The impact of wild boars on the temporal resource utilisation of silver pheasants in South China

Abstract

Context Increased populations of wild boar (Sus scrofa) in many ecosystems have raised concern regarding the impacts of this species on ecosystems and biodiversity. The relationship between other wildlife and wild boars is not yet fully understood, due to a lack of studies on whether and how other wildlife avoid wild boar interference. Aims This study aimed to investigate the impact of wild boars on the temporal resource utilisation of silver pheasants (Lophura nycthemera). Methods Eighteen infrared camera stations were deployed during the survey period of May 2020 to April 2022. We utilised avoidance–attraction ratios for evaluating the temporal interaction between silver pheasants and wild boars. We also used a kernel density for measuring their daily activity patterns and interspecific overlap. We simultaneously analysed the impact of human activities on silver pheasants as the reference basis for evaluating the degree of interference by wild boars. Key results The total survey effort was 1620 camera days, resulting in a total of 3451 independent detections. The silver pheasants showcased avoidance of both wild boars and human activities (avoidance–attraction ratios were both significantly greater than 1; P < 0.05). The highest degree of temporal overlap was observed between silver pheasants and human activities (Δ = 0.711), followed by wild boars (Δ = 0.615). They both depicted a significant difference in temporal ecological niche differentiation (P < 0.05). Conclusions Our results indicated that wild boars had a significant impact on the temporal resource utilisation of silver pheasants. The presence of wild boars significantly prolonged the recurrent reappearance time of silver pheasants in the same location. To avoid potential interference from wild boars, silver pheasants maximised activity frequencies during low activity periods of wild boars. Implications This study provides useful information for understanding the relationship between wild boars and other wildlife that inhabited the same areas. Future research will need to investigate both individual and combined impacts of wild boars and human activities on other wildlife.