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Kang D. A review of research advances and perspectives on the habitat ecology of Sichuan and golden takins: 2001 to 2022. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:43583-43590. [PMID: 38922472 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34062-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The Sichuan takin (Budorcas tibetanus) and the golden takin (Budorcas bedfordi) are endemic to China. Studies of their habitat ecology have attracted attention, but dedicated reviews of the topic have not been published. To fill this gap, research advances on the habitat ecology of these takin species were reviewed based on published journal papers from 2001-2022, covering habitat selection and use, as well as habitat assessment and protection. Habitat selection and use by the takins received the most frequent reports in a few protected areas, such as the Tangjiahe Nature Reserve in Sichuan and the Foping Nature Reserve in Shaanxi. Higher herb cover characterized some of the Sichuan takin habitats, while some of the golden takin population exhibited seasonal altitude migration. The focus on habitat assessment and protection differed between the two species. Studying the habitat of the Sichuan takin involves the relationship between its habitat and the protected areas and habitat status in various ranges while studying the habitat of the golden takin involves habitat distribution and change, protection effects, and corridor planning. Some issues worthy of consideration in future research are proposed, including basic habitat information, impacts of human disturbances, habitat restoration, and theoretical, independent, and comprehensive studies on both takins. Habitat conservation frameworks should be formulated for both takins to improve protection and restoration effects. This review provides convenient information to help understand the habitat characteristics of the two takins and is a reference for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongwei Kang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, No.35 Tsinghua East Road Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China.
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2
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Duan F, Zhu S, Wang Y, Song D, Shen X, Li S. Distribution of the Asiatic golden cat ( Catopuma temminckii) and variations in its coat morphology in China. Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e10900. [PMID: 38327691 PMCID: PMC10847886 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Of the 12 wild felid species found in China, Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) is one of the least studied species. This medium-sized cat with a prominently polymorphic coat was once distributed across much of southern China, but is believed to have experienced severe decline and range contraction during the past decades, primarily due to anthropogenic pressures. A lack of knowledge of its current distribution, ecology, and natural history has greatly hindered the implementation of conservation and management actions for this species. In this study, for the first time, we compiled the state-wide occurrence records (N = 409), mainly from the camera-trapping surveys, of Asiatic golden cats from 2008 to 2019, and predicted its distribution across the country through species distribution modeling using random forest algorithm. The results showed that the predicted habitats were mainly located in southwest China and suggested a rather low probability of possible current distribution across its vast historic range in central, eastern, and southern China. We divided its current range into four geographic regions (i.e., Qinling Mountains, Hengduan Mountains, East Himalayas, and southern Yunnan region) and considered the cats in each region as a regional population within the country. From the 287 camera-trapping detections with photographs and/or videos collected across all populations, we identified six coat morphs and determined their occurrence percentages: common golden (47.4%), spotted (20.9%), red (13.6%), dark cinnamon (10.1%), melanistic (7.0%), and gray (1.0%). The complexity of coat morph composition within regional populations showed an increasing gradient from northeast to southwest. Among the four regional populations, the East Himalayas hosted the highest abundance and coat variation with all six morphs recorded. Our study results update the current distribution and coat morphology variations of this elusive cat in China and provide important knowledge to guide future research and conservation planning for this threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Duan
- National Natural History Museum of ChinaBeijingChina
- School of Life Sciences & Institute of EcologyPeking UniversityBeijingChina
| | - Shuyi Zhu
- School of Life Sciences & Institute of EcologyPeking UniversityBeijingChina
- Wildlife Conservation Monitoring Center, National Forestry and Grassland AdministrationBeijingChina
| | - Yuan Wang
- Research Institute of Natural Protected AreaChinese Academy of ForestryBeijingChina
- Tibet Autonomous Region Research Institute of Forestry Inventory and PlanningLhasaChina
| | - Dazhao Song
- Chinese Felid Conservation AllianceBeijingChina
| | - Xiaoli Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of BotanyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Sheng Li
- School of Life Sciences & Institute of EcologyPeking UniversityBeijingChina
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Shen G, Lan T, Deng S, Wang Y, Xu W, Xie Z. Giant panda-focused conservation has limited value in maintaining biodiversity and carbon sequestration. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163186. [PMID: 37028677 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Biodiversity and climate are interconnected through carbon. Drivers of climate change and biodiversity loss interact in complex ways to produce outcomes that may be synergistic, and biodiversity loss and climate change reinforce each other. Prioritizing the conservation of flagship and umbrella species is often used as a surrogate strategy for broader conservation goals, but it is unclear whether these efforts truly benefit biodiversity and carbon stocks. Conservation of the giant panda offers a paradigm to test these assumptions. Here, using the benchmark estimates of ecosystem carbon stocks and species richness, we investigated the relationships among the giant panda, biodiversity, and carbon stocks and assessed the implications of giant panda conservation for biodiversity and carbon-focused conservation efforts. We found that giant panda density and species richness were significantly positively correlated, while no correlation was found between giant panda density and soil carbon or total carbon density. The established nature reserves protect 26 % of the giant panda conservation region, but these areas contain <21 % of the ranges of other species and <21 % of total carbon stocks. More seriously, giant panda habitats are still facing high risks of habitat fragmentation. Habitat fragmentation is negatively correlated with giant panda density, species richness, and total carbon density. The ongoing giant panda habitat fragmentation is likely to cause an additional 12.24 Tg C of carbon emissions over 30 years. Thus, giant panda-focused conservation efforts have effectively prevented giant panda extinction but have been less effective in maintaining biodiversity and high‑carbon ecosystems. It is urgent for China to contribute to the development of an effective and representative national park system that integrates climate change issues into national biodiversity strategies and vice versa in dealing with the dual environmental challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change under a post-2020 framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozhen Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Tianyuan Lan
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuyu Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Wenting Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zongqiang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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Wang Y, Shi J, Wu Y, Zhang W, Yang X, Lv H, Xia S, Zhao S, Tian J, Cui P, Xu J. Selection of Flagship Species and Their Use as Umbrellas in Bird Conservation: A Case Study in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1825. [PMID: 37889725 PMCID: PMC10251992 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of flagship species is widely used in conservation biology. Flagship birds play a key role in raising conservation funds, increasing awareness of biodiversity conservation, and maintaining ecosystem services. This study selected flagship bird species in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China, and assessed their conservation effectiveness and ability to serve as umbrella species. A regional bird survey program from 2019-2022 recorded 361 bird species in Lishui. This study constructed a framework of flagship species selection based on social, ecological, economic, and cultural criteria. The analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method (AHP-EM) was used to rank the score of 361 bird species, and the MaxEnt model was used to analyze the suitable distribution areas of these species. Finally, 10 species, which covered the distribution sites of all 361 bird species, were selected as the flagship species of Lishui. The distribution areas covered all the nature reserves and the priority areas of biodiversity of Lishui, in which these 10 species can also serve as umbrella species to protect local biodiversity. The methodology and ideas in this study could provide insights into the application of conservation concepts at the local level, as well as suggest possible recommendations for local governments to select flagship species for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Wang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 East Qinghua Road Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China;
| | - Jie Shi
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Yi Wu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Xiao Yang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Huanxin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (H.L.); (S.X.)
| | - Shaoxia Xia
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (H.L.); (S.X.)
| | - Shengjun Zhao
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Jing Tian
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Peng Cui
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Jiliang Xu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 East Qinghua Road Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China;
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Yang N, Price M, Xu Y, Zhu Y, Zhong X, Cheng Y, Wang B. Assessing Global Efforts in the Selection of Vertebrates as Umbrella Species for Conservation. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:509. [PMID: 37106710 PMCID: PMC10135637 DOI: 10.3390/biology12040509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
The umbrella-species strategy has been proposed as an attainable tool to achieve multi-species and community conservation with limited investment. There have been many umbrella-related studies since the concept's inception; thus, a summary of global study efforts and recommended umbrella species is important for understanding advances in the field and facilitating conservation applications. Here, we collated 213 recommended umbrella species of terrestrial vertebrates from 242 scientific articles published during 1984-2021 and analyzed their geographic patterns, biological features, and conservation statuses to identify global trends in the selection of umbrella species. We found a considerable geographic bias: most studies and, consequently, recommended umbrella species are from the Northern Hemisphere. There is also a strong taxonomic bias, with grouses (order Galliformes) and large carnivores being the most popular umbrella species and amphibians and reptiles being largely overlooked. In addition, wide-ranging and non-threatened species were frequently recommended as umbrella species. Given the observed biases and trends, we caution that appropriate species need to be chosen for each location, and it is important to confirm that popular, wide-ranging species are effective umbrella species. Moreover, amphibians and reptiles should be investigated for their potential as umbrella species. The umbrella-species strategy has many strengths and, if applied appropriately, may be one of the best options in today's conservation research and funding landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Yang
- Institute of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, China;
| | - Megan Price
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
| | - Yu Xu
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China; (Y.X.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Yun Zhu
- Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation in Karst Mountainous Areas of Southwestern China, School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001, China; (Y.X.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Xue Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China;
| | - Yuehong Cheng
- Wolong National Nature Reserve Administration Bureau, Wenchuan 623006, China;
| | - Bin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, China;
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Wu H, Fang S, Yu L, Hu S, Chen X, Cao Y, Du Z, Shen X, Liu X, Ma K. Limited co-benefits of protected areas in southwest China under current climate change and human modification. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 330:117190. [PMID: 36603263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
An ambitious new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" has been developed. However, the combined effects of climate change and human modification can undermine the potential benefits of the global post-2020 conservation efforts. The co-benefits of stabilizing the climate, conserving biodiversity, and maintaining intact wilderness areas may help to persuade the general public of the need to quickly expand existing protected areas (PAs). To maximize the co-benefits after 2020, the careful optimization of existing (PAs) network and scientific identification of conservation targets are both essential. Here, we mapped hotspots of biodiversity, climate vulnerability, and wilderness in Southwest China (SWC). By analyzing the representativeness and gaps of the existing PAs network in SWC, we devised post-2020 conservation targets and highlighted their implications for decision-makers. Our results showed that the incongruence between hotspots of different species exists, indicating that habitats suitable for one taxon may not fully harbor other taxa. According to our assessment, the five jurisdictions of SWC have warmed on average by 0.4°C-1.1 °C over the past 60 years alone. In particular, biodiversity hotspots in SWC are undergoing stark climatic changes. We uncovered prominent conservation gaps in SWC's network of PAs, especially in terms of climate vulnerability and biodiversity. Due to their insufficient number and unreasonable spatial distribution, the PAs network in SWC may be not capable of meeting its biodiversity, climate vulnerability, and wilderness conservation objectives. To rectify this, we proposed a 3-step mission: milestone 2025, milestone 2030, and goal 2050, which aims to protect 23%, 28%, and 60% of the terrestrial area in SWC, respectively. Taken together, our study derived conservation priority areas with relatively clear spatial boundaries and importance levels, thus providing detailed, timely information for decision-makers to expand the PAs network and implement conservation measures varying in strictness in post-2020 conservation practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wu
- School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shiming Fang
- School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Key Laboratory for Research on Rule of Law, Ministry of Natural Resources, Wuhan, 430074, China; Collaborative Innovation Center for Emissions Trading System Co-constructed By the Province and Ministry, Hubei University of Economics, Wuhan, 430205, China
| | - Le Yu
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Ministry of Education Ecological Field Station for East Asian Migratory Birds, Department of Earth System Science, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Shougeng Hu
- School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; Key Laboratory for Research on Rule of Law, Ministry of Natural Resources, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xin Chen
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Yue Cao
- Institute for National Parks, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Zhenrong Du
- Department of Earth System Science, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Earth System Modeling, Institute for Global Change Studies, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Xiaoli Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
| | - Xuehua Liu
- Institute for National Parks, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China; Department of Landscape Architecture, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Keping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100093, China
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Cui X, Tang J, Zhang Q, Zhou H, Hong M, Wei W, Zhang Z. Spatio-temporal Variations in Takin (Budorcas tibetanus) Habitats in the five mountains of Sichuan, China. Glob Ecol Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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Sun P, Umuntunundi P, Wronski T. Species richness, relative abundance and occupancy of ground-dwelling mammals denote the ineffectiveness of chimpanzee as flagship species. Mamm Biol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s42991-022-00289-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIn conservation biology, flagship species are defined as species that can raise support for biodiversity conservation in a given place or social context. In the newly established Gishwati–Mukura National Park in Rwanda, the Eastern chimpanzee was considered such an ambassador. To test whether the flagship species concept was effective in the park, we studied species richness, relative abundance, and species distribution (occupancy) of medium- to large-sized, ground-dwelling mammals using camera trapping technology. The impact of three environmental and three anthropogenic variables on species distribution was investigated and the ecological diversity of the fauna in the national park assessed. Over a period of 9 months, two 4 × 4 camera trapping grids were deployed in Gishwati and Mukura Forest. Sampling effort in each forest equated to 32 and 29 camera trapping locations, yielding 258 and 242 independent photographic events of eight and six species, respectively. In both forests, the Emin's giant poached rat was the most frequently encountered species, while all other species showed high relative abundance only in Gishwati Forest. The relative abundance of the endangered Eastern chimpanzee in Gishwati Forest was 0.54, the estimated occupancy was 0.31. Single-species, single-season occupancy models revealed that forest cover, altitude and distance to forest edge influenced the detectability of L'Hoest's monkey and squirrel species, while no effect was found on their occupancy. Notably, no larger herbivore or carnivore species were observed in the park, while the flagship species, i.e., the Eastern chimpanzee, was relatively abundant. Moreover, in both forests, all detected carnivores were small- to medium-sized, suggesting a meso-predator release phenomenon, i.e., populations of medium-sized predators increased after the removal of larger, top carnivores, due to relaxed competition. It appears that the prioritization of the flagship species resulted in the neglect of other mammalian species, leading eventually into the demise of entire functional guilds. Based on these results, the Gishwati–Mukura NP was categorized as a ‘depleted forest’. We, therefore, strongly object chimpanzees as a suitable flagship species—at least in the Gishwati–Mukura NP—and recommend collating more knowledge on the release of meso-predators and the loss of forest ungulates to improve their future conservation in Afro-montane forest habitats.
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Yang H, Xu C, Chu J, Chen J, Gan H, Zhou Z. A rare shrub species as flagship for conserving desert steppe in arid Inner Mongolia. NATURE CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.48.79902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The rare species Amygdalus pedunculata Pall. (Rosaceae) in arid northern China is endangered to the point of extinction. Determined to save it, the local government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region encouraged the herdsmen to limit grazing activities. Here, we are testing if this species could be considered as a conspicuous flagship for restoring and conserving wind-sensitive arid lands as desert steppe in northern China. We examined statistically the growing states and environmental roles of A. pedunculata populations under the comparative conditions of free and limited grazing in winter since the year 2001. This species was observed to play a critical role in preventing wind erosion and stabilising the lands, as was indicated by the formation of micro-dunes under the shrubs. This role can be attributed mainly to the crown diameters or cover from the shrubs. Under the grazing limitation condition, accompanying species and plants around the shrubs increased significantly. Regardless of free or limited grazing conditions, the shrubs were not observed to inhibit the occurrence or growth of other plants. The grazing limitation over a period of 20 years has caused the effective revival of the rare A. pedunculata species, with statistically larger and taller A. pedunculata individuals than under the free grazing condition, as well as a slightly higher population density and total crown cover. The grazing limitation policy for saving A. pedunculata is believed to be effective and the rare A. pedunculata shrub is a conspicuous flagship for helping to conserve wind-sensitive desert steppe in terms of ecosystem integrity and authenticity.
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Liu F, Feng C, Zhou Y, Zhang L, Du J, Huang W, Luo J, Wang W. Effectiveness of functional zones in National Nature Reserves for the protection of forest ecosystems in China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 308:114593. [PMID: 35121461 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.114593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Protected areas (PAs) have been established worldwide to conserve biodiversity. However, the conservation effectiveness of different PA functional zones remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated National Nature Reserves (NNRs) in China to explore and quantify the conservation in their core, buffer, and experimental zones. We compared the area and proportion of forest loss for these functional zones during the period from 2001 to 2018. The results showed that the forest loss in NNRs showed a decreasing trend since 2011, indicating that NNRs reduced the forest loss. There was no significant difference of forest loss proportion (p = 0.42) between the core zones (0.60 ± 1.32%) and buffer zones (0.55 ± 0.88%), implying that their performance in forest conservation was similar. There was a significant difference between experimental and core zones as well as between experimental and buffer zones both in forest loss area and proportion (p ˂ 0.05). We confirmed that the proportion of functional zones significantly affects the conservation effectiveness, i.e., an improper proportion of core zones or buffer zones may lead to forest loss. Therefore, we suggest an optimal proportion of core and buffer zones at 30%-50% and 10%-40%, respectively. Overall, the effectiveness of functional zones in forest nature reserves was assessed on a national scale. The results of this study support the recent adjustment in the PA functional zoning system in China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangzheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Biodiversity Research Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Chunting Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Biodiversity Research Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Biodiversity Research Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Libo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Biodiversity Research Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Jinhong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Biodiversity Research Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Wenjie Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Biodiversity Research Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Jianwu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Biodiversity Research Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China; Biodiversity Research Center, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
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Mekonnen A, Fashing PJ, Chapman CA, Venkataraman VV, Stenseth NC. The value of flagship and umbrella species for restoration and sustainable development: Bale monkeys and bamboo forest in Ethiopia. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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Song K, Mi CR, Zhao YZ, Yang N, Sun YH, Xu JL. Zonation of nature reserve according to the habitat requirement of conservation target: a case study on the endangered Brown Eared-Pheasant at Baihuashan Nature Reserve. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
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13
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Do Local Residents Support the Development of a National Park? A Study from Nanling National Park Based on Social Impact Assessment (SIA). LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10101019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the past five years, the pilot establishment of national parks in China has been a major event in global biodiversity conservation. The national parks under construction and proposed account for nearly 1% of the land area, and their social impacts have attracted the attention of researchers and managers. However, most of the research has a focus on the effects of protection, and national parks do not have a sufficient understanding of the social impacts and perceptions of the local residents. This research, taking Nanling National Park in Guangdong Province as the case, used the social impact assessment research framework to explore the perceptions and support of local people for the creation of national parks. Through questionnaires and in-depth interviews, the findings were first that most residents expressed a low awareness of Nanling National Park’s development, but they still expressed conditional support. Second, ethnic minorities and less educated residents did not support the creation of national parks. Perceptions of ecological, economic, political, and cultural impacts affected whether residents supported the construction of national parks. In the initial stages of national park development, governmental administrative departments should reduce the negative impacts of national park construction by strengthening the publicity and awareness building, formulating appropriate policy guidance for different needs, and giving local residents the right to express their views, so as to enhance resident support for national park projects.
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Zhuang H, Xia W, Zhang C, Yang L, Wanghe K, Chen J, Luan X, Wang W. Functional zoning of China's protected area needs to be optimized for protecting giant panda. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Yu P, Zhang J, Wang Y, Wang C, Zhang H. Can tourism development enhance livelihood capitals of rural households? Evidence from Huangshan National Park adjacent communities, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 748:141099. [PMID: 32814283 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.141099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Revised: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Measuring the change of the livelihood capitals of rural households in park-adjacent communities under the background of tourism development is an important predictor to identify the sustainable development status of national parks. This paper constructs measurement indicators of the livelihood capitals of rural household in communities surrounding national parks and takes Huangshan National Park, located in eastern China, as an example to calculate characteristics of spatiotemporal changes in the livelihood capitals of rural households, analyze the effect of tourism development on livelihood capitals in adjacent communities in 2006 and 2015. The findings indicate that the annual growth of the total livelihood capital has comparatively strong rigidity. However, there are some differences in temporal changes between different types of livelihood capitals. The distribution of zones of medium and high livelihood capital is mainly distributed in the communities adjacent to the national park research, education and recreation area (RERA). In addition, the total livelihood capital takes the RERA as the centre and decays over distance, which demonstrates that tourism development is an effective way to enhance the livelihood capitals. On the other hand, there is a spatial attenuation effect of tourism development on the enhancement of the livelihood capitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Yu
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Jinhe Zhang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Yaru Wang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China
| | - Chang Wang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, PR China.
| | - Hongmei Zhang
- Shanghai Institute of Tourism, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, PR China
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Iannella M, Fiasca B, Di Lorenzo T, Biondi M, Di Cicco M, Galassi DMP. Spatial distribution of stygobitic crustacean harpacticoids at the boundaries of groundwater habitat types in Europe. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19043. [PMID: 33149242 PMCID: PMC7642423 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76018-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The distribution patterns of stygobitic crustacean harpacticoids at the boundaries of three different groundwater habitat types in Europe were analysed through a GIS proximity analysis and fitted to exponential models. The results showed that the highest frequency of occurrences was recorded in aquifers in consolidated rocks, followed by the aquifers in unconsolidated sediments and, finally, by the practically non-aquiferous rocks. The majority of the stygobitic harpacticoid species were not able to disperse across the boundaries between two adjacent habitats, with 66% of the species occurring in a single habitat type. The species were not evenly distributed, and 35–69% of them occurred from 2 to 6 km to the boundaries, depending on the adjacent habitat types. The distribution patterns were shaped by features extrinsic to the species, such as the hydrogeological properties of the aquifers, and by species’ intrinsic characteristics such as the preference for a given habitat type and dispersal abilities. Most boundaries between adjacent habitat types resulted to be “breaches”, that is transmissive borders for stygobitic harpacticoids, while others were “impermeable walls”, that is absorptive borders. Our results suggest that conservation measures of groundwater harpacticoids should consider how species are distributed within the different groundwater habitat types and at their boundaries to ensure the preservation of species metapopulations within habitat patches and beyond them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Iannella
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67010, Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Barbara Fiasca
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67010, Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Maurizio Biondi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67010, Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mattia Di Cicco
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67010, Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Diana M P Galassi
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67010, Coppito, L'Aquila, Italy.
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Gao H, Guan T, Zhu D, Li W, Zhou F, Zhao D, Li C, Zhang L. Assessment of effective conservation of the Sichuan takin by giant panda reserves through functional zoning. Integr Zool 2020; 15:558-568. [PMID: 32301269 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The flagship species conservation strategy is widely practiced in nature reserves. However, few studies have quantitatively explored whether the current functional zoning adequately conserves the habitats of other species. To examine this problem, we selected the Tangjiahe, Xuebaoding, and Wanglang national nature reserves in southwest China and tested the protective efficiency of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) reserves on a local herbivore-Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) in functional zoning. We predicted that the habitat distribution of the Sichuan takin with Maxent and habitat suitability would be classified as very low, low, moderately, or highly suitable. We calculated the percentage of each type of habitat class across the core, buffer, and experimental zones in these reserves and introduced an economic index present value index to further assess the efficacy of the functional zoning in conserving the habitat of Sichuan takin. Our findings indicate that suitable habitat distributions of Sichuan takin are multicore and influenced by diverse variables in different nature reserves. The percentage of moderately suitable and highly suitable habitat in the core zone is 69% and 54% in Tangjiahe, 76% and 75% in Wanglang, and 47% and 28% in Xuebaoding, respectively. The present value index of moderately and highly suitable habitat is 1.01 and 0.79 (Tangjiahe), 0.87 and 0.86 (Wanglang), 0.76 and 0.44 (Xuebaoding), respectively. The efficiency of functional zoning on Sichuan takin seems lower than imagined in giant panda reserves, and species that have important impacts on local ecosystem need further estimation and greater focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Gao
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Tianpei Guan
- Ecological Security and Protection Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Mianyang Normal University, Mianyang, China
| | - Di Zhu
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Wenwen Li
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Fangyi Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Ding Zhao
- Xuebaoding National Nature Reserve, Mianyang, China
| | - Changlin Li
- Xuebaoding National Nature Reserve, Mianyang, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
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Criscuolo F, Sueur C. An Evolutionary Point of View of Animal Ethics. Front Psychol 2020; 11:403. [PMID: 32300318 PMCID: PMC7142228 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cédric Sueur
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, Strasbourg, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, Paris, France
- CEERE, Centre Européen d'Enseignement et de Recherche en Ethique, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
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