area of 50,200 km2, was one of the first ten pilot areas of the revised national park system in China. The snow leopard is an important flagship species of the QMNP, although only sporadic field surveys have been conducted since 2011 in the Qilian Mountain region. The lack of data and information has impeded the improvement of conservation and management planning and practice of the national parks. The target of this research was to use data collected from multiple surveys with spatial and temporal variance, with the employment of recent and powerful data analysis algorithms, to explore snow leopard ecology at micro and macro levels in QMNP and provide important contributions for the conservation and management planning of QMNP and surrounding areas. Firstly, snow leopard density was estimated in Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve (YNNR, an important component nature reserve of QMNP) using Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture Models (SECR), across a 400 km2 area with 62 camera traps systematically set up. In total 14 snow leopard individuals were photo captured during the 4,760 camera trapping nights. The overall abundance of snow leopards was estimated to be 26.3 individuals (SE = 5.7, 95% CI 19.2-43.2) over the entire buffered survey area of 1,881.6 km2. The estimated average snow leopard density for the study was therefore 1.40 (SE=0.30, 95% CI 1.02-2.30) individuals per 100 km2. Covariates of wild and domestic prey (capture events of blue sheep and domestic livestock), and geography (terrain roughness index) were found had big impact on the model performance. In YNNR, 249 snow leopard presence locations were acquired from camera traps and genetically-verified fecal samples. Analysis was then conducted on snow leopard distribution, activity and linkage across the extent of YNNR, with an area of 13,600 km2. A key mountain system (Shulenanshan) in the east of YNNR was identified as the most important area in terms of habitat quality, activity and linkage of snow leopard populations. Based on these analyses, two further areas were identified with high importance for population connectivity, but which were also highly vulnerable from fence and road infrastructure. Analysis on snow leopard distribution, activity and linkage was then extended to the entire QMNP and areas around, based on a wider dataset of 393 snow leopard presence points. Results indicated 16 high-quality patches and 27 medium-quality patches in QMNP and surrounding areas. The largest high-quality patch located in the mid-east of QMNP, which was consistent with the results from connectivity surface and linkage network analysis about the most important key area. Second largest high-quality patch located at south out of the QMNP, which may play the role of bridge or step stones for the snow leopard population communication between the national park and the main part of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Result of least cost path analysis showed that most of the high-quality patch paths went through medium-quality patches, indicating the potential step stone function of the medium-quality patches for snow leopard individuals’ dispersal. Serving as the first case of snow leopard ecological study in national park level landscape in China, this thesis explored population density, distribution, activity and linkage of snow leopard population in QMNP from micro to macro level scale. The thesis demonstrated how the data with spatial and temporal difference can be used in flagship species with big range and scarce information. This study increased our understanding of snow leopard density in high quality habitat, improved the knowledge of the important impact factors of snow leopard distribution at nature reserve and national park level, and described the scenarios of snow leopard activity and linkage with multiple supposed biologically meaningful thresholds of movement and dispersal abilities. This study increased the knowledge of snow leopard ecology, and the results and suggestions provided in the thesis would be an important reference to the managers when making the conservation and management plan in QMNP and surrounding areas

Uma imagem vale mais que mil palavras: o uso de armadilhas fotográficas nos estudos com aves florestais da Mata Atlântica no Sul de Santa Catarina

Trabalho de Conclusão de Curso, apresentado para obtenção do Grau de Bacharel, no Curso de Ciências Biológicas da Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense, UNESC.Animais silvestres ariscos, discretos, crípticos ou raros são de difícil detecção, o que traz problemas para os estudos que requerem seu registro por meio de evidências diretas. Neste sentido, as imagens obtidas por armadilhas fotográficas não só fornecem a confirmação de presença e identidade da fauna silvestre, mas também, podem fornecer insights sobre distribuição, abundância, dinâmica populacional e comportamento das espécies alvo. Este estudo teve por objetivo descrever a composição da fauna de aves associadas ao estrato do sub-bosque de um ambiente de Mata Atlântica preservada, situada nas encostas da Serra Geral na Região Sul de Santa Catarina. Para amostragem da avifauna foram instaladas 18 armadilhas fotográficas, distribuídas e posicionadas em corredores de passagem como, trilhas existentes, bordas de mata, leito de rios e interior de vales. As armadilhas permaneceram ativas por 24 horas durante 337 dias, no período de maio de 2018 a abril de 2019, resultando em esforço amostral total de 118.488 horas de exposição. A identificação das espécies se deu com auxílio de guias específicos da avifauna brasileira e confirmação da identificação taxonômica foi efetuada por especialistas em aves. Os registros foram avaliados em termos de riqueza, número total de registros, frequência de registros, abundância dos registros, índice de constância de ocorrência e status de conservação. Foram obtidos 5.280 registros reunidos em 12 ordens, 27 famílias, 41 gêneros e 44 espécies. Doze taxa figuraram como os mais frequentes (FA ≥ 58,33%): Aramides saracura, Leptotila spp., Turdus spp., T. rufiventris, T. albicollis (FA = 91,67%); Tinamus solitairus (FA = 83,33%); Penelope obscura e Hylopezus nattereri (FA = 75,00%); Crypturellus tataupa, Odontophorus capueira e Myiothlipsis leucoblephara (FA = 66,67%) e Ortalis squamata (FA = 58,33%). Em termos de status de conservação, quatro espécies figuram nas listas de espécies ameaçadas: T. solitarius (VU) em nível estadual, O. capueira (CR), Conopophaga lineata e Grallaria varia (VU) em nível nacional. Os resultados obtidos sublinham mais uma vez a eficiência das armadilhas fotográficas para a realização de estudos ornitológicos sobre espécies que habitam o sub-bosque e ou exploram o chão das florestas. O uso de armadilhas fotográficas permite que estudos não invasivos sobre a ocorrência e a abundância de uma ampla gama de animais sejam realizados, sobretudo de espécies ariscas, raras e em risco de extinção, que vivem no solo ou utilizam as trilhas para se mover através do seu habitat. A riqueza de aves registrada, a ocorrência de taxa com frequência absoluta elevada além de quatro espécies que figuram nas listas de espécies ameaçadas evidencia a importância da área estudada, especialmente pelo fato de se encontrar na zona de amortecimento da Reserva Biológica Estadual do Aguaí

Decreasing brown bear (Ursus arctos) habitat due to climate change in Central Asia and the Asian Highlands

Around the world, climate change has impacted many species. In this study, we used bioclimatic variables and biophysical layers of Central Asia and the Asian Highlands combined with presence data of brown bear (Ursus arctos) to understand their current distribution and predict their future distribution under the current rate of climate change. Our bioclimatic model showed that the current suitable habitat of brown bear encompasses 3,430,493 km2 in the study area, the majority of which (>65%) located in China. Our analyses demonstrated that suitable habitat will be reduced by 11% (378,861.30 km2) across Central Asia and the Asian Highlands by 2,050 due to climate change, predominantly (>90%) due to the changes in temperature and precipitation. The spatially averaged mean annual temperature of brown bear habitat is currently −1.2°C and predicted to increase to 1.6°C by 2,050. Mean annual precipitation in brown bear habitats is predicted to increase by 13% (from 406 to 459 mm) by 2,050. Such changes in two critical climatic variables may significantly affect the brown bear distribution, ethological repertoires, and physiological processes, which may increase their risk of extirpation in some areas. Approximately 32% (1,124,330 km2) of the total suitable habitat falls within protected areas, which was predicted to reduce to 1,103,912 km2 (1.8% loss) by 2,050. Future loss of suitable habitats inside the protected areas may force brown bears to move outside the protected areas thereby increasing their risk of mortality. Therefore, more protected areas should be established in the suitable brown bear habitats in future to sustain populations in this region. Furthermore, development of corridors is needed to connect habitats between protected areas of different countries in Central Asia. Such practices will facilitate climate migration and connectivity among populations and movement between and within countries

Understanding snow leopard (Panthera uncia) population structure, diet, and human-wildlife dimensions using noninvasive genetic approaches

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are a large cat endemic to the mountains of Central Asia. Despite their status as a flagship species, there are numerous knowledge gaps surrounding their population status, dietary ecology, and relationship with humans. Such knowledge gaps are prohibitive for effective conservation action for the species. Snow leopards are threatened by habitat loss, decreased prey availability, retaliatory killings, and large-scale negative impacts associated with climate change. In order to help bridge these gaps, noninvasive genetic methodologies were deployed in this work across several disciplines. Population genetic metrics were garnered at local, regional, and range-wide scales, data surrounding dietary ecology were acquired through the use of DNA metabarcoding, and information surrounding human-snow leopard dimensions was gained via structured interviews and assessments of frameworks for herder involvement in research efforts. Range-wide, snow leopards were found to vary in both their population status, genetics, and prey use. Analyses regarding snow leopards populations at local scales in China and Mongolia suggest that some populations are thriving, while others will require additional data to determine the need for potential conservation interventions. On a range-wide scale, genetic profiles broadly grouped into three clusters (Central, Northern, and Western) that may support subspecies status. The divergence between snow leopards belonging to the Northern and Central subspecies is particularly stark with very little evidence of gene flow across the Gobi Desert. Snow leopards possessed low levels of genetic diversity regardless of examination at range-wide, regional, or local scales. Across their range, snow leopards predominately consumed larger-bodied wild hoof stock species, though these varied based on availability. Livestock constituted anywhere from 0% to 33% of dietary repertoire, speaking to the need of herder support in reducing the potential for negative attitudes and retaliatory killings. In general, snow leopards displayed a wide breadth of prey items consumed, including within the realm of domestic animals. In China, snow leopards most overlapped in diet with Tibetan wolves (Canis lupus) regardless of location or time of year, with both species showing a high dependence on blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and pika (Ochotona spp.). Occurrences of livestock among the snow leopard and its sympatric counterparts were highest in the Tibetan wolf, which could contribute to the snow leopard being afforded more tolerance among herders. Herders in the Sanjiangyuan region of China had positive attitudes towards snow leopards overall, with religion and years of formal education playing an important role in shaping these attitudes. However, the role of livestock loss in shaping attitudes revealed itself to be much more complicated. One way of reducing livestock loss is through the deployment of non-lethal deterrents, such as flashing lights. The effectiveness of flashing lights at deterring predators from livestock was perceived by herders to be high, but functional effectiveness was limited in interpretation due to the majority of domestic animal attacks occurring during the day by wolves. Results from this indicate that herders approve of and will deploy user-friendly, small, and mobile devices with familiar characteristics, but that complications in designing research studies can limit further analytic assessments. Future snow leopard research should consider the value of tailored research efforts based on knowledge surrounding genetics, prey availability, and the factors that impact human attitudes towards the species within a particular area. However, the expansive distribution of the snow leopard also mandates that trans-boundary cooperation and communication is prioritized. Local communities within snow leopard habitat play a crucial role in the conservation success of the species, and can serve as allies in protection efforts. Greater incorporation of their local ecological knowledge and skillsets can provide the additional resources necessary to continue advancing current understanding of snow leopards

Nest-site selection, reproductive ecology and shifts within core-use areas of Black-necked Cranes at the northern limit of the Tibetan Plateau

We investigated population dynamics, breeding pairs, breeding habitat selection, nest density, distance between neighboring nests, nest survival, reproductive success, and recruitment rate for Black-necked Cranes (BNC, Grus nigricollis) during 2013–2015 in Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve (YCW), Gansu, China. Numbers of BNC and breeding pairs remained relatively stable at around 140 individuals and 40 pairs. Recruitment rates ranged from 15.7% to 25.8%. The average nest distance was 718.66 ± 430.50 m (2013), 1064.51 ± 323.99 m (2014) and 534.99 ± 195.45 m (2015). Average nest survival rate, hatching success, and breeding success of all 29 nests were 65.56 ± 5.09%, 57.04 ± 6.12% and 32.78% ± 2.55. Water depth, water body area, and distance to land were positively related to nest survival, while disturbance level showed a negative relationship. However, nest site selection of BNC was determined by habitat type, disturbance and water depth. BNC often foraged in mudflats and freshwater marsh but seldom foraged in saline-alkali wet meadows due to food density and quantity in April, the month when BNC choose nest sites. Conservation strategies based on habitats should consider ecological factors that may not be well predicted by nest site selection. Shifts within core-use areas from satellite tracking of BNC demonstrated that maintaining populations demands that conservation areas are large enough to permit breeding BNC changes in space use. Our results are important for conservation management and provide quantitative reproductive data for this species

Incubation strategies of the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) in relation to ambient temperature and time of day

Abstract Background The behavior of cranes reflects many of their survival strategies, but little has been known of the incubation strategies of cranes, in which both parents share incubation duties, in response to cold temperatures in alpine environments. The lack of information may restrict the effective conservation of the threatened Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis), a biparental bird nesting in high elevation wetlands. Methods We directly observed and used infrared video cameras from 2014 to 2015 to study the incubation behavior and quantitatively measured the frequency and details of egg turning behavior in the Black-necked Crane at the Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve in western Gansu Province, China. Results At lower ambient temperatures in the morning, crane parents spent more time on the nest with less recess frequency and prolonged on-bout duration, while at higher temperatures around noon, the parents had more frequent recesses from incubation and shorter periods between nest exchanges. They adjusted the amount of time incubating by varying the recess frequency and the length of on-bout duration. Mean nest attendance and egg turning frequency of females were significantly higher than those of the males. The nest attendance and on-bout duration of females showed a significantly negative relationship with those of males. The two parents responded differently to the change of temperature. Females spent more time on the nest at lower morning temperatures, while males increased their time on the nest at higher temperatures after noon. Higher incubation recess frequency and egg turning frequency were observed at noon, probably because parents spent more time foraging, taking advantage of the lower egg cooling rate. Conclusion Both Black-necked Crane parents in the alpine environment adjusted their behavior in response to the thermal requirements of eggs and the weather conditions experienced. Our findings demonstrate that parents of this species incubated in different but complementary ways and efficiently enhanced egg care in a dynamic environment, so as to maximize benefits from the warm portion of the day and the intense solar radiation while minimizing the cost of rewarming eggs and the risks of cooling eggs