Abstract:

Aims: Establishing biodiversity baselines is essential for advancing a national park–centered protected area system in China. This study aims to document bird and mammal diversity in the Xizang Mangkang Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey National Nature Reserve and to examine the seasonal spatial occupancy patterns of selected representative species based on long-term camera-trap monitoring. 

Methods: From December 2021 to July 2025, a total of 122 infrared camera traps were deployed across the reserve and adjacent areas for continuous wildlife monitoring. Species richness and relative abundance were summarized for all detected birds and mammals. Based on data completeness and representativeness, five representative species, i.e., Vulpes vulpes, Capricornis milneedwardsii, Rhinopithecus bieti, Crossoptilon crossoptilon, and Ithaginis cruentus, were selected for single-season occupancy modeling to evaluate seasonal differences in spatial occupancy and altitudinal habitat use. 

Results: The survey recorded 26 mammal species (12 families, 4 orders) and 51 bird species (18 families, 8 orders). Six species were listed as National Class I Protected Wild Animals—Panthera pardus, Moschus berezovskii, Moschus chrysogaster, Rhinopithecus bieti, Tetrastes sewerzowi, and Tetraophasis szechenyii—and 20 species as National Class II Protected Wild Animals. Among mammals, the tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus), woolly hare (Lepus oiostolus), Chinese serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii), rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes) exhibited higher relative abundance. Among birds, Ithaginis cruentus, Crossoptilon crossoptilon, and Tetraophasis szechenyii were dominant. Occupancy probabilities differed significantly among species and seasons. Vulpes vulpes showed the highest mean annual occupancy (ψ = 0.64), followed by Capricornis milneedwardsii (ψ = 0.44), Rhinopithecus bieti (ψ = 0.43), and Crossoptilon crossoptilon (ψ = 0.43), whereas Ithaginis cruentus exhibited relatively lower occupancy (ψ = 0.41). 

Conclusions: Overall, seasonal spatial use patterns differed substantially among species, indicating strong species-specific responses. These variations were associated with multiple environmental factors, including vegetation conditions, topographic features, and water availability. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of bird and mammal diversity in the reserve and clarifies the seasonal spatial occupancy patterns of selected representative large- and medium-sized mammals and ground-dwelling birds, offering a robust scientific basis for biodiversity conservation planning and adaptive management within the reserve.

Key words: Xizang Mangkang Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey National Nature Reserve, camera trapping, biodiversity, occupancy model