Integrating Temporal and Spatial Dimensions of Alpine Adaptation: Camera‐Trap Insights on Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park
ABSTRACT Alpine ungulates exemplify climate vulnerability through their spatiotemporal adaptation strategies, yet integrated analyses of these dimensions remain scarce. Here, we investigated how bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park adjusts both time‐activity budgets and spatial dist...
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Wiley
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Ecology and Evolution |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71874 |
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| author | Rumei Zhang Chen Yang Ding Zhao Dehong Pang Weichao Zheng Tianpei Guan Zhuo Tang |
| author_facet | Rumei Zhang Chen Yang Ding Zhao Dehong Pang Weichao Zheng Tianpei Guan Zhuo Tang |
| author_sort | Rumei Zhang |
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| description | ABSTRACT Alpine ungulates exemplify climate vulnerability through their spatiotemporal adaptation strategies, yet integrated analyses of these dimensions remain scarce. Here, we investigated how bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park adjusts both time‐activity budgets and spatial distributions under extreme seasonal conditions. We deployed a network of 50 infrared cameras along altitudinal transects (3300–4500 m) during summer and winter. We extracted the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from satellite imagery for each camera site and calculated the Relative Abundance Index (RAI) to quantify activity intensity and assess its seasonal variation. Our results revealed two key adaptations. (i) Temporal compression: Activity intensity in winter was reduced by 66% compared to summer (RAI: 0.85 ± 0.04 vs. 0.29 ± 0.21; p < 0.01) and exhibited a weaker diurnal‐nocturnal contrast (p < 0.05). (ii) Spatial contraction: The bharal's altitudinal range narrowed by 73% from summer (3685–4248 m) to winter (3859–4012 m), accompanied by a significant decrease in NDVI (summer: 0.70 ± 0.14 vs. winter: 0.14 ± 0.06; p < 0.05). These findings reveal a dual‐phase adaptation in bharal: expanding activity and range in resource‐rich summers and contracting both in winter to conserve energy. By integrating infrared camera data with satellite‐derived NDVI, our approach highlights how alpine ungulates respond to seasonal challenges and provides a foundation for predicting climate‐driven shifts in high‐elevation ecosystems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e2919e30ddaa481792270f2f35c5c580 |
| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
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| series | Ecology and Evolution |
| spelling | doaj-art-e2919e30ddaa481792270f2f35c5c5802025-08-25T08:19:04ZengWileyEcology and Evolution2045-77582025-08-01158n/an/a10.1002/ece3.71874Integrating Temporal and Spatial Dimensions of Alpine Adaptation: Camera‐Trap Insights on Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National ParkRumei Zhang0Chen Yang1Ding Zhao2Dehong Pang3Weichao Zheng4Tianpei Guan5Zhuo Tang6College of Grassland Resources Southwest Minzu University Chengdu ChinaCollege of Grassland Resources Southwest Minzu University Chengdu ChinaSichuan Xuebaoding National Nature Reserve Mianyang ChinaSichuan Xuebaoding National Nature Reserve Mianyang ChinaSichuan Academy of Giant Panda Chengdu ChinaCollege of Grassland Resources Southwest Minzu University Chengdu ChinaAdministration Bureau of Wolong National Nature Reserve Wenchuan ChinaABSTRACT Alpine ungulates exemplify climate vulnerability through their spatiotemporal adaptation strategies, yet integrated analyses of these dimensions remain scarce. Here, we investigated how bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park adjusts both time‐activity budgets and spatial distributions under extreme seasonal conditions. We deployed a network of 50 infrared cameras along altitudinal transects (3300–4500 m) during summer and winter. We extracted the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from satellite imagery for each camera site and calculated the Relative Abundance Index (RAI) to quantify activity intensity and assess its seasonal variation. Our results revealed two key adaptations. (i) Temporal compression: Activity intensity in winter was reduced by 66% compared to summer (RAI: 0.85 ± 0.04 vs. 0.29 ± 0.21; p < 0.01) and exhibited a weaker diurnal‐nocturnal contrast (p < 0.05). (ii) Spatial contraction: The bharal's altitudinal range narrowed by 73% from summer (3685–4248 m) to winter (3859–4012 m), accompanied by a significant decrease in NDVI (summer: 0.70 ± 0.14 vs. winter: 0.14 ± 0.06; p < 0.05). These findings reveal a dual‐phase adaptation in bharal: expanding activity and range in resource‐rich summers and contracting both in winter to conserve energy. By integrating infrared camera data with satellite‐derived NDVI, our approach highlights how alpine ungulates respond to seasonal challenges and provides a foundation for predicting climate‐driven shifts in high‐elevation ecosystems.https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71874activity strategiesalpine ungulatesGiant Panda National Parkinfrared camera |
| spellingShingle | Rumei Zhang Chen Yang Ding Zhao Dehong Pang Weichao Zheng Tianpei Guan Zhuo Tang Integrating Temporal and Spatial Dimensions of Alpine Adaptation: Camera‐Trap Insights on Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park Ecology and Evolution activity strategies alpine ungulates Giant Panda National Park infrared camera |
| title | Integrating Temporal and Spatial Dimensions of Alpine Adaptation: Camera‐Trap Insights on Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park |
| title_full | Integrating Temporal and Spatial Dimensions of Alpine Adaptation: Camera‐Trap Insights on Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park |
| title_fullStr | Integrating Temporal and Spatial Dimensions of Alpine Adaptation: Camera‐Trap Insights on Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park |
| title_full_unstemmed | Integrating Temporal and Spatial Dimensions of Alpine Adaptation: Camera‐Trap Insights on Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park |
| title_short | Integrating Temporal and Spatial Dimensions of Alpine Adaptation: Camera‐Trap Insights on Bharal (Pseudois nayaur) in Giant Panda National Park |
| title_sort | integrating temporal and spatial dimensions of alpine adaptation camera trap insights on bharal pseudois nayaur in giant panda national park |
| topic | activity strategies alpine ungulates Giant Panda National Park infrared camera |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71874 |
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