Abstract:
Objectives This research aims to enhance wildlife resource data of the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve, and to analyze variations in activity intensity among different species across seasons. The findings will provide insights for future reserve management and planning.
Methods From May 2021 to August 2022, 50 camera traps were deployed in the northern foothills of the Altun Mountains in the reserve to carry out monitoring work. The Relative Abundance Index (RAI) was calculated and compared with the index from the same area a decade ago. Kernel density estimation was applied to analyze the daily activity patterns of the principal species in the study area across different seasons.
Results In total, 12 mammal species belonging to 4 orders and 7 families were identified. Of these, 11 of the identified species were classified as nationally key protected wild animals. In comparison to data collected ten years prior, the RAI of all species belonging to the herbivorous category, with the exception of the goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) and the blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur), has demonstrated a decline. Among the six carnivores, the RAI of the red fox(Vulpes vulpes) has declined, whereas the RAI of the wolf (Canis lupus), snow leopard(Panthera uncia), and lynx(Lynx lynx) have all increased. The daily activity patterns of the wild camel (Camelus ferus) (Δ4=0.89) and wolf（Δ4=0.56） exhibited highly significant differences between the cold and warm seasons (P <0.001). Similarly, the differences observed in the goitered gazelle（Δ4=0.84）and red fox (Δ4=0.78) were also significant (P <0.01).
Conclusions (1) The brown bear(Ursus arctos) has been included in the list of species monitored by camera traps in Lop Nur Wild Camel Reserve. (2) The population dynamics of the principal animal species in the reserve have undergone significant alterations over the past decade. Specifically, there was an increase in the carnivore population size, which was in contrast with a decrease in the herbivore population size. (3) Influenced by variations in water source and temperature, the spatial and temporal patterns of the animal community within the reserve exhibited discrepancies. (4) It is recommended that protected areas increase their investment in long-term and continuous monitoring to promptly detect dynamic population changes and provide support for management decisions.
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