scholarly journals Spatial variation in population-density, movement and detectability of snow leopards in a multiple use landscape in Spiti Valley, Trans-Himalaya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rishi Kumar Sharma ◽  
Koustubh Sharma ◽  
David Borchers ◽  
Yash Veer Bhatnagar ◽  
Kulbhushan Singh Suryawanshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Land Sharing ◽  
Land Sparing ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia occurs in human use landscapes in the mountains of South and Central Asia. Conservationists generally agree that snow leopards must be conserved through a land-sharing approach, rather than land-sparing in the form of strictly protected areas. Effective conservation through land-sharing requires a good understanding of how snow leopards respond to human use of the landscape. Snow leopard density is expected to show spatial variation within a landscape because of variation in the intensity of human use and the quality of habitat. However, snow leopards have been difficult to enumerate and monitor. Variation in the density of snow leopards remains undocumented, and the impact of human use on their populations is poorly understood. We examined spatial variation in snow leopard density in Spiti Valley, an important snow leopard landscape in India, via spatially explicit capture recapture analysis of camera trap data. We camera trapped an area encompassing a minimum convex polygon of 953 km2. We estimated an overall density of 0.49 (95% CI: 0.39-0.73) adult snow leopards per 100 km2. Using AIC, our best model showed the density of snow leopards to depend on wild prey density, movement about activity centres to depend on altitude, and the expected number of encounters at the activity centre to depend on topography. Models that also used livestock biomass as a density covariate ranked second, but the effect of livestock was weak. Our results highlight the importance of maintaining high density pockets of wild prey populations in multiple use landscapes to enhance snow leopard conservation.

scholarly journals Spatial variation in population-density of snow leopards in a multiple use landscape in Spiti Valley, Trans-Himalaya

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. e0250900
Author(s):  
Rishi Kumar Sharma ◽  
Koustubh Sharma ◽  
David Borchers ◽  
Yash Veer Bhatnagar ◽  
Kulbhushansingh R. Suryawanshi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Land Sharing ◽  
Land Sparing ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
The Impact

The endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia occurs in human use landscapes in the mountains of South and Central Asia. Conservationists generally agree that snow leopards must be conserved through a land-sharing approach, rather than land-sparing in the form of strictly protected areas. Effective conservation through land-sharing requires a good understanding of how snow leopards respond to human use of the landscape. Snow leopard density is expected to show spatial variation within a landscape because of variation in the intensity of human use and the quality of habitat. However, snow leopards have been difficult to enumerate and monitor. Variation in the density of snow leopards remains undocumented, and the impact of human use on their populations is poorly understood. We examined spatial variation in snow leopard density in Spiti Valley, an important snow leopard landscape in India, via spatially explicit capture-recapture analysis of camera trap data. We camera trapped an area encompassing a minimum convex polygon of 953 km2. Our best model estimated an overall density of 0.5 (95% CI: 0.31–0.82) mature snow leopards per 100 km2. Using AIC, our best model showed the density of snow leopards to depend on estimated wild prey density, movement about activity centres to depend on altitude, and the expected number of encounters at the activity centre to depend on topography. Models that also used livestock biomass as a density covariate ranked second, but the effect of livestock was weak. Our results highlight the importance of maintaining high density pockets of wild prey populations in multiple-use landscapes to enhance snow leopard conservation.

scholarly journals Spatial Utilization and Microhabitat Selection of the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) under Different Livestock Grazing Intensities

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-159
Author(s):  
Yang Hong ◽  
Thomas Connor ◽  
Huan Luo ◽  
Xiaoxing Bian ◽  
Zhaogang Duan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Livestock Grazing ◽  
Line Transect ◽  
Selection Function ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Microhabitat Selection ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Spatial Utilization ◽  
Selection Of

AbstractThere is increasing conflict between snow leopards and humans in many protected areas, the main driver of which is the overlap in spatial utilization between snow leopards and livestock. Understanding the spatial utilization and microhabitat selection of snow leopards in areas featuring different levels of livestock grazing is important to better understand and resolve this conflict, but such studies are rare. Here, we conducted line transect and plot surveys in low- and high-grazing-disturbance areas (LGDAs and HGDAs) in Wolong National Reserve, southwestern China. We compared snow leopard spatial utilization and microhabitat characteristics between LGDAs and HGDAs. Results showed that snow leopards had aggregated distribution in both LGDAs and HGDAs, but the distribution of snow leopards in HGDAs was more centralized than in LGDAs. Herb cover and height in LGDAs were greater than in HGDAs. We fit a resource selection function (RSF) that showed that snow leopards preferentially selected higher elevation, smaller basal diameter of shrubs, and lower height of herbs in LGDAs. In contrast, there were no significant microhabitat factors in our snow leopard RSF in HGDAs. Our results indicate that high-intensity grazing tends to reduce the habitat types available to and preferential selectivity of habitat by snow leopards. We recommend that livestock grazing should be controlled to restore the diversity of the alpine ecosystems in Wolong Nature Reserve. Our findings also highlight the need for evaluating the impact of livestock grazing on rare animals in alpine environments (e.g., snow leopard) in other areas facing similar issues.

scholarly journals Determinants of herder attitudes towards the Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia in Yushu Prefecture, China

Oryx ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte E. Hacker ◽  
Yunchuan Dai ◽  
Yifan Cheng ◽  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Yuguang Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Formal Education ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Qinghai Province ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
Financial Burdens ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Panthera Uncia

Abstract Yushu Prefecture in Qinghai Province provides some of the largest known stretches of habitat for the Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia in China. People living in these areas are dependent on agropastoralism. Support from local communities is necessary for effective long-term conservation action for snow leopards, but loss of livestock to snow leopards can create financial burdens that induce negative attitudes and encourage retaliatory killing. We assessed factors driving herders' attitudes towards snow leopards and their conservation. We found that herders had higher agreement with positive than with negative statements about snow leopards despite nearly half reporting livestock loss to snow leopards within the last 5 years. No retaliatory killing was reported. Herders with more years of formal education and fewer livestock losses were more likely to have positive attitudes whereas those with lower importance of snow leopards to their religion, fewer livestock losses, and fewer years of education were more likely to have negative attitudes. Understanding the multifaceted mechanisms responsible for positive views towards species is imperative for reaching conservation goals. Our findings ascribe to the importance of increased education and adherence to Tibetan beliefs in promoting conservation tolerance towards snow leopards in Qinghai Province, but also indicate a need for further research into the impact of livestock loss.

scholarly journals Co-occurrence of snow leopard Panthera uncia, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica and livestock: potential relationships and effects

Oryx ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 118-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesco Rovero ◽  
Claudio Augugliaro ◽  
Rasmus Worsøe Havmøller ◽  
Claudio Groff ◽  
Fridolin Zimmermann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Altai Mountains ◽  
Wild Ungulates ◽  
Wild Ungulate ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Snow Leopards ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Panthera Uncia

AbstractUnderstanding the impact of livestock on native wildlife is of increasing conservation relevance. For the Vulnerable snow leopard Panthera uncia, wild prey reduction, intensifying human–wildlife conflicts and retaliatory killings are severe threats potentially exacerbated by the presence of livestock. Elucidating patterns of co-occurrence of snow leopards, wild ungulate prey, and livestock, can be used to assess the compatibility of pastoralism with conservation. We used camera trapping to study the interactions of livestock, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica and snow leopards in a national park in the Altai mountains, Mongolia. We obtained 494 detections of wild mammals and 912 of domestic ungulates, dogs and humans. Snow leopards and Siberian ibex were recorded 14 and 33 times, respectively. Co-occurrence modelling showed that livestock had a higher estimated occupancy (0.65) than ibex, whose occupancy was lower in the presence of livestock (0.11) than in its absence (0.34–0.35 depending on scenarios modelled). Snow leopard occupancy did not appear to be affected by the presence of livestock or ibex but the robustness of such inference was limited by uncertainty around the estimates. Although our sampling at presumed snow leopard passing sites may have led to fewer ibex detections, results indicate that livestock may displace wild ungulates, but may not directly affect the occurrence of snow leopards. Snow leopards could still be threatened by livestock, as overstocking can trigger human–carnivore conflicts and hamper the conservation of large carnivores. Further research is needed to assess the generality and strength of our results.

Planning for the future

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen J. Esler ◽  
Anna L. Jacobsen ◽  
R. Brandon Pratt
Keyword(s):  
Best Practice ◽  
Integrated Management ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Land Sharing ◽  
Land Protection ◽  
Land Sparing ◽  
Habitat Conversion ◽  
Sustainable Conservation ◽  
Terrestrial Biomes

Mediterranean-type climate (MTC) regions are highlighted in several global analyses of conservation risk and priorities. These regions have undergone high levels of habitat conversion and yet of all terrestrial biomes they have the second lowest level of land protection. With transformation pressures set to continue (Chapter 8), planning for a sustainable conservation future in MTC regions is therefore essential. Conservation activities are represented by a variety of philosophies and motives, partially driven by the underlying differences in transformation drivers and sociopolitical contexts across MTC regions. These activities include investment in, and best-practice management of, protected areas (land sparing), an interdisciplinary focus on integrated management of production landscapes (land sharing; stewardship), as well as ecological restoration to increase habitat, improve connectivity, and provide a hedge against the impacts of future climate change. These responses need to be applied in a strategic, synergistic manner to minimize future biodiversity loss.

scholarly journals The Impact of Microclimate on the Reproductive Phenology of Female Populus tomentosa in a Micro-Scale Urban Green Space in Beijing

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 3518
Author(s):  
Xiaoyi Xing ◽  
Li Dong ◽  
Cecil Konijnendijk ◽  
Peiyao Hao ◽  
Shuxin Fan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seed Dispersal ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Populus Tomentosa ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Reproductive Phenology ◽  
Primary Role ◽  
Micro Scale ◽  
The Impact

The spatial variation of poplars’ reproductive phenology in Beijing’s urban area has aggravated the threat of poplar fluff (cotton-like flying seeds) to public health. This research explored the impact of microclimate conditions on the reproductive phenology of female Populus tomentosa in Taoranting Park, a micro-scale green space in Beijing (range <1 km). The observed phenophases covered flowering, fruiting, and seed dispersal, and ENVI-MET was applied to simulate the effect of the microclimate on SGS (start day of the growing season). The results showed that a significant spatial variation in poplar reproductive phenology existed at the research site. The variation was significantly affected by the microclimate factors DMT (daily mean temperature) and DMH (daily mean heat transfer coefficient), with air temperature playing a primary role. Specifically, the phenology of flowering and fruiting phenophases (BBB, BF, FF, FS) was negatively correlated with DMT (−0.983 ≤ r ≤ −0.908, p <0.01) and positively correlated with DMH (0.769 ≤ r ≤ 0.864, p < 0.05). In contrast, DSD (duration of seed dispersal) showed a positive correlation with DMT (r = 0.946, p < 0.01) and a negative correlation with DMH (r = −0.922, p < 0.01). Based on the findings, the increase in air convection with lower air temperature and decrease in microclimate variation in green space can be an effective way to shorten the seed-flying duration to tackle poplar fluff pollution in Beijing’s early spring.

scholarly journals Conservation of snow leopards: spill-over benefits for other carnivores?

Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justine S. Alexander ◽  
Jeremy J. Cusack ◽  
Chen Pengju ◽  
Shi Kun ◽  
Philip Riordan
Keyword(s):  
Red Fox ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Camera Trap ◽  
Snow Leopard ◽  
Lynx Lynx ◽  
Eurasian Lynx ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Cuon Alpinus ◽  
Sign Surveys ◽  
Snow Leopards

AbstractIn high-altitude settings of Central Asia the Endangered snow leopard Panthera uncia has been recognized as a potential umbrella species. As a first step in assessing the potential benefits of snow leopard conservation for other carnivores, we sought a better understanding of the presence of other carnivores in areas occupied by snow leopards in China's Qilianshan National Nature Reserve. We used camera-trap and sign surveys to examine whether other carnivores were using the same travel routes as snow leopards at two spatial scales. We also considered temporal interactions between species. Our results confirm that other carnivores, including the red fox Vulpes vulpes, grey wolf Canis lupus, Eurasian lynx Lynx lynx and dhole Cuon alpinus, occur along snow leopard travel routes, albeit with low detection rates. Even at the smaller scale of our camera trap survey all five carnivores (snow leopard, lynx, wolf, red fox and dhole) were observed. Kernel density estimates suggested a high degree of temporal overlap between the snow leopard and the fox, and the snow leopard and the lynx, as indicated by high overlap coefficient estimates. There is an opportunity to consider protective measures at the local scale that would benefit various species simultaneously. However, it should also be recognized that snow leopard conservation efforts could exacerbate human–wildlife conflicts through their protective effect on other carnivore species.

PREDATION BY CALOSOMA SYCOPHANTA L. (COLEOPTERA: CARABIDAE): EVIDENCE FOR A LARGE IMPACT ON GYPSY MOTH, LYMANTRIA DISPAR L. (LEPIDOPTERA: LYMANTRIIDAE), PUPAE

1985 ◽  
Vol 117 (9) ◽  
pp. 1117-1126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald M. Weseloh
Keyword(s):  
Gypsy Moth ◽  
Lymantria Dispar ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Mortality Factor ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Entire Study ◽  
Dispersal Potential ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Entire Study Area

AbstractThe impact of predation by Calosoma sycophanta L. on an increasing prey population was assessed by recapturing marked adult beetles, periodically observing tagged gypsy moth pupae, and examining gypsy moth pupal remains in different microhabitats. Adult beetles dispersed in random directions but many tended to remain near the trap at which they were originally caught, suggesting a low dispersal potential. About 75% of the adult beetles present in the plot on one day were still present the next day. Capture–recapture estimates suggested that there were at most about 250 male beetles and half as many females/ha in the plot. Calosoma larvae destroyed 70% of tagged gypsy moth pupae under burlap bands on tree trunks near ground level, which was much more than any other mortality factor. Although this percentage was the same when mortality was assessed by looking at pupal remains within 5 m of the ground on tree trunks, pupae higher in trees and on leaves were not attacked as frequently. On average, about 40% of the pupae present in the entire study area were destroyed by Calosoma larvae. Each female beetle in the site would have had to produce about 30 progeny to have this effect. These data suggest that a relatively low number of adult beetles can have a substantial impact on gypsy moth populations.

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