A comparison of density estimation methods in plateau pika populations in an alpine meadow ecosystem

Author:

Wei Wanrong1,He Jundong2,Zheng Qiaoyan3,He Yuli4,Oosthuizen Maria K56

Affiliation:

1. Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), College of Life Science, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China

2. Institute of Ecology, Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, China

3. Academic Affairs Office, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China

4. School of Land and Resources, China West Normal University, Nanchong, China

5. Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa

6. Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa

Abstract

Abstract Plateau pikas are a keystone species and ecosystem engineers in alpine meadow ecosystems. A number of surveying methods have been used to estimate pika density, but the reliability of these methods is not known. In addition, better population density methodologies allow for more reliable density estimates. We therefore compared the relationship among several commonly used methods of estimating pika relative density and the absolute density (AD) of pika populations. This relationship was investigated in summer and winter pastures to determine whether distribution pattern of the pikas (patchy or uniform) would influence this relationship. During August of 2015 and August of 2016, we measured the relative and absolute population density of pikas in an alpine meadow in the County, Gansu province, northwestern China. Relative density was measured with three indirect and direct methods: the total burrow density (TBD), the active burrow density (ABD), and the direct counting density (DCD) at the peak of pika activity. AD was assessed by removal sampling. Our results showed that the relative population density with all three survey methods was significantly related to the absolute population density. In particular, DCD at the peak of the pika activity showed the best correlation with AD. A simple linear model showed the effect of grazing time by livestock had a significant effect on TBD and ABD. These results imply that using DCD as a method to survey at the peak of the pika activity is more reliable than other methods.

Funder

Fundamental Research Funds of China West Normal University

Special Fund for Agro-Scientific Research in the Public Interest

Gansu Provincial Science and Technology Program

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Subject

Nature and Landscape Conservation,Genetics,Animal Science and Zoology,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

Reference40 articles.

1. Abundance of Royle’s pika (Ochotona roylei) along an altitudinal gradient in Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya;Bhattacharyya;Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy,2010

2. Application of plateau pika biocontrol technology in Dangxiong, Tibet;Cang;Xizangkeji,2011

3. Methods for investigating the density of plateau pika in Northern Tibetan Plateau;Chen;Plant Protection,2008

4. The paradox of keystone species persecuted as pests: a call for the conservation of abundant small mammals in their native range;Delibes-Mateos;Biological Conservation,2011

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3