Biodiv Sci ›› 2021, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (6): 805-810.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2020349

• Bioinventories • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Using camera traps to survey mammals and birds in Sichuan Xuebaoding National Nature Reserve

Yunrui Ji1,2, Yi Tao3, Changlin Li3, Diqiang Li1,2, Ding Zhao3,*(), Fang Liu1,2,*()   

  1. 1 Institute of Forest Ecology, Environment and Protection, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091
    2 Key Laboratory of Biodiversity Conservation, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Beijing 100091
    3 Sichuan Xuebaoding National Nature Reserve Administration, Pingwu, Sichuan 622550
  • Received:2020-08-31 Accepted:2020-12-29 Online:2021-06-20 Published:2021-01-11
  • Contact: Ding Zhao,Fang Liu

Abstract:

Aim: To investigate the diversity and spatial distribution of mammals and birds in Xuebaoding National Nature Reserve, camera traps were set up in the reserve from April 2017 to October 2018 and from April 2019 to October 2019.

Methods: The reserve was divided into 1-km2blocks within a Geographic Information System. Blocks were set up according to habitat type, and each habitat type had a camera. However, some cameras were moved to adjacent blocks due to poor location and other reasons six months after initial placement. A total of 195 camera traps were set up in 152 sites within 123 blocks.

Results: A total of 6,316 independent images were obtained over 30,792 camera-trapping days. Among them, 105 species were identified from camera trap images, including 27 mammal species belonging to 4 orders and 13 families, and 78 avian species belonging to 5 orders and 20 families. Among them, 7 species are listed in Class I national protected animals including Rhinopithecus roxellana, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, Moschus berezovskii, Budorcas tibetanus, Tetraophasis obscurus, Lophophorus lhuysii, and Aquila chrysaetos, while 12 species are listed as Class II national protected animals including Macaca thibetana, Tetraogallus tibetanus, etc. The results showed that the top five mammals with the highest photographic rate (PR) from high to low were Naemorhedus griseus, Pseudois nayaur, Sciurotamias davidianus, Sus scrofaand Arctonyx collaris. Additionally, the top five birds with the highest PR were Ithaginis cruentus, Lerwa lerwa, Tetraogallus tibetanus, Tragopan temminckiiand Lophophorus lhuysii. Additionally, livestock and human activities were recorded at 26 and 22 camera sites, respectively.

Conclusions: The results indicate that there is wide diversity of wild animals in Xuebaoding National Nature Reserve, along with diversity of rare and endangered animals. For example, giant pandas are abundant and widely distributed in the reserve. However, our results show that pandas and livestock spatially overlap in some areas. Consequently, we suggest the reserve should strengthen the control of grazing livestock and raise the protection awareness of surrounding residents through community publicity.

Key words: camera-trapping survey, mammals, birds, species diversity, Xuebaoding National Nature Rreserve