Coexistence of Sympatric Carnivores in a Relatively Homogenous Landscape and the Effects of Environmental Factors on Site Occupation

Hua, Yan; Vitekere, Kasereka; Wang, Jiao; Zhu, Mengyan; Zaman, Muhammad; Jiang, Guangshun

doi:10.5735/086.057.0106

“…The dominant tree species are Chinese red pine (Pinus tabuliformis), Liaotung oak (Quercus liaotungensis), white birch (Betula platyphylla), and sparse North China larch (Larix principis). The TNR landscape has 78 genera of wild seed plants [40] and some grassland [25]. Within the TNR landscape, the wild boar (Sus scrofa), Eastern roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), and Cape hare (Lepus sp) are potential preys of the studied carnivores, mostly the NCL [23], as the RF and LC always prey on small mammals (Reserve Manager, Unpubl.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Only an overall number of mammals is cited but specific statistics on NCL's main prey remain unknown. and some grassland [25]. Within the TNR landscape, the wild boar (Sus scrofa), Eastern roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), and Cape hare (Lepus sp) are potential preys of the studied carnivores, mostly the NCL [23], as the RF and LC always prey on small mammals (Reserve Manager, Unpubl.…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Our study area, the Tieqiaoshan Natural Reserve (TNR), is a habitat for sympatric carnivores such as the endangered North Chinese leopard (NCL), which is endemic to China [5,23,24], a large carnivore with approximatively 32-80 kg. The NCL should occupy specific ranges with high vegetation cover rate [25]. The areas surrounding the TNR are adversely affected by human disturbances (land transformation, fragmentation of natural ecosystems, implanting built up areas, infrastructure, husbandry, etc.).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dynamic in Species Estimates of Carnivores (Leopard Cat, Red Fox, and North Chinese Leopard): A Multi-Year Assessment of Occupancy and Coexistence in the Tieqiaoshan Nature Reserve, Shanxi Province, China

Vitekere

¹

,

Wang

²

,

Karanja

³

et al. 2020

Animals

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Wildlife populations are spatially controlled and undergo frequent fluctuations in abundance and site occupation. A comprehensive understanding of dynamic species processes is essential for making appropriate wildlife management plans. Here, we used a multi-season model to describe the dynamics of occupancy estimates of the carnivores: North Chinese leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis, Gray, 1862), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis, Kerr, 1792), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes, Linnaeus, 1758) in the Tieqiaoshan Nature Reserve, Shanxi Province, China, over a three-year study period using camera traps data. The occupancy probability of the North Chinese leopard did not markedly change with time as the occupancy equilibrium was constant or slightly enhanced. The occupancy of the leopard cat decreased with time. The occupancy equilibrium of the red fox alternately increased and decreased. However, all species presented a slight level of occupancy stability due to their small values of the rate of change in occupancy. Environmental factor and anthropogenic disturbances slightly influenced the occupancy of all species and the colonization and extirpation probability of the red fox. The colonization and extirpation for all species were relatively more strongly affected by the distances to villages and roads. Moreover, elevation increased the colonization and decreased the extirpation for the leopard cat. Species interaction factors increased with time for all species. The North Chinese leopard and the leopard cat avoided each other. The leopard cat and the red fox independently co-occurred. There was true coexistence between the North Chinese leopard and the red fox. This research confirmed that environmental factors and human perturbations are vital factors to consider in wild carnivores’ conservation and management.

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“…Leopards interacting with human activities: There are four causes of these interactions, which always lead to human-wildlife conflicts that the NCL has undergone in its current habitats. There are two categories: (1) leopard preying on livestock, which is the most human-carnivore conflict documented (Shoemaker, 1993;Nowell et al, 2016); (2) activities encroachment (Vitekere et al, 2020;Hua et al, 2020). In 2015 in the Heshun County (Shanxi), leopards preyed on farmers' cattle, and 48 cows were killed where over 5,000 cows live.…”

Section: Main Threat Driversmentioning

confidence: 99%

In Silico Structural and Functional Analysis of Wrky1 and Wrky3 Genes in the Selected Cereal Crops

2020

THE JAPS

0

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China has four sub-species of leopard throughout the country. One of them is the North China leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis, Gray, 1862) which experiences a wide range of threats. It remains at the centre of interest for recent research and new management policies within its natural habitat. Due to limited studies for a long time, its current distribution, and population size remain vague without accurate information. Using existing literature, we synthesized information on this endemic and endangered subspecies. We used research engines such as Google scholar, Baidu and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) to find any available literature about the sub-species. By reviewing 39 published documents, nine national and international web news, and asking questions to some specialists in leopard and wildlife managers; we have concluded that the species' current distribution has drastically changed, only 2 % of its historical distribution remains occupied by around 174-348 individuals. Extant patches are in continual danger as the Proximity Index previously found was small. Habitat fragmentation, retaliation, and decline in prey species are the main threats. However, there is hope for its survival, since the mega project launched in 2015 "Bring Leopards Home" and new management policies are being undertaken in protected areas that will annihilate or reduce threats. In addition, many researchers or governmental organisations are currently carrying out studies on this sub-species. These studies will fill information gaps on the North China leopard based on scientific evidence.

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“…There are four causes of these interactions, which always lead to human-wildlife conflicts that the NCL has undergone in its current habitats. There are two categories: (1) leopard preying on livestock, which is the most human-carnivore conflict documented (Shoemaker, 1993;Nowell et al, 2016); (2) activities encroachment (Vitekere et al, 2020;Hua et al, 2020). In 2015 in the Heshun County (Shanxi), leopards preyed on farmers' cattle, and 48 cows were killed where over 5,000 cows live.…”

Section: Leopards Interacting With Human Activitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights on the North China Leopard (Panthera Pardus Japonensis Gray, 1862): Challenges in Distribution, Population Status, Threats, and Implications for Conservation

2020

THE JAPS

0

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China has four sub-species of leopard throughout the country. One of them is the North China leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis, Gray, 1862) which experiences a wide range of threats. It remains at the centre of interest for recent research and new management policies within its natural habitat. Due to limited studies for a long time, its current distribution, and population size remain vague without accurate information. Using existing literature, we synthesized information on this endemic and endangered subspecies. We used research engines such as Google scholar, Baidu and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) to find any available literature about the sub-species. By reviewing 39 published documents, nine national and international web news, and asking questions to some specialists in leopard and wildlife managers; we have concluded that the species' current distribution has drastically changed, only 2 % of its historical distribution remains occupied by around 174-348 individuals. Extant patches are in continual danger as the Proximity Index previously found was small. Habitat fragmentation, retaliation, and decline in prey species are the main threats. However, there is hope for its survival, since the mega project launched in 2015 "Bring Leopards Home" and new management policies are being undertaken in protected areas that will annihilate or reduce threats. In addition, many researchers or governmental organisations are currently carrying out studies on this sub-species. These studies will fill information gaps on the North China leopard based on scientific evidence.

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Coexistence of Sympatric Carnivores in a Relatively Homogenous Landscape and the Effects of Environmental Factors on Site Occupation

Cited by 14 publications

References 53 publications

Dynamic in Species Estimates of Carnivores (Leopard Cat, Red Fox, and North Chinese Leopard): A Multi-Year Assessment of Occupancy and Coexistence in the Tieqiaoshan Nature Reserve, Shanxi Province, China

Dynamic in Species Estimates of Carnivores (Leopard Cat, Red Fox, and North Chinese Leopard): A Multi-Year Assessment of Occupancy and Coexistence in the Tieqiaoshan Nature Reserve, Shanxi Province, China

In Silico Structural and Functional Analysis of Wrky1 and Wrky3 Genes in the Selected Cereal Crops

Insights on the North China Leopard (Panthera Pardus Japonensis Gray, 1862): Challenges in Distribution, Population Status, Threats, and Implications for Conservation

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