PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are elusive predators inhabiting high-altitude and mountainous rugged habitats. The current study was conducted in the Yanchiwan National Nature Reserve, Gansu Province, China, to assess the habitat suitability of snow leopards and identify key environmental factors inducing their distribution. Field data collected between 2019 and 2022 through scat sampling and camera trapping techniques provided insights into snow leopard habitat preferences. Spatial distribution and cluster analyses show distinct hotspots of high habitat suitability, mostly concentrated near mountainous landscapes. While altitude remains a critical determinant, with places above 3300 m showing increased habitat suitability, other factors such as soil type, human footprint, forest cover, prey availability, and human disturbance also play important roles. These variables influence ecological dynamics and are required to assess and manage snow leopard habitats. The MaxEnt model has helped us to better grasp these issues, particularly the enormous impact of human activities on habitat suitability. The current study highlights the importance of altitude in determining snow leopard habitat preferences and distribution patterns in the reserve. Furthermore, the study underscores the significance of considering elevation in conservation planning and management strategies for snow leopards, particularly in mountainous regions. By combining complete environmental data with innovative modeling tools, this study not only improves local conservation efforts but also serves as a model for similar wildlife conservation initiatives around the world. By understanding the environmental factors driving snow leopard distribution, conservation efforts can be more efficiently directed to ensure the long-term survival of this endangered species. This study provides valuable insights for evidence-based conservation efforts to safeguard the habitats of snow leopards amidst emerging anthropogenic pressure and environmental fluctuations.
摘要：
雪豹（Pantherauncia）是难以捉摸的捕食者，栖息在高海拔和多山的崎habitat栖息地。本研究在盐池湾国家级自然保护区进行,甘肃省,中国,评估雪豹的栖息地适宜性，并确定导致其分布的关键环境因素。在2019年至2022年之间通过scat采样和相机捕获技术收集的现场数据提供了对雪豹栖息地偏好的见解。空间分布和聚类分析显示出高度栖息地适宜性的不同热点，大多集中在山区景观附近。虽然高度仍然是一个关键的决定因素，3300米以上的地方显示出更高的栖息地适宜性，其他因素，如土壤类型，人类足迹,森林覆盖,猎物的可用性，人为干扰也起着重要作用。这些变量会影响生态动态，并且是评估和管理雪豹栖息地所必需的。MaxEnt模型帮助我们更好地把握了这些问题，特别是人类活动对栖息地适宜性的巨大影响。当前的研究强调了海拔高度在确定雪豹栖息地偏好和保护区分布模式中的重要性。此外，这项研究强调了在雪豹的保护规划和管理策略中考虑海拔的重要性，特别是在山区。通过将完整的环境数据与创新的建模工具相结合，这项研究不仅改善了当地的保护工作，而且为世界各地类似的野生动植物保护计划提供了模型。通过了解驱动雪豹分布的环境因素,保护工作可以更有效地指导，以确保这种濒危物种的长期生存。这项研究为在人为压力和环境波动中保护雪豹栖息地的循证保护工作提供了宝贵的见解。
