四川老君山自然保护区的鸡形目种群密度研究

2006年4月~5月,对四川省老君山自然保护区鸡形目鸟类种群的鸣叫雄鸟的密度进行了调查。调查发现了4种鸡形目鸟类:灰胸竹鸡(Bambusicola thoracica)、白腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus amherstiae)、四川山鹧鸪(Arborophila rufipectus)和红腹角雉(Tragopan temminckii)。采用鸣叫计数的方法,在调查区域的3种生境(原始林、人工林和次生林)中记录了鸣叫雄鸟的数量和距调查点的距离。应用距离取样法对数据的计算估计,4种鸡形目鸟类的鸣叫雄鸟在调查区域的密度(只/km2)分别为20.19±6.07、1.48±0.46、4.24±0.60和11.19±2.97。在原始林、人工林和次生林3种生境的鸡形目鸟类密度,灰胸竹鸡分别为7.19±4.19、26.89±8.92和17.79±9.49;白腹锦鸡密度分别为0.74±0.43、2.92±1.42和1.19±0.58;四川山鹧鸪密度分别为7.94±0.99、1.99±1.63和3.06±0.60;红腹角雉密度分别为17.66±5.98、0和12.58±4.85。鸡形目鸟类群落Shannon-Weiner物种多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数大小依次均为次生林>人工林>原始林,Simpson优势度指数大小则相反。     

四川麻咪泽自然保护区雉类资源调查

2006年3～6月,用鸣声记录法对四川麻咪泽自然保护区的雉类资源进行了初步的调查。共记录到4种雉类,分别为红腹角雉、白腹锦鸡、雉鸡和四川山鹧鸪(仅在原始林记录到1只),用Distance软件计算出前3种鸣叫雄体的种群密度分别为16.8±5.3只/km2、9.7±1.6只/km2和6.8±3.3只/km2。雉类在不同生境中的种类及不同种的种群密度都有较大的差异,在灌草丛生境只有雉鸡1种,原始林、人工林和次生林各有3种。这几个种的种群密度在灌草丛-人工林-次生林-原始林的生境变化中,表现出一定的梯度变异,即白腹锦鸡的种群密度由人工林-次生林-原始林逐渐降低,红腹角雉逐渐升高;雉鸡的密度由灌草丛-人工林-次生林逐渐降低。     

鸟类种群密度调查和估算方法初探

为探讨不同调查方法对鸟类种群密度估计的差异,于2010年12月15~20日,对云南省昆明市嵩明县嘉丽泽地区常见的四种鸟(白脊鹡鸰Motacilla alba、黑喉石駑(嶋)Saxicola torquata、白鹭Egretta garzetta、苍鹭Ardea cinerea)进行调查研究.之后分别采用无距离样线法、固定距离样线法以及可变距离样线法(Distance软件)分析,得出其相对丰富度、种群密度等相关信息.对比三种样线法在鸟类数量估计方面的优劣,认为无距离样线法不能真实地反映鸟类数量的多少,固定距离样线法结合样带计数法往往低估鸟类种群密度,呵变距离样线法结合Distance软件分析是相对更为先进和精准的种群密度估算方法.对如何进一步利用Distance软件的分析结果也进行了初步探讨.     

鸟类调查的样线法和样点法比较:以崇明东滩春季盐沼鸟类调查为例

为了探讨样线法和样点法对盐沼湿地鸟类调查的有效性及适用性, 我们于2008年3–5月采用固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法对崇明东滩盐沼鸟类进行了调查。5次调查共记录到鸟类24种, 其中样线法记录到19种, 样点法记录到21种, 两种调查方法平均每次记录到的鸟类种数没有显著差异, 表明两种方法对盐沼鸟类种类的发现能力相似。两种方法得到的鸟类密度之间有显著的相关性,说明两种方法在反映鸟类群落中每种鸟类的相对数量方面具有可比性。但除了仅在一种调查方法中记录到的种类, 样点法调查得到的每种鸟类密度和鸟类总密度均高于样线法的调查结果。因此, 在对鸟类种群或群落的时空特征进行比较时, 需要考虑所采用的调查方法对调查结果的影响。     

样线法在鸟类数量调查中的运用

样线法是野生动物种群数量调查的常用方法之一。本文简要介绍其发展历史、基本原理和主要类型,并对4种常用的种群密度计算方法,即条带最大记数法、Gates截线法、Fourier截线法以及距离取样法进行比较和总结,认为在鸟类野外数量调查中应记录鸟类个体到样线的垂直距离,并使用距离取样法来计算鸟类的种群密度,以便得到更为准确的结果。     

内蒙古大兴安岭南麓东北马鹿种群现状调查北大核心CSCD

我国东北地区的马鹿(Cervus elaphus)在内蒙古大兴安岭南麓的生态系统中占有重要位置,栖息地环境恶化以及人类活动干扰等因素严重影响了马鹿种群的生存状态。本文于2019至2020年采用样线法和粪堆计数法对内蒙古大兴安岭南麓野生马鹿种群恢复现状开展调查,估算其种群密度及数量。结果显示,与10年前相比,黄岗梁、白音敖包、大冷山、赛罕乌拉、乌兰坝和高格斯台的马鹿种群密度均有显著增长(P<0.05),研究区域现有马鹿总数量约为(9644.2±1378.6)头,种群密度(2.5±0.9)头/km^(2)。本次调查从种群密度、数量及增长率等方面探讨了进一步促进马鹿种群恢复的措施,为改进大兴安岭南麓马鹿保护工作提供科学指导。     

滇西北迪庆州鸡类区系调查

云南省西北部迪庆藏族自治州是我国鸡类资源宝库之一。由于它地处边远、交通闭塞,所以过去对其考察较少。解放前仅Oustalet(1896),Beebe(1912),Rothschild(1923,1926),Riley(1925,1926),Greenway(1933)等人报道过采自该地区的鸟类。解放后也只在1959—1960年的南水北调综合考察时涉及过此州(郑作新等,1962)。该州文献中有纪录的鸡类共有八种,计为;勺鸡Pucrasia macrolopha,雉鹑Tetraophasis obscurus,血雉Ithaginis cruentus,红腹角雉Tragopan temminckii,藏马鸡Crossoptilon crossoptilon,白腹锦鸡Chrysolophus amherstiae,雉鸡Phasianus colchicus,鹌鹑Coturnix Coturnix。     

红外相机技术与其他几种森林鸟类多样性调查方法的比较

为了探讨红外相机技术、网捕法、固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法对森林鸟类多样性调查的有效性和实用性, 我们于2011-2016年, 用这几种方法调查了广东南岭国家级自然保护区和车八岭国家级自然保护区的鸟类多样性。在南岭, 固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法记录鸟类222种, 网捕鸟类43种, 红外相机拍到鸟类47种; 其中1种鸟仅网捕到, 6种鸟仅被红外相机拍到, 164种鸟仅被固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法记录到。在车八岭, 固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法记录鸟类109种, 网捕鸟类42种, 红外相机拍到鸟类27种, 其中9种鸟仅网捕到, 3种鸟仅被红外相机拍到, 97种鸟仅被固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法记录到。随着鸟类的体重、体长、翅长和跗蹠增加, 网捕到的鸟类个体数量减少, 鸟类身体大小与网捕到的鸟类数量呈显著负相关; 而红外相机拍到的鸟类数量随鸟类的身体大小增大而增加, 并且呈显著的正相关。本文的结果显示, 网捕法和红外相机技术针对不同类群的鸟类调查效力不同, 但都是固定距离样线法和固定半径样点法的有效补充。建议今后开展森林鸟类多样性调查与监测时, 尽量采用多种研究方法相结合, 以求达到最优的效果。     

北方冬季有蹄类动物4种数量调查方法的比较

科学的种群数量调查方法的探索一直是困扰北方有蹄类动物种群资源有效管理工作的重要问题。目前,北方野生有蹄类调查所采用的方法主要有样线法、样带法、大样方法和非损伤性CMR法4种。然而,不同的调查方法基于的统计学假设和生态学原理不同,调查结果往往会出现很大差异,迫切需要对北方冬季有蹄类动物的这4 种调查方法的有效性进行评估。以驼鹿种群数量调查为例,采用样线法、样带法、大样方法和非损伤性CMR调查法,于2012年3月和2012年12月对内蒙古汗马国家级自然保护区约120 km²的区域驼鹿种群数量进行了调查和评估。 结果显示,以上4 种方法得到的驼鹿种群数量分别为:样线法168(109-227) 只,样带法237(165-309) 只,大样方法37(23-50) 只,非损伤性CMR法55(43-68) 只,表明样线法和样带法的调查结果远大于大样方法和非损伤性CMR法,并探讨了不同调查方法应用的科学性、限制性和适用性,为北方冬季有蹄类动物种群资源调查方法的选择和应用提供了科学参考。     

四川王朗国家级自然保护区红喉雉鹑的日活动节律及种群密度

红喉雉鹑Tetraophasis obscurus是我国特有高山雉类,国家一级重点保护野生动物。为了解其生活习性及种群参数,2020—2021年在四川王朗国家级自然保护区采用红外相机技术、样线法和样点法对红喉雉鹑的日活动节律及其种群密度进行了调查。红喉雉鹑在保护区分布海拔为2 773～3 777 m,主要活动在3 200～3 400 m,常见于针叶林和针阔混交林,未在草甸生境中记录到;核密度函数绘制的日活动节律曲线表明,红喉雉鹑为昼行性动物,全年日活动曲线整体呈单峰模式,日活动强度在06∶00后快速升高,在08∶00—10∶00达到最高,之后快速降低至12∶00,其后缓慢下降,20∶00趋近于无;繁殖季和非繁殖季的日活动节律均呈双峰模式,但差异不显著（Δ=0.79）,均以早晨最为活跃,非繁殖季比繁殖季的活动高峰推迟1～2 h;红外相机拍摄的群体平均大小为2.63只/群,样线调查的为3只/群,样线法和样点法估算的种群密度分别为7.60只/km²和5.42～6.18只/km²。本研究丰富了红喉雉鹑的野外生态学资料,为其保护管理和种群监测、评估提供...     

Assessment of census techniques for interspecific comparisons of tropical rainforest bird densities: a field evaluation in the Western Ghats, India

Studies comparing different bird censusing methods are useful for assessing relative biases, synthesizing data across studies, and designing bird population monitoring programmes. A field study was carried out in mid-elevation tropical rainforest in the Western Ghats to compare bird density estimates from line transect, point count and territory spot-mapping methods. Interspecific comparisons were made using data for 13 common resident bird species, including two endemics. Variable-width line transect density estimates were highly correlated with, but slightly (17%) higher than, those produced by territory spot-mapping. Although densities from variable-width point counts and spot-mapping were highly positively correlated, the estimates were 95% higher on average in the former. Higher density estimates relative to spot-mapping were produced mainly for the most abundant species, probably due to their mobility and the inclusion of additional individuals that enter the count area during the count period. Fixed-width strip transects and point counts produced density estimates that were highly correlated with, but significantly lower than, variable-width estimates. Wherever possible, territory spot-mapping and line transects are recommended for density estimates; the former may yield additional information on spatial distribution of birds. Fixed-width transects or point counts, being easier to apply, may be used for large-scale monitoring programmes. Interspecific variation in flocking systems and the poor visibility in dense rainforest vegetation indicate the need for care in collection of data on flock size and its variation, which is necessary for estimating the density of individuals. The variation across methods suggests the need for further research using multiple methods across years and marked individuals to verify territoriality and accuracy.     

A survey of the apes in the Dzanga-Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic: a comparison between the census and survey methods of estimating the gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) nest group density

A survey of apes was carried out between October 1996 and May 1997 in the Dzanga sector of the Dzanga‐Ndoki National Park, Central African Republic (CAR), to estimate gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) densities. The density estimates were based on nest counts. The strip transect census and the line transect survey method (Standing Crop Nest Count) were used to estimate the gorilla nest group density. The strip transect has been most commonly used to date. It assumes that all nest groups within the width of the strip are detected, but as this assumption is easily violated in the dense tropical rain forest, the line transect survey was also used. In this method, only the nest groups on the transect line itself should be detected. This method proved to be an adequate and easy technique for estimating animal densities in dense vegetation. The gorilla density of 1.6 individuals km^?2 (line transect survey method) found for the Dzanga sector is one of the highest densities ever reported in the literature for the Western lowland gorilla. The density estimate for chimpanzees was 0.16 individuals km^?2 (census method). The results of this study confirm the importance of the Dzanga‐Ndoki National Park for primate conservation.     

Line Transect and Triangulation Surveys Provide Reliable Estimates of the Density of Kloss’ Gibbons (Hylobates klossii) on Siberut Island, Indonesia

Estimating population densities of key species is crucial for many conservation programs. Density estimates provide baseline data and enable monitoring of population size. Several different survey methods are available, and the choice of method depends on the species and study aims. Few studies have compared the accuracy and efficiency of different survey methods for large mammals, particularly for primates. Here we compare estimates of density and abundance of Kloss’ gibbons (Hylobates klossii) using two of the most common survey methods: line transect distance sampling and triangulation. Line transect surveys (survey effort: 155.5 km) produced a total of 101 auditory and visual encounters and a density estimate of 5.5 gibbon clusters (groups or subgroups of primate social units)/km². Triangulation conducted from 12 listening posts during the same period revealed a similar density estimate of 5.0 clusters/km². Coefficients of variation of cluster density estimates were slightly higher from triangulation (0.24) than from line transects (0.17), resulting in a lack of precision in detecting changes in cluster densities of <66 % for triangulation and <47 % for line transect surveys at the 5 % significance level with a statistical power of 50 %. This case study shows that both methods may provide estimates with similar accuracy but that line transects can result in more precise estimates and allow assessment of other primate species. For a rapid assessment of gibbon density under time and financial constraints, the triangulation method also may be appropriate.     

A simple alternative to line transects of nests for estimating orangutan densities

We conducted a validation of the line transect technique to estimate densities of orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) nests in a Bornean swamp forest, and compared these results with density estimates based on nest counts in plots and on female home ranges. First, we examined the accuracy of the line transect method. We found that the densities based on a pass in both directions of two experienced pairs of observers was 27% below a combined sample based on transect walks by eight pairs of observers, suggesting that regular line-transect densities may seriously underestimate true densities. Second, we compared these results with those obtained by nest counts in 0.2-ha plots. This method produced an estimated 15.24 nests/ha, as compared to 10.0 and 10.9, respectively, by two experienced pairs of observers who walked a line transect in both directions. Third, we estimated orangutan densities based on female home range size and overlap and the proportion of females in the population, which produced a density of 4.25–4.5 individuals/km² . Converting nest densities into orangutan densities, using locally estimated parameters for nest production rate and proportion of nest builders in the population, we found that density estimates based on the line transect results of the most experienced pairs on a double pass were 2.82 and 3.08 orangutans/km², based on the combined line transect data are 4.04, and based on plot counts are 4.30. In this swamp forest, plot counts therefore give more accurate estimates than do line transects. We recommend that this new method be evaluated in other forest types as well.     

Comparative performance of four survey methods for assessing Lilian’s Lovebird abundance in Liwonde National Park,Malawi

Monitoring abundance of threatened species is important for conservation planning. Lilian’s Lovebird Agapornis lilianae is a near-threatened small parrot found in mopane Colophospermum mopane woodland. Its population has not been investigated in any part of its range. We investigated the abundance and density of the Lilian’s Lovebird in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Both distance sampling (line and point transects) methods and total counts (waterhole and flyway counts) were applied. The point count method gave very low numbers and was discontinued after the first year. Line transects conducted during the wet season had the highest density estimates of 17 ± 4.8 lovebirds km?2 of mopane woodland. However, number of observations per transect in each year were low. Waterhole counts had the lowest density estimates (10 ± 3.5 lovebirds km?2). Flyway counts gave an intermediate estimate (13 ± 3.0 lovebirds km?2). The total population of Lilian’s Lovebirds in Liwonde National Park is therefore estimated to be about 4 000 individuals. The use of line transect counts at the end of the rainy season is recommended for continued monitoring of Lilian’s Lovebirds abundance in Liwonde National Park.     

How Reliable are Density Estimates for Diurnal Primates?

Primate population assessments provide the basis for comparative studies and are necessary prerequisites in determining conservation status. The most widely used assessment method is line transect sampling, which generates systematic data quickly and comparatively inexpensively. In contrast, the presumably most reliable method is long-term monitoring of known groups, which is both slow and costly. To assess the reliability of various analytical methods, we compared group and population densities for white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar carpenteri) and Phayre’s leaf monkeys (Trachypithecus phayrei crepusculus) derived from transect walks with those from long-term group follows at Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. Our assistants and we regularly walked a 4-km transect over 30 mo (480 km total), resulting in 155 gibbon sightings and 125 leaf monkey sightings. We then estimated densities via 1) DISTANCE and 2) the Kelker method based on perpendicular distances (PD) or animal-to-observer distances (AOD). We compared the 3 estimates to values based on known home ranges (95% kernels), accounting for home range overlap, combined with group size data. Analyses of line transect data consistently overestimated group densities for both species, while underestimating group size for leaf monkeys. Quality of results varied according to the group size and spread of each species. However, we found, in accordance with previous studies, that values derived via AOD (or its derivations) matched most closely with population estimates based on home range data.     

An assessment of the puku (Kobus vardonii Livingstone 1857) population at Lake Rukwa,Tanzania

The population of puku, Kobus vardonii, at Lake Rukwa, one of only two in Tanzania, is poorly known. A multi‐species dry season game count carried out in Rukwa Game Reserve (RGR) in 2004 estimated a population size of 1729, but was associated with a high margin of error [coefficient of variation (CV) 0.88]. To increase the precision for the local puku population estimate, we conducted a zig‐zag line transect survey restricted only to areas occupied by puku in the dry season of 2006. This survey technique produced an estimate of 776 individuals and the CV was considerably reduced to 0.29. Puku herd size was comparable with the studies carried out in the Kilombero valley, Tanzania and in Kasanka National Park, Zambia, thus broadly confirming the herding ecology of this species. We found that pukus were restricted to the central parts of the floodplains, suggesting an avoidance of habitats used by pastoralists at the edge of RGR. Compared with the estimates of the puku population made in the 1980s, the puku population has declined. We recommend regular monitoring and enforcement of the current management plan to conserve the local puku population.