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Ma YJ, Wang M, Hu XY, Gu XD, Li YM, Wei FW, Nie YG. Identifying priority protection areas of key food resources of the giant panda. Zool Res 2023; 44:860-866. [PMID: 37537140 PMCID: PMC10559099 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Animals that live in seasonal environments adjust their reproduction cycle to optimize seasonal forage quality. Giant pandas ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are seasonal altitudinal migrants that feed on bamboo shoots and leaves with different nutritional quality. However, the importance of bamboo shoots to giant pandas, especially small and isolated populations, is not fully appreciated. Here, we explored whether mating time of giant pandas is shaped by bamboo shoot phenology. We also assessed the intensity of ongoing bamboo shoot harvesting by local communities in 42 giant panda reserves based on questionnaire surveys. Varying intensity and protection levels of bamboo shoot harvesting were found. From these data, we developed a priority ranking scheme of protection areas for this key food resource. Our study showed that pandas time their mating behavior to coincide with bamboo shoot phenology due to the high nutritional demands associated with mating and pregnancy. We also found that bamboo shoots were not well protected in many places. Liangshan, Daxiangling, and Xiaoxiangling, containing the most isolated panda populations, were identified as the areas with the most urgent need of protection. Furthermore, equal attention should be paid to the QiongL-B population, as this region holds considerable potential to serve as a corridor between the Minshan and Qionglai populations. To address the challenges posed by bamboo shoot harvesting, we recommend establishing more practical bamboo shoot management policies, increasing public awareness of bamboo shoot protection, and providing alternative sources of income for local communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying-Jie Ma
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, Xinjiang 830017, China
| | - Meng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao-Dong Gu
- Sichuan Giant Panda National Park Administration, Chengdu, Sichuan 610081, China
| | - Yu-Mei Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Fu-Wen Wei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Center for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, Guangdong 511458, China
| | - Yong-Gang Nie
- Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. E-mail:
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de la Sancha NU, González‐Maya JF, Boyle SA, Pérez‐Estigarribia PE, Urbina‐Cardona JN, McIntyre NE. Bioindicators of edge effects within Atlantic Forest remnants: Conservation implications in a threatened biodiversity hotspot. DIVERS DISTRIB 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Noé U. de la Sancha
- Department of Environmental Science and Studies DePaul University Chicago Illinois USA
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center The Field Museum of Natural History Chicago Illinois USA
| | - José F. González‐Maya
- División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud, Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Unidad Lerma Lerma de Villada Mexico México
- Proyecto de Conservación de Aguas y Tierras ‐ ProCAT Colombia Bogotá Colombia
| | - Sarah A. Boyle
- Department of Biology and Program in Environmental Studies and Sciences, Rhodes College Memphis Tennessee USA
| | - Pastor E. Pérez‐Estigarribia
- Polytechnic School, Universidad Nacional de Asunción San Lorenzo Paraguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Sudamericana PJC Paraguay
| | - J. Nicolas Urbina‐Cardona
- Facultad de Estudios Ambientales y Rurales, Departamento de Ecología y Territorio Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Bogotá Colombia
| | - Nancy E. McIntyre
- Department of Biological Sciences Texas Tech University Lubbock Texas USA
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Ferrari C, Cerri J, Rolando A, Bassano B, Hardenberg AV, Bertolino S. See you in spring: overwinter survival is higher than post summer in the Alpine marmot. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2022.2157891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Caterina Ferrari
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Alpine Wildlife Research Centre, Gran Paradiso National Park, Aosta, Italy
| | - Jacopo Cerri
- Department of Biodiversity, University of Primorska, Primorska, Slovenia
| | - Antonio Rolando
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Bruno Bassano
- Alpine Wildlife Research Centre, Gran Paradiso National Park, Aosta, Italy
| | - Achaz von Hardenberg
- Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Chester, Chester, UK
| | - Sandro Bertolino
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Abstract
Habitat modeling is one of the most common practices in ecology today, aimed at understanding complex associations between species and an array of environmental, bioclimatic, and anthropogenic factors. This review of studies of seven species of terrestrial bears (Ursidae) occupying four continents examines how habitat models have been employed, and the functionality of their predictions for management and conservation. Bear occurrence data have been obtained at the population level, as presence points (e.g., sign surveys or camera trapping), or as locations of individual radio-collared animals. Radio-collars provide greater insights into how bears interact with their environment and variability within populations; they are more commonly used in North America and Europe than in South America and Asia. Salient problematic issues apparent from this review included: biases in presence data; predictor variables being poor surrogates of actual behavioral drivers; predictor variables applied at a biologically inappropriate scale; and over-use of data repositories that tend to detach investigators from the species. In several cases, multiple models in the same area yielded different predictions; new presence data occurred outside the range of predicted suitable habitat; and future range projections, based on where bears presently exist, underestimated their adaptability. Findings here are likely relevant to other taxa.
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