Assessing the population of grey peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) in a Southeast Asian conservation landscape

Thunhikorn, Somying, Grainger, Matthew J, Savini, Philip Jk McGowan Tommaso (2016): Assessing the population of grey peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) in a Southeast Asian conservation landscape. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology 64: 302-312, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.535541

Spatial distribution of display sites of Grey Peacock-pheasant in relation to micro-habitat and predators during the breeding season

Abstract Background The destruction and fragmentation of forest in Southeast Asia is accelerating biodiversity loss, resulting in a range of management and conservation actions. For some species, a detailed understanding of microhabitat selection is critical for this, especially in the breeding season. Methods To understand the factors that explain how specific habitats are used by the Grey Peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) in the breeding season, we used camera trapping and microhabitat sampling to assess the microhabitat selection of males. We also looked at their interaction with predators in an area of 1200 m × 1200 m at the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand, between January and May 2013. Results We show that display scrapes are situated on flatter open areas with small saplings and some vines, typified by low horizontal understory density. We hypothesise that this allows a trade-off between courtship display and the avoidance of predators. Our study showed that the position of Grey Peacock-pheasant display scrapes regularly overlapped with predators within the same microhabitat. We hypothesise that the species’ behavioural responses to temporal variation in predation risk allows them to avoid most predators. Conclusions Particular microhabitats are required for Grey Peacock-pheasant display. They avoid predators at these places by being active when predators are not

Methods used to survey avian species and their potential for surveying ground-dwelling birds in Asia

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Home range and habitat utilization of gaur (Bos gaurus) in transition zone between protected forest and human-dominated landscape, Eastern Thailand

Understanding the spatial ecology of an animal is crucial for its conservation and management, particularly for threatened species. The gaur (Bos gaurus), globally classified as vulnerable, is distributed across mainland South and Southeast Asia. In Thailand, the overall gaur population is decreasing, and suitable habitats are declining. Conversely, the gaur is well recovered in the Khao Phaeng Ma Non-hunting Area (KPM-NHA), a part of the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, recognized as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. Due to its abundance, this area faces the challenge of crop-raiding by gaurs. Thus, this research focuses on investigating the home range, movement, and habitat selection of gaurs in KPM-NHA and its surrounding areas. From October 2020 to July 2022, we obtained location data for 11 adult gaurs (eight males and three females) using a GPS-collar. We utilized the autocorrelated kernel density estimation (AKDE) method and the step-selection function (SSFs) to estimate the gaurs' home range, movement, and habitat selection. The results show that the gaur dwelled in KPM-NHA and moved around the protected areas and surrounding agricultural areas. The average home range size of males and females were 9.33 km2 (range 2.92–18.20 km2) and 4.09 km2 (range 1.44–6.11 km2), respectively. Regarding their movement, the average traveled distance was 6.38 km/day for males and 6.19 km/day for females. Gaurs preferred a lower canopy near the dry evergreen forest, grassland, field crop, rangeland, urban, and water body. The findings offer essential data for crafting an effective conservation approach. This information holds significance for public awareness and contributes to an improved strategy for mitigating human-gaur conflicts. Furthermore, the management of gaur habitats can utilize this data to establish guidelines, particularly for maintaining grasslands within protected areas