The inherent ecological and life-history characteristics of organisms are fundamental in determining species population dynamics and survive strategies, as well as their ability to adapt to environmental changes. Snakes are a group of vertebrates with a high degree of morphological specialization. However, due to the cryptic nature of snakes and their solitary behavior, life-history and ecological studies on snakes remain relatively lagged compared with other vertebrate groups, and no comprehensive trait database specifically dedicated to snakes has been available. This study collected and compiled 28 traits of 4,145 snake species by systematically consulting published snake books, peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed literature, online databases and other data resources. These traits include life-history traits (8 traits including body mass, total length, prey), ecological traits (7 traits including distribution, microhabitat, elevational distribution), and biogeographical traits (13 traits including annual mean temperature, annual mean precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)). The data completeness of these traits ranged from 42.41% to 99.90%. Compared to other datasets, this dataset has the most complete number of species, the richest traits, and offers higher completeness for some traits. As the most comprehensive and up-to-date global trait dataset for snakes, it provides valuable data support for research in ecology, biogeography and conservation biology of snakes at both global and region scales.

Aims: Passive acoustic monitoring technology has been widely used for monitoring bird species, enabling non-invasive and long-term effective monitoring. Extensive data collection requires automated identification technologies for effective analysis. However, differences in recording device performance can affect the accuracy of automated software in identifying bird species.

Methods: Six separate recording devices from various manufacturers are tested by recording bird call playback across four frequency bands. We use BirdNET as the automatic bird sound identifier under two types of vegetation environment, five categories of distance between the recording devices and sound source, and three sound source directions. Our goal is evaluating the impact of these variables on bird species identification performance. We assess the monitoring performance of different recording devices by comparing the basic parameters and configurations of the devices and constructing a generalized linear model (GLM) to statistically analyze the identification results.

Results: Our analysis suggests the type of recording device significantly affects the ability for BirdNET to correctly identify bird species. As distance increases, the effectiveness of the devices in monitoring decreases, with the identification accuracy of BirdNET significantly higher for distances within 50 meters than beyond. Further, the direction of sound impacts identification performance, with accuracy significantly decreasing when the sound source is in opposite direction of the recording device in identifying the four types of bird sound signals with different frequency bandwidth ranges. Additionally, the vegetation type significantly affects the attenuation of bird call signals, with overall identification accuracy in grassland vegetation 40.1% higher than forest vegetation.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest the effectiveness of field recording monitoring should be assessed before selecting and deploying long-term recording monitoring equipment, in addition to evaluating equipment costs and parameters. Based on our evaluation, monitoring distance and direction settings should be optimized to enhance the effectiveness of monitoring strategies.

Background & Aim: Urbanization has caused widespread changes in species habitats, leading to changes in community composition and species traits. This process has notably transformed the interspecific interactions involving birds, but current research has limited knowledge about this change. In this paper, the modification patterns of predator-prey interactions, host-parasite interactions, competitive interactions, and mutualistic interactions involving birds in urban environments are reviewed, to provide suggestions for future research and conservation efforts on birds in urban environments.

Review Results: With increasing urbanization, the identity of species involved in various forms of interspecific interactions is directly affected by changes in species composition, leading to changes in the process, intensity, and outcomes of interspecific interactions. In predator-prey interactions, anthropogenic disturbances, enhanced resource availability, and habitat changes modify the community composition of both predators and prey. These changes affect the predation behavior of predators and the antipredator behavior of prey. In host-parasite interactions, pollution and zoonotic disease transmission change parasite taxa, while the spatial concentration and diminished diversity of urban bird communities heighten disease transmission risks. Additionally, factors such as dietary quality and environmental disturbances influence host immunophysiology. In competitive interactions, adaptation of birds to urban environment leads to intensification of competitive behavior, and stabilization of the environment and resource availability may increase competitive intensity and promote competitive exclusion. In mutualistic interactions between birds and plants, the loss of native species and the introduction of exotic species reduce the uniqueness of interactions. Landscape features such as habitat fragmentation affect spatial patterns of pollination and seed dispersal. Changes in the participants and processes of interspecific interactions can modify the nodes and edges in interaction networks and the structural characteristics of such networks, decrease in species diversity simplifies the network structure, while the loss of specialist species and rise of generalist species enhance evenness and reduce the specialization of the interactive networks.

Prospect: There are three important directions for future research on interspecific interactions in urban birds: (1) Development of methods for identifying and quantifying interspecific interactions; (2) Development of ecological network theories, including multilayer networks, in the study of interspecific interactions in urban birds; (3) Utilization of interspecific interactions to increase the effectiveness of conservation in urban bird conservation.

Background & Aims: Rapid urbanization has proved the importance of effectively monitoring and evaluating urban bird diversity, making it a crucial area of technique inquiry within urban ecology and biodiversity conservation. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM), a technique that utilizes the environment to assess biodiversity, provides long-term and continuous data on urban avian population dynamics. This approach offers valuable insights into the influence of human activities on natural habitats. Although PAM technology has been adopted globally for urban biodiversity monitoring and has resulted in extensive acoustic datasets, variations in monitoring and assessment methodologies show significant challenges in effectively evaluating urban avian diversity.

Review Results: We synthesize representative cases of urban avian diversity research conducted using PAM technology, focusing on aspects such as spatio-temporal experimental design, recording device parameters, and quantification techniques of acoustic signals. The results indicate that current case studies exhibit general routines in experimental frameworks, parameter selection, and quantification methods. However, variability in monitoring and evaluation technologies, along with their effects on factors such as signal-to-noise ratio and representativeness of sound signals, remains a significant challenge that hinders the application of PAM in urban bird diversity research, yet this issue has not received adequate attention. Therefore, this paper advocates for a comprehensive examination of passive acoustic monitoring and evaluation techniques for urban bird sounds, which would facilitate the creation of eco-acoustic big data and address broader ecological questions.

Perspectives: Given the increasing prevalence of PAM applications, there is an urgent need for the development of technical standards for passive acoustic monitoring and evaluation of urban birdsong. Establishing these standards would promote the standardization of sound data collection and analysis, leading to the creation of a comprehensive urban bird sound database. Such advancements would enable the utilization of big data to elucidate the impacts of urbanization on birdsong diversity and response mechanisms, thereby enriching urban avian studies and supporting biodiversity conservation efforts in urban environments. This paper summarizes current monitoring schemes and technological applications, providing a foundation for future theoretical frameworks. Methodological approaches and technological implementations are proposed for future passive acoustic monitoring and evaluation of urban bird diversity in China.

Aims: In recent years, with the development of molecular systematics research, there have been many changes in the names and taxonomic status of tribes, genera and species in the family Cyperaceae in China. Therefore it is necessary to review these changes in order to comprehensively understand the taxonomic status of Chinese Cyperaceae and provide a taxonomic basis for related scientific research.

Methods: By reviewing the taxonomic literature of Cyperaceae in China and abroad, combined with examining the specimen data from field surveys and online databases (Chinese Virtual Herbarium, Global Biodiversity Information Facility), we summarized and updated the species checklist and taxonomic synopsis of Cyperaceae in China.

Results: The statistical results indicated that there were 932 species of Cyperaceae in 2 subfamilies, comprising of 19 tribes and 32 genera in China (of the 5,719 species of 2 subfamilies, comprising of 24 tribes and 95 genera worldwide, excluding infraspecies). Compared with the Catalogue of Life China 2023 Annual Checklist, all species in Courtoisina, Kyllinga, Lipocarpha, Pycreus and Remirea were combined into Cyperus; some species in the genera Schoenoplectus, Fimbristylis and Tricostularia undulata were reclassified according to the results of the latest molecular phylogenetic analyses; and here we combined Fimbristylis longistipitata into Abildgaardia. The species diversity of Chinese Cyperaceae is relatively higher in the subtropical region of southern China, both at the genus and species levels; Carex and Cyperus had the largest number of species, accounting for 67.8% and 9.0% of Cyperaceae species in China, with 632 and 84 species, respectively; 8 genera had only one species distributed in China, accounting for 25.0% of Cyperaceae genera in China; 67 species had no specimen record in domestic or foreign specimen data platforms, and further research was needed to confirm their distribution status.

Conclusion: This paper integrates the latest taxonomic research results of Cyperaceae, gives a list and taxonomic outline of the existing sedge plants in China, and makes a preliminary analysis of the distribution of them, which will lay the data foundation for taxonomic, phylogenetic, and evolutionary research of the sedge family in China.

Background & Aims: Exotic plant invasions seriously threaten native biodiversity and ecological security. Although numerous studies have explored the mechanisms of exotic plant invasion, the critical role of soil organisms in this process has not been systematically reviewed.

Progress: In this review, we summarize five ways by which soil biota influence exotic plant invasions, including (1) the role of soil microorganisms (pathogenic microorganisms, symbiotic microorganisms, saprophytic microorganisms, microbial diversity); (2) the role of soil fauna (herbivorous insects, nematodes and protozoa, mites and collembolans, earthworms); (3) the role of soil food webs (micro-food webs, entire food webs); (4) the relationship between plant-soil feedback and plant invasions; and (5) the effect of plant above- and below-ground biotic interactions.

Prospectives: We propose four directions for future studies, including (1) biogeographic comparisons between native and invasive ranges; (2) the verification of the diversity-invasibility hypothesis; (3) the expansion at the plant community level; and (4) the application of multi-omics technology. By elucidating soil biological mechanisms for exotic plant invasion, this review provides important insights for the management of invasive exotic plants and biodiversity conservation.

Aims: This study aims to compile and update information on China’s newly described taxa of Hemiptera and 28 other orders of Insecta (excluding Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Hymenoptera) from 2022 to 2023.

Methods: We summarized the list of type specimens and bibliographies for China’s newly described taxa of Hemiptera and 28 other insect orders during 2022-2023. The preservation locations of type specimens and the journals in which the new species were published were also analyzed.

Results: From 2022 to 2023, a total of 727 new taxa were published for Hemiptera and 28 other insect orders in China, comprising 668 new species/subspecies, 58 new genera and 1 new family. Among these, Hemiptera, Orthoptera, and Plecoptera were the top three orders with the highest number of new taxa. Specifically, Hemiptera had 252 new species, 22 new genera, and 1 new family; Orthoptera had 183 new species and 19 new genera; and Plecoptera included 54 new species and 1 new genus. No new taxa were reported for Mantophasmatodea, Zoraptera, Isoptera, and five other orders during this period. Based on an analysis of provincial administrative regions, hotspots for new taxa discovery were concentrated in Southwest China (Yunnan, Guizhou, Xizang and Sichuan), South China (Guangxi, Hainan and Guangdong), Central China (Hunan and Hubei), and Southeast China (Taiwan, Zhejiang, and Fujian). Yunnan led with 338 new species, representing 50.60% of the total, followed by Guangxi with 115 new species (17.22%), and Guizhou, Xizang, and Sichuan with 90, 88, and 79 new species, respectively. In total, 5,252 type specimens of the 668 new species and subspecies were deposited across 70 preservation facilities. Over 95% of holotypes and paratypes are preserved in 40 universities and 11 research institutions in China, while less than 5% of paratypes are deposited in 3 universities and 12 research institutions abroad. Type specimens are predominantly stored in universities, followed by research institutes and museums. These newly described taxa were published in 320 articles across 35 journals. Over 70% of these articles appeared in Zootaxa, ZooKeys and European Journal of Taxonomy. The Chinese journal Entomotaxonomiaaccounted for 4.69% of the articles, while Systematic Entomology and 24 other journals each published one relevant article.

Conclusion: This study provides a timely update on the biodiversity data of Hemiptera and 28 other insect orders in China for 2022-2023. It plays a crucial role in accelerating the development of data-sharing platforms and enhancing the understanding of insect biodiversity.

Background & Aims: The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) proposed the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and “3030 target” with the most attention. Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) are widely recognized as a cost-effective new type of conservation management tool that can achieve the 3030 targets by significantly increasing the protected areas on land and in the ocean while considering social and economic factors. The study takes the compliance work under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework as the background in China, seizes the relevant requirements of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China as an opportunity, leverages the characteristic advantages of OECMs and China’s institutional advantages, then analyzes the current status of China’s OECMs actions to identify key issues in advancing OECMs implementation (including significant opportunities and practical challenges), finally proposes strategic recommendations for advancing the work.
Results: Key opportunities for OECMs implementation in China lie in closely aligning with the integrated optimization goals of the “ecological-living-production spaces”, proactively identifying OECMs types that not only achieve conservation outcomes under government leadership but also attract market participation. By leveraging their advantage of balancing production, living, and ecological needs, which makes them more appealing under market economy conditions, these OECMs can effectively address current shortcomings such as lack of funding and insufficient specialized planning support. The practical challenges in the implementation of OECMs in China include unclear identification authorities and procedures, unaligned identification criteria and policy frameworks, insufficient financial and technical incentives for social participation, and the lack of research and promotion of the Chinese model. Proposed strategies include clarifying the identification authorities and procedures for OECMs at the national level, developing adaptive criteria and OECMs management guidelines, encouraging diversified social participation and financing mechanisms for OECMs, and initiating cost-benefit research on OECMs as a model with Chinese characteristics.
Conclusion & Recommendation: In the logical analysis of key issues and corresponding advancement strategies for OECMs implementation in China, the conclusions of this study are illustrated through typical cases, reflecting a novel perspective that integrates scientific research, policy analysis, and practical experience. This study anticipates leveraging the distinctive features of China’s institutional framework—clear objectives, effective measures, robust safeguards, and rigorous oversight—to strategically harness OECMs, thereby supporting the achievement of China’s implementation goals and fostering a new model for fulfilling its commitments.

Backgrounds & Motivations: The financial gap in addressing biodiversity loss is considerable, highlighting the need for the involvement of enterprises and financial institutions in biodiversity protection to provide necessary funding for biodiversity risk management. However, the information regarding to biodiversity in reports from Chinese listed enterprises remains limited, often lacking substance and credibility. It is imperative for enterprises to establish a biodiversity information disclosure mechanism that signals low biodiversity risk to financial and capital markets, thereby enhancing their financing capabilities and levels.

Methods: This study calculates the biodiversity information disclosure index for Chinese enterprises based on an analysis of 11,867 enterprise social responsibility and environmental, social and governance (ESG) reports from 1,714 listed enterprises between 2006 and 2022, utilizing internet crawling technology for data collection. Employing quantitative analysis methods, the research examines the current status and primary issues related to biodiversity disclosure, ultimately constructing an econometric model to explore the financing effects of biodiversity information disclosure from the perspectives of financing constraints, costs, and outcomes.

Results: The findings indicate a continuous increase in both the number and proportion of enterprises disclosing biodiversity information in China, demonstrating a stable growth trend with modest annual increases. However, challenges persist, including low disclosure quality, heightened industry polarization, and significant heterogeneity among enterprise types. Furthermore, biodiversity information disclosure exhibits significant effects on financing. Specifically, each increasing unit in enterprise biodiversity information disclosure can effectively reduce enterprise financing constraints by 2.02% to 5.07%, lower the cost of enterprise debt financing by 2.51% to 2.78%, lower the cost of enterprise equity financing by 1.55% to 1.83%, and facilitate adjustments to the enterprise financing structure, thereby decreasing (increasing) the proportion of debt (equity) in financing by 2.19%.

Policy Implications & Contributions: In light of these findings, policy recommendations are proposed in the study, including the implementation of financing incentive mechanisms, the establishment of standardized disclosure protocols, the monetization of biodiversity value, and an emphasis on disclosure trends among non-key industries. These recommendations are designed to enhance enterprise engagement in biodiversity protection and to mobilize enterprise resources towards the promotion of biodiversity-friendly practices within industry development.

Aim: Hemibagrus guttatus has historically been known as one of the “four famously economic fish in the Pearl River”. However, due to cascade development, water pollution, and overfishing, wild populations of H. guttatus have drastically declined. In February 2021, H. guttatus was listed as a national category II key protected wild animal species. The study is to investigate the population genetic structure and evolutionary history of H. guttatus to identify actions that can improve scientific management and protection of wild H. guttatus populations.

Methods: A total of H. guttatus samples were collected from 19 locations in the Pearl River and the Hanjiang River. We used multiple approaches, including phylogeny, divergence time estimation, and population genetics, to explore genetic diversity, genetic structure and population historical demography based on mitochondrial genomes.

Results: Genetic diversity analyses revealed nucleotide diversity in the H. guttatus populations of the Pearl River and Hanjiang River exhibit extremely low nucleotide diversity, indicating an urgent protection of H. guttatus populations is necessary. Phylogenetic trees and haplotype network indicated that H. guttatus populations in the Pearl River and the Hanjiang River formed independent lineages, with two sub-lineages present in the Pearl River. Divergence time estimation analysis suggests that the Pearl River populations and the Hanjiang River populations split between 0.284 and 0.401 million years ago (Ma), while the two sub-lineages in the Pearl River diverged between 0.092 to 0.132 Ma. Bayesian skyline plots suggested that overall H. guttatus populations experienced significant population contraction and expansion between 0.072 and 0.101 Ma and 0.024 and 0.033 Ma, respectively. This analysis also suggested that the Pearl River populations underwent significant population expansion between 0.024 and 0.032 Ma.

Conclusions: Results from this study suggest Pleistocene climate change in South China may be an important driving factor that triggered H. guttatuslineage divergence. Further, sea level fluctuations induced by the late Pleistocene glacial cycles and the Last Glacial Maximum may have influenced the distribution and effective population size of H. guttatus populations. Based on the results of this study, we recommend the following: (1) strengthen supervision of fisheries administration, (2) establish protected areas to maintain H. guttatushabitat, and (3) increase monitoring of Hanjiang River populations. Moreover, the maternal lineage of sampled fish should be determined (by mitochondrial sequencing) before reintroduction to avoid blind release of non-local parents or offsprings into local rivers. Implementation of these practices will help preserve, and even improve, the genetic diversity of H. guttatus, which will allow them to remain an important economic fish for years to come.

Aims Predicting the suitable habitats for threatened species and identifying biodiversity hotspots are highly effective for developing scientifically sound biodiversity conservation strategies. However, current research on the identification of suitable habitats and biodiversity hotspots primarily focused on animals and plants, with little consideration for macrofungi.

Methods We used species lists and distribution information obtained from baseline surveys of macrofungi and plant diversity conducted on Hainan Island between 2013 and 2022, as well as resources from the GBIF public database, to screen macrofungi (16 species) and plants (45) that were threatened or in need of priority protection. Using the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model, the suitable habitats for individual target species within the national park were first predicted. Biodiversity hotspot areas for macrofungi and plants were identified through distribution map layers overlay, and the similarities and differences between them were compared. These results were then compared with the current boundaries of the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park to evaluate the effectiveness and gaps in the protection of macrofungi and plants by the national park.

Results The results showed that the total area of biodiversity hotspot regions for macrofungi and plants across Hainan Island was 271.9 km² and 889.0 km², respectively, with an overlapping hotspot area of 214.0 km² (78.7%). Non-overlapping hotspot areas were 57.9 km² for macrofungi and 675.0 km² for plants. Macrofungi formed a substantial secondary hotspot region (2,412.8 km²) in the northeastern coastal area of Hainan Island, which was a cold spot region for plants. When considering both macrofungi and plants, the total hotspot area across Hainan Island was 601.0 km², with 572.8 km² (95.3%) located within the national park and 518.2 km² (86.2%) within the core protection zone of the national park, mainly concentrated in the mountain rainforest at an altitude of 700-1,200 m. There were 54.6 km² of hotspot areas within the general control zone of the national park and 28.2 km² of hotspot areas located outside the boundaries of the tropical rainforest national park in southeastern Hainan Island.

Conclusion Biodiversity conservation should be strengthened in these areas. Including macrofungi in biodiversity hotspot identification analysis can more effectively protect biodiversity and the integrity of ecosystems.

Aims Phyllosphere fungi play crucial roles in influencing plant health and contributing to biogeochemical cycling. This study aims to investigate the diversity and community structure of epiphytic fungi in the phyllosphere of two most common evergreen trees in Beijing, namely Pinus tabuliformis and Euonymus japonicus to provide the basic data for management of urban evergreen trees.

Methods In this study, we collected leaves samples from four sites in Beijing (Andingmen area, Hepingjie area, Yayuncun area, and Beiqijia area) during four seasons (January, April, July and November) and analyzed the diversity and community composition of epiphytic fungi using high-throughput sequencing technique.

Results A total of 2,051 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) was obtained from epiphytic fungi on P. tabuliformis while 1,970 ASVs were obtained from those on E. japonicus. The epiphytic fungi were dominated by Dothideomycetes, Leotiomycetes, and Tremellomycetes. Alpha diversity indices (Shannon diversity index, Chao1 richness index, Pielou evenness index) for epiphytic fungi varied among sampling plots but consistently showed lowest values at Hepingjie. The diversity showed a decreasing and then increasing trend from the center to north of the city. The three alpha diversity indices of fungi in P. tabuliformis varied in different months, while November had the highest index of fungi in E. japonicus during the four seasons. Result of non-metric multidimensional scaling revealed significant differences between composition patterns of epiphytic fungal communities associated with these two species (ANOSIM, P= 0.001). Linear discriminant analysis effect size identified significant biomarkers specific to each studied species, seven genera (e.g., Aureobasidium, Paraconiothyrium, Orbilia) served as biomarkers for P. tabuliformis, while seven fungal genera (e.g., Erysiphe, Alternaria, Nigrospora) represented biomarkers for E. japonicus. Regression analyses showed that mean precipitation was significantly and positively correlated with the abundance of epiphytic fungi in P. tabuliformis, and significantly and negatively correlated with the abundance of epiphytic fungi in E. japonicus. Network analysis identified the dominant core fungal genera for E. japonicus are Vacuiphoma, Mrakia, Curvularia, and Erysiphe, whereas Vacuiphoma was single core fungal genus for P. tabuliformis. The main functional groups of epiphytic fungi in the phyllosphere of P. tabuliformis and E. japonicus were pathotrophic and saprotrophic, respectively.

Conclusion The results of this study indicate that there is a significant difference in the composition of the epiphytic fungi in the phyllosphere between the two evergreen trees species and there are some patterns in the α diversity changes of different sites and seasons. Plant leaf diseases are most severe in April and should be emphasized for prevention and control.

Aims: Biological soil crusts are an important landscape in arid and semi-arid ecosystems. Leptolyngbya-like cyanobacteria are common groups of cyanobacteria found in biocrusts within arid ecosystem. However, their morphological characteristics are often subtle, making species-level differentiation based solely on morphological characteristics difficult. This study aims to enrich the understanding of the species diversity of biological crust cyanobacteria in arid and semi-arid regions by integrating morphological characteristics with molecular biology.
Method: In this study, six strains of Leptolyngbya-like cyanobacteria, isolated from the Gurbantunggut Desert and the Mu Us Desert, were identified by morphological characteristics, 16S rRNA molecular sequences, and ITS (internal transcribed spacer) secondary structure methods.
Results: The results showed that all the experimental cyanobacterial strains belonged to 4 species and 4 genus of 3 families, 2 orders, including Leptolyngbya boryana of Leptolyngbya and Myxacorys californica of Myxacorys in Leptolyngbyaceae, Trichocoleus desertorum of Trichocoleus in Trichocoleusaceae of Leptolynabgales, and Oculatella coburniia of Oculatella in Oculatellaceae of Oculatellales.
Conclusion: We found Oculatellales as a new record order in China, along with Trichocoleusaceae and Oculatellaceae as new record families, Myxacorys, Trichocoleus, and Oculatella as new record genera. Additionally, T. desertorum, M. californica, and O. coburniia are newly recorded species in China. These findings enhance our understanding of cyanobacterial diversity in biocrusts in desert areas.

Aim: Wildlife modify their daily activity to satisfy food demands, to breed, or to avoid mortality risk. Assessing patterns of wildlife activity is crucial for understanding adaptations to inter-species competition, predation risks, and human disturbances. Sika deer (Cervus nippon) is a primary prey species for tigers (Panthera tigris) and leopards (P. pardus) in the Northeast China. However, the sika deer’s habitat is disturbed by roads. This study assessed the influence of road disturbances on the activity patterns of sika deer, considering their gender, age, reproductive status, and seasonal activity. The aim is to deepen our understanding of behavioral changes in animals due to human disturbance, providing a scientific basis for future conservation and management of sika deer, tigers, and leopards in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park.

Methods: From April 2021 to March 2022, we deployed 41 pairs of camera traps along the road in Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park to collect data of sika deer activity. Based on gender, age, and reproductive status of individuals, we classified sika deer into five sex/age groups. We used the kernel density method to estimate diel activity patterns and activity levels of sika deer, based on 9,825 independent detections of the species. Furthermore, we compared the activity levels and patterns across different seasons, sex/age groups, and levels of road disturbance.

Results: Peak activity of sika deer was observed in June and October. Diel activity patterns varied across seasons, with sika deer being crepuscular during spring and summer, nocturnal in autumn, and diurnal in winter. Diel activity patterns differed between age and sex groups of sika deer; fawns were diurnal, while adults were predominantly crepuscular, with only adult males having an increased probability of nocturnal activity. The negative effects of roads on the activity patterns of sika deer were mainly observed in autumn, which coincided with peak human and vehicular activity. Moreover, sika deer exhibited significantly reduced activity levels near roads during autumn. At sites close to roads, all sex/age groups of sika deer tended to decrease their activity levels.

Conclusion: This study is the first to document seasonal differences in activity patterns and variations among sex/age groups of sika deer in Northeast China. Additionally, it addresses the impact of roads on the diel activity patterns and activity levels of sika deer, revealing that during the high-traffic autumn season, road disturbances significantly affect their activity patterns. Across sex/age groups, sika deer respond similarly to road disturbances, with a shorter period of activity to minimize exposure to road risks while maximizing food intake. Our study emphasizes the negative impact of human activities on the behavioral patterns of this ungulate species. Additionally, it also highlights the behavioral plasticity of sika deer in response to anthropogenic disturbance, suggesting their ability to efficiently utilize alternative food resources. Our methodology provides insights into wildlife management strategies, and we recommend long-term monitoring of wildlife population dynamics and behavioral responses, especially in the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park.

Aims: Soil bacteria play an important role in maintaining forest ecosystem function and soil nutrient cycling. The Huoditang forest area is a representative region in the southern slope of the Qinling Mountains, but the altitude distribution pattern of soil bacterial communities in its coniferous forests is still unclear. Our study aims to explore the distribution of soil bacterial communities in the Huoditang coniferous forests, as well as provide basic data and decision-making references for further research to protect the Qinling ecosystem.
Methods: Soil samples were collected from two typical coniferous forests (Tsuga chinensis forest and Larix principis-rupprechtii forest) from a range of altitudes. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used to characterize the soil microbial communities. Canonical correspondence and correlation analyses were used to identify the driving factors that affect the soil microbial communities in these areas.
Results: (1) There was no significant difference in the α-diversity of soil microbial communities in coniferous forests at different altitudes, but the β-diversity changed significantly. (2) The dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria, which accounted for 66.02%-73.78% of the total bacteria. At the genus level, the bacterial community composition varied greatly with altitude. (3) Our LEfSe (linear discriminant analysis effect size) and FAPROTAX (functional annotation of prokaryotic taxa) functional prediction also indicated that high-altitude coniferous forest soils were mainly enriched in Proteobacteria with nitrogen (N) cycle-related functions, while low- and mid-altitude coniferous forest soils were largely enriched in Acidobacteria and carbon (C) cycle-related functions. (4) Altitude, pH, TK and C/N were also correlated with bacterial community structure. Proteobacteria were positively correlated with altitude and C/N, while Acidobacteria were negatively correlated. However, Actinobacteria were negatively correlated with pH and positively correlated with TK.
Conclusion: In summary, the composition and structure of soil bacterial communities in the Huoditang coniferous forests changed significantly with the altitudinal gradient, which greatly influenced their function. Together, this study creates an in-depth understanding of the changes and driving mechanisms of soil bacterial community composition in the Huoditang coniferous forests and provides a theoretical basis for their conservation and ecological restoration in the Qinling Mountains.

Background: Conservation activities in China have raised public awareness about plant diversity, but these efforts have not been sufficient to enhance a true understanding of plant evolution and the underlying principles and objectives of biodiversity conservation. A more effective communication and profound education of plant diversity from an evolutionary perspective is paramount for a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity and appreciation of the significance of biodiversity conservation. Most references to plant biodiversity focus on species identification and classification, with limited attention to evolutionary perspectives.

Summary: Here, we introduce the global “Plant Phylogeny Posters” project, a portfolio of educational tools developed by the German-American botanist Theodor C. H. Cole. This project is aimed to present clear overviews of plant diversity and relationships from a phylogenetic perspective from recent systematic and evolutionary studies in botany, providing the means for a better understanding of plant diversity and evolution. The posters display the phylogenetic trees of major plant taxa at different ranks alongside morphological characteristics, geographical distributions, and the number of plants at each rank.

Progress & Perspectives: Through the collaborative efforts of 45 Chinese researchers from various universities and research institutions, all 70 posters of this project have now been translated into Chinese and made freely available worldwide. This project promises to improve the understanding of plant biodiversity and conservation efforts in China.

Aims: In the face of the extinction crisis primarily driven by human activities, understanding the dynamics of forest succession under varying disturbance regimes is more vital than ever. This study seeks to examine the influences of disturbances on the successional dynamics of species diversity in mid-subtropical forests, aiming to provide scientific insights for biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration efforts.

Methods: We selected four typical forests within the Qianjiangyuan section of the Qianjiangyuan-Baishanzu National Park candidate area: evergreen broad-leaved old-growth forests (PR), once-disturbed secondary forests (MD), twice-disturbed secondary forests (SD), and Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) plantation forests (PL). A total of 12 1-ha forest dynamics plots (three plots for each forest type) were established in 2009 and recensused every five years. In each census, all free-standing stems ≥ 1 cm in DBH (diameter at breast height) were measured, mapped, and identified to species. With those data, we measured species diversity using four indices: species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson diversity index, and Pielou’s evenness index, collectively to explore the trajectories and rates of successions of biodiversity under different disturbance regimes.

Results: Our longitudinal data revealed that species richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, and Simpson diversity index in PR, MD, and PL increased over succession, while they decreased in SD. Pielou’s evenness index showed divergent dynamics: it initially increased and then decreased in PR and MD, whereas it consistently increased in SD and PL. Noticeably, when Chinese fir was excluded, Pielou’s evenness index in PL decreased over time. The succession rate of various species diversity indices generally showed a declining trend over time, but the rate of species richness and Pielou’s evenness index was mostly not significant. Affected by snow and ice disasters, the successional trajectory of PR deviated from its stable state. The succession rate of species richness in the early recovery stage of the impaired PR was significantly higher than in other forests and decreased significantly over time, while the succession rate of Pielou’s evenness index was low and showed no significant change over time. The succession rate of Pielou’s evenness index in PL was significantly higher than in other forests and decreased significantly over time, while the succession rate of species richness was low and showed no significant difference from MD and SD.

Conclusion: We underscore the differentiated effects of disturbances on the succession of species diversity in subtropical forests. PR demonstrated a high capacity for self-recovery after disturbances, while SD exhibited a decline in species richness, emphasizing the critical role of disturbances in shaping community succession. Our results inform conservation strategies by suggesting that restoration efforts should be tailored to the disturbance history and succession stage of each forest type. For highly disturbed areas like PL, active restoration measures such as tree thinning are necessary to enhance biodiversity recovery, whereas PR might benefit from minimal intervention due to their inherent capacity for self-recovery. This research contributes to global efforts to halt biodiversity loss and promote sustainable forest management by providing evidence-based insights into the complex relationships between disturbance, succession, and species diversity.

Background & Aims: In recent years, bioacoustics monitoring has emerged as a crucial tool for biodiversity conservation, enabling a continuous, real-time, and non-invasive means to gather data on various species and their habitats. This method provides superior efficiency and coverage compared to traditional field surveys and observations. However, the vast amount of diverse bioacoustics data generated presents significant challenges in terms of storage, management, and analysis. This review aims to systematically outline the characteristics and management standards of bioacoustics data archives. It highlights the latest advancements in recording and storage technologies and explores the value and challenges of bioacoustics data archiving in practical applications. Additionally, this review also provides an overview of the current state of bioacoustics databases and data-sharing platforms, both domestically and internationally.

Progress: Bioacoustics data archives are systematic repositories dedicated to the preservation and management of bioacoustics data. These archives include raw audio recordings, metadata detailing recording times, locations, and equipment specifications, and processed data derived from species identification and classification tools. These archives are essential for biodiversity conservation efforts, as they store crucial data on species’ vocalizations, behaviors, and interactions. Standardized management protocols are essential for ensuring data integrity, accessibility, and usability. Recent technological advances have facilitated better data collection, processing, and storage methods, making bioacoustics monitoring more scalable and sophisticated.

Conclusion: The development and implementation of advanced bioacoustics data management and archiving systems are pivotal for effective biodiversity monitoring and conservation. By leveraging the latest technological advancements, bioacoustics data archives can significantly enhance automated data annotation, storage efficiency, intelligent retrieval, and real-time sharing capabilities. These improvements will help meet the increasing demands of bioacoustics monitoring, evaluation, and historical baseline establishment, thereby significantly supporting biodiversity conservation efforts.

Aims: The study aims to investigate the fish composition and diversity patterns in the source region of the Yangtze River, one of the most critical water conservation zones worldwide.

Methods: Field surveys were conducted in the headwaters of the Yangtze River, including the Tuotuo, Chumaer, Dam Qu, Tongtian, and Dadu rivers in Qinghai Province from 2021 to 2022. Data on the presence and abundance of fish, as well as environmental factors, were collected during the surveys.

Results: A total of 26 species (and subspecies) were recorded in the field surveys, belonging to 12 genera, 3 families, and 2 orders. Analysis of the index of relative importance (IRI) revealed that Schizopygopsis malacanthus and Herzensteinia microcephalus were the dominant species. Seven species are newly recorded, including four native species and three non-native species. Alpha diversity indices showed higher species diversity in the Tongtian and Dadu rivers compared to other tributaries, while the Yalong River exhibited a more uneven species distribution. Similarity coefficient analysis and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) indicated significant differences in species composition among tributaries, highlighting the influence of geographic isolation and ecological adaptation on fish diversity. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed notable differences in fish community structures across different river systems, with water temperature and altitude identified as key determinant factors. Spatial autocorrelation analysis indicated that the fish distribution patterns were random, with a slight tendency towards clustering. The Getis-Ord Gi* analysis identified two hotspots in the Dadu and the Tongtian rivers.

Conclusion: This study provides updated information on the fish composition in headwaters of the Yangtze River and enhances our understanding of spatial variations in fish diversity in the region. These findings lay the foundation for scientific management and conservation of native fish in the source region of the Yangtze River.

Aims: Since 2020, the average annual number of changes in plant names in China has accounted for roughly 1.5% of all changes. Although these plant name changes are not large, cumulative changes over time should not be ignored. Indeed, it is necessary to annually compile information on new taxa, records, and name changes to Chinese plants to integrate these changes into the Catalogue of Life China in a timely manner to facilitate more accurate references for academia and research.

Methods: We collected data on newly discovered taxa and name changes for Chinese higher plants by reviewing 233 journals and related monographs, supplemented by cross-referencing and systematic review using various online databases to ensure the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the compiled information. This compilation involved 419 articles from 63 journals and 4 monographs, and mainly focused on the new taxa and nomenclatural changes in higher plants in 2023.

Results: In 2023, China reported several new taxonomic findings, including 14 genera, 241 species (including new hybrid species), 13 infraspecific taxa, 13 higher taxa (including 7 subfamilies, 4 supertribes, and 2 tribes), 2 subgenera, and 6 sections in higher plants. Additionally, 185 novel combinations (173 at the species level and 12 at the infraspecific level) and 15 new names were published. At the national level, 1 new record family, 5 new record genus, 82 new record species, and 4 new record infraspecies were recently documented. Furthermore, 86 names were synonymized into 58 names. Five species that had not been observed for many years were rediscovered, and one species distribution was excluded. Among the newly published species, there were 9 bryophytes, 23 pteridophytes (including 1 infraspecific taxon), 1 gymnosperm hybrid, and 221 angiosperms (including 2 hybrids and 12 infraspecific taxa). Detailed molecular evidence was provided for 116 of these novel species at the time of publication that account for 46% of all new species. Additionally, 62 species were assessed as threatened according to IUCN standards upon their publication, which represents 24% of all new species. By location, the four southwestern provinces, i.e. Yunnan, Xizang, Guangxi, and Sichuan, published the highest number of new species and accounted for two-thirds of the total new species reported nationwide. In particular, Mêdog County recorded the highest number of new species among county-level administrative units, with 14 new species and records. Likewise, Yingjiang County reported the highest number of national new records, with 21 new plant records documented.

Conclusion: In 2023, China witnessed a net increase of 262 new taxa of higher plants that accounts for roughly 0.56% of all Chinese higher plant species. In addition, 200 names underwent changes, which accounts for 0.43%. These changes represented 0.99% of all Chinese higher plant names modified in 2023 and encompasses both species additions and nomenclature treatments. Multiple indicators suggest that the number of newly published plant taxa and name changes in China are beginning to show a downward trend. However, data tracking and analysis are needed to determine if this decline will continue in the future.

Aim: To collate and report new vertebrate species discovered in China in 2023.

Method: This paper summarizes the basic information about discoveries of vertebrate species from academic literature published in 2023, including 73 citations.

Results: In 2023, 93 vertebrate species were discovered in China, including 69 species new to science, 15 species not previously reported in China, and 9 valid species that were upgraded from subspecies. These species belong to 14 orders, 40 families, and 61 genera. Among them, there are 18 new species of fish; 31 species of amphibian, including 23 new species and 8 newly recorded in China; 22 species of reptile, including 21 new species and 1 newly recorded in China; 10 species of bird, including 4 species upgraded from subspecies and 6 newly recorded in China; 12 species of mammal, including 7 new species, 1 newly recorded in China, and 4 species upgraded from subspecies. Ectotherm vertebrates account for 76% of new discoveries; most of the fishes, amphibians, reptiles, and birds were species of Cypriniformes (15/18), Anura (27/31), Squamata (21/22), and Passeriformes (8/10), respectively, while most of mammals were species of Eulipotyphla (6/12) or Rodentia (5/12). These 93 newly discovered vertebrates were recorded in 21 provincial regions. Of these species, 79 were recorded in only one provincial region, while there were 29, 13, 10, 10, and 9 new species recorded in Yunnan, Xizang, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Guizhou, respectively. A total of 79 of these discovered species have been supported by molecular systematics. There were 82 species published in academic journals, 14 of which were published in two English journals in China and 3 of which were published in two Chinese journals.

Conclusion: This article provides basic information needed for the classification and protection of vertebrate species in China. In addition, it indicates that ectotherm vertebrates may be the hot group of vertebrate species studied in diversity research in China, and an integrated classification approach is essential to support future taxonomic studies.

Aims: Litter constitutes a crucial component of forest ecosystems, playing significant roles in biogeochemical cycling, energy flow, and nutrient balance. Nevertheless, understanding the mechanisms by which biotic and abiotic factors influence litter production in heterogeneous natural forest ecosystems remains contentious. This study aims to investigate the long-term dynamics and influential factors affecting litter production in karst forests within subtropical regions.

Methods: In this study, we set up 151 litter traps, and collected litter monthly from 2018 to 2022 in a 25-ha karst evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest dynamics plot in the Mulun National Nature Reserve, Guangxi Province. All litter in each trap was dried, classified and weighed.

Results: The average annual litter production in karst forests was 5,946.55 ± 77.27 kg/ha, with significant inter-annual variability. The proportion of each litter component ranked as follows: leaves (63.26%) > debris (24.89%) > twigs (12.79%). Seasonal patterns for total litter and leaf litter production were similar, displaying a bimodal trend with peaks in spring (March-April) and fall (September-October). Monthly dynamics of branch litter followed a unimodal pattern, peaking in autumn (around October), while debris showed a bimodal pattern with peaks in spring (May) and fall (October), respectively. The species diversity, convexity, mean diameter at breast height (DBH), were the main driving factors of litter production within a 5 m radius neighborhood around the traps. The results of the structural equation model indicated that the species diversity, DBH, and convexity have a direct influence on the total litter production, while slope had an indirect influence on the total litter production through altering species diversity.

Conclusion: Five years of continuous monitoring have revealed significant seasonal variations in litter production within the karst evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest. Both biotic and topographic factors collectively affected the spatial variability of litter production.

Aims: With the rapid expansion of road networks, the conflict between transportation development and ecological conservation has become increasingly prominent, garnering significant attention from ecologists. Research on road ecology has indicated that roads can fragment animal habitats, reduce connectivity between populations, and severely impact biodiversity. Among these impacts, animal vehicle collisions (i.e., roadkill) represent the most direct and significant threat to wildlife.

Methods: This research investigated the incidence of animal vehicle collisions in Nanjing, a mega city in East China. From November 2020 to October 2021, transect survey method was employed to investigate roadkill incidents across roads of different administrative levels in Nanjing. Regression analysis was used to explore the probability of roadkill incidents, and models were established to further clarify the impact of roads and surrounding environmental factors on the probability of animal roadkill.

Results: Our findings revealed that: (1) A total of 293 roadkill incidents involving 21 species were recorded during the survey period. Mammals accounted for 46.42% of the incidents, with cats (Felis catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) being the most common, while birds accounted for 48.81%, with the Chinese Blackbird (Turdus mandarinus) and Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) being predominant. (2) The proportion of arable land (dryland and irrigated farmland) and buildings (buildings and structures) in natural landscape significantly influenced the probability of roadkill incidents. Specifically, within a 250 m radius around the road, the coverage proportion of arable land and buildings was significantly negatively correlated with the occurrence probability of roadkill incidents. As cultivated land coverage increased, the probability of roadkill of birds decreased, while the probability of mammals’ roadkill increased, showed completely opposite trends. (3) The road characteristic affected the probability of animal vehicle collisions; roads with isolation belts were associated with an increased probability of roadkill incidents. (4) Linear features (distance to the nearest river, the nearest viaduct and the nearest main road) also affected the incidence of bird’s roadkill events. Birds had fewer vehicle collisions the farther they were from rivers, but more collisions while the farther they were from viaducts and main roads.

Conclusion: This study represents the first periodic investigation into terrestrial vertebrate roadkill in Nanjing. It preliminarily identifies the natural landscape and road factors that influence animal roadkill in Nanjing, thereby providing foundational knowledge to inform strategic decisions regarding regional road network optimization, infrastructure enhancements, ecological corridor establishment, and management strategies.

China serves as a global biodiversity hotspot for Gesneriaceae, with particularly high species richness and exceptional endemism rates concentrated in its southwestern regions. The family Gesneriaceae is characterized by its rich biological diversity, reproductive and nutritional organ phenotypic polymorphism, and a pan-tropical distribution pattern. These characteristics make this taxon a primary focus in research related to biogeography, evolutionary ecology, conservation biology, and more. Despite the importance of Gesneriaceae, investigations concerning its biodiversity in China have been limited to cataloging species, or some other generic analyses. This has left a gap in understanding the diversity distribution patterns of Gesneriaceae throughout China. To fill this gap, this study compiled literature and specimen data to catalogue Gesneriaceae and establish a geographic distribution database for China’s known Gesneriaceae. The findings reveal that Gesneriaceae primarily inhabit the tri-junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, as well as the Hengduan Mountains, southeastern Tibet, and across southern provinces. As of 30 June 2024, the Gesneriaceae in China comprised 46 genera and 880 species (including 58 varieties). Among these, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region had the most species (324), followed by Yunnan Province (319 species) and then Guizhou Province (159 species). At the county scale, Malipo County (70 species) and Pingbian Miao Autonomous County (63 species) of Yunnan Province had the most Gesneriaceae diversity. These invaluable findings will enable Chinese researchers to further their investigations and conservation efforts related to Gesneriaceae.

Aim: Elton’s foundational ideas on “diversity-invasibility” and “diversity-stability” relationships have long been central to ecological research, yet the link between these concepts remains largely unexplored. It remains unclear whether diversity reduces invasions by enhancing community temporal stability, and thereby making stability a primary mechanism by which diversity resists invasion.

Methods: We conducted an in situ experiment at the Shanghai Urban Biodiversity Education Base to simulate the invasion processes by transplanting Solidago canadensisseedlings into native herbaceous communities. We then measured the biomass of the invader, to assess the relationship between species diversity, phylogenetic diversity, temporal stability, canopy closure of the native communties, and the growth performance of the invader.

Results: We found that both species diversity and phylogenetic diversity of native communities, particularly when assessed by cover-weighted measures, were generally positively correlated with invader biomass. These diversity measures also generally showed a positive correlation with the temporal stability of native communities. However, invader biomass was not significantly related to community temporal stability but was negatively related to canopy closure. Structural equation modeling indicated that higher diversity and lower canopy closure of native communities increased invader biomass, and the positive relationship between diversity and invader biomass offset the potential negative effect of diversity on invasion by enhancing temporal stability.

Conclusions: This study elucidates that species diversity and phylogenetic diversity, along with temporal stability, can exert complex influences on community invasibility, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying the “diversity-invasibility” relationship.

Aims: Leaf functional traits, as essential indicators of plant photosynthesis, effectively reflect the species’ strategies for survival, growth, and reproduction in response to environmental changes. However, whether tradeoff strategies for leaf functional traits vary significantly with temporal scale is still lacking sufficient evidence. This study aims to clarify the characteristics of leaf functional traits in subtropical mixed plantations and their response patterns to forest succession, enhancing our understanding of community assembly processes.

Method: This study was conducted in the subtropical mixed plantations formed after the renovation of pure forest of Cunninghamia lanceolata in Yunyong Forest Farm, Foshan City, from 2003 to 2010. In 2018, data were collected from twenty-seven 20 m × 20 m fixed plots from nine sites, and sampling data of six leaf functional traits. The adaptive characteristics and response rules of different leaf functional traits to forest succession were analyzed. First, we calculated the mean, coefficient of variation, intraspecific and interspecific variation of leaf functional traits. Second, we used regression and correlation analyses to determine the changes and trade-offs of different leaf functional traits throughout forest succession. Finally, multiple stepwise regression analysis and hierarchical partitioning methods were employed to explore the influencing factors of leaf functional trait patterns.

Results: The results revealed that: (1) The leaf functional traits had strong plasticity during succession of subtropical mixed plantations. The coefficient of variation of different leaf functional traits ranged from 5.63% to 70.98%, and the interspecific variation was greater than intraspecific variation. (2) The ecological strategy of co-existing species changed from conservative to acquisitive along the forest succession of subtropical mixed plantations. (3) Forest succession significantly affected the correlations between different leaf functional traits. Notably, the correlations between specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf organic carbon content (LC), leaf total nitrogen content (LN), and leaf total phosphorus content (LP) strengthened as succession progressed. This indicates that the environmental context’s impact on plant functional trait trade-offs cannot be overlooked, even on a local spatial scale. (4) Recovery time, the changes of species composition and alterations in leaf functional traits collectively influenced the patterns of leaf functional traits across different succession stages. However, the relative contribution of each factor varied depending on the specific functional trait studied.

Conclusion: The results reveal the response patterns and influencing factors of leaf functional traits during forest succession in subtropical mixed plantations. These findings provide a theoretical basis for future species election in afforestation efforts based on plant functional traits in the future.

Aims: The leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) is a small felid widespread in Asia and serves as a primary predator in North China’s temperate forest ecosystem, after the mega-carnivores such as the leopard went extinct from the region. Despite its ecological resilience and adaptivity, whether the leopard cat can survive in nearest proximity to urban Beijing remains unknown. Field surveys of the presence of leopard cats in the suburban Beijing and evaluation of the environmental factors associated with its distribution will set the stage for elucidating the pattern of human-wildlife coexistence around a megacity of China like Beijing.

Methods: From October 2022 to June 2023, we conducted 16 transect line surveys in search of leopard cats in the nearest mountainous area west of urban Beijing. The region refers to the Western Beijing Crescent Bay Mountains that covers the wilderness landmarks of Mt. Baiwang-Fragrant Hills-West Mountains-Mt. Jiufeng-Mt. Yangtai-Mt. Miaofeng-Mt. Fenghuangling-Baihujian. The presence of leopard cats was examined through non-invasive sampling of scat samples, DNA extraction, and species identification based on DNA barcoding analysis. By integrating species presence information and eight selected environmental variables, we constructed an ensemble model to assess the impact of various environmental factors on the species distribution.

Results: We validated 258 sites of leopard cat presence from cumulative 180 km trails in the Western Beijing Crescent Bay Mountains survey area. For a relatively continuous habitat, the occurrence of leopard cats was primarily influenced by anthropogenic variables, with the distance to artificial infrastructure (42.71%) and hiking intensity (20.12%) being the two primary factors. A buffer distance of at least 1,000 m from major human facility was required for a habitat to be considered suitable for leopard cats around Beijing. While the distance to artificial infrastructure displayed a positive correlation with the presence of leopard cats, hiking intensity exerted relatively little impact, suggesting the leopard cat’s tolerance to moderate human activities to certain extent.

Conclusions: The existence of a wild leopard cat population is confirmed in the mountainous area on the outskirts of Beijing, illustrating the prospect for human-wildlife co-existence around China’s capital city. This preliminary survey suggests that as far as relatively intact habitat could be preserved on a landscape scale with minimum anthropogenic disturbance, a generalist species such as the leopard cat may be ecologically resilient enough to survive in nearest proximity to an urban region.