Camera-trapping monitoring platform for mammals and pheasants in the longitudinal range and Gorge region of southwest China: Protocol, progress and future outlook

Abstract

Located in Southwest China, the Longitudinal Range and Gorge Region is considered major biodiversity hotspots globally. This region is comprised of high mountains and deep valleys that run longitudinally, which creates both corridors for north-south ranging fauna as well as geographical isolators for latitudinal assemblages. This region is a stronghold for biodiversity conservation in China, supporting habitats for flagship species such as Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris titris), Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus bieti), Burmese snub-nosed monkey (R. strykeri), Gaoligong hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing), western black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor), and takin (Budorcas taxicolor). The camera-trapping monitoring platform for mammals and pheasants in the Longitudinal Range and Gorge Region of Southwest China was established in 2011. This program was initiated by the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The monitoring areas include the Medog Region, the Gaoligong Mountains, Mangshi Phayre’s Langur Protected Area, Tongbiguan Provincial Nature Reserve, Biluo Snow Mountains, Baima Snow Mountains, Pudacuo National Park, Wuliang Mountains, Ailao Mountains, Huanglian Mountains National Nature Reserve, Mengyang Sub-region of Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve, and Lancang County. The program has 35 sampling sites each with different protection designations including: national nature reserves, provincial nature reserves, national parks, and non-protected areas. By December 2019, the Program had generated approximately 269,900 independent records at 803 camera trap stations, with an extensive sampling effort of over 379,200 camera-days. We recorded 60 medium-and large-sized mammal species belonging to 7 orders and 20 families. Additionally, we recorded 15 pheasant species. Among these records 22 species are listed as Class-I, and 27 species as Class-II National Key Protected Species. Twenty-four species of the detected animals are categorized as globally threatened by IUCN, and 41 species are regionally threatened according to the Red list of China’s vertebrates. Moving forward, the Program plans to strengthen survey and monitoring efforts of threatened and flagship species. The Program plans to provide support for national park planning, regional biodiversity conservation, and exploration of anthropogenic impacts on communities of medium-and large-sized mammals and pheasants.