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Winter movements and habitat use by Cabot's Tragopans Tragopan caboti in southeastern China
Abstract
The endangered Cabot's Tragopan Tragopan caboti is endemic to the lower montane forests of southeastern China. Three individuals in Wuyanling Natural Reserve were radiotracked over the winter of 1987/88 to study their movements and habitat use. Home ranges varied from 2.9 to 20.0 ha, declining in size in December.
Marked individuals used areas with thick undergrowth, a greater percentage of bare ground, proximity to water sources and a gentle slope. Also selected were areas containing an abundance of fallen nuts of Lithocarpus sp., Cyclobalanopsis (= Quercus) sp. and the seed capsules of Schima superba. The tree Daphniphyllum macropodum was important for roosting and the leaves and fruits were eaten.
Conservation of the Cabot's Tragopan will depend on protection of its remaining forest habitat, including habitat management to ensure the continued availability of the essential habitat features identified in this study.
... The pheasant has disappeared from several counties in the Fujian province in eastern China during the last 15 years (Qian and Zheng, 1993). Very little is known about the ecological characteristics of cabot's tragopan in the wild and only in recent decades have detailed studies been conducted on their breeding (Zheng et al., 1985; Zhang and Zheng, 1990a) and feeding ecology (Zheng et al., 1986; Zhang, 1987 Zhang, , 1988), population structure (Zhang and Zheng, 1990a; Zhang and Zheng, 1990b), habitat selection (Qian and Zheng, 1993; Ding and Zheng, 1997) and home range (Young et al., 1991; Sun and Zheng, 1992). However, very little is known about presence/absence dynamics at the landscape level. ...
... Cabot's tragopan displays several species-specific features predisposing them to be vulnerable to habitat fragmentation. They are habitat specialist (Qian and Zheng, 1993; Ding and Zheng, 1997), have low dispersal ability (Young et al., 1991; Sun and Zheng, 1992), and are nonmigratory (Zheng et al., 1985). ...
... In order to analyze the effects of patch size and isolation on the distribution of cabot's tragopan, the distance to the nearest suitable patch, > 2 ha (DS, m) and to permanently inhabited woodlot (DP, m) were calculated from maps at a scale of 1:25000 and the size of habitat fragments (SH, ha) was measured from aerial photographs . If habitat fragments were less than 100 m apart, they were included within the same habitat fragment because radio-marked tragopans in this area were found to have territories that could often extend over this distance (Young et al., 1991; Sun and Zheng, 1992). ...
Cabot's tragopan Tragopan caboti is an endemic and endangered pheasant of the lower montane forests of southeastern China. The typical habitats of the tragopan have been seriously fragmented because of forest management for timber production and farmland reclamation in recent years. The effects of the fragment size and isolation on the distribution of the cabot's tragopan were studied in Wuyanling Natural Reserve. Thirty one habitat fragments (2.5–48.5 ha) surrounded by non-habitat sapling coniferous forests, in an intensively managed forested landscape, were surveyed over four seasons for the occurrence of cabot's tragopan. Five of the 31 fragments were occupied in all four seasons and nine were not occupied. Both landscape and habitat factors affected the occurrence of cabot's tragopan, with landscape factors having the greatest effect. Large and less isolated habitat fragments con-taining a larger amount of the tree Daphniphyllum macropodum were occupied significantly more often than small, isolated frag-ments. The appearance of cabot's tragopan in the habitat fragments was best explained by the size of the fragments, the distance to the nearest suitable habitat and the amount of macropdous daphniphyllum trees. Our results could be used to improve the man-agement of the forests where Cabot's tragopan occurs in southeastern China.
... The weight of the radio transmitter set was 17 g, approximately 2% of the body mass of the target birds. Monitoring was accomplished by three-element Yagi antennae to track signals and then identify bird position and the home region (Young et al., 1991). The software program Location of a Signal, version 4.0 (Ecological Software Solutions LLC, FL, USA; 137 Napa Valley Circle, Madison, MS, USA) was used to generate an estimated location and an error ellipse for radio-marked wild Mrs Hume's Pheasants. ...
... During the study period, 111 quadrats (48 in 2012 and 63 in 2013) were laid and data collected from all sites. A similarly marked site, located 50 m away from the used site, was established for the purpose of having an unused site as control quadrat (Young et al., 1991). Though many ecological factors would exert their influence on animal habitat selection and use, we mainly studied the factors important for summer habitat use. ...
In the present study, summer habitat preference of Mrs Hume’s Pheasant ( Syrmaticus humiae ) was studied in Jinzhong Mountain Nature Reserve, Guangxi Province. Eight birds were equipped with radio transmitters and habitat characteristics of experiment and control quadrat sites, respectively, were measured. Our results indicated that: 200 m to 400 m distance to habitat edge, less than 200 m distance to water, over 400 m distance to human habitation, over 601 m distance to the road, over 60% tree cover, less than 40% shrub cover, less than 20% herb cover, over 60% leaf litter cover, height of tree over 10.1 m, tree density over 20 individuals per quadrat, shrub height over 2.1 m, shrub density less than 10 individuals per quadrat, height of herb species over 0.5 m, herb density less than 10 Individuals per quadrat, diameter of tree over 30 cm, and abundant food were the habitat characteristics. The elevation, herb density, and height of tree and shrub exhibited no significant differences ( ), but other factors showed significant differences between quadrat sites and control quadrat plot ( ). Results of a principal components analysis (PCA) demonstrated that the first five components accounted for 64.282% of the total variance. Food availability in different habitat patches is the vital factor affecting habitat selection by Mrs Hume’s Pheasant; the other factors showed no significant effects on habitat selection by Mrs Hume’s Pheasant in the subtropical forest. This suggests that habitat selection behavior of Mrs Hume’s Pheasant is in fact a trade-off between obtaining food and prey escape, which is an adaptive behavior and a life strategy of this near-threatened bird species.
... Habitat-selection behavior is a fundamental topic in wildlife ecology, and best explains how mobile organisms adapt to changing conditions (Railsback & Harvey, 2002). Young et al, (1991) proposed the following four criteria for habitat selection: (1) the microhabitat, (2) the components of the home range, (3) the home range itself, and (4) the geographical distribution. The first level is the fundamental area that the animal to select and live. ...
... During the study, if we found more than one den entrance was found in one quadrat, only one entrance was randomly measured to represent the characteristics of the quadrat. A similarly marked site, located 50 m away from the rest of study area was established for the purpose of a control quadrat, where there were no signs of rats (Young et al., 1991). In total, 54 used habitat quadrats and 31 non-used quadrats were recorded during field survey (Xie et al., 2012). ...
A habitats comprises a range of environmental features that provide adequate resources for wildlife to survive. Consequently, the criteria of habitat selection by animals, combines a wider spectrum of both environmental and other factors, with major prerequisites being food resources, availability of shelter and suitable conditions for reproduction. The den habitat selection of the Chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis) was studied in Yuanbaoshan Nature Reserve, Guangxi China. The Vanderloeg and Scavia selectivity index (Ei) indicates that the Chinese bamboo rat shows a preference for all habitat features except for slope, slope position and distance to water (P>0.05). Chi-square goodness of fit test showed that canopy density, shelter from wind, distance between shrubs, shrub density, elevation, southern aspect, human disturbance and food abundance, were the preferred features (P less than 0.05). With regards to human disturbance, the Chinese bamboo rat preferred places >1000 m away from human habitation. An eastern and southern sloping direction, a 20°^~40° slope and an elevation range of >1800m were more frequently used. The Chinese bamboo rat prefers habitats lying above 1000m in elevation with high shrub density (with shrub separation under 0.1m). Principle component analysis indicates that concealment factors, geographical factors, interference factors, food factors, and water factors affect the den habitat character of the Chinese bamboo rat. Our results support the notion that the habitat preferences of the Chinese bamboo rat are a tradeoff between suitable habitat features and avoidance of potential human interactions.
... During the study period, total 296 quadrants (180 of 2007-2008 and 116 of 2008-2009, respectively) were identified and data collection was carried out in all sites. A similarly marked site, located 50 m away from the rest of study area was established for the purpose of a control quadrant (Young et al. 1991). In our study area, the early spring only accounted for few weeks after winter before the abundance of food resources were recorded and most other weather conditions in the habitat were still very similar to those of winter season. ...
... A variety of biological and abiotic factors might have influenced the geographical distribution pattern of animals but food, water, and concealment were the three major components influencing the habitat selection, while the food resource factor was ranked highly essential (Ma et al. 2004). Mammals endemic to the temperate area easily adapted to the severe conditions during winter period and subsequently exhibit various adaptive patterns during habitat use and selection (Wilbert et al. 2000;Young et al. 1991). Similarly, during this field study, the activity traces of macaque were often found in ridges, with gentle and sunny slopes, suggesting two energy saving points that, in ridges, the animals easily moved from one place to another in order to physically reduce the energetic costs and also gained more energy for body temperature maintenance directly from the sun. ...
The chosen habitat of any animal species comprises a range of environmental features that provide adequate resources for its continuous survival. Consequently, the criteria of habitat selection by animals, combines a wider spectrum of both environmental and extrinsic factors, with major prerequisites based on food resources, availability of shelter and suitable ethics for procreation. From this study, conducted in winter and early spring, at Mt. Wangwushan area, located on 35°05′–35°15′ N, 112°12′–112°22′ E, in Taihangshan Macaque National Nature Reserve (TMNNR), Jiyuan, Henan Province, we show by elaborative results that Macaca mulatta tcheliensis was specifically associated with the following habitat characteristics: (1) the average tree DBH (diameter at breast height) with over 15 cm; (2) the distance from human disturbance of less than 2000 m; (3) the distance to water with less than 1000 m; (4) the gradient of mountain slope of 15°∼40°; (5) which was markedly tarrying with the altitude ranges from 1000 m to 1300 m; and (6) where the canopy coverage was less than 60%. In addition, during this study, rhesus macaque mostly inhabited the sunny slopes of mountains than the shady areas. Results of the first five principal components analysis (PCA) accounted for the total variance of 68.88%, while the other factors showed insignificant effects on habitat selection by rhesus macaque in the temperate forest. In conclusion, these new results increase our understanding on the living status, under the harshest condition, in winter and early spring of Macaca mulatta tcheliensis, the subspecies of rhesus macaques as may be linked to its habitat selection and utilization, in the temperate forest.
... Within each habitat type, birds may further select particular habitat sub-types, e.g. many fo rest species have a predilection for peculiar rnixed formations (Young et al. , 1991;Zwank et al. , 1994;Laiding & Dobkin, 1995 ;Rolando, 1998;Rolando & Carisio, 1999). Habitat structure, i. e. the physical characteristics of a habitat type, is also known to affect the habitat selection of birds. ...
... The choice of a certain habitat within the home range may also depend on climatic conditions. For instance, the Ground Parrot Pezoporus wallicus selected different forest areas throughout the year according to the local seasonal degree of humidity (McFarland, 1991) and Cabot' s Tragopan Tra gopan caboti selected forest zones with a high density of small trunks because they worked as heat-insulators (Young et al. , 1991). Availability of nesting sites is another key factor controlling habitat selection (Berger & Marchendau, 1988, Olsson et al. , 1992Zwank et al. , 1994;Laidig & Dobkin, 1995;Haney, 1997;Mazur, 1998;Scott et al. , 1998). ...
A complex web of functional and hierarchical relationships underlies the ecology of home range in birds: local spatial patterns are determined by ecological and biological processes which are affected by several factors in a direct or indirect way. This paper deals with these relationships by considering both movements and habitat use within home ranges. On the basis of a critical analysis of factors found in the literature, four processes (i.e. habitat selection, breeding, mating and flocking) and eleven true factors (i.e. food availability, habitat structure, habitat fragmentation, predator-prey interactions, topography, human disturbance, climatic conditions, nesting site availability, age, sex and social status) have been identified. Factors have been classed as direct in the sense that they directly influence processes, indirect when they affect other factors which then affect processes or false in the sense that they seem to affect processes while, in reality, other factors do so. Quantitative and ontological considerations suggest that the most important process affecting the spatial patterns of birds is habitat selection; it in turn is mostly affected and controlled by food availability and location. Hence, the main result of this study is that food availability is the primary determinant of home range ecology in birds and all the other factors are secondary.
... Therefore, the pheasant is now absent from some regions where the individuals had been detected several decades ago (Qian and Zheng 1993). Considering its weak dispersal capability (Young et al. 1991;Sun and Zheng 1992;Deng and Zheng 2004) and dependence on dense subtropical forest in median montane areas (between 700 and 1,800 m), habitat fragmentation has become the most important threat to this pheasant (Zhang 2005). ...
... The absence of shared haplotypes, the small migration rate (M = 0.06) calculated in MDIV, and the highest percentage of total genetic variance estimated by AMOVA also reflect the deep divergence and highly restricted gene flow between the East and West groups. Cabot's tragopan is one of the least mobile birds (dispersal distance \ 500 m) in Galliformes, and even vertical migration between breeding and wintering sites, which occurs frequently in other Galliformes species (Brennan 1999), was not observed (Young et al. 1991). In addition, the geographic limit of Cabot's tragopan populations is generally associated with the elevation effect and also possibly with major barriers, including isolation by the Gan River. ...
Cabot’s tragopan (Tragopan caboti) is a pheasant endemic to southeast China and is protected under both national and global legislation due to ongoing decline
in population size and increased habitat fragmentation. We investigated the phylogeographic patterns and examined the consistency
between evolutionary units and assumed subspecies taxonomy in this species. Six populations across the whole species presenting
a wide distribution range were sampled and two mitochondrial DNA segments (control region, CR and cytochrome b, cyt b) were used in this study. The results demonstrated a high level of genetic diversity (h=0.97 in CR and 0.78 in cyt b) and significant differentiation among populations. Phylogenetic analyses strongly indicated two reciprocally monophyletic
clades named the “West group” and “East group” that were not consistent with the present subspecies regional distribution.
The divergence time between the two groups was estimated to be around 5.54×105–8.7×105 years ago, and the expansion times of the two groups were close (about 3×105 years ago), indicating the effect of glaciation in intraspecific differentiation. Based on the results of genetic analyses
combined with geographic isolation and distinct population history, our findings suggest that two management units (MUs) should
be defined in T. caboti for conservation.
Keywords
Tragopan caboti
-Phylogeography-Management units (MUs)-Mitochondrial DNA-China
... Dependence on certain food sources in territory habitat selection has also been found in other Galliform species. Examples include Aspen (Populus spp.) for Ruffed Grouse (Tetrastes umbellus, Bump et al. 1947;Gullion 1977), Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) for Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercusu urophasianus, Wallestad and Schladweiler 1974;Leonard et al. 2000), Bilberry (Vaccinium spp.) for Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus, Wegge et al. 2005), Alder (Alnus spp.) for Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia, Swenson 1993), and Daphniphyllum macropodum for Cabot's Tragopan (Tragopan caboti, Young et al. 1991). ...
Background: The habitat features of breeding territory have important adaptive significance for the survival and reproduction of territory holders. The Chinese Grouse (Tetrastes sewerzowi) is a rare and endemic species with relatively small distribution range and decreasing population trend. It is important to elucidate breeding territory habitat requirements of the Chinese Grouse for habitat management and conservation actions. Methods: Using radio-telemetry and field observations, we determined the core areas of 65 breeding territories of males. Two to three samples were selected in each core breeding territory as used sites and compared with nearby sites with no grouse occurrence using logistic regression. Results: Our model showed a high accuracy in prediction of core breeding territory used by males, which preferred stands with more small deciduous trees (0.5 m ≤ height < 5 m), more small willow trees (Salix spp., 0.5 m ≤ height < 5 m), greater willow cover, and greater herb cover. The number of small willow trees had the greatest influence on males' core breeding territory selection. Dense shrubs were also chosen compared with unused sites. Tall conifer trees was an important determinant in the distribution of Chinese Grouse at the landscape scale, and was relatively important in the univariate model, but not included in our final multivariable model. Conclusions: Male Chinese Grouse established territories at sites with abundant food resources. At the landscape scale, the Chinese Grouse occurred in alpine conifer forest. At the territory scale, small willow trees had the most important effect on males' core breeding territory selection. We suggest that the forest gaps in dense conifer forest are important for improving the occurrence of willows and facilitating breeding territory establishment for the Chinese Grouse.
... Previous studies have revealed the patterns of habitat associations exhibited by wild Cabot's Tragopan populations throughout its restricted range in China. During winter months, the species shows a preference for evergreen mixed deciduous-conifer forests, dominated by Lithocarpus sp., Cyclobalanopsis sp., Schima superba and Daphniphylum macropodium species, as well as areas with dense understorey vegetation, bare ground cover, close to freshwater sources (Young et al. 1991). Elsewhere in its native range, the species is known to prefer tall, dense mixed forests close to the edges of forest-scrub ecotones at higher elevations for breeding (Ding and Zheng 1997;Deng et al. 2005) and tend to occupy larger, less isolated mixed forest stands rather than smaller fragments, particularly those with a high proportion of D. macropodium trees. ...
Background
Restoring a viable population by reintroduction is the ultimate goal of a large number of ex situ conservation projects for endangered animals. However, many reintroductions fail to establish a population in the wild, partly because released animals cannot acclimate to the native environment of the release site, resulting in very low survival rates. Acclimation training is a technique to resolve this problem, although it does not have positive results in all species. We tested whether acclimation training and soft-release could improve the reintroduction success for captive-bred Cabot’s Tragopan (Tragopan caboti), an endangered pheasant in southern China. Methods
Reintroduction of captive-bred Cabot’s Tragopan was carried out in the Taoyuandong National Nature Reserve, China from 2010 to 2011. We built a soft-release enclosure for acclimation training in the typical montane habitat of this pheasant. Nine birds were acclimated to the environment of this release site in this cage for more than 50 days before release (“trained birds”), while 11 birds remained only in the cage for 3 days prior to release (“untrained birds”). Released birds were tagged with a collar radio-transmitter. ResultsPost-release monitoring revealed that the survival rate of trained birds was higher than that of untrained birds after 50 days (trained: 85.7%; untrained: 20.0%). Cox regression analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the mortality rates between the trained and untrained birds. In addition, a survey of the habitat of the experimental and the control groups showed significant differences in habitat selection between the groups. Conclusion
Our study suggests that pre-release acclimatization training is an important factor that can lead to improved survival and habitat selection of captive-bred reintroduced tragopans.
... 摇 摇 栖息地是动植物赖以生存的场所,可以为野生 动物提供充足的食物资源、适宜的繁殖地点、躲避天 敌和不良气候的保护条件等一系列能保证其生存和 繁衍的基本条件 ( Cody,1985) ,在进化过程中动物 逐渐形成对特定环境的适应,产生对特定栖息地的 偏爱性和选择性,进而栖息地在时间和空间上的变 化将会对野生动物的分布、数量、活动规律和行为等 方面产生直接和间接的影响 ( 王梦军等,1998;李伟 等,2006,2010;戴强等,2007) ( 韩联宪,1997 ( Young et al. ,1991;李伟,2006) ...
The habitat preference of Mrs Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) in Jinzhongshan Nature Reserve of Guangxi was studied in the summers of 2011 and 2012. In field, we used radio transmitters to track 8 birds and then confirmed the sign sites, and 20 ecological factors were measured in 111 sign quadrats (10 m×10 m) and 93 control quadrats, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative analysis methods were used to test the differences between the two datasets of sign and control quadrats. Our results demonstrated that slope position, distance to forest edge, herb coverage, shrub height, herb density, and tree diameter at breast height had no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the two kinds of quadrats, while other factors existed significant differences (P < 0.05). The principal components analysis showed that there were five most important factors (with eigenvalue >1) dominating the Mrs Hume's Pheasant's habitat selection in summer. The total eigenvalue contribution of the five factors was 64.23%. The first principal component belonging to food factor was a major factor affecting summer habitat selection of Mrs Hume's Pheasant; the other four principal components were safety, disturbance, geographical and water factors. We suggested that food resource availability in different habitat patches was the vital factor affecting the habitat preference of Mrs Hume's Pheasant.
... Currently listed as 'Vulnerable' (BirdLife International, 2008), CITES Appendix I (IUCN, 2008) and the first category of nationally protected wildlife species in China (Zheng and Wang, 1998), this species has been the subject of a long-term monitoring program since 1983 at one of its remaining strongholds in the Wuyi-Yandang Mountain range (e.g. Zheng et al., 1985;Young et al., 1991;Qian and Zheng, 1993;Ding and Zheng, 1997;Deng and Zheng, 2004;Zhang, 2005;Sun et al., 2009). Subtropical forest habitat continues to be reduced and degraded in the area through agricultural expansion and consequently, these forests now represent isolated population refugia (Zhang and Zheng, 2007). ...
Reintroduction of captive-bred animals into suitable habitats is an important technique for the long-term conservation and recovery of populations of endangered species in fragmented landscapes. Inbreeding depression is an inherent risk when using captive populations for reintroduction programs and needs to be carefully assessed prior to reintroduction. In this study, we evaluated inbreeding levels within a captive breeding program and one remnant wild population of Cabot's Tragopan (Tragopan caboti), an endangered pheasant species endemic to China, for which reintroduction is now an essential conservation strategy for long-term population persistence. Fifteen highly polymorphic microsatellite loci were developed to genotype individuals. Inbreeding coefficients (F IS) reveal that there is no evidence of inbreeding within the Tragopan Breeding Center of Beijing Normal University (TBCBNU) captive population and the remnant population from the Wuyi-Yandang Mountains. Diversity of origin, large founder population size and a rational breeding strategy are the most critical factors preventing inbreeding depression within the TBCBNU captive population. We suggest that the TBCBNU population is a suitable candidate stock for T. caboti reintroduction programs and that there is an urgent need to better coordinate and strengthen reproduction management of captive T. caboti populations to sustain the long-term ex situ conservation of the species.
... Radiotracking allows the movements of animals to be quantified in a manner unavailable by any other method and has been used to follow the movements of many species of birds (e.g. Belthoff & Ritchison 1989;Clout et al. 1991;Young et al. 1991). However, very few published studies of Australian birds have used radiotracking and the technique has apparently been used on only two species of Australian honeyeaters (07Connor et al. 1987). ...
Twelve unpaired Helmeted Honeyeaters Lichen-ostomus melanops cassidiw were radiotracked during the non-breeding season of 1992 to determine the extent and nature of their movements. Three of the birds moved away from the site where they were resident at the beginning of the study. The purpose of these movements may have been to become familiar with the local topography before dispersal or to assess breeding opportunities at other sites. All three were females aged less than one year. Movements of two of these birds were characterised by repeated forays away from their natal territories, culminating in dispersal. Additional monitoring of movements by sightings indicated that the proportions of birds without transmitters and radio-tagged birds which moved were similar. A greater proportion of female than male Helmeted Honeyeaters moved during the non-breeding season and breeding records from 1984 to 1994 demonstrated that natal dispersal was female-biased. In small populations such as that of the Helmeted Honey-eater, sex-biased dispersal does not reduce the chances of inbreeding to the same extent as it would in large populations. Radiotracking revealed that unpaired Helmeted Honeyeaters may move many kilometres from their territories over winter and this should be considered when planning management strategies for this population.
... Though there has been considerable number of surveys conducted on pheasants, present knowledge on individual taxon is deficient. Baring the few ecological studies undertaken by Hill and Robertson 1988, Islam 1982, Kaul 1989, Ahmed and Musavi 1997, Khaling 1997, Kumar 1997, Young et. al. 1991and McGowan 1992, most of information available are anecdotal and have mostly come from surveys (Severinghaus 1979;Garson 1983;Gaston et.al. 1983a;Duke 1990;McGowan 1990;Kaul and Ahmed;Balen and Holmes 1993;Choudhry 1993;Cu and Eames 1993;Gaston et.al. 1993;Guang-Mei and Zheng-Wang 1993;Kaul and Garson 1993;Prasad 1993;Sathyakumar et.al. ...
... A 10 m  10 m (100 m 2 ) sampling quadrat was established 30 m away from the car, called random site. Three small 1 m  1 m quadrats were randomly placed in each of the big quadrats (Young et al., 1991). ...
Display-site selection by houbara bustards was studied in Mori, Xinjiang, China during the breeding seasons from April to June 2000. Most of the habitats chosen for displaying were short sub-shrubby and open areas close to high shrub patches. The displaying males clearly prefer low covered areas and avoid densely covered and high vegetation sites. The vegetation density and number of plant species at display sites were significantly lower from that at randomly selected sites. The average distance to the closest shrub patch was significantly shorter at display sites than at random sites. Plant species richness, vegetative density, vegetative cover and distance to the shrub patches are possibly the most important factors that determined the display-sites selection of houbara bustard.
... Following the methods of Young et al. (1991), plots of 10 m × 10 m were established with roosting trees as centers. Twenty-two factors, referring to bird roost selection, were measured, given the instructions of Zheng (1995). ...
... 1=0~10 m，2=11~50 m，3=51~100 m，4=101~150 m， 5=150 m 以上 (Young et al, 1991;Xu et al, 2002 ...
Predation is the principal source of nesting mortality in Galliform species. Therefore, it is very important to select suitable nest-sites for nest survival and reproduction success. Nest-site selection of Red Jungle Fowl (Gallus gallus jabouillei) in Datian National Nature Reserve of Hainan Province was studied using plot method based on field observations between March and July 2008. We systematically searched for fowl nests throughout all habitats by random lines and consulting workers in the Reserve. Sixteen nests were recorded. They were at the base of fasciculate grass or stunt bushes, ten of which (62.5%) were below grass, one was (6.25%) below bushes, five were (31.3%) below grass and bushes. Mann-Whitney U test showed that Red Jungle Fowl preferred nesting in relatively open places near roads and forest edge, with less leaf litter. Principal component analysis showed that the vegetation cover factor and space location factor accounted for the most variations of the habitat variable, which were the main factors affecting the nest-site selection of the fowls.
... er time. This indicates that they remain within their territories even when not calling, and therefore, when presumed not to be breeding.The only other pheasants for which there are estimates of home range size in their native habitats are 1.1-6.2 ha for two male Great Argus (Davison 1981) and 3.7-23.3 ha for three Cabot's Tragopan Tragopan caboti (Young et. al 1991). Both of these estimates are smaller that those presented here for Malaysian Peacock-pheasant. ...
... Within these bird focal plots, sub plots (5m x 5m) were laid to quantify shrub cover (%) followed by laying of smaller quadrats (1m x 1m) to estimate the grass cover (%) litter cover (%) and litter depth (cm). This method adapted by Young et al [7]. For every Grey Junglefowl sighting only on transects, the " location site " was marked as " bird focal plots " and the selected parameters were quantified. ...
The overall results showed 64% of Grey Junglefowl sightings in 41% shrub cover category. Use of litter cover categories was (67%) in
... Estimating home range can provide vital insight into important ecological processes (Horne & Garton 2006). Studies on Cabot's tragopan Tragopan caboti (Young et al. 1991) and Ring-necked pheasants Phasianus colchicus (Smith et al. 1999) have shown that home range size varied seasonally and was larger in spring compared to other seasons, particularly winter. Our results indicated a similar pattern for male Reeves's pheasants. ...
Reeves's pheasant Syrmaticus reevesii is a threatened species endemic to China. During April 2000 - August 2003, we studied home range size, daily movements and site fidelity of 17 male Reeves's pheasants at Dongzhai National Nature Reserve in central China. Average annual home range size was 44.9±24.6 ha (minimum convex polygon) and 23.8±13.7 ha (95% fixed kernel estimation). The average annual core area determined by 60% fixed kernel estimator was 4.2±3.5 ha. Home range size was generally smaller in winter than in spring, whereas the size of the core area remained stable through all seasons. Conifer-broadleaf mixed forests occupied a very large part of home ranges and core areas. Male pheasants exhibited strong site fidelity among seasons and years. Our results provide baseline data for habitat management, habitat restoration and reintroduction of the Reeves's pheasant.
... From each nest site, we drove 500-700 m in a randomly selected direction and a 10 10-m (100-m 2 ) sampling quadrat was established 30 m away from the car as the random site. Three small 1 1-m quadrats were randomly placed in each of the quadrats (Young et al. 1991). All sampling quadrats at nest sites were established only after the eggs had hatched or the nest had been depredated, because we did not want to disturb the incubating female. ...
The breeding habitat selection by houbara bustards in Mori, Xinjiang, China during the breeding seasons from April to June
1998–2000 was studied. Most of habitats chosen for breeding were short sub-shrubby and open areas close to high bushy patches.
The nesting females clearly prefer low covered areas and avoid densely covered and high vegetation sites. The number of herb
species was significantly smaller at nest sites than at randomly selected sites. Only the distance to the closest fox den
contributed the most to discrimination between successful and predated nests. The average distance to the closest fox den
was significantly longer at successful nests than at depredated nests. Vegetative density, plant species richness, topography
and distance to the closest fox den are possibly the most important factors that determined the nest sites selection of houbara
bustard. The displaying males clearly prefer low covered areas and avoid densely covered and high vegetation sites. The vegetation
density and number of plant species at display sites was significantly lower than that at randomly selected sites. The average
distance to the closest bushy patch was significantly shorter at display sites than at random sites. Plant species richness,
vegetative density, vegetative cover and distance to the bushy patches are possibly the most important factors for the display
sites selection of houbara bustard
... Some qualitative researches on the habitat of this species of pheasants have been carried out in the past [6][7][8] , and some quantitative researches appeared recently [9][10][11][12][13][14][15] . However, very little is known about the habitat selection of this species of pheasants in winter, which is particularly important for its conservation, as some studies on the related pheasants [16][17][18] have stated that their winter habitat preference is a key factor in determining their survival over the winter season. ...
Reeves's Pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii), endemic to China, is an endangered species of pheasants. The wintering habitat selection by the species was investigated at three scales (10, 115 m and 250 m) in Dongzhai National Nature Reserve from 2000 to 2002. At each scale, a range of habitat variables were compared between the used and the control sites. At the smallest scale (10 m), the variables influencing wintering habitat selection were slope, tree cover, and the interaction between the cosine of slope aspect and the shrub height. At the mid-scale (115 m), the area of shrub, the area of broad-leaved forest, and the area of conifer forest were the key factors. At the largest scale (250 m), broad-leaved and conifer forest coverages and their interaction were the key factors. According to the lowest AIC and AICc values at the mid-scale, the characteristics at this scale were stated as the ultimate factors influencing the habitat selection of the bird. When a range of habitat variables at all scales within a multivariate regression were considerred, the most important variables were conifer forest coverage at the mid-scale, broad-leaved forest coverage, and the interaction between the conifer forest and shrub coverages at the large-scale, and the distance to beach and farmland. These results highlight the importance of multiscale analyses when habitat selection by pheasants are considerred.
... 的栖息地选择研究均涉及到对植被的选择(Shi & Zheng, 1997; Yang et al, 1999; Xu et al, 2002)。研究 结果表明，白颈长尾雉多栖息于针阔混交林中，对 植物种类具选择性(Yang et al, 1999; Shi & Zheng, 1997)。 白冠长尾雉在育雏期对针阔混交林具有选择 偏好(Xu et al, 2002)。 但以上研究均未深入分析对植 物群落特征的选择机制，也未涉及动物对栖息地植 被条件的适应性。本研究期望经比较哀牢山自然保 护区南华片黑颈长尾雉觅食地植物群落特征与其 他林型的异同，探寻植物群落与黑颈长尾雉栖境选 择间的关系，并通过分析觅食地与分布区内植被特 征的相似程度，揭示黑颈长尾雉的生态适应性。Li et al, 2006; Cao et al, 2007 本植物)的名称、高度、胸径(灌木基径)、冠幅、株 数和盖度，藤本株数，草本名称、高度、地径和盖 度(Young et al, 1991)。在小样方中测定草本密度、 草本高度、草本地径和草本盖度4个因子。野外不 ...
Plant communities of foraging sites of Hume’s Pheasant (Syramticushumiae ) had been surveyed by systematic sampling method since April 25 to May 16, 2008 in Nanhua part of Ailaoshan National Nature Reserve. And 133 plant species were recorded, belonging to 86 genera and 49 families. The results by spearman correlation analysis showed that there was a significant relativity between occurrence frequency of S. humiae and distribution of evergreen broadleaf forest, which meant the vertical distribution and territory of the birds were affected by the distribution of evergreen broadleaf forest. S. humiae preferred to select evergreen broadleaf forest as habitats. The results by important value ordination of plant and detrended correspondence analysis showed that the plant composition in foraging sites was conformed to evergreen broadleaf forest whereas greatly different from other forest types. The composition among plant layers in evergreen broadleaf forest could provide preferable coverage, either leaves or stalks of pteridophyte and nuts of fagaceae were foods for S. humiae . The results of diversity comparison showed that plant diversity in foraging sites were significantly higher than Pinusarmandii forest and deciduous broadleaf forest because both forests lacked vegetable foods. So habitat selection of Hume’s pheasant was affected by plant diversity and food richness. The results by comparison of vegetation factors and detrended correspondence analysis showed that tree coverage in foraging sites were higher than other forest types except evergreen broadleaf forest. The degree of similarity in foraging sites and other forest types differed. Deciduous broadleaf forest was less similar to foraging sites in vegetation factors where trees were sparse and S. humiae liked to graze greatly. There were short trees and few shrubs in P. armandii forests. However, mixed broadleaf and coniferous forest were more similar to foraging sites in vegetation factors, where human disturbance was serious. Coverage and human disturbance were dominant factors that influenced foraging sites selection of S. humia. The results by analysis of dissimilarity showed that the most studied area could supply basic conditions for the survival of S. humiae but the best suitable area was less indeed.
... Galliformes include large proportions of leaves in their diets, including . , members of the families Phasianidae (Young et al. 1991) and Cracidae (largely unstudied). ...
Vita. Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Florida, 1991. Includes bibliographical references. Photocopy.
The information on waterfowl community structure and habitat utilization is critical for protection and management of the wetland waterfowl. Field surveys on winter waterfowl in the Caohai Nature Reserve were conducted during December 2011 to February 2012. Results show that 30 species of waterfowl were recorded, belonging to 17 genera and 10 families of 6 orders, and dominatd with Plaeonaretic species and Holarctic species in fauna. Waterfowl of the Anseriformes are the dominant group both in species and population, consisting of five species, i. e. Fulica atra, Anas penelope, Anser indicus, Tadorna ferruginea, and Anas strepera, all beyond 10% in dominancy. However, some rare species like Grus nigricollis and Grus grus also have a certain size of the population. Apparent differences were observed between five habitats typical of Caohai in species composition and population of waterfowl inhabiting therein ( Kruskal-Wallis H Test:!2=16. 1893, P = 0. 003) . The shallow water zones are the richest among the 5 typical habitats in species diversity of waterfowl and also the highest in Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H' = 1. 079) and evenness index (J' = 0. 804) , whereas, the cultivated land is the lowest in all the three indices (H' = 0. 345;J' = 0. 493) . Clustering analysis of waterfowl communities shows that the waterfowls in Caohai could be sorted into seven concomitant communities, which varied in distribution with habitat. Therefore, more efforts should be made accordingly on the protection and management of the shallow water zone and cultivated land to promote conservation of waterfowl diversity and benign cycling of the wetland ecosystem in Caohai.
The home range and movements of Brown-headed Gulls (Larus brunnicephalus) were studied using radio telemetry from April to September 2006 at Qinghai Lake, China. Six Brown-headed Gulls were banded with radio transmitters. The results showed that the average Brown-headed Gull home range was larger in the early breeding period because of searching for food and mates. During this period, the gulls were often seen at Luci Island, Egg Island and Buhahekou, where food was abundant. The average home range size reduced dramatically in the mid breeding period due to egg laying and incubation. The birds frequently congregated at Buhahekou, where schools of fish gathered from the main lake and began to spawn in the spring. In the late breeding period, Brown-headed Gulls had to travel far from their nests, such as upstream of Buhahekou and Quanwan, to look for food to raise their fledglings. During this period, the home range sizes started to increase again. When the fledglings were able to fly in the early migration period, the home range size increased almost to the same size as the early breeding period. The home range size in the early breeding, mid breeding, late breeding, and early migration period were respectively (15.48 km2±4.54 km2), (1.61 km2±0.41 km2), (3.53 km2±2.63 km2), and (11.61 km2±9.36 km2).
By the methods of fixed-spot observation, GPS positioning, plot sampling measurement, factor analysis, and X2 test, an investigation was made in early March, 2006-2009 on the habitat selection of black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) at its late wintering stage in Honghuaerji National Nature Reserve, Inner Mongolia. The key elements for the habitat selection were food and concealment. The habitat selection had two levels (macro-habitat and micro-habitat) and two processes (habitat type choice and habitat site choice). The habitat type choice had the characters of universality and particularity, with the Mongolian pine, blackberry-Mongolian pine, and white birch-Mongolian pine forests as the main objects (80-3%). As for habitat site choice, terrain factor and human disturbance factor were most important. The sites with low altitude (800-900 m), low gradient (<20), mid and lower slope, and far away from village (>12 km), road (1-2 km), and forest edge (>600 m) were more preferred by the black grouse.
Elliot's pheasant (Syrmaticus ellioti) is a threatened species of pheasants endemic to China, and habitat loss and fragmentation have become the main threats to its survival. The habitat suitability of Elliot's pheasant was evaluated in Guanshan National Nature Reserve (GNNR) in Jiangxi Province from April to May in 2009 and from Dec 2009 to Jan in 2010. We selected four habitat factors, i. e. vegetation types, altitude, slope degree and slope direction, for habitat suitability evaluation of this pheasant in GNNR according to the field survey during breeding season and wintering season and the existing results of the previous researches in relation to Elliot's pheasant. The habitat suitability evaluation criteria were determined based on the used-available habitat comparisons and the resource selection index of each habitat factor in different gradients. Moreover, we assessed the habitat suitability of Elliot's pheasant in GNNR using the spatial analysis of Arc GIS Version 9.3 and on the base of habitat fragmentation index. Elliot's Pheasant preferred the evergreen broadleaved forest (Ei=0.102), evergreen and deciduous broadleaved mixed forest (Ei=0.144) and coniferous-broadleaved mixed forest (Ei=0.138) in breeding season with an altitude of 400-700 meters (Ei=0.385), a slope direction of 45-90° (Ei=0.101), 90-135° (Ei=0.124) and 135-180° (Ei=0.117), and a slope direction of 5-30°(Ei=0.264). There were 502 habitat patches in the suitable and sub-suitable habitat of this pheasant in breeding season with an area of 3307 hectare, accounting for 28.6% of the whole area of GNNR, and the splitting index and the fragmentation index were 0.365 and 0.912 correspondingly. The area of the suitable habitat of Elliot's pheasant in GNNR in breeding season was 1410 hectare with a splitting index of 0.659 and a fragmentation index of 0.958, while the area of the sub-suitable habitat was 1897 hectare with a splitting index of 0.545 and a fragmentation index of 0.942. In wintering season, the Elliot's pheasant in GNNR preferred the sites with an altitude of 300-600 meters (Ei=0.245), a slope direction of as 90-135° (Ei=0.205) and 135-180° (Ei=0.121) and a slope degree of 5-30° (Ei=0.295). At the same time, they mainly inhabited in the evergreen broadleaved forest (Ei=0.165), evergreen and deciduous broadleaved mixed forest (Ei= 0.147) and coniferous-broadleaved mixed forest (Ei=0.129). The suitable and sub-suitable habitat of this pheasant in GNNR in wintering season occupied an area of 2755 hectare, responsible for 23.8% of the total area of this reserve, and included 514 habitat patches. The splitting index and the fragmentation index of these habitats were 0.443 and 0.939, respectively, and the areas of the suitable habitat and sub-suitable habitat in this season were 1162 hectare and 1593 hectare, respectively. The splitting indexes of the suitable habitat and sub-suitable habitat in wintering season were 0.721 and 0.639 correspondingly, and the fragmentation indexes of these two types of habitat were 0.996 and 0.982 respective. Our results suggested that habitat fragmentation of Elliot's pheasant in GNNR was at a serious situation, and it was much worse for that in wintering season. Therefore, it is reasonable to recommend that some measures should be taken to protect the existing habitat of the Elliot's pheasant, especially in the wintering season.
To understand recent trends in the development of global ornithological research, compare these with related trends and patterns in China, and provide suggestions for future directions for Chinese ornithological research, we conducted a literature review of ornithology-related publications from 1991 to 2010 using reference database: Web of Science. We reviewed many publications and other information and provide here a summary of the trends in publication quantity and quality, major research areas, major research institutions, and individual contributions of ornithologists in the world and in China. The number of China’s ornithological professionals increased about ten times during the period, and avian-related publications in professional journals increased about 25% annually. Chinese ornithologists were recognized for their advancements in paleontology, pheasant and crane conservation, avian evolution, and applications of molecular technology to systematics. Compared with developed countries such as USA, UK, Germany and Canada, China is still behind in the quantity and quality of ornithological research and publications. In the future, we recommendthat Chinese ornithologists pay more attention to studies on avian life history, the impacts of climate change and urbanization on birds, avian conservation and protection, bird migration and connectivity, research methodology improvement, research team training and multidisciplinary collaborations, long-term research andmonitoring system establishment, and international cooperation.
Display-site selection by houbara bustards was studied in Mori, Xinjiang, China during the breeding seasons from April to June 2000. Most of the habitats chosen for displaying were short sub-shrubby and open areas close to high shrub patches. The displaying males clearly prefer low covered areas and avoid densely covered and high vegetation sites. The vegetation density and number of plant species at display sites were significantly lower from that at randomly selected sites. The average distance to the closest shrub patch was significantly shorter at display sites than at random sites. Plant species richness, vegetative density, vegetative cover and distance to the shrub patches are possibly the most important factors that determined the display-sites selection of houbara bustard.
We investigated habitat selection and use by a recently discovered hybrid of the white eared pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) and Tibetan eared pheasant (Crossoptilon harmani) in the forests of eastern Tibet (93°39′E, 32°24′N) during the post-incubation period in 1995. The frequency of encountering molted feathers was used as an indicator of the relative abundance of eared pheasants in order to analyze patterns of habitat selection and use. Forests on south-facing slopes, dominated by the hollyleaf-like oak (Quercus aquifolioides) and Tibetan juniper (Sabina tibetica), were the habitats preferred by eared pheasants. North-facing slopes with coniferous forest, which is the most preferred habitat of eared pheasant species in other areas, were completely avoided, probably because moisture-heat conditions there are beyond the birds' physiological tolerance. We conclude that climatic conditions are the main determinant of macrohabitat selection by eared pheasant species. In preferred habitats, oak and juniper woodland accounted for a larger proportion of home ranges of family flocks. Daily movements of a flock might cover a large altitudinal range, from the base of the mountain to the area above tree line, with an apparent preference for sites that can be used for foraging and dusting.
Understanding the habitat needs of White Eared-pheasant Crossoptiloncrossoptilon and Blood Pheasant Ithaginiscruentus is important for their conservation. We carried out field surveys of the two pheasants around Zhujie Monastery, Daocheng County, Sichuan Province, China, using line transects. In total, 172 200 × 200 m grid squares were obtained, including 56 active and 116 inactive ones for White Eared-pheasant and 45 active and 127 inactive ones for Blood Pheasant. We analysed the occurrence of both species by logistic multiple regression. The most important variables in model 1 for White Eared-pheasant were distance to nearest permanent water, shrub cover, tree cover, tree height and herb cover. In model 2 for Blood Pheasant, distance to nearest permanent water, shrub cover, herb cover and herb height were most important. The occurrence of both pheasants was negatively related to distance to nearest permanent water and herb cover, and positively related to shrub cover. The occurrence of White Eared-pheasant was positively related to tree cover and tree height, and that of Blood Pheasant to herb height. Water, food and predation risk were the main ecological factors affecting the species' distribution. Based on the two predictive models, conservation management was proposed, to include management of selectively-logged areas and substituting other energy sources, such as electricity, for firewood.
We investigated habitat selection and use by a recently discovered hybrid of the white eared pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon) and Tibetan eared pheasant (Crossoptilon harmani) in the forests of eastern Tibet (93°39'E, 32°24'N) during the post-incubation period in 1995. The frequency of encountering molted feathers was used as an indicator of the relative abundance of eared pheasants in order to analyze patterns of habitat selection and use. Forests on south-facing slopes, dominated by the hollyleaf-like oak (Quercus aquifolioides) and Tibetan juniper (Sabina tibetica), were the habitats preferred by eared pheasants. North-facing slopes with coniferous forest, which is the most preferred habitat of eared pheasant species in other areas, were completely avoided, probably because moisture-heat conditions there are beyond the birds' physiological tolerance. We conclude that climatic conditions are the main determinant of macrohabitat selection by eared pheasant species. In preferred habitats, oak and juniper woodland accounted for a larger proportion of home ranges of family flocks. Daily movements of a flock might cover a large altitudinal range, from the base of the mountain to the area above tree line, with an apparent preference for sites that can be used for foraging and dusting.
Understanding the status of fragmented populations and predicting their fate is an increasingly important part of bird conservation. Population viability analysis (PVA) can help in this process and is widely used for assessing the extinction risk faced by threatened species and for finding the key factors affecting population status and survival prospects. From 1982 to 2004, 14 scientists studied the population of the globally threatened Cabot's Tragopan Tragopan caboti in Wuyanling National Natural Reserve (WNNR), south-east China and collected life-history data on the population. Using VORTEX, we analysed the viability of the population in the reserve and this predicted that the population size will increase for the next 50 years and will then show a very slight decline for the next 50 years. The loss of heterozygosity is predicted to be 14%, suggesting that the population may not be viable in the long term. Sensitivity analyses showed that nest loss is the most important factor affecting population size and the survival probability of the population, which is supported by field studies. Though the new evidence shows that Cabot's Tragopan can build nests in spruce forest successfully, broad-leaf forest is still necessary for them for foraging, especially at some times of the year. The simulation also shows that the probability of survival and the size of the population will decrease markedly if the extent of suitable habitat is reduced even relatively slowly (such as 0.1% per year). Overall, we conclude that the PVA has provided very informative guidance to future management and research on Cabot's Tragopan at Wuyanling National Nature Reserve.
Grouse, partridges and pheasants belong to the highly threatened avian order Galliformes. We collected together existing data on the distribution of these species in east Asia (China and Pakistan south and east to the Lesser Sundas in Indonesia and Palawan in the Philippines) from published and unpublished sources. From this we extracted 1068 records of 101 east Asian endemics (plus three other species that have been found in east Asian protected areas) in 369 protected areas. One species was found in 108 protected areas and a further two in 39 and 38 protected areas: six species were not known from any. Of the threatened endemics, 84% were recorded in 10 or fewer protected areas compared with 50% of endemic species that are non-threatened. A near-minimum network designed to include each species in three protected areas wherever possible comprised 49 irreplaceable sites and 33 others. Comparison with other studies should indicate which of these protected areas are also important for other groups of organisms, such as plants and swallowtail butterflies. There is a need for improvement in knowledge of occurrence in protected areas. This should be provided from further collation of existing information and from undertaking targeted surveys. There is also a need to consider which protected areas are suitable for inclusion in a network and how many such areas are required to ensure that each species is adequately represented.
Home range and habitat use of male Reeves’s pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii) were studied during winter of 2001∼2002 and 2002∼2003 in the Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, Henan Province. Results from
five individuals of Reeves’s pheasant with over 30 relocations, indicated that the average size of home range was 10.03 ±
1.17 hm2 by Minimum Convex Polygon method, 8.60 ± 0.35 hm2 by 90% Harmonic Mean Transformation method, and 9.50 ± 1.90 hm2 by 95% Fixed Kernel method. It was observed that the winter range is smaller than that in the breeding season. The mean core
area of the home range was found to be 1.88 ± 0.37 hm2. Although the habitat composition of the core area varied greatly for individuals, a large part of the habitats used were
composed of confier and broadleaf mixed forests, masson pine forests, fir forests, and shrubs. Habitat use within the study
area was non-random, while habitats within home ranges were randomly used. Habitat use was dictated by tree diameter at breast
height, shrub height and coverage at 2.0 m. The proximity between forests and shrubs were also found to be important in providing
refuge for the birds during winter. Recommendations for conservation management include protecting the existing habitats in
Dongzhai National Nature Reserve, increasing suitable habitat for Reeves’s Pheasant through artificial plantations (e.g. firs),
and restoring some parts of the large shrub area into forests.
Habitat selection of Mrs. Hume Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) was studied respectively in fall and winter, spring and summer in Dazhongshan in Yunnan Province by the methods of used and available plots. The results of test and Bonferroni confidence interval showed that the pheasant prefer to select broadleaf evergreen forest as habitat category throughout the year, although the dominant species of tree, shrub or herb in habitat differed in seasons. The tests of differences of the factors between used and available plots indicated that there was no obvious selection for the terrain factors in the whole year except the factor of distance to the water in summer. Among all the vegetation factors that the significant different ones were listed as canopy tree coverage in spring; canopy tree density, canopy tree coverage, leaf litter coverage and herb coverage in summer; canopy tree coverage, herb coverage and liana density in autumn and winter. The results of principal component analysis of the factors in used plots revealed that the factors with large loads in principal components differed in different seasons, in other words, the key factors of habitat selection differed with seasons. One-way ANOVA and stepwise discriminant analysis validated that the features of habitat were similar between spring and autumn and winter with comparison to summer.
A new method of calculating centers and areas of animal activity is presented based on the harmonic mean of an areal distribution. The center of activity is located in the area of greatest activity; in fact, more than one "center" may exist. The activity area isopleth is related directly to the frequency of occurrence of an individual within its home range. The calculation of home range allows for the heterogeneity of any habitat and is illustrated with data collected near Corvallis, Oregon, on the brush rabbit (Sylvilagus bachmani.)
We studied diurnal habitat use and movements of 56 female ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) on private and public lands in southern Wisconsin from September through April 1968-71 using radio telemetry. Habitat use of female pheasants was a function of month, year, female age, and snow cover depth, but not female survival through April. Females preferred food patches and brush, and avoided pastures and active croplands in all 7 months. Shrub-carr wetlands were preferred by females in all months except October, and marshes were preferred in all months except January and February. Retired croplands were preferred from October to December, but avoided in January. Upland hardwoods were avoided in most months except for periods of deep snow cover. Monthly home-range sizes averaged 32 ha. Home-range size during 10-day periods peaked in late October through early November, and declined to a low in early January through early February. Juveniles had larger ranges than adults, and preyed-upon females had larger ranges than surviving females. Home-range size was positively related to corn harvesting and pheasant hunting pressure, and negatively related to snow cover depth. Females began a directional move (x̄ = 1,150 m) to winter cover in late September. Distance to winter cover was also a function of female age, female fate, corn harvest, and snow cover depth. Heavy hunting pressure appeared to temporarily suppress the use of food patches and strip cover, and accelerate the final move to winter cover, but did not cause females to move off public lands. Females remained in winter cover from early November through early February, using a variety of areas and habitats. The abundance of wetland cover in winter may have been responsible for a lack of winter concentration and independent moves between adults and juveniles.
We compared the Fourier series, harmonic mean, minimum convex polygon, and 2 95% ellipse home-range estimators using computer-simulated data with a known home-range area. Data were generated to simulate home ranges with 1 or 2 centers of activity and with topographic barriers causing irregular shapes. Estimators performed with different precision and bias according to the type of data simulated and the number of observations taken. Overall, the harmonic mean was the least biased, but was also one of the least precise. Home-range estimators are only general measures of animal activity.
McPAAL: Micro-computer programs for the analysis of animal locations
- M. Stuwe
- C.E. Blohowiak
Pheasants and Woodlands. Report to the Forestry Commission
- P.A. Robertson
- M.I.A. Woodburn
- C.E. Bealey
- I.C. Ludolf
- D.A. Hill
Population Studies of Cabotapos;s Tragopan in Wuyanling Natural Reserve
- J P Zhang
The feeding ecology nutrition and energy requirement of Cabotapos;s Tragopan
- Z W Zhang
Pheasants in Asia 1989
- J.P. Zhang
- G.M. Zheng
On the Breeding Ecology of Tragopan caboti
- G.M. Zheng
- X.R. Zhao
- J. Song
- Z.X. Liu
- H.Q. Zhou
On the Breeding Ecology of Tragopan caboti
- Zheng G.M.
The feeding ecology, nutrition and energy requirement of Cabotapos
- Z W Zhang
The study of feeding ecology of the Cabot's Tragopan
- Zhang Z.W.
Feeding Ecology of the Cabotapos;s Tragopan (Tragopan caboti)
- Zheng G.M.