Based on data collected along the Ligurian Apennines and Alps(N-W Italy),we analysed the main environmental and human-related factors influencing the distribution of kill sites of the wolf Canis lupus.We mapped and di...Based on data collected along the Ligurian Apennines and Alps(N-W Italy),we analysed the main environmental and human-related factors influencing the distribution of kill sites of the wolf Canis lupus.We mapped and digitized 62 kill sites collected during 2007-2016.Around each kill site,we defined a buffer corresponding to the potential hunting area of wolves.We compared kill site plots and an equal number of random plots.We formulated a model of kill site distribution following an approach presence versus availability by binary logistic regression analysis;we tested the hypothesis that wolf choice of kill sites is influenced by the physiography and the land use of the area.Among the preyed wild ungulates,we identified 23 roe deer Capreolus capreolus,18 fallow deer Dama dama,16 wild boars Sus scrofa,and 5 chamois Rupicapra rupicapra.Binary logistic regression analysis showed a negative effect of the road density,the urban areas,the mixed forests,and a positive effect of steep slopes and open habitats.Prey are more vulnerable to predators under certain conditions and predators are capable of selecting for these conditions.Wolves achieved this by selecting particular habitats in which to kill their prey:they preferred steep,open habitats far from human presence,where wild ungulates are more easily detectable and chasable.展开更多
Based on a long-term field investigation and other research results, we reviewed the status and distribution of ungulates in Xinjiang, China. The ungulates in Xinjiang included 19 ungulate species （30 subspecies） fr...Based on a long-term field investigation and other research results, we reviewed the status and distribution of ungulates in Xinjiang, China. The ungulates in Xinjiang included 19 ungulate species （30 subspecies） from 6 families and 2 orders. Among them, 3 species （2 subspecies） relate to Equidae （Per- risodactyla）, and 16 species （28 subspecies） are from 5 families of Artiodactyla. In this paper, we analyzed the conservation status of most rare and important 13 ungulate species. Firstly, we proposed the protec- tion of genetic diversity of Camelus ferus and the distribution areas of Moschus sifanicus, Procapra przewalskii and Saiga tatarica in Xinjiang. We found that Moschus sifanicus but not Procapra przewalskii distributed in Xinjiang. It was not clear whether the remnant populations of Saiga tatarica existed in Xinjiang and China-Kazakhstan border or not. We discussed that the protection level and rational use of Capra si- birica and enhancing protection level and enlarging monitoring and research projects for Pantholops hodgsoni and Gazella subgutturosa. And we would like to suggest Forestry Department to develop the captive breeding of Tibetan antelope for rational use. In addition, the captive breeding of Cervus elaphus in Xinjiang was reviewed. Local government should lessen strong control to Cervus elaphus because of many breeding centers＇ establishment.展开更多
Aspects of time budgets, activity patterns and rut-related changes in behavior are well documented in temperate un-gulates; however, the application of this understanding to tropical and sub-tropical ungulate species ...Aspects of time budgets, activity patterns and rut-related changes in behavior are well documented in temperate un-gulates; however, the application of this understanding to tropical and sub-tropical ungulate species has attracted less attention and remains an area that may re-shape our knowledge of ungulate behavior. Eld＇s deer Cervus eldi hainanus has a tropical and sub-tropical distribution on Hainan Island, China, and males have an extended rut exceeding five months during which they do not maintain harems or defend resources. We studied males from the only remaining population on Hainan Island, and describe rut-related changes in behavior by collecting data on time budgets and activity patterns. We show that male Eld＇s deer do not fol- low a strict crepuscular activity pattern, do not spend the majority of their time foraging and do not increase foraging nor display rut-induced hypophagia during rut, in obvious contrast to temperate ungulates. These results are discussed in light of current hy- potheses explaining the proximate mechanisms governing feeding time in ungulates, while appreciating the need for further re-search .展开更多
Herbivorous ungulates are vital elements of forest ecosystems,yet their impact on tree regeneration and forest dynamics is challenging to assess.Despite their significant influence,few studies measure browsing pressur...Herbivorous ungulates are vital elements of forest ecosystems,yet their impact on tree regeneration and forest dynamics is challenging to assess.Despite their significant influence,few studies measure browsing pressure independently of precise ungulate population data.This study aimed to determine the regeneration mechanisms of palatable tree species in natural forest ecosystems by measuring the forage abundance from young trees of focal species and estimating the browsing pressure exerted by ungulates.We analyzed an extensive dataset of 2,838 tree saplings in two national parks in Poland to examine relationships between variables using a zero-intercept linear regression,and multiple linear regression models,and performed parametric and nonparametric tests.We found that the browsing intensity index(BI)is a good predictor of browsing pressure.Both total abundance and twig dry mass loss due to ungulate browsing were more pronounced in shorter saplings,with these effects decreasing as sapling height increased.Picea abies was the most abundant browse source in the Tatra National Park(TNP),whereas Fagus sylvatica dominated in the Roztocze National Park(RNP).Acer pseudoplatanus and Sorbus aucuparia experienced significantly higher browsing pressure in the TNP,whereas Carpinus betulus was more heavily browsed than other species in the RNP.The increase in browse abundance rapidly reduced ungulate browsing pressure on highly palatable tree species.We conclude that despite the high browsing pressure on the palatable species,the contribution of browse from focal species helps to mitigate this pressure and supports their regeneration in the forest canopy.Therefore,this finding provides valuable insights for managing and conserving tree species vulnerable to ungulate browsing in natural forest ecosystems.In addition,the method we used in this study is novel to estimate browsing pressure and assess the recruitment potential of vulnerable tree species;hence,it can be applied in large-scale studies with similar scenarios.展开更多
基金The collection of data was supported by the project“I1 Lupo in Liguria”(2012-2014)funded by the Regional Administration of Liguria(ROP/ERDF funds)coordinated by the Antola Regional Park.
文摘Based on data collected along the Ligurian Apennines and Alps(N-W Italy),we analysed the main environmental and human-related factors influencing the distribution of kill sites of the wolf Canis lupus.We mapped and digitized 62 kill sites collected during 2007-2016.Around each kill site,we defined a buffer corresponding to the potential hunting area of wolves.We compared kill site plots and an equal number of random plots.We formulated a model of kill site distribution following an approach presence versus availability by binary logistic regression analysis;we tested the hypothesis that wolf choice of kill sites is influenced by the physiography and the land use of the area.Among the preyed wild ungulates,we identified 23 roe deer Capreolus capreolus,18 fallow deer Dama dama,16 wild boars Sus scrofa,and 5 chamois Rupicapra rupicapra.Binary logistic regression analysis showed a negative effect of the road density,the urban areas,the mixed forests,and a positive effect of steep slopes and open habitats.Prey are more vulnerable to predators under certain conditions and predators are capable of selecting for these conditions.Wolves achieved this by selecting particular habitats in which to kill their prey:they preferred steep,open habitats far from human presence,where wild ungulates are more easily detectable and chasable.
基金Chinese Academy of Sciences Visiting Professorships for Senior International Scientists (2009Z2-5)Sino-Italian Cooperation Project (0866031) for financing this research
文摘Based on a long-term field investigation and other research results, we reviewed the status and distribution of ungulates in Xinjiang, China. The ungulates in Xinjiang included 19 ungulate species （30 subspecies） from 6 families and 2 orders. Among them, 3 species （2 subspecies） relate to Equidae （Per- risodactyla）, and 16 species （28 subspecies） are from 5 families of Artiodactyla. In this paper, we analyzed the conservation status of most rare and important 13 ungulate species. Firstly, we proposed the protec- tion of genetic diversity of Camelus ferus and the distribution areas of Moschus sifanicus, Procapra przewalskii and Saiga tatarica in Xinjiang. We found that Moschus sifanicus but not Procapra przewalskii distributed in Xinjiang. It was not clear whether the remnant populations of Saiga tatarica existed in Xinjiang and China-Kazakhstan border or not. We discussed that the protection level and rational use of Capra si- birica and enhancing protection level and enlarging monitoring and research projects for Pantholops hodgsoni and Gazella subgutturosa. And we would like to suggest Forestry Department to develop the captive breeding of Tibetan antelope for rational use. In addition, the captive breeding of Cervus elaphus in Xinjiang was reviewed. Local government should lessen strong control to Cervus elaphus because of many breeding centers＇ establishment.
基金Funding for this study was provided by National Nature Science Foundation of China （30430120）. We followed guidelines for the use of animals in research as pub-lished by the journal Animal Behaviour. We thank staff at Hainan Datian National Nature Reserve for assistance during our field research with special thanks to Li Shanyuan and Xing Yichang who graciously contributed their time and effort during this study.
文摘Aspects of time budgets, activity patterns and rut-related changes in behavior are well documented in temperate un-gulates; however, the application of this understanding to tropical and sub-tropical ungulate species has attracted less attention and remains an area that may re-shape our knowledge of ungulate behavior. Eld＇s deer Cervus eldi hainanus has a tropical and sub-tropical distribution on Hainan Island, China, and males have an extended rut exceeding five months during which they do not maintain harems or defend resources. We studied males from the only remaining population on Hainan Island, and describe rut-related changes in behavior by collecting data on time budgets and activity patterns. We show that male Eld＇s deer do not fol- low a strict crepuscular activity pattern, do not spend the majority of their time foraging and do not increase foraging nor display rut-induced hypophagia during rut, in obvious contrast to temperate ungulates. These results are discussed in light of current hy- potheses explaining the proximate mechanisms governing feeding time in ungulates, while appreciating the need for further re-search .
基金funded by Polish National Science Foundation(NCN)(grant No.2018/31/B/NZ8/02786,project title:“How do largescale disturbances influence the relationship between ungulate herbivory and natural regeneration in temperate forests?”)from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Poland within the framework of statutory activities SUB/040011-D019/2020 of the Department of Forest Biodiversity,University of Agriculture in Krakow.
文摘Herbivorous ungulates are vital elements of forest ecosystems,yet their impact on tree regeneration and forest dynamics is challenging to assess.Despite their significant influence,few studies measure browsing pressure independently of precise ungulate population data.This study aimed to determine the regeneration mechanisms of palatable tree species in natural forest ecosystems by measuring the forage abundance from young trees of focal species and estimating the browsing pressure exerted by ungulates.We analyzed an extensive dataset of 2,838 tree saplings in two national parks in Poland to examine relationships between variables using a zero-intercept linear regression,and multiple linear regression models,and performed parametric and nonparametric tests.We found that the browsing intensity index(BI)is a good predictor of browsing pressure.Both total abundance and twig dry mass loss due to ungulate browsing were more pronounced in shorter saplings,with these effects decreasing as sapling height increased.Picea abies was the most abundant browse source in the Tatra National Park(TNP),whereas Fagus sylvatica dominated in the Roztocze National Park(RNP).Acer pseudoplatanus and Sorbus aucuparia experienced significantly higher browsing pressure in the TNP,whereas Carpinus betulus was more heavily browsed than other species in the RNP.The increase in browse abundance rapidly reduced ungulate browsing pressure on highly palatable tree species.We conclude that despite the high browsing pressure on the palatable species,the contribution of browse from focal species helps to mitigate this pressure and supports their regeneration in the forest canopy.Therefore,this finding provides valuable insights for managing and conserving tree species vulnerable to ungulate browsing in natural forest ecosystems.In addition,the method we used in this study is novel to estimate browsing pressure and assess the recruitment potential of vulnerable tree species;hence,it can be applied in large-scale studies with similar scenarios.
