Habitat evaluation constitutes an important and fundamental step in the management of wildlife populations and conservation policy planning. Geographic information system （GIS） and species presence data provide the ...Habitat evaluation constitutes an important and fundamental step in the management of wildlife populations and conservation policy planning. Geographic information system （GIS） and species presence data provide the means by which such evaluation can be done. Maximum Entropy （MaxEnt） is widely used in habitat suitability modeling due to its power of accuracy and additional descriptive properties To survey snow leopard populations in Qomolangma （Mt. Everest） National Nature Reserve （QNNR）, Xizang （Tibet）, China, we pooled 127 pugmarks, 415 scrape marks, and 127 non-invasive identifications of the animal along line transects and recorded 87 occurrences through camera traps from 2014-2017. We adopted the MaxEnt model to generate a map highlighting the extent of suitable snow leopard habitat in QNNR. Results showed that the accuracy of the MaxEnt model was excellent （mean AUC=0.921）. Precipitation in the driest quarter, ruggedness, elevation, maximum temperature of the warmest month, and annual mean temperature were the main environmental factors influencing habitat suitability for snow leopards, with contribution rates of 20.0%, 14.4%, 13.3%, 8.7%, and 8.2% respectively The suitable habitat area extended for 7 001.93 km^2, representing 22.72% of the whole reserve. The regions bordering Nepal were the main suitable snow leopard habitats and consisted of three separate habitat patches Our findings revealed that precipitation, temperature conditions, ruggedness, and elevations of around 4 000 m a.s.I, influenced snow leopard preferences at the landscape level in QNNR. We advocate further research and cooperation with Nepal to evaluate habitat connectivity and to explore possible proxies of population isolation among these patches. Furthermore, evaluation of subdivisions within the protection zones of QNNR is necessary to improve conservation strategies and enhance protection.展开更多
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
In this study, mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences of snow leopard, gray wolf, domestic horse and Bactrian camel inhabited or domesticated in Mongolian territory were obtained by using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） b...In this study, mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences of snow leopard, gray wolf, domestic horse and Bactrian camel inhabited or domesticated in Mongolian territory were obtained by using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） based on universal primers for 16S rRNA （F-5＇-AACGAGCCTGGTGATA-3＇ and R-5＇-CTCCGGTCTGAACTCAGATCACGTA-3＇）. The 16S rRNA sequence was 1,048 bp to 1,086 bp in length, and each sequence was compared to other related species （Felidae, Camelidae, Equidae and Canidae） by using NCBI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool （BLAST）. Results showed that sequences were highly similar to sequences in GenBank database （93%-99%）. Then phylogenetic analysis was performed based on about 1,100 bp sequence of 16S rRNA for Panthera uncia, Canis lupus, Equus caballus, Camelus bactrianus and other related species. The result revealed that P. uncia and P. leo were sister species, C. bactrianus and C. ferus were more closely related species, and wolf and dog were the almost similar species. This finding could be important for designing species specific primers for PCR based analysis of animal species identification and forensic veterinary medicine.展开更多
在经历市场对Vista的萎靡反映后,微软(Microsoft)终于决定洗心革面,重新开始以用户的角度开发操作系统。而Mac OS X这一被苹果(Apple)自称是现今世界上最先进的操作系统,也没有放缓前进的脚步。面对苹果的步步进逼,从来都在对手阵营打...在经历市场对Vista的萎靡反映后,微软(Microsoft)终于决定洗心革面,重新开始以用户的角度开发操作系统。而Mac OS X这一被苹果(Apple)自称是现今世界上最先进的操作系统,也没有放缓前进的脚步。面对苹果的步步进逼,从来都在对手阵营打胜仗的微软该如何面对苹果在自家本土的挑战呢?此次,MI特意将两个最新操作系统的Beta版分别安装在MacBook的两个不同分区内,带领各位米饭提进前入未来战场,体会一下这一王者之争。展开更多
Spatiotemporal interactions between predators and prey are central to maintaining sustainable functioning ecosystems and community stability.For wild ungulates and their predators,livestock grazing is an important ant...Spatiotemporal interactions between predators and prey are central to maintaining sustainable functioning ecosystems and community stability.For wild ungulates and their predators,livestock grazing is an important anthropogenic disturbance causing population declines and modifying their interactions over time and space.However,it is poorly understood how fine-scale grazing affects the spatiotemporal responses of predators,prey,and their interactions.Two opposing hypotheses describe a dichotomy of possible effects.The human shield hypothesis states that people can protect prey because predators avoid areas with high human-induced mortality risk,whereas in the human competitor hypothesis,humans compete for prey and negatively impact predators through reduced prey availability.We used camera-trapping data from the Gansu Qilianshan National Nature Reserve in Northwest China to measure occupancy,daily activity patterns,and spatiotemporal interactions between snow leopards(Panthera uncia),the dominant predator,and their ungulate prey in areas with contrasting grazing intensities.The results of grazing were consistent with both the human-shield and human-competitor hypotheses,affecting spatiotemporal patterns and interactions of predators and prey.For the primary prey species,blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur),their spatial and temporal patterns were affected by grazing,which led to a reduction in interaction frequencies with snow leopards.For secondary prey,grazing led to reduced interaction frequencies with snow leopards for white-lipped deer(Przewalskium albirostris)and red deer(Cervus yarkandensis),but increased frequencies for alpine musk deer(Moschus chrysogaster).Our results indicate how both competition among livestock and prey and predator or prey avoidance of grazed areas can impact populations and predator-prey interactions.Our findings are relevant to grazing management and snow leopard conservation.展开更多
The Himalaya region of Nepal provides a habitat for the endangered snow leopard(Panthera uncia)and its principal prey species,the blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur).The aim of this study was to describe the habitat,the distr...The Himalaya region of Nepal provides a habitat for the endangered snow leopard(Panthera uncia)and its principal prey species,the blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur).The aim of this study was to describe the habitat,the distribution and the population structure of blue sheep,and to estimate their contribution to the carrying capac-ity of snow leopard in the upper Mustang region of Nepal.Blue sheep were recorded at altitudes from 3209-5498 m on slopes with gradients of 16-60°and aspects of 40°NE to 140°SE.A total of 939 blue sheep were counted in the upper Mustang region,and 98 were counted in the Yak Kharka region of Manang district;how-ever,upper Mustang had the lowest population density of blue sheep recorded within their distribution range in Nepal(0.86 blue sheep/km^(2)).The results of the study show that a higher density of blue sheep is associated with greater plant species diversity.The most important species present in the blue sheep habitat were Kobresia pyg-maea,Artemesia spp.,Lonicera spp.,Lancea tibetica,Poa spp.,Astragalus spp.and Ephedra gerardiana.It is estimated that the existing blue sheep population biomass of approximately 38925 kg in the upper Mustang re-gion could support approximately 19 snow leopards(1.6 snow leopards/100 km^(2)).展开更多
Knowledge of large carnivore population abundance is essential for wildlife management and conservation,but these data are often difficult to obtain in inherently low-density species.In particular,the snow leopard,Pan...Knowledge of large carnivore population abundance is essential for wildlife management and conservation,but these data are often difficult to obtain in inherently low-density species.In particular,the snow leopard,Panthera uncia,an enigmatic cat occupying remote mountains in Central Asia,has received insufficient assessments of its population abundance because of logistical and methodological challenges.Here,we aimed to develop a robust density estimation of snow leopards based on 81 days of camera trapping within a contiguous and previously un-surveyed 1950 km^(2)area of habitat on the Tibetan Plateau(Mayue Township,Shenzha County,Xizang Autonomous Region,China).By applying spatially explicit capture-recapture models,we produced an estimate of 1.40(95%CI:1.06-1.84)individuals per 100 km^(2).Results also suggested sex-specific variation in the range of movement around activity centers,with male(N=10,σ=4.02)movement considerably greater than female(N=8,σ=1.84)move-ment.Thefindings can serve as a reliable baseline reference for assessing the population trends of this endangered felid species with future estimates.This study will provide context to contribute toward a better understanding of ecological factors shaping the distribution and abundance of snow leopards and the related conservation measures needed to sustain their long-term survival on the Tibetan Plateau.展开更多
The existence of a trans-boundary population of the snow leopard(Panthera uncia)that inhabits the massifs of Tsagaanshuvuut(Mongolia)-Tsagan-Shibetu(Russia)was determined through non-invasive genetic analysis of scat ...The existence of a trans-boundary population of the snow leopard(Panthera uncia)that inhabits the massifs of Tsagaanshuvuut(Mongolia)-Tsagan-Shibetu(Russia)was determined through non-invasive genetic analysis of scat samples and by studying the structure of territory use by a collared female individual.The genetic analysis included species identification of samples through sequencing of a fragment of the cytochrome b gene and individual identification using a panel of 8 microsatellites.The home range of a female snow leopard marked with a satellite Global Positioning System(GPS)collar was represented by the minimum convex polygon method(MCP)100,the MCP 95 method and the fixed kernel 95 method.The results revealed insignificant genetic differentiation between snow leopards that inhabit both massifs(minimal fixation index[FST]),and the data testify to the unity of the cross-border group.Moreover,5 common individuals were identified from Mongolian and Russian territories.This finding clearly shows that their home range includes territories of both countries.In addition,regular movement of a collared snow leopard in Mongolia and Russia confirmed the existence of a cross-border snow leopard group.These data support that trans-boundary conservation is important for snow leopards in both countries.We conclude that it is crucial for Russia to study the northern range of snow leopards in Asia.展开更多
Information about competition between carnivore species for food within high altitude regions is limited.Data collected from the Taxkorgan Nature Reserve,China revealed important interactions between snow leopard(Pant...Information about competition between carnivore species for food within high altitude regions is limited.Data collected from the Taxkorgan Nature Reserve,China revealed important interactions between snow leopard(Panthera uncia),grey wolf(Canis lupus),red fox(Vulpes vulpes)and their prey species,including domestic livestock.Sixty-four line transects were conducted in order to identify field signs of habitat occupancy and collect scats for diet analysis.High dietary overlap was observed between all three carnivore species:snow leopard and red fox(Pianka’s index=0.96),red fox and grey wolf(Pianka’s index=0.90),snow leopard and grey wolf(Pianka’s index=0.87).Snow leopard and grey wolf showed significant predation on livestock(36.8%for snow leopard and 29.4%for grey wolf in diet composition).As a pioneering exploration of the endangered snow leopard and its relationship with other species within the alpine ecosystem under livestock grazing pressure,this study contributes a greater understanding of the relationship within carnivore guild in the Pamirs whilst providing implications for conservation planning and project implementation activities in China.展开更多
基金funded primarily by the Everest Snow Leopard Conservation Center,a partnership initiative of Vanke Foundation and Qomolangma National Nature Reserve Administration
文摘Habitat evaluation constitutes an important and fundamental step in the management of wildlife populations and conservation policy planning. Geographic information system （GIS） and species presence data provide the means by which such evaluation can be done. Maximum Entropy （MaxEnt） is widely used in habitat suitability modeling due to its power of accuracy and additional descriptive properties To survey snow leopard populations in Qomolangma （Mt. Everest） National Nature Reserve （QNNR）, Xizang （Tibet）, China, we pooled 127 pugmarks, 415 scrape marks, and 127 non-invasive identifications of the animal along line transects and recorded 87 occurrences through camera traps from 2014-2017. We adopted the MaxEnt model to generate a map highlighting the extent of suitable snow leopard habitat in QNNR. Results showed that the accuracy of the MaxEnt model was excellent （mean AUC=0.921）. Precipitation in the driest quarter, ruggedness, elevation, maximum temperature of the warmest month, and annual mean temperature were the main environmental factors influencing habitat suitability for snow leopards, with contribution rates of 20.0%, 14.4%, 13.3%, 8.7%, and 8.2% respectively The suitable habitat area extended for 7 001.93 km^2, representing 22.72% of the whole reserve. The regions bordering Nepal were the main suitable snow leopard habitats and consisted of three separate habitat patches Our findings revealed that precipitation, temperature conditions, ruggedness, and elevations of around 4 000 m a.s.I, influenced snow leopard preferences at the landscape level in QNNR. We advocate further research and cooperation with Nepal to evaluate habitat connectivity and to explore possible proxies of population isolation among these patches. Furthermore, evaluation of subdivisions within the protection zones of QNNR is necessary to improve conservation strategies and enhance protection.
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In this study, mitochondrial 16S rRNA sequences of snow leopard, gray wolf, domestic horse and Bactrian camel inhabited or domesticated in Mongolian territory were obtained by using polymerase chain reaction （PCR） based on universal primers for 16S rRNA （F-5＇-AACGAGCCTGGTGATA-3＇ and R-5＇-CTCCGGTCTGAACTCAGATCACGTA-3＇）. The 16S rRNA sequence was 1,048 bp to 1,086 bp in length, and each sequence was compared to other related species （Felidae, Camelidae, Equidae and Canidae） by using NCBI Basic Local Alignment Search Tool （BLAST）. Results showed that sequences were highly similar to sequences in GenBank database （93%-99%）. Then phylogenetic analysis was performed based on about 1,100 bp sequence of 16S rRNA for Panthera uncia, Canis lupus, Equus caballus, Camelus bactrianus and other related species. The result revealed that P. uncia and P. leo were sister species, C. bactrianus and C. ferus were more closely related species, and wolf and dog were the almost similar species. This finding could be important for designing species specific primers for PCR based analysis of animal species identification and forensic veterinary medicine.
文摘在经历市场对Vista的萎靡反映后,微软(Microsoft)终于决定洗心革面,重新开始以用户的角度开发操作系统。而Mac OS X这一被苹果(Apple)自称是现今世界上最先进的操作系统,也没有放缓前进的脚步。面对苹果的步步进逼,从来都在对手阵营打胜仗的微软该如何面对苹果在自家本土的挑战呢?此次,MI特意将两个最新操作系统的Beta版分别安装在MacBook的两个不同分区内,带领各位米饭提进前入未来战场,体会一下这一王者之争。
基金supported by the Institute of Zoology,Chinese Academy of Sciences(2023IOZ0104)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFF1301401)+1 种基金the Central Finance Rare and Endangered Wildlife and Plant Conservation Subsidy Project of China(Gan Forestry and Mobility Letter[2019]347)the China Biodiversity Monitoring and Research Network(Sino BON-Mammals).
文摘Spatiotemporal interactions between predators and prey are central to maintaining sustainable functioning ecosystems and community stability.For wild ungulates and their predators,livestock grazing is an important anthropogenic disturbance causing population declines and modifying their interactions over time and space.However,it is poorly understood how fine-scale grazing affects the spatiotemporal responses of predators,prey,and their interactions.Two opposing hypotheses describe a dichotomy of possible effects.The human shield hypothesis states that people can protect prey because predators avoid areas with high human-induced mortality risk,whereas in the human competitor hypothesis,humans compete for prey and negatively impact predators through reduced prey availability.We used camera-trapping data from the Gansu Qilianshan National Nature Reserve in Northwest China to measure occupancy,daily activity patterns,and spatiotemporal interactions between snow leopards(Panthera uncia),the dominant predator,and their ungulate prey in areas with contrasting grazing intensities.The results of grazing were consistent with both the human-shield and human-competitor hypotheses,affecting spatiotemporal patterns and interactions of predators and prey.For the primary prey species,blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur),their spatial and temporal patterns were affected by grazing,which led to a reduction in interaction frequencies with snow leopards.For secondary prey,grazing led to reduced interaction frequencies with snow leopards for white-lipped deer(Przewalskium albirostris)and red deer(Cervus yarkandensis),but increased frequencies for alpine musk deer(Moschus chrysogaster).Our results indicate how both competition among livestock and prey and predator or prey avoidance of grazed areas can impact populations and predator-prey interactions.Our findings are relevant to grazing management and snow leopard conservation.
文摘The Himalaya region of Nepal provides a habitat for the endangered snow leopard(Panthera uncia)and its principal prey species,the blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur).The aim of this study was to describe the habitat,the distribution and the population structure of blue sheep,and to estimate their contribution to the carrying capac-ity of snow leopard in the upper Mustang region of Nepal.Blue sheep were recorded at altitudes from 3209-5498 m on slopes with gradients of 16-60°and aspects of 40°NE to 140°SE.A total of 939 blue sheep were counted in the upper Mustang region,and 98 were counted in the Yak Kharka region of Manang district;how-ever,upper Mustang had the lowest population density of blue sheep recorded within their distribution range in Nepal(0.86 blue sheep/km^(2)).The results of the study show that a higher density of blue sheep is associated with greater plant species diversity.The most important species present in the blue sheep habitat were Kobresia pyg-maea,Artemesia spp.,Lonicera spp.,Lancea tibetica,Poa spp.,Astragalus spp.and Ephedra gerardiana.It is estimated that the existing blue sheep population biomass of approximately 38925 kg in the upper Mustang re-gion could support approximately 19 snow leopards(1.6 snow leopards/100 km^(2)).
基金funded by Panthera,Blue Moon Fund,Beijing Bishengyuan Co.Ltd.,and China Green Carbon Foundation.
文摘Knowledge of large carnivore population abundance is essential for wildlife management and conservation,but these data are often difficult to obtain in inherently low-density species.In particular,the snow leopard,Panthera uncia,an enigmatic cat occupying remote mountains in Central Asia,has received insufficient assessments of its population abundance because of logistical and methodological challenges.Here,we aimed to develop a robust density estimation of snow leopards based on 81 days of camera trapping within a contiguous and previously un-surveyed 1950 km^(2)area of habitat on the Tibetan Plateau(Mayue Township,Shenzha County,Xizang Autonomous Region,China).By applying spatially explicit capture-recapture models,we produced an estimate of 1.40(95%CI:1.06-1.84)individuals per 100 km^(2).Results also suggested sex-specific variation in the range of movement around activity centers,with male(N=10,σ=4.02)movement considerably greater than female(N=8,σ=1.84)move-ment.Thefindings can serve as a reliable baseline reference for assessing the population trends of this endangered felid species with future estimates.This study will provide context to contribute toward a better understanding of ecological factors shaping the distribution and abundance of snow leopards and the related conservation measures needed to sustain their long-term survival on the Tibetan Plateau.
基金This work was executed with financial support from:the Joint Russian-Mongolian complex biological expedition RAS and MASthe Russian Geographic Society+4 种基金the Snow Leopard Conservancythe Siberian Wellness Corporationthe Program Office of WWF Mongoliathe Mongolian Center,Irbisand the Russian Foundation for Basic Research jointly with the Department of Science and Technology,India(project no.19-54-45038).
文摘The existence of a trans-boundary population of the snow leopard(Panthera uncia)that inhabits the massifs of Tsagaanshuvuut(Mongolia)-Tsagan-Shibetu(Russia)was determined through non-invasive genetic analysis of scat samples and by studying the structure of territory use by a collared female individual.The genetic analysis included species identification of samples through sequencing of a fragment of the cytochrome b gene and individual identification using a panel of 8 microsatellites.The home range of a female snow leopard marked with a satellite Global Positioning System(GPS)collar was represented by the minimum convex polygon method(MCP)100,the MCP 95 method and the fixed kernel 95 method.The results revealed insignificant genetic differentiation between snow leopards that inhabit both massifs(minimal fixation index[FST]),and the data testify to the unity of the cross-border group.Moreover,5 common individuals were identified from Mongolian and Russian territories.This finding clearly shows that their home range includes territories of both countries.In addition,regular movement of a collared snow leopard in Mongolia and Russia confirmed the existence of a cross-border snow leopard group.These data support that trans-boundary conservation is important for snow leopards in both countries.We conclude that it is crucial for Russia to study the northern range of snow leopards in Asia.
基金supported by the State Forestry Administration of China (SFA)Snow Leopard Network, the Snow Leopard Trust, Panthera+1 种基金Beijing Forestry University and the University of Oxfordthe great support from the Forestry Department of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Wildlife Conservation Division of Kashi Region, Taxkorgan Nagure Reserve Administration, Livestock Husbandry Bureau of Taxkorgan County, and government of Mariang community
文摘Information about competition between carnivore species for food within high altitude regions is limited.Data collected from the Taxkorgan Nature Reserve,China revealed important interactions between snow leopard(Panthera uncia),grey wolf(Canis lupus),red fox(Vulpes vulpes)and their prey species,including domestic livestock.Sixty-four line transects were conducted in order to identify field signs of habitat occupancy and collect scats for diet analysis.High dietary overlap was observed between all three carnivore species:snow leopard and red fox(Pianka’s index=0.96),red fox and grey wolf(Pianka’s index=0.90),snow leopard and grey wolf(Pianka’s index=0.87).Snow leopard and grey wolf showed significant predation on livestock(36.8%for snow leopard and 29.4%for grey wolf in diet composition).As a pioneering exploration of the endangered snow leopard and its relationship with other species within the alpine ecosystem under livestock grazing pressure,this study contributes a greater understanding of the relationship within carnivore guild in the Pamirs whilst providing implications for conservation planning and project implementation activities in China.
