Impact of human disturbance in Japan on the distribution and diel activity pattern of terrestrial mammals

Human disturbance has been identified as a contributing factor to the worldwide changes in wildlife ecology. Particularly, the human disturbance forced wildlife from diurnal to nocturnal activity patterns. However, the impact of human disturbances on the spatiotemporal patterns small- and medium-sized terrestrial mammals is unknown. In this study, we then aimed to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic factors on spatial pattern and to clarify the differences in temporal patterns between human disturbed and undisturbed habitats. Our camera trap survey was conducted in northern Gifu Prefecture in central Japan from November 2019 to April 2021. We investigated the impact of human activity on relative abundance indices and the influence of the quantitative difference in human activities on diel activity patterns of 12 terrestrial mammals. In this study, the human population and bamboo forest category negatively affected the RAIs of sika deer and wild boars. Moreover, Asian black bears and wild boars showed crepuscular/nocturnal and cathemeral activity in the human undisturbed habitat, respectively, and nocturnal activity in the human disturbed habitat. Consequently, three large mammals avoided human activity temporally (Asian black bears), spatially (sika deer), and spatiotemporally (wild boars). On the other hand, there was no significant impact of human activity on the spatiotemporal patterns of other mammals. However, it is necessary for residents in the human disturbed habitat to be recognize the risk of human-wildlife conflicts.     

Opportunistic use of camera traps to assess habitat-specific mammal and bird diversity in northcentral Namibia

In northcentral Namibia, Waterberg Plateau Park (WPP) is a protected area that acts as a refuge for rare and endangered species, while the farmlands surrounding the Park are managed for livestock production, but support populations of wildlife for game farming, trophy hunting, and conservation. During June–October 2006, camera-traps were set within and surrounding WPP to assess leopard (Panthera pardus) density (n = 19 camera stations and 946 camera-trap-nights). Fortuitously, photographic results (2,265 photos of identifiable mammal (n = 37) and bird (n = 25) species) allowed us to assess aspects of species diversity and differences among the Park, the farmland areas along the Waterberg Plateau escarpment, and the flatlands surrounding the escarpment. Species composition among the three areas was markedly different, and made sense with respect to differences in habitat and management features. Camera-trapping efforts, although intended for a narrow purpose, may also provide a rather robust record of differences in mammal and bird diversity in adjacent habitats and can be incorporated into long-term monitoring programs.     

北京雾灵山自然保护区冬春季地面活动鸟兽红外相机初步调查

为了解北京雾灵山自然保护区野生动物资源现状,于2014年11月至2015年4月,在保护区内放置30台红外相机开展调查。结果共记录鸟类5目14科27种,兽类4目8科10种,其中勺鸡(Pucrasia macrolopha)、红角鸮(Otus sunia)、纵纹腹小鸮(Athene noctua)和中华斑羚(Naemorhedus griseus)为国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物。鸟类物种数月变化剧烈。相对丰富度最高的6种动物为狍(Capreolus pygargus)(60.19)、红嘴蓝鹊(Urocissa erythrorhyncha)(34.14)、星鸦(Nucifraga caryocatactes)(27.78)、岩松鼠(Sciurotamias davidianus)(23.34)、松鸦(Garrulus glandarius)(23.34)、中华斑羚(21.99)。对狍、岩松鼠、中华斑羚进行日活动节律分析,狍属晨昏活动型;中华斑羚有两个活动高峰;岩松鼠的日活动高峰集中在晨间,为单峰型。本研究提供了北京雾灵山部分鸟兽资源的最新动态现状及活动节律信息,同时表明红外相机在拍摄地栖性鸟类、大中型兽类、夜行性动物方面具有优势,而对于非地栖鸟类和小型兽类,红外相机有一定局限性。本研究为应用红外相机技术开展森林野生动物多样性监测提供了经验。     

基于红外相机技术对文山国家级自然保护区老君山片区地栖鸟兽多样性的调查

为进一步查清云南省文山国家级自然保护区老君山片区地栖鸟兽多样性、常见物种活动节律及其与人畜活动的关系,2019年8月—2020年3月分两次在老君山片区布设73个红外相机监测位点,除丢失损坏及无效相机外,59个相机位点共调查到鸟兽62种,其中兽类5目11科17属21种,鸟类5目14科31属41种。国家二级重点保护野生动物有熊猴(Macaca assamensis)、红面猴(Macaca arctoides)、斑林狸(Prionodon pardicolor)、白腹锦鸡(Chrysolophus amherstiae)、栗头八色鸫(Pitta oatesi)等12种,其中有4种仅在核心区分布;中国特有哺乳动物2种：侧纹岩松鼠(Rupestes forresti)和红白鼯鼠(Petaurista alborufus)。新增兽类记录4种,鸟类记录17种。鸟类中相对多度指数较高的种类为红喉山鹧鸪(Arborophila rufogularis)和白鹇(Lophura nycthemera),兽类为红腿长吻松鼠(Dremomys pyrrhomerus)和侧纹岩松鼠。生态位相似的红喉山鹧鸪和白鹇之...     

基于红外相机技术对佛坪国家级自然保护区大熊猫季节性空间分布与活动模式的研究

2015年1月至2017年12月,在陕西佛坪国家级自然保护区海拔1 200～2 500 m的57条大熊猫(Ailuropodamelanoleuca)活动频繁的巡护样线上,布设130台红外相机。累计红外相机有效工作日100 685 d,共拍摄到大熊猫有效独立照片1 831张。将红外相机拍摄的有效照片和相机工作日依据不同竹种类型及保护站归类,对大熊猫季节性空间分布与活动模式进行研究。结果表明:(1)大熊猫春季活动最为频繁,在巴山木竹(Bashania fargesii)林和秦岭箭竹(Fargesia qinlingensis)林中相对多度分别是2.89和3.72;其次是冬季,在巴山木竹林和秦岭箭竹林中的相对多度分别是2.95和2.74。3月份是其活动高峰,巴山木竹林和秦岭箭竹林中的相对多度指数都是最高;11、12和1月份,大熊猫在巴山木竹林中相对多度指数高于秦岭箭竹林;2至10月份,大熊猫在秦岭箭竹林中的相对多度指数都要高于巴山木竹林。(2)大熊猫在佛坪保护区各个保护站均有分布,且存在季节性空间分布差异。三官庙和西河保护站全年的12个月都能够捕获到大熊猫的身影,是大熊猫分布相对多度最高的...     

Impact of land use on vegetation composition, diversity, and selected soil properties of wetlands in the southern Drakensberg mountains, South Africa

Wetlands provide the ecosystem services of enhancing water quality, attenuating floods, sequestrating carbon and supporting biodiversity. In southern Africa, the pattern and intensity of land use is influenced by whether land tenure is public (state), private (individual ownership), or communal (shared agricultural and grazing resources). The influence of land tenure and its associated use on service provision was compared for communal tenure (grazing, maize production), wildlife conservation, and commercial agriculture (grazing, planted pastures) in the southern Drakensberg. Ordination analyses revealed that oxbow marshes, hill slope seepages and hygrophilous grasslands, the main hydro-geomorphic units, supported distinct plant communities that differed in their response to land use because of wetness or slope. Oxbows, uncultivated because of wetness, were inherently species poor with few exotics. Composition of hill slope seepages, uncultivated because of saturated slopes, varied among tenure types most likely in relation to grazing pressure. Seepages were threatened by the exotic invasive Rubus cuneifolius. Eighty-five percent of hygrophilous grassland had been cultivated by 1953, most of which was subsequently abandoned to secondary grassland. Primary hygrophilous grassland and hill slope seepages were the main repository for indigenous plant diversity, while communal maize fields supported a diverse mixture of mainly exotic species. Soil carbon concentrations decreased from oxbows to pastures, seepages, primary hygrophilous grassland, secondary grassland, and maize on former grassland (7.0, 4.1, 4.0, 3.5, 2.4, and 1.7%, respectively). The pattern for total soil nitrogen and sulphur were the same. Cultivation of hygrophilous grassland was estimated to have reduced soil carbon stocks to 69% of pre-settlement levels by 1953 (∼150 years BP). Stocks then increased by 8% to 2001 following crop abandonment. Cultivation has impaired water quality enhancement and flood attenuation because of greater amounts of bare ground and shorter vegetation. Further improvement of ecosystem services will depend on the influence of socio-economic factors on communal cropping.     

贵州大沙河国家级自然保护区鸟兽多样性的红外相机监测初探

2016年12月至2019年8月,利用红外相机技术在贵州大沙河国家级自然保护区内对陆生大中型兽类和鸟类进行调查.本次调查设置85个1 km×1 km的公里网格和114个相机位点,共计19950个相机工作日和10767张独立有效照片.鉴定出鸟兽12目35科86种,其中兽类有5目14科25种和鸟类有7目21科61种,有4种...     

红外相机技术在陕西观音山自然保护区兽类监测研究中的应用

国外使用红外相机技术开展野生动物调查研究已有较长的历史,最早的报道见于Champion(1927),在20世纪90年代逐渐发展成熟,广泛用于动物种群数量和密度的研究.如应用红外相机和种群捕获模型(Capture-recapture)对印度Nagarahole国家公园的孟加拉虎(Panthera tigris)的种群数量和密度的研究(Karanth,1995;Karanth和Nichols;1998),验证了红外相机技术与种群捕获模型的结合在孟加拉虎种群预测方面的优势,有效解决了监测中孟加拉虎数量稀少、活动隐秘等问题.     

Species diversity and abundance of small mammals in Nechisar National Park,Ethiopia

Species diversity and abundance of small mammals were studied in Nechisar National Park, Ethiopia, during August 2008 – March 2009. Twenty species of rodents and four species of insectivores were recorded from the study area. Mastomys natalensis (17.37%), Arvicanthis dembeensis (17.09%), Mastomys erythroleucus (8.90%), Stenocephalemys albipes (8.76%), Arvicanthis niloticus (8.19%), Acomys cahirinus (7.34%), Lemniscomys striatus (6.92%), Gerbilliscus nigricauda (6.21%), Grammomys dolichurus (3.67%), Gerbilliscus robusta (2.12%), Mus proconodon (1.98%), Mus mahomet (1.41), Dendromus melanotis (1.27%), Arvicanthis abyssinicus (1.13%), Mus musculus (0.99%), Praomys fumatus (0.85%), Xerus erythropus (0.85%), Lemniscomys barbarus (0.71%), Mus tenellus (0.71%) and Otomys typus (0.28%) were the rodents and their respective relative abundance in the study area. Crocidura olivieri (1.55%), Crocidura fumosa (0.85%), Crocidura bicolor (0.57%) and Elephantulus rufescens (0.28%) were the insectivores recorded with their respective relative abundance. Mastomys natalensis was the most abundant and O. typus and E. rufescens were the least (two each). Diversity of small mammals ranged from 2.299 to 2.625 with an average of 2.412. The highest small mammal diversity was in grasslands and the lowest was in Lake Chamo shore. Small mammal density varied from 5 to 43 ha^?1 and biomass varied from 244 to 2559 g ha^?1 with significant changes in relation to seasons and habitats.     

广西恩城国家级自然保护区兽类和鸟类多样性红外相机监测初报

2019年12月—2021年1月,利用红外相机技术在广西恩城国家级自然保护区内布设了58个红外相机监测位点,对保护区内的兽类及地栖性鸟类多样性开展监测。本次监测共完成17 332个相机工作日,累计获得独立有效照片6 680张。共鉴定出兽类5目13科20种,鸟类9目20科61种,其中黑叶猴(Trachypithecus francoisi)为国家一级重点保护野生动物,26种为国家二级重点保护野生动物。被中国脊椎动物红色名录评估为濒危(EN)的有2种,易危(VU) 6种,近危(NT) 19种。物种相对多度指数(RAI)最高的兽类是小泡巨鼠(Leopoldamys edwardsi),鸟类是白鹇(Lophura nycthemera)。本次监测初步掌握了广西恩城国家级自然保护区内的兽类及地栖性鸟类的种类组成和相对多度指数,为后续开展野生动物研究与保护管理工作提供基础资料。     

利用红外相机技术监测道路对野生动物丰富度的影响——以观音山国家级自然保护区道路为例

2014年7月至2018年10月,利用20台红外相机监测陕西观音山国家级自然保护区一条内部道路对兽类和鸟类活动的影响.监测期间获得照片16168张,共鉴定到13种兽类和14种鸟类,包括4种国家Ⅰ级重点保护野生动物和7种国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物.结果 显示,距道路的距离越远,出现的物种种类越多.有2种兽类只活动于距离道路...     

Modelling large spotted genet (Genetta tigrina) and slender mongoose (Galerella sanguinea) occupancy in a heterogeneous landscape of South Africa

Drivers of distribution patterns of poorly known species are among the most important aspects in conservation biology. We studied the proportion of area occupied by the large spotted genet (Genetta tigrina) and the slender mongoose (Galerella sanguine) in response to land use variables using camera-trapping data in Drakensberg Midlands, South Africa. Average estimated occupancy of large spotted genet and slender mongoose were 0.42 ± 0.10 and 0.41 ± 0.04 respectively using single season occupancy models. Altitudinal variation was found to be significant in the distribution of both species, along with human abundance for genet and availability of bushland for mongoose. Autumn influenced detection probability of both species negatively, while summer influenced slender mongoose positively. Relative human abundance was positively associated with detection probability of slender mongoose, and for large spotted genet, availability of bushland influenced positively while relative abundance of jackal (Canis mesomelas) influenced negatively. Occurrence of both species suggests that high elevations may not provide favourable ecological conditions, and bush cover appeared to be favourable habitats for both species. Either positive occurrence or detection of small carnivores to human abundance indicated their tendency to subsist in low-lying human populated areas. The present study shows the influence of a range of factors on the distribution of lesser known carnivores.     

Species composition,abundance and habitat association of non-volant small mammals in Gibe Sheleko National Park,southwestern Ethiopia

The objective of this study was to assess the species composition, abundance and habitat association of non-volant small mammals from grassland, Acacia woodland, farmland, riverine forest, bushland and wooded grassland habitats in Gibe Sheleko National Park, southwestern Ethiopia. Data were collected using 49 Sherman live traps in 70 × 70 m sized girds and visual observations from December 2018 to August 2020. A total of 937 small mammals belonging to 10 species were captured and directly identified. The identified small mammal species and their relative abundance include Arvicanthis niloticus (7.04%), Crocidura olivieri (1.92%), Grammomys dolichurus (3.84%), Lemniscomys striatus (10.25%), Mastomys awashensis (24.55%), Mastomys natalensis (33.83%), Mus tenellus (0.85%), Myomys fumatus (6.30%), Rattus rattus (4.70%) and Stenocephalemys albipes (6.72%). Hystrix cristata, Xerus rutilus and Tachyoryctes splendens were documented through observation. The highest number of species (6) was registered at farmland and wooded grassland followed by bushland and riverine forest (5) and Acacia woodland and grassland (4). Lemniscomys striatus, M. awashensis and M. natalensis were common in all habitats. More, 216 (23.05%) individuals were recorded in farmland, while the least, 111 (11.85%) were recorded in Acacia woodland. The study area has various topographical land settings additional study is needed using different traps.     

Effects of roads on small mammal diversity and abundance in the northern Serengeti,Tanzania

The high biodiversity of small mammal species in the Serengeti ecosystem provides this ecosystem with important conservation value. However, whether the extensive development of roads has negative impacts on the small mammal population has not been tested. Small mammal population diversity and abundance were examined in this study using live trapping at sites close to (experimental) and away (control) from the main gravel road during the short rainy seasons in November and December 2011 and 2012. A total of 138 individuals from three orders representing six families and fourteen species were collected over 4,860 trap nights. There were no significant differences in the species richness, diversity or abundance of small mammals between the control and experimental sites (p > 0.05), suggesting that the current gravel road does not have a significant impact on the small mammal population. These findings were ascribed to the availability of favourable habitats at both distances as a result of little road usage due to poor conditions. Should the road be improved, the control of anthropogenic activities in the area should be given high priority. Continuous monitoring of the small mammal populations in the area is recommended.     

Assessment of the diversity and abundance of terrestrial mangrove arthropods in southern New South Wales,Australia

Abstract The diversity and abundance of arboreal and flying arthropods, in three mangrove patches along the south coast of New South Wales, Australia, was investigated to determine the degree of spatial variability in the assemblages among patches. Intercept traps and restricted canopy fogging were used to sample the communities at Minnamurra, Bonnievale and Kurnell. Twelve orders of arthropods were detected, incorporating 252 morphospecies. Abundance, species richness and species composition were very similar across all patches, the variation being much smaller than expected. These findings suggest that the composition of the arboreal and flying fauna associated with mangrove patches are very similar among patches, but preliminary results also showed that species composition could be highly variable within a patch. Variation between the trapping methods was large, as expected . Intercept trapping and restricted canopy fogging techniques were found to sample different suites of species and therefore complement each other well in sampling programs. Cumulative species curves differed between time periods but generally were flatter for intercept traps than for restricted canopy fogging. Results suggested, for a given level of effort, intercept traps caught a more representative sample of the species composition available to them.     

Impact of removal on occupancy patterns of the invasive rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) in Tasmania

Introduced species may threaten both biodiversity and agriculture, necessitating an understanding on the factors that influence their distribution, and the efficacy of control measures. In Tasmania, Australia, the introduced rainbow lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) may be widespread, but data on where they occur and the efficacy of control methods are limited. We used an occupancy modelling framework (presence–absence data) to undertake a survey of two populations of invasive rainbow lorikeets to: (i) understand their distribution across the north and south of the island, and (ii) evaluate the impact of removing birds from the southern population by quantifying occupancy before (2016) and after (2018) removal. The best model explaining occupancy in both populations included a negative relationship with distance from central urban areas. We found no change in site occupancy or detectability in the southern population after removal of 208 birds (potentially comprising >50% of their original population size). This result may be explained by one of three possibilities: (i) the population is larger than previously thought, (ii) the population recovered quickly after reduction, or (iii) removal of birds reduced population density but not area of occupancy. We highlight the importance of urban habitats for the invasive rainbow lorikeet and suggest that alternative methods (e.g. abundance/density-based monitoring) may better detect impacts of removal.     

四川米亚罗省级自然保护区鸟兽多样性红外相机监测初报

监测保护地鸟兽多样性现状对区域内生物多样性保护具有重要意义。我们于2018年5月至2019年6月利用红外相机技术和公里网格方案在四川米亚罗省级自然保护区布设60个位点进行兽类和鸟类物种多样性本底资源调查。在成功回收数据的58个位点上,有19 252个相机工作日,共拍摄到45种野生兽类和鸟类,隶属8目20科,其中国家Ⅰ级和国家Ⅱ级重点保护野生动物分别有6种和11种,被ICUN红色名录评估为濒危(EN)、易危(VU)和近危(NT)的物种分别为4种、3种和5种。兽类中以食肉目物种数最多(6科10种),偶蹄目次之(4科7种)。相对多度指数最高的兽类物种是中华鬣羚(Capricornis milneedwardsii,RAI=19.58),其次是猪獾(Arctonyx collaris,RAI=11.58)和黄喉貂(Martes flavigula,RAI=5.56)。相对多度指数最高的鸟类物种是血雉(Ithaginis cruentus,RAI=9.18),其次是灰头鸫(Turdus rubrocanus,RAI=3.27)和绿尾虹雉(Lophophorus lhuysii,RAI=2.91)...