Reeves＇s Pheasant （Syrmaticus reevesii） is a threatened pheasant species endemic to China. The habitat use of territorial male birds was surveyed by the help of live decoys in a core area of Dongzhai NationaI Natur...Reeves＇s Pheasant （Syrmaticus reevesii） is a threatened pheasant species endemic to China. The habitat use of territorial male birds was surveyed by the help of live decoys in a core area of Dongzhai NationaI Nature Reserve. The breeding habitat selection of this pheasant was examined at two scales （115 m and 250 m scale, i.e. 4.15 hm^2 and 19.63 hm^2, respectively）, including the characteristics at distance scale. Investigation was based on line transect, RS and GIS in Dongzhai National Natural Reserve from 2001 to 2003. Moreover, a range of habitat variables were compared between used and control points at each scale, and stepwise logistic regression was applied to select the key scale and the key habitat factors in relation to breeding habitat selection of this bird. Our results stated that the territorial males at Baiyun occurred mostly in mixed forests, followed by fir forests, pine forests, shrubs, and broadleaf forests. The area of conifer forests was the key factor influencing habitat selection of this bird in breeding period at the scales of 115 m and 250 m, and the proximity of farmland was important for habitat selection in breeding seasons. Furthermore, Reeves＇s Pheasants attached great importance to the scale of 115 m. When considering a range of habitat variables at all scales within a multivariate regression, the leading factors having effect on habitat selection in the breeding period were areas of conifer forests at 115 m scale and the distance to farmland. In addition, these above results suggested that strengthening the management of suitable habitat, and optimizing the habitat configuration are important in promoting conservation of this bird. However, it also highlighted the importance of initiating future researches on the conifer forests and their impact on the population of Reeves＇s Pheasants, which would be beneficial to promote the habitat conservation of this pheasant more effectively.展开更多
This paper studies the habitat selection of sables (Martes. zibellina) in spring adopting radio-tracking and GPS (Global Positioning System) in Daxing’an Mountains of China. Sables liked mature and elder forest, but ...This paper studies the habitat selection of sables (Martes. zibellina) in spring adopting radio-tracking and GPS (Global Positioning System) in Daxing’an Mountains of China. Sables liked mature and elder forest, but it avoided uncovered and young growth land. In spring sables had strong selection to medium cover-degree forest, but it avoided widen ground and especial high cover-degree forest. On the contrary sables didn’t have the strong selection to shrubs cover-degree, but strong selection to dominant tree species, slope degree and slope direction, especially sable liked medium and lower slope. At the same time, sables had the strong selection to the log’s density and the crown’s cover-degree. Generally it avoided high elevation and lower slope land.展开更多
Determining how animals respond to resource availability across spatial and temporal extents is crucial to understand ecological processes underpinning habitat selection.Here,we used a multi-scale approach to study th...Determining how animals respond to resource availability across spatial and temporal extents is crucial to understand ecological processes underpinning habitat selection.Here,we used a multi-scale approach to study the year-round habitat selection of the Crested Tit(Lophophanes cristatus)in a semi-natural lowland woodland of northern Italy,analysing different habitat features at each scale.We performed Crested Tit censuses at three different spatial scales.At the macrohabitat scale,we used geolocalized observations of individuals to compute Manly's habitat selection index,based on a detailed land-use map of the study area.At the microhabitat scale,the trees features were compared between presence and absence locations.At the foraging habitat scale,individual foraging birds and their specific position on trees were recorded using focal animal sampling.Censuses were performed during both the breeding(March to May)and wintering(December to January)seasons.At the macrohabitat scale,the Crested Tits significantly selected pure and mixed pine forests and avoided woods of alien plant species,farmlands and urban areas.At the microhabitat scale,old pine woods with dense cover were selected,with no significant difference in the features of tree selection between the two phenological phases.At the foraging habitat scale,the species was observed spending more time foraging in the canopies than in the understorey,using mostly the portion of Scots Pine(Pinus sylvestris)canopies closer to the trunk in winter,while during the breeding period,the whole canopy was visited.Overall,breeding and wintering habitats largely overlapped in the Crested Tit.Based on our findings,lowland Crested Tits can be well defined as true habitat specialists:they are strictly related to some specific coniferous woodland features.Noteworthily,compared to other tit species,which normally show generalist habits during winter,the Crested Tit behaves as a habitat specialist also out of the breeding season.Our study stressed the importance of considering multi-scale(both spatial and phenological)habitat selection in birds.展开更多
Habitat selection is a dynamic process that depends on many environmental variables that can vary with weather conditions.This is important because,within a context of global change,extreme weather events,such as seve...Habitat selection is a dynamic process that depends on many environmental variables that can vary with weather conditions.This is important because,within a context of global change,extreme weather events,such as severe droughts,are predicted to become more frequent.We examined the patterns of microhabitat selection and underground movements(using PIT-tag telemetry)of a strictly fossorial reptile,the North African checkboard amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni,during the summer drought period.We aimed to test whether changes in strategies of habitat use and movements could allow this amphisbaenian to cope with unfavorable weather.We found that during the summer drought period,T.wiegmanni did not use the microhabitats in relationship to their availability,but particularly selected sites with high abundance of rocks but also areas under a high cover of bushes,where environmental conditions were more favorable.We also found,using PIT-tag telemetry,that the numbers of T.wiegmanni individuals located under rocks and their activity(number of days with movements)decreased largely in summer.However,the animals were not entirely inactive,but,especially males were active below the ground under bushes and made some relatively long underground hidden movements between favorable areas.展开更多
Every spring a huge number of passerines cross the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea on their way to their breeding grounds. Stopover sites after such extended barriers where birds can rest, refuel, and find she...Every spring a huge number of passerines cross the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea on their way to their breeding grounds. Stopover sites after such extended barriers where birds can rest, refuel, and find shelter from adverse weather, are of crucial importance for the outcome of their migration. Stopover habitat selection used by migrating birds depends on landscape context, habitat patch characteristics, as well as on the particular energetic conditions and needs of individ- ual birds, but it is still poorly investigated. We focused on a long-distance migrating passerine, the woodchat shrike, in order to investigate for the first time the species＇ habitat selection at a spring stopover site （island of Antikythira, Greece） after the crossing of the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea. We implemented radio-tracking, color-ringing, and visual behavioral observa- tions to collect data on microhabitat use. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were developed to identify the species＇ most preferred microhabitat during its stopover on this low human disturbed island. We found that high maquis vegetation surrounded by low vegetation was chosen as perches for hunting. Moreover, high maquis vegetation appeared to facilitate hunting attempts toward the ground, the most frequently observed foraging strategy. Finally, we discuss our find- ings in the context of conservation practices for the woodchat shrike and their stopover sites on Mediterranean islands.展开更多
Background:Pine savannas are primarily managed with frequent prescribed fire(≤3 years)to promote diversity of flora and fauna,and to maintain open,park-like conditions needed by species such as the endangered red-coc...Background:Pine savannas are primarily managed with frequent prescribed fire(≤3 years)to promote diversity of flora and fauna,and to maintain open,park-like conditions needed by species such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker(Picoides borealis).However,a knowledge gap exists in our understanding of bobcat(Lynx rufus)habitat selection in longleaf pine savannas and research is warranted to direct our future management decisions.Methods:We examined bobcat habitat selection in a pine savanna managed with frequent fires at two spatial scales(i.e.,study area boundary[hereafter,landscape scale])and annual area of use[95%kernel density;local scale],and assessed effects of prescribed fire on bobcat habitat selection.Specifically,we monitored 45 bobcats(16 males and 29 females)during 2001–2007.Results:We found differential habitat selection by sex.At the landscape scale,female bobcats were closer to mixed pine-hardwoods,young pine,and secondary roads,but farther from mature pine and hardwoods stands relative to males.We found no difference in selection of agriculture,shrub-scrub,and primary roads between sexes.At the annual area of use scale,female bobcats were closer to secondary roads,but farther from agriculture and shrub-scrub relative to males.We found no difference in selection of mature pine,mixed pine-hardwoods,hardwoods,young pine,and primary roads between sexes.Bobcats primarily selected for stands burned≤1.1 years post-fire.Conclusions:Our results show that bobcats exploit a broad range of habitat types in pine landscapes managed with frequent fire and commonly use recently burned stands(≤1.1 year post-fire),suggesting prey in many areas of this system are at risk of bobcat predation.Additionally,we suggest land managers consider scale of selection by bobcats when developing habitat management strategies.展开更多
The habitat selection of Tibetan Snow Cocks in shrub vegetation was investigated in Lhasa,Tibet,China,between March and April,2005.Fourteen parameters were measured.These include altitude,slope,slope aspect,slope posi...The habitat selection of Tibetan Snow Cocks in shrub vegetation was investigated in Lhasa,Tibet,China,between March and April,2005.Fourteen parameters were measured.These include altitude,slope,slope aspect,slope position,vegetation cover,plant type and other environmental parameters.Results show that Snow Cocks favor foraging in areas where vegetation cover was small and close to the residents’houses.Supplementary food supplied by humans has caused Snow Cocks to decrease their foraging range.Snow Cocks also favor roosting in areas with low vegetation,sparse grass,short grass,large rocks and close to houses.The Snow Cocks’activity in the study areas show a close relationship with human activities.展开更多
Introduction:As a consequence of habitat loss and degradation,the leopard cat(Prionailurus bengalensis)in China has become endangered and in need of urgent protection.In situ conservation of leopard cats must be based...Introduction:As a consequence of habitat loss and degradation,the leopard cat(Prionailurus bengalensis)in China has become endangered and in need of urgent protection.In situ conservation of leopard cats must be based on an understanding of their habitat selection patterns.We studied the summer habitat of leopard cats using line-transect surveys in the northern Taihang Mountain region surrounding Beijing,China.We compared used plots with non-used plots in elevation,tree canopy,and 20 other ecological variables,and used VanderploegScavia’s resource selection index(VSI)to analyze habitat preferences.Outcomes/others:Results show that tree canopy,tree height,tree density,and stump quantity of used plots were significantly lower than non-used plots in summer,and that leopard cats preferred habitats located on northern,flat slopes with lower slope,shrub-dominated,dry soil,and less fallen-wood.Leopard cats had a strong tendency to use habitats near human disturbance areas with moderate levels of disturbance intensity.Conclusion:The results suggest that future conservation efforts should emphasize:(1)strengthening the protection and management of forest fringe shrub habitats to improve summer habitat suitability,and(2)environmental education and animal protection campaigns to promote community biodiversity conservation.展开更多
Little is known about the ecology of the Chinese Giant Salamander(Andrias davidianus), a critically endangered species. Such information is needed to make informed decisions concerning the conservation and management ...Little is known about the ecology of the Chinese Giant Salamander(Andrias davidianus), a critically endangered species. Such information is needed to make informed decisions concerning the conservation and management of this species. Four A. davidianus raised in a pool were released into their native habitat on 04 May 2005 and were subsequently radio-tracked for approximately 155–168 days. Following their release, the giant salamanders traveled upstream in search of suitable micro-habitats, and settled after 10 days. Later, a devastating summer flash flood destroyed the salamanders' dens, triggering another bout of habitat searching by the animals. Eventually, the salamanders settled in different sections of the stream where they remained until the end of the study. On average, each habitat searching endeavor took 7.5 days, during which a giant salamander explored a 310 m stretch of stream with a surface area of about 1157 m2 and occupied 3.5 temporary dwellings. Each giant salamander spent an average of 144.5 days in semi-permanent micro-habitats, and occupied territories that had a mean size of 34.75 m2. Our results indicate that the Chinese giant salamander responds to habitat disturbance by seeking new habitats upstream, both water temperature and water level affect the salamander's habitat searching activity, and the size of the salamander's semi-permanent territory is influenced by the size of the pool containing the animal's den.展开更多
Hume's Pheasant(Syrmaticus humiae) and the Silver Pheasant(Lophura nycthemera) are two sympatric bird species at Dazhong Mountain of Yunnan Province,southwestern China.We investigated characteristics of roosting h...Hume's Pheasant(Syrmaticus humiae) and the Silver Pheasant(Lophura nycthemera) are two sympatric bird species at Dazhong Mountain of Yunnan Province,southwestern China.We investigated characteristics of roosting habitats of the two pheasants from February to April,2004 in this area.Multiple statistics,Matryoshka and a habitat classification-tree were used to analyze the selection of roosting habitats of these pheasants. The results of the habitat classification-tree indicated that several separations occurred in their macro and micro roosting habitats in the study area. The two pheasants had similar crucial requirements for and selection of ecological roosting factors,which allow them to live in the same macrohabitat.Competition between these two pheasants was avoided by separation of spatial elements,such as roosting trees and topographic characteristics.For safety strategy,Hume's Pheasant adopted primarily a way of'uneasily found habitat cover plus easy escape',while the Silver Pheasant employed a unique way of'uneasily found habitat cover'.For tactics of keeping warm,Hume's Pheasant selected mainly a method of'suitable vegetation supplemented with suitable topography',while the Silver Pheasant chose a unique man-ner of'suitable vegetation'.展开更多
As a top predator,the Eurasian otter(Lutra lutra)is an indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems and a flagship species for conservation.Once widespread in China,the species is now distributed mainly in the upper rea...As a top predator,the Eurasian otter(Lutra lutra)is an indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems and a flagship species for conservation.Once widespread in China,the species is now distributed mainly in the upper reaches of the great rivers of western China.However,a lack of knowledge on local otter populations continues to hinder their conservation in China.Here,we conducted a detailed study on habitat use of Eurasian otters in Yushu City and Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in western China using transect surveys.At both study sites,otters preferred to defecate on large rocks close to or protruding from the river and about 50 cm above the waterline.In Yushu,no spraints were found along the 5 km river bank section in the downtown area,with otters preferring sprainting sites with natural banks,riparian zones,and lower human population density.However,this pattern was not obvious at Tangjiahe,where river transformation and human disturbance are minor.Otter river use intensity was negatively correlated with elevation and human population density in Yushu in both seasons.In Tangjiahe,otter river use intensity was positively correlated with prey mass and flow rate and negatively correlated with human population in spring,but positively correlated with human population and negatively correlated with flow rate in autumn.These results reflect the flexible habitat use strategies of otters at different sites,underlining the necessity to study otters living in different regions and habitat types.We provide suggestions for river modification and call for more site-specific studies to promote otter conservation in China.展开更多
Background:The Bar-headed Goose(Anser indicus)breeds across the high plains and plateau of Central Asia and winters in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP),the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Indian sub-continent.Of the two ...Background:The Bar-headed Goose(Anser indicus)breeds across the high plains and plateau of Central Asia and winters in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP),the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Indian sub-continent.Of the two recognized discrete flyways of the Bar-headed Goose,the Eastern Tibetan Flyway(ETF)is the larger,comprising at least six migration routes.However,we remain ignorant about their migratory connectivity,habitat use and effectiveness of site-safeguard mechanisms set in place for the species.Methods:We tracked 30 ETF Bar-headed Geese from Chinese and Mongolian breeding areas to their wintering grounds using GPS/GSM transmitters,to determine their migration routes and stopover staging patterns within the QTP,overlaying these upon GIS layers of protected area status and habitat type,to model their habitat selection.Results:In total,14 tagged Bar-headed Geese provided information on their entire autumn migration and 4 geese on their entire spring migration.Qinghai Lake marked birds overwintered in the QTP(n=2),geese tagged in Mongolia wintered either in the QTP(n=3)or in India/Bangladesh(n=9),representing three of the migration routes within the ETF.In total,tagged birds staged at 79 different stopover sites within QTP in autumn and 23 in spring,of which 65%(autumn)and 59%(spring)of all fixes fell within the boundaries of either National Nature Reserves(NNRs)or Important Birds Areas(IBAs)in the QTP.Bar-headed Geese predominantly occurred on four land-cover types:grassland(mostly by day),water bodies(at night),wetlands and bare substrates(salt flats,dry lake/river substrates and plough)with little change in proportion.Generalized linear mixed models comparing presence with pseudo-absence data suggested geese strongly selected for wetlands as staging habitat,avoiding bare substrates in spring.Conclusions:Based on our limited observations of these tagged geese,this study is the first to show that the current designated National Nature Reserves in place in the staging areas within the QTP appear adequate to protect this increasing population.In addition,Hala Lake in Qinghai Province and adjacent areas used as initial QTP staging during autumn migration(currently outside of designated as NNRs/IBAs)are recommended for protection,based on their use by tagged birds from this study.Habitat modelling confirmed the importance of natural wetlands as feeding areas and safe areas of open water as roosting places.展开更多
Background:Small coastal wetlands are vital sites for wintering waterbirds.Identifying important habitats is critical for managing waterbirds effectively.The Vourkari inlet is a small coastal wetland located near the ...Background:Small coastal wetlands are vital sites for wintering waterbirds.Identifying important habitats is critical for managing waterbirds effectively.The Vourkari inlet is a small coastal wetland located near the capital Athens,within the most urbanized and industrialized area of Greece.We aimed at identifying the most important habitats for waterbirds at the Vourkari inlet during winter.Methods:Data about habitat use and availability were collected for 14 waterbird species and for seven habitat classes.Habitat selection(Manly’s selection ratio),overlap indices(Pianka’s niche overlap index)and null models were calculated.Results:All the studied waterbird species selected available habitats nonrandomly.Shallow waters(0–2 m),were used by 13 waterbirds and selected by five waterbirds.Pools and channels were used and selected by 10 species.Mud was used by nine species and selected by six species.Mud with rocky substrate was used by nine species and selected by eight species.Medium(2–4 m)and deep(4–6 m)open water habitats were used by seven species and selected by four species.Halophytic vegetation was used by six species and selected by two species.Several habitats were selected by nationally important populations:mudflat habitats(i.e.,mud,mud with rocky substrate and pools and channels)by Common Redshanks(Tringa totanus),halophytic vegetation by Little Egrets(Egretta garzetta),shallow waters by Common Shelducks(Tadorna tadorna)and medium and deep waters by Sandwich Terns(Thalasseus sandvicencis),whilst shallow waters and mudflat habitats were preferred by a possibly internationally important population of Mediterranean Gulls(Ichthyaetus melanocephalus).Although overlap in habitat use between species was generally low,null models indicated habitat sharing and a lack of competition.Conclusions:Waterbirds coexisted in the absence of competition for habitats at Vourkari,where they mostly used and preferred shallow water and mudflats.Small coastal wetlands are numerous,both in Greece and worldwide,therefore our findings would be useful as a basis for comparisons,both temporal at the inlet and spatial with other sites,that would help assess the importance of habitats and improve management strategies to benefit waterbirds,especially in areas with similar Mediterranean-type habitats and climate.展开更多
Background: Restoring a viable population by reintroduction is the ultimate goal of a large number of ex situ conservation projects for endangered animals. However, many reintroductions fail to establish a population ...Background: Restoring a viable population by reintroduction is the ultimate goal of a large number of ex situ conservation projects for endangered animals. However, many reintroductions fail to establish a population in the wild, partly because released animals cannot acclimate to the native environment of the release site, resulting in very low survival rates. Acclimation training is a technique to resolve this problem, although it does not have positive results in all species. We tested whether acclimation training and soft-release could improve the reintroduction success for captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan(Tragopan caboti), an endangered pheasant in southern China.Methods: Reintroduction of captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan was carried out in the Taoyuandong National Nature Reserve, China from 2010 to 2011. We built a soft-release enclosure for acclimation training in the typical montane habitat of this pheasant. Nine birds were acclimated to the environment of this release site in this cage for more than 50 days before release("trained birds"), while 11 birds remained only in the cage for 3 days prior to release("untrained birds"). Released birds were tagged with a collar radio-transmitter.Results: Post-release monitoring revealed that the survival rate of trained birds was higher than that of untrained birds after 50 days(trained: 85.7%; untrained: 20.0%). Cox regression analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the mortality rates between the trained and untrained birds. In addition, a survey of the habitat of the experimental and the control groups showed significant differences in habitat selection between the groups.Conclusion: Our study suggests that pre-release acclimatization training is an important factor that can lead to improved survival and habitat selection of captive-bred reintroduced tragopans.展开更多
Atlantic blue crabs(Callinectes sapidus)are ecologically and commercially fundamental.Life stages are punctuated with migration.Adults and juveniles live in estuaries and sounds.Larval stages develop in the coastal oc...Atlantic blue crabs(Callinectes sapidus)are ecologically and commercially fundamental.Life stages are punctuated with migration.Adults and juveniles live in estuaries and sounds.Larval stages develop in the coastal ocean.Juvenile and adult crabs occupy habitats from high salinities to fresh water.We determined whether maturing juvenile and adult blue crab habitat use is reflected in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 haplotypes.High salinity crabs had lower haplotype diversity(0.7260±.03900)compared to spawning crabs(0.9841±.00021)and low salinity crabs(0.94154±.00118).Significant pairwise differences in haplotypes were found between high salinity and spawning crabs(Nm=0.26018,p<0.001),and between high salinity and low salinity crabs(Nm=0.19482,p<0.001)indicating a lack of gene flow.Crabs from high salinity had highly significant genetic differentiation compared to spawning crabs(Fst=0.11830,p<0.001)and low salinity crabs(Fst=0.09689,p<0.001).Results support the hypothesis that genetics influence habitat selection.Crab larvae mix in the coastal ocean but occupy specific habitats upon return to sounds and estuaries.These findings have implications for the management of fisheries.展开更多
Birds and other animals are frequently killed by cars,causing the death of many million individuals per year.Why some species are killed more often than others has never been investigated.In this work hypothesized tha...Birds and other animals are frequently killed by cars,causing the death of many million individuals per year.Why some species are killed more often than others has never been investigated.In this work hypothesized that risk taking behavior may affect the probability of certain kinds of individuals being killed disproportionately often.Furthermore,behavior of individuals on roads,abundance,habitat preferences,breeding sociality,and health status may all potentially affect the risk of being killed on roads.We used information on the abundance of road kills and the abundance in the surrounding environment of 50 species of birds obtained during regular censuses in 2001 2006 in a rural site in Denmark to test these predictions.The frequency of road kills increased linearly with abundance,while the proportion of individuals sitting on the road or flying low across the road only explained little additional variation in frequency of road casualties.After having accounted for abundance,we found that species with a short flight distance and hence taking greater risks when approached by a potential cause of danger were killed disproportionately often.In addition,solitary species,species with a high prevalence of Plasmodium infection,and species with a large bursa of Fabricius for their body size had a high susceptibility to being killed by cars.These findings suggest that a range of different factors indicative of risk-taking behavior,visual acuity and health status cause certain bird species to be susceptible to casualties due to cars.展开更多
Tidal marshes are an important habitat and nursery area for fi sh.In the past few decades,rapid economic development in the coastal areas of China has led to the interruption and destruction of an increasing number of...Tidal marshes are an important habitat and nursery area for fi sh.In the past few decades,rapid economic development in the coastal areas of China has led to the interruption and destruction of an increasing number of tidal marshes.The growing interest in tidal marsh restoration has increased the need to understand the relationship between geomorphological features and fi sh assemblages in the design of marsh restoration projects.We studied temporal variations in,and the effects of creek geomorphological features on,the estuarine tidal creek fi sh community.Using modifi ed channel nets,we sampled fi sh monthly from March 2007 to February 2008 from seven tidal creeks along an intertidal channel system in Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve.Fourteen creek geomorphological variables were measured or derived to characterize intertidal creek geomorphological features.The Gobiidae,with 10 species,was the most speciesrich family.The most abundant fi sh species were Liza affi nis,Chelon haematocheilus,and Lateolabrax maculatus.The fi sh community was dominated by juvenile marine transients,which comprised about 80% of the total catch.The highest abundance of fi sh occurred in June and July,and the highest biomass occurred in December.Canonical redundancy analyses demonstrated that depth,steepness,cross-sectional area,and volume signifi cantly affected the fi sh species assemblage.L.affi nis favored small creeks with high elevations.Synechogobius ommaturus,Acanthogobius luridus,and Carassius auratus preferred deep,steep creeks with a large cross-sectional area and volume.These fi ndings indicate that the geomorphological features of tidal creeks should be considered in the conservation and sustainable management of fi sh species and in the restoration of salt marshes.展开更多
Knowledge of migratory bird requirements is critical to developing conservation plans for vulnerable migratory species.This study aimed to determine the migration routes,wintering areas,habitat uses,and mortalities of...Knowledge of migratory bird requirements is critical to developing conservation plans for vulnerable migratory species.This study aimed to determine the migration routes,wintering areas,habitat uses,and mortalities of adult Chinese Egrets(Egretta eulophotata).Sixty adult Chinese Egrets(31 females and 29 males)on an uninhabited offshore breeding island in Dalian,China were tracked using GPS satellite transmitters.GPS locations recorded at2 h intervals from June 2019 to August 2020 were used for analysis.A total of 44 and 17 tracked adults completed their autumn and spring migrations,respectively.Compared with autumn migration,tracked adults displayed more diverse routes,higher number of stopover sites,slower migration speed,and longer migration duration in the spring.Results indicated that migrant birds had different behavioral strategies during the two migratory seasons.The spring migration duration and stopover duration for females were significantly longer than those for males.A positive correlation existed between the spring arrival and spring departure dates,as well as between the spring arrival date and stopover duration.This finding indicated that the egrets that arrived early at the breeding grounds left the wintering areas early and had a shorter stopover duration.Adult birds preferred intertidal wetlands,woodlands,and aquaculture ponds during migration.During the wintering period,adults preferred offshore islands,intertidal wetlands,and aquaculture ponds.Adult Chinese Egrets showed a relatively low survival rate compared with most other common ardeid species.Dead specimens were found in aquaculture ponds,indicating human disturbance as the main cause of death of this vulnerable species.These results highlighted the importance of resolving conflicts between egrets and human-made aquaculture wetlands and protecting intertidal flats and offshore islands in natural wetlands through international cooperation.Our results contributed to the hitherto unknown annual spatiotemporal migration patterns of adult Chinese Egrets,thereby providing an important basis for the conservation of this vulnerable species.展开更多
As a research field which is blooming quickly in recent years,movement ecology has been a worldwide concern and interest.However,movement ecology is so comprehensive and complicated that many articles only focus on fe...As a research field which is blooming quickly in recent years,movement ecology has been a worldwide concern and interest.However,movement ecology is so comprehensive and complicated that many articles only focus on few aspects or species.As tracking technologies and methods of movement data analysis develop,the abundance of movement data becomes available for demonstrating more scientific facts about animal movement.This article is aimed to summarize the advances of terrestrial mammal movement ecology in the past years to show its critical and potential research fields,as well as trying to ascertain direction of these advances.展开更多
The study investigates the effect of spatial and temporal tree-fall gaps structure on spiders’ assemblage in an Atlantic forest fragmented area in Brazil. It was conducted in the Michelin Ecological Preserve-REM (Bah...The study investigates the effect of spatial and temporal tree-fall gaps structure on spiders’ assemblage in an Atlantic forest fragmented area in Brazil. It was conducted in the Michelin Ecological Preserve-REM (Bahia), 190 ha forest remnant. Samples were collected on leaf-litter (50 × 50 cm) at five tree-fall gaps formations (2), within five adjacent primary forest and five inner edge parcels. During 16 months (between May 2009 and October 2012), 480 m2 leaf-litter samples were collected, from which spiders were extracted using mini-Winkler traps. The observed and estimated richness of spider’s species was higher at the edge展开更多
基金supported by the National Sciences Foundation of China (30800103)the National Key Project of Scientific and Technical Supporting Programs Funded by Ministry of Science & Technology of China (2008BADB0B01)~~
文摘Reeves＇s Pheasant （Syrmaticus reevesii） is a threatened pheasant species endemic to China. The habitat use of territorial male birds was surveyed by the help of live decoys in a core area of Dongzhai NationaI Nature Reserve. The breeding habitat selection of this pheasant was examined at two scales （115 m and 250 m scale, i.e. 4.15 hm^2 and 19.63 hm^2, respectively）, including the characteristics at distance scale. Investigation was based on line transect, RS and GIS in Dongzhai National Natural Reserve from 2001 to 2003. Moreover, a range of habitat variables were compared between used and control points at each scale, and stepwise logistic regression was applied to select the key scale and the key habitat factors in relation to breeding habitat selection of this bird. Our results stated that the territorial males at Baiyun occurred mostly in mixed forests, followed by fir forests, pine forests, shrubs, and broadleaf forests. The area of conifer forests was the key factor influencing habitat selection of this bird in breeding period at the scales of 115 m and 250 m, and the proximity of farmland was important for habitat selection in breeding seasons. Furthermore, Reeves＇s Pheasants attached great importance to the scale of 115 m. When considering a range of habitat variables at all scales within a multivariate regression, the leading factors having effect on habitat selection in the breeding period were areas of conifer forests at 115 m scale and the distance to farmland. In addition, these above results suggested that strengthening the management of suitable habitat, and optimizing the habitat configuration are important in promoting conservation of this bird. However, it also highlighted the importance of initiating future researches on the conifer forests and their impact on the population of Reeves＇s Pheasants, which would be beneficial to promote the habitat conservation of this pheasant more effectively.
文摘This paper studies the habitat selection of sables (Martes. zibellina) in spring adopting radio-tracking and GPS (Global Positioning System) in Daxing’an Mountains of China. Sables liked mature and elder forest, but it avoided uncovered and young growth land. In spring sables had strong selection to medium cover-degree forest, but it avoided widen ground and especial high cover-degree forest. On the contrary sables didn’t have the strong selection to shrubs cover-degree, but strong selection to dominant tree species, slope degree and slope direction, especially sable liked medium and lower slope. At the same time, sables had the strong selection to the log’s density and the crown’s cover-degree. Generally it avoided high elevation and lower slope land.
文摘Determining how animals respond to resource availability across spatial and temporal extents is crucial to understand ecological processes underpinning habitat selection.Here,we used a multi-scale approach to study the year-round habitat selection of the Crested Tit(Lophophanes cristatus)in a semi-natural lowland woodland of northern Italy,analysing different habitat features at each scale.We performed Crested Tit censuses at three different spatial scales.At the macrohabitat scale,we used geolocalized observations of individuals to compute Manly's habitat selection index,based on a detailed land-use map of the study area.At the microhabitat scale,the trees features were compared between presence and absence locations.At the foraging habitat scale,individual foraging birds and their specific position on trees were recorded using focal animal sampling.Censuses were performed during both the breeding(March to May)and wintering(December to January)seasons.At the macrohabitat scale,the Crested Tits significantly selected pure and mixed pine forests and avoided woods of alien plant species,farmlands and urban areas.At the microhabitat scale,old pine woods with dense cover were selected,with no significant difference in the features of tree selection between the two phenological phases.At the foraging habitat scale,the species was observed spending more time foraging in the canopies than in the understorey,using mostly the portion of Scots Pine(Pinus sylvestris)canopies closer to the trunk in winter,while during the breeding period,the whole canopy was visited.Overall,breeding and wintering habitats largely overlapped in the Crested Tit.Based on our findings,lowland Crested Tits can be well defined as true habitat specialists:they are strictly related to some specific coniferous woodland features.Noteworthily,compared to other tit species,which normally show generalist habits during winter,the Crested Tit behaves as a habitat specialist also out of the breeding season.Our study stressed the importance of considering multi-scale(both spatial and phenological)habitat selection in birds.
基金funded by the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia,Innovación y Universidades project PGC2018-093592-B-I00(MCIU/AEI/FEDER,UE)by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación project PID2021-122358NB-I00(MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and ERDF A way of making Europe).
文摘Habitat selection is a dynamic process that depends on many environmental variables that can vary with weather conditions.This is important because,within a context of global change,extreme weather events,such as severe droughts,are predicted to become more frequent.We examined the patterns of microhabitat selection and underground movements(using PIT-tag telemetry)of a strictly fossorial reptile,the North African checkboard amphisbaenian Trogonophis wiegmanni,during the summer drought period.We aimed to test whether changes in strategies of habitat use and movements could allow this amphisbaenian to cope with unfavorable weather.We found that during the summer drought period,T.wiegmanni did not use the microhabitats in relationship to their availability,but particularly selected sites with high abundance of rocks but also areas under a high cover of bushes,where environmental conditions were more favorable.We also found,using PIT-tag telemetry,that the numbers of T.wiegmanni individuals located under rocks and their activity(number of days with movements)decreased largely in summer.However,the animals were not entirely inactive,but,especially males were active below the ground under bushes and made some relatively long underground hidden movements between favorable areas.
文摘Every spring a huge number of passerines cross the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea on their way to their breeding grounds. Stopover sites after such extended barriers where birds can rest, refuel, and find shelter from adverse weather, are of crucial importance for the outcome of their migration. Stopover habitat selection used by migrating birds depends on landscape context, habitat patch characteristics, as well as on the particular energetic conditions and needs of individ- ual birds, but it is still poorly investigated. We focused on a long-distance migrating passerine, the woodchat shrike, in order to investigate for the first time the species＇ habitat selection at a spring stopover site （island of Antikythira, Greece） after the crossing of the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea. We implemented radio-tracking, color-ringing, and visual behavioral observa- tions to collect data on microhabitat use. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were developed to identify the species＇ most preferred microhabitat during its stopover on this low human disturbed island. We found that high maquis vegetation surrounded by low vegetation was chosen as perches for hunting. Moreover, high maquis vegetation appeared to facilitate hunting attempts toward the ground, the most frequently observed foraging strategy. Finally, we discuss our find- ings in the context of conservation practices for the woodchat shrike and their stopover sites on Mediterranean islands.
基金We are grateful for funding provided by the Joseph W.Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway,Robert W.Woodruff Foundation,and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia.
文摘Background:Pine savannas are primarily managed with frequent prescribed fire(≤3 years)to promote diversity of flora and fauna,and to maintain open,park-like conditions needed by species such as the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker(Picoides borealis).However,a knowledge gap exists in our understanding of bobcat(Lynx rufus)habitat selection in longleaf pine savannas and research is warranted to direct our future management decisions.Methods:We examined bobcat habitat selection in a pine savanna managed with frequent fires at two spatial scales(i.e.,study area boundary[hereafter,landscape scale])and annual area of use[95%kernel density;local scale],and assessed effects of prescribed fire on bobcat habitat selection.Specifically,we monitored 45 bobcats(16 males and 29 females)during 2001–2007.Results:We found differential habitat selection by sex.At the landscape scale,female bobcats were closer to mixed pine-hardwoods,young pine,and secondary roads,but farther from mature pine and hardwoods stands relative to males.We found no difference in selection of agriculture,shrub-scrub,and primary roads between sexes.At the annual area of use scale,female bobcats were closer to secondary roads,but farther from agriculture and shrub-scrub relative to males.We found no difference in selection of mature pine,mixed pine-hardwoods,hardwoods,young pine,and primary roads between sexes.Bobcats primarily selected for stands burned≤1.1 years post-fire.Conclusions:Our results show that bobcats exploit a broad range of habitat types in pine landscapes managed with frequent fire and commonly use recently burned stands(≤1.1 year post-fire),suggesting prey in many areas of this system are at risk of bobcat predation.Additionally,we suggest land managers consider scale of selection by bobcats when developing habitat management strategies.
文摘The habitat selection of Tibetan Snow Cocks in shrub vegetation was investigated in Lhasa,Tibet,China,between March and April,2005.Fourteen parameters were measured.These include altitude,slope,slope aspect,slope position,vegetation cover,plant type and other environmental parameters.Results show that Snow Cocks favor foraging in areas where vegetation cover was small and close to the residents’houses.Supplementary food supplied by humans has caused Snow Cocks to decrease their foraging range.Snow Cocks also favor roosting in areas with low vegetation,sparse grass,short grass,large rocks and close to houses.The Snow Cocks’activity in the study areas show a close relationship with human activities.
基金This research was supported by The Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Project of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment,China(2019HJ2096001006)the Nature Science Foundation of China(31672300).
文摘Introduction:As a consequence of habitat loss and degradation,the leopard cat(Prionailurus bengalensis)in China has become endangered and in need of urgent protection.In situ conservation of leopard cats must be based on an understanding of their habitat selection patterns.We studied the summer habitat of leopard cats using line-transect surveys in the northern Taihang Mountain region surrounding Beijing,China.We compared used plots with non-used plots in elevation,tree canopy,and 20 other ecological variables,and used VanderploegScavia’s resource selection index(VSI)to analyze habitat preferences.Outcomes/others:Results show that tree canopy,tree height,tree density,and stump quantity of used plots were significantly lower than non-used plots in summer,and that leopard cats preferred habitats located on northern,flat slopes with lower slope,shrub-dominated,dry soil,and less fallen-wood.Leopard cats had a strong tendency to use habitats near human disturbance areas with moderate levels of disturbance intensity.Conclusion:The results suggest that future conservation efforts should emphasize:(1)strengthening the protection and management of forest fringe shrub habitats to improve summer habitat suitability,and(2)environmental education and animal protection campaigns to promote community biodiversity conservation.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Little is known about the ecology of the Chinese Giant Salamander(Andrias davidianus), a critically endangered species. Such information is needed to make informed decisions concerning the conservation and management of this species. Four A. davidianus raised in a pool were released into their native habitat on 04 May 2005 and were subsequently radio-tracked for approximately 155–168 days. Following their release, the giant salamanders traveled upstream in search of suitable micro-habitats, and settled after 10 days. Later, a devastating summer flash flood destroyed the salamanders' dens, triggering another bout of habitat searching by the animals. Eventually, the salamanders settled in different sections of the stream where they remained until the end of the study. On average, each habitat searching endeavor took 7.5 days, during which a giant salamander explored a 310 m stretch of stream with a surface area of about 1157 m2 and occupied 3.5 temporary dwellings. Each giant salamander spent an average of 144.5 days in semi-permanent micro-habitats, and occupied territories that had a mean size of 34.75 m2. Our results indicate that the Chinese giant salamander responds to habitat disturbance by seeking new habitats upstream, both water temperature and water level affect the salamander's habitat searching activity, and the size of the salamander's semi-permanent territory is influenced by the size of the pool containing the animal's den.
基金financed by the Wildlife Conservation Program of the State Forestry Administration of China in 2009
文摘Hume's Pheasant(Syrmaticus humiae) and the Silver Pheasant(Lophura nycthemera) are two sympatric bird species at Dazhong Mountain of Yunnan Province,southwestern China.We investigated characteristics of roosting habitats of the two pheasants from February to April,2004 in this area.Multiple statistics,Matryoshka and a habitat classification-tree were used to analyze the selection of roosting habitats of these pheasants. The results of the habitat classification-tree indicated that several separations occurred in their macro and micro roosting habitats in the study area. The two pheasants had similar crucial requirements for and selection of ecological roosting factors,which allow them to live in the same macrohabitat.Competition between these two pheasants was avoided by separation of spatial elements,such as roosting trees and topographic characteristics.For safety strategy,Hume's Pheasant adopted primarily a way of'uneasily found habitat cover plus easy escape',while the Silver Pheasant employed a unique way of'uneasily found habitat cover'.For tactics of keeping warm,Hume's Pheasant selected mainly a method of'suitable vegetation supplemented with suitable topography',while the Silver Pheasant chose a unique man-ner of'suitable vegetation'.
基金This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31900372)Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve,Yushu Prefecture Forestry and Grassland Bureau,“One Yangtze”Project of Huatai Securities(HTSC)the State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol(Sun Yat-Sen University)。
文摘As a top predator,the Eurasian otter(Lutra lutra)is an indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems and a flagship species for conservation.Once widespread in China,the species is now distributed mainly in the upper reaches of the great rivers of western China.However,a lack of knowledge on local otter populations continues to hinder their conservation in China.Here,we conducted a detailed study on habitat use of Eurasian otters in Yushu City and Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in western China using transect surveys.At both study sites,otters preferred to defecate on large rocks close to or protruding from the river and about 50 cm above the waterline.In Yushu,no spraints were found along the 5 km river bank section in the downtown area,with otters preferring sprainting sites with natural banks,riparian zones,and lower human population density.However,this pattern was not obvious at Tangjiahe,where river transformation and human disturbance are minor.Otter river use intensity was negatively correlated with elevation and human population density in Yushu in both seasons.In Tangjiahe,otter river use intensity was positively correlated with prey mass and flow rate and negatively correlated with human population in spring,but positively correlated with human population and negatively correlated with flow rate in autumn.These results reflect the flexible habitat use strategies of otters at different sites,underlining the necessity to study otters living in different regions and habitat types.We provide suggestions for river modification and call for more site-specific studies to promote otter conservation in China.
基金Our study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31870369&No.31970433&No.31670424)China Biodiversity Observation Networks(Sino BON)The funders had no role in study design,data collection and analysis,decision to publish,or preparation of the manuscript.
文摘Background:The Bar-headed Goose(Anser indicus)breeds across the high plains and plateau of Central Asia and winters in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP),the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Indian sub-continent.Of the two recognized discrete flyways of the Bar-headed Goose,the Eastern Tibetan Flyway(ETF)is the larger,comprising at least six migration routes.However,we remain ignorant about their migratory connectivity,habitat use and effectiveness of site-safeguard mechanisms set in place for the species.Methods:We tracked 30 ETF Bar-headed Geese from Chinese and Mongolian breeding areas to their wintering grounds using GPS/GSM transmitters,to determine their migration routes and stopover staging patterns within the QTP,overlaying these upon GIS layers of protected area status and habitat type,to model their habitat selection.Results:In total,14 tagged Bar-headed Geese provided information on their entire autumn migration and 4 geese on their entire spring migration.Qinghai Lake marked birds overwintered in the QTP(n=2),geese tagged in Mongolia wintered either in the QTP(n=3)or in India/Bangladesh(n=9),representing three of the migration routes within the ETF.In total,tagged birds staged at 79 different stopover sites within QTP in autumn and 23 in spring,of which 65%(autumn)and 59%(spring)of all fixes fell within the boundaries of either National Nature Reserves(NNRs)or Important Birds Areas(IBAs)in the QTP.Bar-headed Geese predominantly occurred on four land-cover types:grassland(mostly by day),water bodies(at night),wetlands and bare substrates(salt flats,dry lake/river substrates and plough)with little change in proportion.Generalized linear mixed models comparing presence with pseudo-absence data suggested geese strongly selected for wetlands as staging habitat,avoiding bare substrates in spring.Conclusions:Based on our limited observations of these tagged geese,this study is the first to show that the current designated National Nature Reserves in place in the staging areas within the QTP appear adequate to protect this increasing population.In addition,Hala Lake in Qinghai Province and adjacent areas used as initial QTP staging during autumn migration(currently outside of designated as NNRs/IBAs)are recommended for protection,based on their use by tagged birds from this study.Habitat modelling confirmed the importance of natural wetlands as feeding areas and safe areas of open water as roosting places.
文摘Background:Small coastal wetlands are vital sites for wintering waterbirds.Identifying important habitats is critical for managing waterbirds effectively.The Vourkari inlet is a small coastal wetland located near the capital Athens,within the most urbanized and industrialized area of Greece.We aimed at identifying the most important habitats for waterbirds at the Vourkari inlet during winter.Methods:Data about habitat use and availability were collected for 14 waterbird species and for seven habitat classes.Habitat selection(Manly’s selection ratio),overlap indices(Pianka’s niche overlap index)and null models were calculated.Results:All the studied waterbird species selected available habitats nonrandomly.Shallow waters(0–2 m),were used by 13 waterbirds and selected by five waterbirds.Pools and channels were used and selected by 10 species.Mud was used by nine species and selected by six species.Mud with rocky substrate was used by nine species and selected by eight species.Medium(2–4 m)and deep(4–6 m)open water habitats were used by seven species and selected by four species.Halophytic vegetation was used by six species and selected by two species.Several habitats were selected by nationally important populations:mudflat habitats(i.e.,mud,mud with rocky substrate and pools and channels)by Common Redshanks(Tringa totanus),halophytic vegetation by Little Egrets(Egretta garzetta),shallow waters by Common Shelducks(Tadorna tadorna)and medium and deep waters by Sandwich Terns(Thalasseus sandvicencis),whilst shallow waters and mudflat habitats were preferred by a possibly internationally important population of Mediterranean Gulls(Ichthyaetus melanocephalus).Although overlap in habitat use between species was generally low,null models indicated habitat sharing and a lack of competition.Conclusions:Waterbirds coexisted in the absence of competition for habitats at Vourkari,where they mostly used and preferred shallow water and mudflats.Small coastal wetlands are numerous,both in Greece and worldwide,therefore our findings would be useful as a basis for comparisons,both temporal at the inlet and spatial with other sites,that would help assess the importance of habitats and improve management strategies to benefit waterbirds,especially in areas with similar Mediterranean-type habitats and climate.
基金supported by the State Forestry Administration of China and the National Key Technology R&D Program of China(No.2016YFC0503200)
文摘Background: Restoring a viable population by reintroduction is the ultimate goal of a large number of ex situ conservation projects for endangered animals. However, many reintroductions fail to establish a population in the wild, partly because released animals cannot acclimate to the native environment of the release site, resulting in very low survival rates. Acclimation training is a technique to resolve this problem, although it does not have positive results in all species. We tested whether acclimation training and soft-release could improve the reintroduction success for captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan(Tragopan caboti), an endangered pheasant in southern China.Methods: Reintroduction of captive-bred Cabot's Tragopan was carried out in the Taoyuandong National Nature Reserve, China from 2010 to 2011. We built a soft-release enclosure for acclimation training in the typical montane habitat of this pheasant. Nine birds were acclimated to the environment of this release site in this cage for more than 50 days before release("trained birds"), while 11 birds remained only in the cage for 3 days prior to release("untrained birds"). Released birds were tagged with a collar radio-transmitter.Results: Post-release monitoring revealed that the survival rate of trained birds was higher than that of untrained birds after 50 days(trained: 85.7%; untrained: 20.0%). Cox regression analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the mortality rates between the trained and untrained birds. In addition, a survey of the habitat of the experimental and the control groups showed significant differences in habitat selection between the groups.Conclusion: Our study suggests that pre-release acclimatization training is an important factor that can lead to improved survival and habitat selection of captive-bred reintroduced tragopans.
文摘Atlantic blue crabs(Callinectes sapidus)are ecologically and commercially fundamental.Life stages are punctuated with migration.Adults and juveniles live in estuaries and sounds.Larval stages develop in the coastal ocean.Juvenile and adult crabs occupy habitats from high salinities to fresh water.We determined whether maturing juvenile and adult blue crab habitat use is reflected in mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase 1 haplotypes.High salinity crabs had lower haplotype diversity(0.7260±.03900)compared to spawning crabs(0.9841±.00021)and low salinity crabs(0.94154±.00118).Significant pairwise differences in haplotypes were found between high salinity and spawning crabs(Nm=0.26018,p<0.001),and between high salinity and low salinity crabs(Nm=0.19482,p<0.001)indicating a lack of gene flow.Crabs from high salinity had highly significant genetic differentiation compared to spawning crabs(Fst=0.11830,p<0.001)and low salinity crabs(Fst=0.09689,p<0.001).Results support the hypothesis that genetics influence habitat selection.Crab larvae mix in the coastal ocean but occupy specific habitats upon return to sounds and estuaries.These findings have implications for the management of fisheries.
文摘Birds and other animals are frequently killed by cars,causing the death of many million individuals per year.Why some species are killed more often than others has never been investigated.In this work hypothesized that risk taking behavior may affect the probability of certain kinds of individuals being killed disproportionately often.Furthermore,behavior of individuals on roads,abundance,habitat preferences,breeding sociality,and health status may all potentially affect the risk of being killed on roads.We used information on the abundance of road kills and the abundance in the surrounding environment of 50 species of birds obtained during regular censuses in 2001 2006 in a rural site in Denmark to test these predictions.The frequency of road kills increased linearly with abundance,while the proportion of individuals sitting on the road or flying low across the road only explained little additional variation in frequency of road casualties.After having accounted for abundance,we found that species with a short flight distance and hence taking greater risks when approached by a potential cause of danger were killed disproportionately often.In addition,solitary species,species with a high prevalence of Plasmodium infection,and species with a large bursa of Fabricius for their body size had a high susceptibility to being killed by cars.These findings suggest that a range of different factors indicative of risk-taking behavior,visual acuity and health status cause certain bird species to be susceptible to casualties due to cars.
基金Supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)(No.2013CB430404)the National Science and Technology Ministry(No.2010BAK69B14)the Science and Technology Department of Shanghai(No.10dz1200700)
文摘Tidal marshes are an important habitat and nursery area for fi sh.In the past few decades,rapid economic development in the coastal areas of China has led to the interruption and destruction of an increasing number of tidal marshes.The growing interest in tidal marsh restoration has increased the need to understand the relationship between geomorphological features and fi sh assemblages in the design of marsh restoration projects.We studied temporal variations in,and the effects of creek geomorphological features on,the estuarine tidal creek fi sh community.Using modifi ed channel nets,we sampled fi sh monthly from March 2007 to February 2008 from seven tidal creeks along an intertidal channel system in Chongming Dongtan National Nature Reserve.Fourteen creek geomorphological variables were measured or derived to characterize intertidal creek geomorphological features.The Gobiidae,with 10 species,was the most speciesrich family.The most abundant fi sh species were Liza affi nis,Chelon haematocheilus,and Lateolabrax maculatus.The fi sh community was dominated by juvenile marine transients,which comprised about 80% of the total catch.The highest abundance of fi sh occurred in June and July,and the highest biomass occurred in December.Canonical redundancy analyses demonstrated that depth,steepness,cross-sectional area,and volume signifi cantly affected the fi sh species assemblage.L.affi nis favored small creeks with high elevations.Synechogobius ommaturus,Acanthogobius luridus,and Carassius auratus preferred deep,steep creeks with a large cross-sectional area and volume.These fi ndings indicate that the geomorphological features of tidal creeks should be considered in the conservation and sustainable management of fi sh species and in the restoration of salt marshes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42076107,41676123,and 41476113)。
文摘Knowledge of migratory bird requirements is critical to developing conservation plans for vulnerable migratory species.This study aimed to determine the migration routes,wintering areas,habitat uses,and mortalities of adult Chinese Egrets(Egretta eulophotata).Sixty adult Chinese Egrets(31 females and 29 males)on an uninhabited offshore breeding island in Dalian,China were tracked using GPS satellite transmitters.GPS locations recorded at2 h intervals from June 2019 to August 2020 were used for analysis.A total of 44 and 17 tracked adults completed their autumn and spring migrations,respectively.Compared with autumn migration,tracked adults displayed more diverse routes,higher number of stopover sites,slower migration speed,and longer migration duration in the spring.Results indicated that migrant birds had different behavioral strategies during the two migratory seasons.The spring migration duration and stopover duration for females were significantly longer than those for males.A positive correlation existed between the spring arrival and spring departure dates,as well as between the spring arrival date and stopover duration.This finding indicated that the egrets that arrived early at the breeding grounds left the wintering areas early and had a shorter stopover duration.Adult birds preferred intertidal wetlands,woodlands,and aquaculture ponds during migration.During the wintering period,adults preferred offshore islands,intertidal wetlands,and aquaculture ponds.Adult Chinese Egrets showed a relatively low survival rate compared with most other common ardeid species.Dead specimens were found in aquaculture ponds,indicating human disturbance as the main cause of death of this vulnerable species.These results highlighted the importance of resolving conflicts between egrets and human-made aquaculture wetlands and protecting intertidal flats and offshore islands in natural wetlands through international cooperation.Our results contributed to the hitherto unknown annual spatiotemporal migration patterns of adult Chinese Egrets,thereby providing an important basis for the conservation of this vulnerable species.
基金This article is funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC31872241)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2572017PZ14)+2 种基金National Key Programme of Research and Development,Ministry of Science and Technology(2016YFC0503200)Biodiversity Survey,Monitoring and Assessment Project of Ministry of Ecology and Environment,China(2019HB2096001006)Heilongjiang Touyan Innovation Team Program for Forest Ecology and Conservation.The advice and revisions by Professor Guangshun Jiang have guided this article,and I further acknowledge the help of colleague Nathan J.Roberts for English editing,assistance and advice.
文摘As a research field which is blooming quickly in recent years,movement ecology has been a worldwide concern and interest.However,movement ecology is so comprehensive and complicated that many articles only focus on few aspects or species.As tracking technologies and methods of movement data analysis develop,the abundance of movement data becomes available for demonstrating more scientific facts about animal movement.This article is aimed to summarize the advances of terrestrial mammal movement ecology in the past years to show its critical and potential research fields,as well as trying to ascertain direction of these advances.
文摘The study investigates the effect of spatial and temporal tree-fall gaps structure on spiders’ assemblage in an Atlantic forest fragmented area in Brazil. It was conducted in the Michelin Ecological Preserve-REM (Bahia), 190 ha forest remnant. Samples were collected on leaf-litter (50 × 50 cm) at five tree-fall gaps formations (2), within five adjacent primary forest and five inner edge parcels. During 16 months (between May 2009 and October 2012), 480 m2 leaf-litter samples were collected, from which spiders were extracted using mini-Winkler traps. The observed and estimated richness of spider’s species was higher at the edge
