Spatial population distribution dynamics of big cats and ungulates with seasonal and disturbance changes in temperate natural forest

Dusu Wen; Jinzhe Qi; Wannian Cheng; Zhaoyue Li; Qi Qi; Yonglu Cui; Nathan James Roberts; Yumiao Tian; Zeying Zhou; Ying Wang; Zhigang Cheng; Yan Zhao; Feng Shan; Eryan Yang; Guangshun Jiang

Global Ecology and Conservation (Jun 2024)

Spatial population distribution dynamics of big cats and ungulates with seasonal and disturbance changes in temperate natural forest

Dusu Wen,
Jinzhe Qi,
Wannian Cheng,
Zhaoyue Li,
Qi Qi,
Yonglu Cui,
Nathan James Roberts,
Yumiao Tian,
Zeying Zhou,
Ying Wang,
Zhigang Cheng,
Yan Zhao,
Feng Shan,
Eryan Yang,
Guangshun Jiang

Affiliations

Dusu Wen: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
Jinzhe Qi: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
Wannian Cheng: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
Zhaoyue Li: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Qi Qi: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Yonglu Cui: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Natural Resources Rights and Interests Investigation and Monitoring Institute of Heilongjiang Province, Harbin 053000, China
Nathan James Roberts: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
Yumiao Tian: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Zeying Zhou: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Ying Wang: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Zhigang Cheng: Jilin Hunchun Amur Tiger National Nature Reserve, Hunchun 133300, China
Yan Zhao: Jilin Hunchun Amur Tiger National Nature Reserve, Hunchun 133300, China
Feng Shan: Jilin Hunchun Amur Tiger National Nature Reserve, Hunchun 133300, China
Eryan Yang: Wildlife Conservation Society, Hunchun 133300, China
Guangshun Jiang: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China; Northeast Asia Biodiversity Research Center, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China; Corresponding author at: Feline Research Center of National Forestry and Grassland Administration, College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 51
p. e02881

Abstract

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Wildlife conservation and management in human-dominated landscapes are major concerns for wildlife ecologists and managers. The dynamics of human disturbance, combined with seasonal limitations in the availability of nutritious foods, may restrict wildlife population growth and recovery. However, understanding how large mammal species adjust their population distribution in forest habitats with seasonal changes in food and disturbances requires a deeper and more extensive analysis. In this study, we found that three ungulate species, roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), sika deer (Cervus nippon), and wild boar (Sus scrofa), employ robust, conservative, and flexible distribution strategies, respectively, to adapt to the effects of seasonal changes and human disturbances. Moreover, croplands, villages, and grazing have some negative effects on the distribution of roe deer and sika deer, while wild boar can be highly abundant near human land use. Additionally, roe deer, sika deer, and wild boar are also affected by the abundance of shrub species they consume. During the cold season, the populations of the Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica) and Amur leopard (P. pardus orientalis) were primarily located near roads and dense forests, respectively. In the warm season, the distribution of both big cats was influenced by prey abundance, and Amur tigers also avoided grazing livestock. Nevertheless, the negative effects of human land use on Amur tigers and wild boars increased during the warm season, which was attributed to more frequent human activities during that time. Consequently, it is crucial to implement season-specific habitat management, particularly by regulating human disturbances during the warm season, in order to promote the recovery and expansion of populations of big cats and ungulates.

Published in Global Ecology and Conservation

ISSN: 2351-9894 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: Netherlands
LCC subjects: Science: Biology (General): Ecology
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/global-ecology-and-conservation/

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