Climate change and human activities since the late Pleistocene have profoundly impacted endemic species on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The Tibetan antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), a keystone ungulate once heavily poached, experienced unclear demographic fluctuations in response to these pressures. Using whole-genome resequencing, we analyzed 85 Tibetan antelope individuals across three geographic populations to reconstruct their demographic history. Our findings reveal a climate-driven decline during the Last Glacial Period, with a bottleneck during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and post-LGM recovery, aligning with ecological niche modeling that shows habitat contraction and expansion. We further detected repeated human-induced demographic collapses and recovery dynamics in Tibetan antelopes: (i) Neolithic collapse (around 6-4 thousand years ago) probably due to prehistoric overhunting; (ii) Bronze Age expansion (around 2.4 thousand years ago) possibly due to reduced hunting pressure as humans shifted to agro-pastoralism; (iii) an early 15th century expansion potentially from the influence of Tibetan Buddhism on reducing exploitation; (iv) a brief yet severe recent bottleneck during the 1950s-1990s caused by illegal poaching; and (v) a post-bottleneck recovery since 2000 due to enhanced protection. This study clarifies the interplay between climatic and anthropogenic impacts on Tibetan antelopes, offering insights for conserving the biodiversity on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.

Species distribution and activity patterns vary across regions, and these patterns reveal key information about the biology of a given species. However, such data in Niubeiliang National Nature Reserve located in the Qinling Mountains, Shaanxi Province, China, are inadequate due to limited monitoring studies. From September 2017 to December 2019, 57 infrared cameras were installed to monitor species distribution relative to distance from National Highway 210, and spatial and temporal activity patterns in Niubeiliang National Nature Reserve (elevation range 1,100 to 2,802 m). Sixteen species of mammals were recorded in our survey. The 4 most frequently detected species were Reeves's Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Pere David's Rock Squirrel (Sciurotamias davidianus), and Golden Takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi). Daily patterns of these species indicated that Reeves's muntjacs and golden takins were more active at dawn and dusk, whereas wild boars and Pere David's rock squirrels were more active during the day. The relative abundance index of these mammals varied seasonally. Wild boars and Pere David's rock squirrels showed no obvious preference in elevation distribution, Reeves's muntjacs preferred low-elevation habitats (1,300 to 1,600 m), and golden takins mainly inhabited high-elevation areas (1,900 to 2,100 m). Golden takins showed obvious avoidance of roads, with avoidance distance from the road of >300 m. In contrast, Reeves's muntjacs were remarkably abundant within 200 m of the road. For both wild boars and Pere David's rock squirrels, there was no significant difference in RAI among 5 highway ranges. These findings help describe the distribution and activity patterns of these species in Qinling, to monitor their population dynamics, and to develop tailored conservation strategies for the 4 species and sympatric wildlife.

Tibetan antelopes (Pantholopshodgsonii) migrate great distances to specific delivery and calving areas. In the current study, we investigated calving site selection and vigilance behaviour during delivery and nursing in migratory female Tibetan antelopes at Zonag Lake. According to observations and analysis, the females were distributed south of Zonag Lake, where vegetation was abundant. We determined their dates of migration (crossing the Qinghai-Tibet Highway observation site), showing a shift of one month during the period from June in 2008 to May 2021. Results also showed that 81.4% of females expressed high vigilance behaviour during calving and nursing compared to those without calves (7.1%). From delivery until calf standing, females were highly vigilant and spent considerable time scanning, with 96% of females showing vigilance behaviour. Females with calves (average 9.94 ± 0.62 s) spent more time on vigilance behaviour than females without calves (average 6.25 ± 1.38 s). Females with newborns spent the greatest amount of time being vigilant (average 51.63 ± 4.24 s). These results not only identify basic Tibetan antelope calving behaviour, but also provide scientific analysis and evidence for further ethological research on female Tibetan antelopes.

2019年8月至2020年10月,采用样线法和样点法,在扎陵湖-鄂陵湖国际重要湿地开展了鸟类调查,将调查结果与历史文献资料相结合,对在该湿地分布的鸟类进行了梳理和编目.研究结果显示,在扎陵湖-鄂陵湖国际重要湿地,共记录13目28科77种鸟类,其中,有雀形目鸟类11科23种(占总物种数量的29.87％),有非雀形目鸟类17科54种(占总物种数量的70.13％);有水鸟6目10科35种,占记录的总物种数量的45.45％,其个体数量占全部调查鸟类总个体数量的93.07％;在77种鸟类中,有8种为国家一级保护鸟类,有11种为国家二级保护鸟类;2019年8月鸟类群落的Shannon-Weaver多样性指数(2.67)和Pielou均匀度指数(0.51)都相对最大,即8月鸟类群落的多样性水平相对较高.扎陵湖-鄂陵湖国际重要湿地是中亚鸟类迁徙路线上重要的候鸟繁殖地和停歇地,应该完善该湿地的鸟类监测与保护网络.

Biodiversity monitoring is an important means by which to evaluate management effectiveness and develop sound conservation plans. In this study, 52 cameras were installed in the study area of Tianzhushan to assess wildlife diversity and elevational patterns from 2018 to 2019. In total, 9 541 independent photos were collected within 26 565 camera-days. We analysed the relative abundance index (RAI), activity patterns and seasonal activity rhythms of the five most abundant species at 200-m elevational intervals throughout the study area (elevation range 1 400–2 000 m a.s.l.). Based on RAI results, the activity patterns of the five most abundant species (i.e. Sus scrofa , Naemorhedus griseus , Muntiacus reevesi , Arctonyx collaris and Capricornis milneedwardsii ) were analysed. Amongst the detected wild mammals, Sus scrofa had the highest RAI value of 9.91, while the occurrence of Tamiops swinhoei had the lowest RAI at 0.004. In addition, there were significant differences in species activity during the daytime and night-time. RAI of the ungulate community peaked at the 1 600–1 800 m a.s.l. elevational range, thus showing a mid-elevational peak pattern. Differences in vertical distribution patterns were detected for the five most abundant species. Mainland serows and wild boars preferred mid-elevation habitats (1 600–1 800 m a.s.l.), long-tailed gorals preferred mid- and high altitudes (1 600–2 000 m a.s.l.) elevation habitats and Chinese muntjacs and hog badgers preferred low elevation habitats (1 400–1 600 m a.s.l.). Taken together, this is the first study to reveal the five dominant species activity patterns in Tianzhushan, which is of importance for wildlife conservation.

对比2010、2014年西安至成都客运专线建设前后卫星遥感数据,分析植被类型、面积、空间分布的变化情况,结合第四次大熊猫调查数据评估了西成客运专线对沿线大熊猫栖息地的影响.结果表明:陕西天华山国家级自然保护区大熊猫栖息地植被损毁面积为26.04 hm2,占保护区总面积的0.10％,类型以灌丛为主.菜子坪走廊带大熊猫栖息地植被损毁面积为43.25 hm2,占走廊带总面积的0.12％,类型以阔叶林为主.从空间分布来看,约80％损毁的植被位于连接隧道出入口和桥梁既有公路或废弃公路100 m范围内,西安至成都客运专线建设期对大熊猫栖息地植被直接影响程度较小.结合第四次大熊猫调查数据,陕西天华山国家级自然保护区及周边区域分布5只大熊猫,均位于线路的北侧.菜子坪走廊带及周边区域分布13只大熊猫,4只在线路西侧,9只位于线路东侧.考虑到大熊猫迁移习性,工程为大熊猫共设计5处桥梁下方动物通道和8处隧道上方动物通道,可满足大熊猫正常迁移的需求.天华山保护区段工程距离大熊猫活动位置的最近距离约5 km,菜子坪走廊带段工程距离大熊猫活动位置的最近距离约1 km,施工期间灯光、噪声、振动以及人为活动会对大熊猫活动、觅食产生一定程度的干扰,建议:严格控制施工范围与强度,优化施工时段,开展施工期大熊猫栖息地生态与野生动物活动规律研究,加强栖息地恢复.

We evaluate the bird-train collision risk associated with a recent high-speed railway project for the crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) and other local bird species in the Qinling Mountains, China. Using ground-walked line transect surveys, we surveyed the population abundance, distance to the railway bridge, and bridge-crossing behaviors of the birds in the study area. The results show that: (1) The crested ibis and the little egret (Egretta garzetta) were the two most abundant waterfowl species in the study area. The relative abundance index of these two species were about 43.33% and 42.75%, respectively; (2) 92.86% of the observed crested ibises were firstly detected within the range of 0 m to 25 m of the vicinity of the railway bridge; (3) The ratio between crossing over and under the railway bridge is about 7:3, which we found that crested ibises preferred flying over the bridge, but little egrets were more likely to cross the railway below the bridge. In the end, we recommend that, while the collision risk for the crested ibis could be low, protection structures, such as barrier poles or fences, should still be considered to avoid possible collisions of other co-habitants and promote conservation for multiple bird species in the area.

归纳总结了目前道路交通对野生动物影响研究现状以及发展趋势,重点从动物伤亡、屏障作用、野生动物栖息地影响、野生动物廊道等方面进行了论述.并针对道路交通设计、建设、运营等不同时期的特点,提出了具体的野生动物保护措施,以实现道路交通建设与野生动物保护和谐发展.

Taking the design of wildlife corridor from Mingshui to Hami section of national expressway from Beijing to Urumqi as an example. From January 2015 to May 2018, the project team monitored and studied the wildlife utilization of 13 corridors along the route from Mingshui to Hami. The results show that wildlife along the highway has begun to use Bridges, culverts and passageways to cross the highway.

This paper, the authors take the design of wildlife corridor from Mingshui to Hami section of national expressway from Beijing to Urumqi as an example. The types, living habits and activity rules of local wildlife are analysed. The distribution of vegetation and water source along the highway was investigated, and the distribution of water source was taken as an important basis for the location selection of animal corridor. Considering the dry climate and strong wind along the route, the type of animal corridor is determined to be the underpass. Comparing with the utilization effect of Equus hemionus corridor on Qinghai-Tibet railway, the requirement that the clearance height of Mongolian wild donkey passage at Mingha high speed is more than 3.5 meters is put forward.

作者采用红外相机技术,对西安市小王涧国有生态林场大中型兽类分布特征进行了研究,结果表明:林场分布有16种大中型兽类,分别是羚牛、林麝、金丝猴、鬣羚、斑羚、狍、小麂、毛冠鹿、野猪、青鼬、豹猫、豪猪、果子狸、猪獾、金钱豹、黑熊;相对丰富度指数野猪最高,为34.91％,金钱豹最少,为0.09％,其他兽类介于二者之间;不同海拔区间兽类物种多样性不同,中山地带最高(13种),低海拔区次之(10种),高海拔区最少(7种);不同类型植被中的兽类物种多样性不同,物种数针阔混交林(13种)>阔叶林(11种)>针叶林(8种)>灌丛与草甸(4种),物种丰富度指数阔叶林中(37.65％)>针阔混交林(30.49％)>针叶林(20.38％)>灌丛与草甸(14.25％).大中型野生动物的分布差异是海拔因素与植被类型因素相互作用的结果,小王涧林场的光头山、干沟、高西沟、南叉河、户菜路等区域是大中型兽类分布集中区域,应实施重点保护.

Bird collisions with high-speed transport modes is a vital topic on vehicle safety and wildlife protection, especially when high-speed trains, with an average speed of 250km/h, have to run across the habitat of an endangered bird species. This paper evaluates the bird-train collision risk associated with a recent high-speed railway project in Qinling Mountains, China, for the crested ibis (Nipponia nippon) and other local bird species. Using line transect surveys and walking monitoring techniques, we surveyed the population abundance, spatial-temporal distributions, and bridge-crossing behaviors of the birds in the study area. The results show that: (1) The crested ibis and the egret were the two most abundant waterfowl species in the study area. The RAI of these two species were about 43.69% and 42.91%, respectively; (2) Crested ibises overall habitat closer to the railway bridge. 91.63% of them were firstly detected within the range of 0m to 25m of the vicinity of the bridge; (3) the ratio between crossing over and under the railway bridge was about 7:3. Crested ibises were found to prefer to fly over the railway bridge (89.29% of the total crossing activities observed for this species). Egrets were more likely to cross the railway below the bridge, and they accounted for 60.27% of the total observations of crossing under the bridge. We recommend that, while the collision risk of crested ibises could be low, barrier-like structures, such as fences, should still be considered to promote the conservation of multiple bird species in the area. This paper provides a practical case for railway ecology studies in China. To our best knowledge, this is the first high-speed railway project that takes protecting crested ibises as one of the top priorities, and exemplifies the recent nationwide initiative towards the construction of "eco-civilization" in the country.

本研究选择三种类型公路,采用样方法、雪障法、红外相机监测技术研究有蹄类动物分布规律、迁移策略、迁移方式,以及相关影响因素,结果表明:不同等级公路对有蹄类动物迁移均有影响,主要表现为有蹄类动物的回避效应以及对其迁移的阻隔,公路对有蹄类动物迁移的影响大小与公路的等级有关,等级越高,影响越大;有蹄类动物对路域环境的选择与海拔、植被类型、郁闭度、盖度、水源距离、隐蔽条件、基底特征、干扰距离等因子相关,人为干扰和隐蔽条件两个因子对有蹄类动物迁移影响较大,而它们对植被、地貌、水源等不同因子的选择程度以及偏好,一定程度上反映出这4种有蹄类动物在生态位上存在重叠和分化.

相比公路人们对铁路给野生动物造成的生态影响知之甚少.本文系统论述了国内外铁路和火车对野生动物的负面影响,并归纳了减少和减轻这些影响的方法.尽管公路与铁路对野生动物带来的生态效应较为相似,研究方法也可以互相借鉴,但在某些特殊情况下,未来的铁路生态学研究仍需要研发新的方法和技术.

This paper reports on the design of wildlife crossing structures (WCSs) along a new expressway in China, which exemplifies the country's increasing efforts on wildlife protection in infrastructure projects. The line and belt transect method, the surface water survey, and the sign-tracking investigation were used to determine the target species in the study area and the quantity, candidate locations, size, and type of the WCSs. The intensity index and encounter rate showed that the ibex (Capra ibex), argali sheep (Ovis ammon), and goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) are the main ungulates in the study area. Among them, the goitered gazelle is the most widely distributed species. Underpass WCSs were proposed based on the expert knowledge and crossing hotspots estimated using survey results. The mean distance between estimated hotspots and their nearest proposed WCSs is around 341 m. In addition, those proposed WCSs have a width of no less than 12 m and height of no lower than 3.5 m, which is believed to be sufficient for ungulates in the area. Given the limited availability of high-resolution movement data and wildlife-vehicle collision data during the road's early design stage, the approach demonstrated in this paper facilitates the practical spatial planning and provides insights into designing WCSs in a desert landscape.