Habitat suitability evaluation of Macaca leucogenys in the Xizang Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve

doi:10.17520/biods.2024493

Abstract

Abstract:

Aims: The white-cheeked macaque (Macaca leucogenys), a primate species of the genus Macaca, is classified as a Class II National Protected Animal in China. It is a newly discovered mammal species, first identified and named by Chinese scholars in the Medog area in 2015. Due to its limited distribution range and small population size, research on the habitat suitability of Macaca leucogenys remains scarce.

Methods: To understand the distribution patterns of Macaca leucogenys, this study integrated infrared camera surveys and sample line data, with multiple environmental variables, including canopy height, human influence index (HII), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), elevation, aspect, slope, and 19 bioclimatic factors. We applied the MaxEnt model to systematically analyze the species’ current habitat distribution and key influencing factors within the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve, Xizang. Additionally, we predicted habitat change trends based on the habitat conditions of the region under different future climate scenarios.

Results: (1) The MaxEnt models, fitted with the selected factors, achieved an AUC (area under the curve) value of 0.924, indicating a high level of prediction accuracy; (2) the key environmental variables affecting the current distribution of Macaca leucogenys were precipitation of wettest month (bio 13), human influence index (HII), temperature annual range (bio 7) and precipitation seasonality (bio 15); (3) under current climate conditions, the most suitable habitats for Macaca leucogenys are primarily concentrated in the experimental area of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve, with some high-suitability areas extending into Damu core area; (4) under future climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP3-7.0) for the 2050s, the suitable habitat area for Macaca leucogenys is projected to increase compared to the current climate conditions.

Conclusion: This study provides theoretical and foundational data for understanding the current and future distribution of Macaca leucogenys, which is important for designing effective conservation strategies for this endangered species.

Key words: Macaca leucogenys, Xizang Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve, MaxEnt model, habitat suitability evaluation, climate change

Jinbo Xu, Yaqian Cui, Yuan Wang, Weibo Wang, Feng Liu, Guanglong Wang, Jingjing Hu, Dunzhu Pubu, Duoji Bianba, Zeng Dan, Kai Hu, Xiaochuan Wang, Gang Song, Yonglei Lü, Zhixin Wen. Habitat suitability evaluation of Macaca leucogenys in the Xizang Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon National Nature Reserve[J]. Biodiv Sci, 2025, 33(7): 24493.

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URL: https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/10.17520/biods.2024493

https://www.biodiversity-science.net/EN/Y2025/V33/I7/24493

Figures/Tables 7

References 31

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变量 Variable	描述 Description	单位 Unit
bio 7	气温年较差 Temperature annual range	℃
bio 13	最湿月降水量 Precipitation of wettest month	mm
bio 15	降水季节性 Precipitation seasonality
Altitude	海拔 Altitude	m
Aspect	坡向 Aspect	°
Slope	坡度 Slope	°
HII	人类影响指数 Human influence index	-

变量 Variable	描述 Description	单位 Unit
bio 7	气温年较差 Temperature annual range	℃
bio 13	最湿月降水量 Precipitation of wettest month	mm
bio 15	降水季节性 Precipitation seasonality
Altitude	海拔 Altitude	m
Aspect	坡向 Aspect	°
Slope	坡度 Slope	°
HII	人类影响指数 Human influence index	-

气候情景 Climate scenario	适生区等级 Suitable habitat level	核心区 Core zone (km²)	缓冲区 Buffer zone (km²)	实验区 Experimental zone (km²)
当前气候 Current climate	高适生区 High suitable habitat	24	10	251
	中适生区 Medium suitable habitat	149	75	358
	低适生区 Low suitable habitat	362	105	938
SSP1-2.6	高适生区 High suitable habitat	58	39	276
	中适生区 Medium suitable habitat	161	135	502
	低适生区 Low suitable habitat	447	225	817
SSP3-7.0	高适生区 High suitable habitat	74	54	292
	中适生区 Medium suitable habitat	171	144	427
	低适生区 Low suitable habitat	405	207	934

气候情景 Climate scenario	适生区等级 Suitable habitat level	核心区 Core zone (km²)	缓冲区 Buffer zone (km²)	实验区 Experimental zone (km²)
当前气候 Current climate	高适生区 High suitable habitat	24	10	251
	中适生区 Medium suitable habitat	149	75	358
	低适生区 Low suitable habitat	362	105	938
SSP1-2.6	高适生区 High suitable habitat	58	39	276
	中适生区 Medium suitable habitat	161	135	502
	低适生区 Low suitable habitat	447	225	817
SSP3-7.0	高适生区 High suitable habitat	74	54	292
	中适生区 Medium suitable habitat	171	144	427
	低适生区 Low suitable habitat	405	207	934

环境变量 Environmental variables	贡献率 Percent contribution (%)	置换重要性 Permutation importance (%)
最湿月降水量 Precipitation of wettest month (bio 13)	52.4	70.5
人类影响指数 Human influence index (HII)	30.5	14.4
气温年较差 Temperature annual range (bio 7)	8	4.8
降水季节性 Precipitation seasonality (bio 15)	4	6.7
坡向 Aspect	3.8	2.3
坡度 Slope	1.2	0.8
海拔 Altitude	0.1	0.5