Biodiv Sci ›› 2026, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (4): 25435.  DOI: 10.17520/biods.2025435  cstr: 32101.14.biods.2025435

• Original Papers: Animal Diversity • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Camera-trap-based assessment of bird and mammal diversity and seasonal occupancy patterns of representative species in the Mangkang Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey National Nature Reserve, Xizang, China

Tong Zhang1,#(), Liwen Liang2,#, Changjian Wang3,4, Fu Shu1, Lu Wang5, Zeguang Guo2, quzhen Zhuoma6, Qian Qian2, Anli Jiang2, Junjie Ao1, Xingwen Peng1, Xiaogang Wu2,7, Zuofu Xiang3, Keji Guo1,3,*(), Ziyan Liao2,7,*()()   

  1. 1 Central South Survey and Planning Institute, National Forestry and Grassland Administration, Changsha 410014, China
    2 Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Biodiversity Conservation on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610213, China
    3 Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
    4 Hunan Agriculture and Forestry Industry Survey, Planning and Design Institute Co., Ltd., Changsha 410004, China
    5 Institute of Ecological Conservation and Restoration, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
    6 Forestry and Grassland Administration of Mangkang County, Changdu, Xizang 854000, China
    7 Mangkang Biodiversity and Ecological Monitoring Station, Changdu, Xizang 854000, China
  • Received:2025-11-03 Accepted:2026-02-19 Online:2026-04-20 Published:2026-05-28
  • Contact: *E-mail: guokeji@126.com; liaozy@cib.ac.cn
  • About author:#Co-first authors
  • Supported by:
    Science and Technology Projects of Xizang Autonomous Region, China(XZ202601ZY0203);Biodiversity Monitoring Project under the Ecological Protection System Construction Program of the Mangkang Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey National Nature Reserve, Xizang(GZFCG2022-7627);Project on Population Abundance, Distribution and Habitat of the Leopard and Its Main Prey Species in Eastern Xizang(2020LC-3-04);Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey Project in the Xizang Section of the Nujiang River Basin(G02514);National Natural Science Foundation of China(32571938);Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province(2025ZNSFSC1024)

Abstract:

Aims: Establishing biodiversity baselines is essential for supporting the development of China’s protected area system with national parks as the mainstay. This study aims to document bird and mammal diversity in the Mangkang Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey National Nature Reserve, Xizang and to examine the seasonal spatial occupancy patterns of selected representative species based on long-term camera trapping.
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. We summarized species richness and relative abundance for all detected birds and mammals. Based on data completeness and representativeness, we selected five representative species—Vulpes vulpes, Capricornis milneedwardsii, Rhinopithecus bieti, Crossoptilon crossoptilon, and Ithaginis cruentus—for single-season occupancy modeling to evaluate seasonal differences in spatial occupancy habitat use.
Results: The survey recorded 26 species of mammals (12 families, 4 orders) and 51 bird species (18 families, 8 orders). Six species were listed as Class I nationally protected species in China—Panthera pardus, Moschus berezovskii, M. chrysogaster, Rhinopithecus bieti, Tetrastes sewerzowi, and Tetraophasis szechenyii—and 20 species were listed as Class II nationally protected species. Among mammals, Elaphodus cephalophus, Lepus oiostolus, Capricornis milneedwardsii, Macaca mulatta, and Vulpes vulpes showed the highest 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: Seasonal spatial use patterns differed substantially among species, indicating strong species-specific responses. These variations were associated with various 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, providing a solid scientific basis for biodiversity conservation planning and adaptive management within the reserve.

Key words: Mangkang Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey National Nature Reserve, Xizang, camera trapping, bird and mammal diversity, occupancy model, seasonal occupancy patterns