Biodiv Sci ›› 2018, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (6): 620-626.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2017082

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Preliminary surveys of wild animals using infrared camera in Wanglang National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province

Cheng Tian1, Junqing Li1,*(), Xuyu Yang2, Lin Yu3, Dan Yuan3, Yunxi Li3   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory for Forest Resources & Ecosystem Processes of Beijing, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083;
    2 Wildlife Resources Investigation and Protection Management Station, Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610082
    3 Wanglang National Nature Reserve Administration Bureau, Sichuan Province, Mianyang, Sichuan 622550
  • Received:2018-03-20 Accepted:2018-04-08 Online:2018-06-20 Published:2018-09-11
  • Contact: Li Junqing
  • About author:

    # Co-first authors

Abstract:

We used infrared camera to monitor wild animals in Wanglang National Nature Reserve. Our goal was to estimate species diversity, the relationship between the number of cameras and number of species, the relationship between the camera days and number of species, and the relative abundance of species. Across 42 locations, we recorded a total of 1,793 images in which we found 25 species of wildlife. Species found in our camera traps included three national first-class protected species such as giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), Sichuan takin (Budorcas tibetanus) and buff-throated partridge (Tetraophasis szechenyii). We also recorded eight national second-class protected wild animals such as the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), Chinese serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii), Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus). These 25 species were captured when we increased the number of trap-days increased to 23 or any single the trap was placed for at least 180 days. Furthermore the blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) (29.28) and the tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) (15.78) had the highest relative abundances in the reserve. The relative abundance index for the giant panda was 8.09 and the indices for temminck’s tragopan (Tragopan temminckii), Chinese serow and buff-throated partridge was between 2 and 5. The Chinese goral, koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha), Asiatic black bear, Sichuan takin and blue eared-pheasant (Crossoptilon auritum) had the lowest relative abundance values (all < 1). In summary, we found camera-trapping to be an effective method for wildlife survey. Our findings suggest that less abundant species need more camera trapping effort. Nature reserves are important for protecting habitats of endangered species.

Key words: infrared camera, Wanglang National Nature Reserve, species diversity, relative abundance index