Habitat use and spatial distribution patterns of endangered pheasants on the southern slopes of the HimalayasFigshare

The southern slopes of the Himalayas, with their significant altitudinal gradients and diverse climates and habitats, harbour exceptional biodiversity and serve as crucial habitats for endangered pheasant species in Asia. However, increasing human disturbances pose severe threats to local ecosystems...

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Main Authors: Kai Zhao, Ning Wang, Jiliang Xu, Shan Tian, Yanyun Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:Global Ecology and Conservation
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989425000150
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author Kai Zhao
Ning Wang
Jiliang Xu
Shan Tian
Yanyun Zhang
author_facet Kai Zhao
Ning Wang
Jiliang Xu
Shan Tian
Yanyun Zhang
author_sort Kai Zhao
collection DOAJ
description The southern slopes of the Himalayas, with their significant altitudinal gradients and diverse climates and habitats, harbour exceptional biodiversity and serve as crucial habitats for endangered pheasant species in Asia. However, increasing human disturbances pose severe threats to local ecosystems. Understanding the distribution patterns of endangered pheasants and their responses to environmental changes is vital for their conservation. This study utilised infrared camera traps combined with the Joint Species Distribution Model and the MaxEnt model to analyse the spatial distribution patterns of Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra) in the southern Himalayas and predict its future responses to climate change. The results indicate that Satyr Tragopan is primarily distributed in riverine forests at altitudes between 2700 m and 3600 m. Its occupancy probability was significantly influenced by altitude, human activity disturbances, and forest cover proportion. Species co-occurrence patterns revealed a significant positive correlation between Satyr Tragopan and Hill Partridge, Mainland Serow, and Chinese Goral, suggesting similar habitat requirements or mutualistic relationships. MaxEnt model predictions indicated that, under future climate scenarios, the suitable habitat for Satyr Tragopan is projected to increase, particularly expanding westwards into Nepal under the SSP245 scenario. However, owing to its limited dispersal ability and poor habitat connectivity, the survival of Satyr Tragopan remains threatened. This study emphasizes the importance of enhancing habitat connectivity, establishing new protected areas, and reducing habitat fragmentation, thus providing a scientific basis for the long-term conservation of pheasants on the southern slopes of the Himalayas.
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series Global Ecology and Conservation
spelling doaj-art-68dbb37a451248659335ac8e6745bff22025-01-23T05:27:05ZengElsevierGlobal Ecology and Conservation2351-98942025-01-0157e03414Habitat use and spatial distribution patterns of endangered pheasants on the southern slopes of the HimalayasFigshareKai Zhao0Ning Wang1Jiliang Xu2Shan Tian3Yanyun Zhang4Key Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, ChinaKey Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaKey Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecological Engineering of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; Corresponding author.The southern slopes of the Himalayas, with their significant altitudinal gradients and diverse climates and habitats, harbour exceptional biodiversity and serve as crucial habitats for endangered pheasant species in Asia. However, increasing human disturbances pose severe threats to local ecosystems. Understanding the distribution patterns of endangered pheasants and their responses to environmental changes is vital for their conservation. This study utilised infrared camera traps combined with the Joint Species Distribution Model and the MaxEnt model to analyse the spatial distribution patterns of Satyr Tragopan (Tragopan satyra) in the southern Himalayas and predict its future responses to climate change. The results indicate that Satyr Tragopan is primarily distributed in riverine forests at altitudes between 2700 m and 3600 m. Its occupancy probability was significantly influenced by altitude, human activity disturbances, and forest cover proportion. Species co-occurrence patterns revealed a significant positive correlation between Satyr Tragopan and Hill Partridge, Mainland Serow, and Chinese Goral, suggesting similar habitat requirements or mutualistic relationships. MaxEnt model predictions indicated that, under future climate scenarios, the suitable habitat for Satyr Tragopan is projected to increase, particularly expanding westwards into Nepal under the SSP245 scenario. However, owing to its limited dispersal ability and poor habitat connectivity, the survival of Satyr Tragopan remains threatened. This study emphasizes the importance of enhancing habitat connectivity, establishing new protected areas, and reducing habitat fragmentation, thus providing a scientific basis for the long-term conservation of pheasants on the southern slopes of the Himalayas.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989425000150Camera trapsClimate changeHimalayan pheasantMultispecies occupancySpecies co-occurrence
spellingShingle Kai Zhao
Ning Wang
Jiliang Xu
Shan Tian
Yanyun Zhang
Habitat use and spatial distribution patterns of endangered pheasants on the southern slopes of the HimalayasFigshare
Global Ecology and Conservation
Camera traps
Climate change
Himalayan pheasant
Multispecies occupancy
Species co-occurrence
title Habitat use and spatial distribution patterns of endangered pheasants on the southern slopes of the HimalayasFigshare
title_full Habitat use and spatial distribution patterns of endangered pheasants on the southern slopes of the HimalayasFigshare
title_fullStr Habitat use and spatial distribution patterns of endangered pheasants on the southern slopes of the HimalayasFigshare
title_full_unstemmed Habitat use and spatial distribution patterns of endangered pheasants on the southern slopes of the HimalayasFigshare
title_short Habitat use and spatial distribution patterns of endangered pheasants on the southern slopes of the HimalayasFigshare
title_sort habitat use and spatial distribution patterns of endangered pheasants on the southern slopes of the himalayasfigshare
topic Camera traps
Climate change
Himalayan pheasant
Multispecies occupancy
Species co-occurrence
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2351989425000150
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