Assessing mammal species richness and occupancy in a Northeast Asian temperate forest shared by cattle

• DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13237
• Publication Date: 2021-02-01T06:35:53Z
• Authors: Jiawei Feng; Yifei Sun; Hailong Li; Yuqi Xiao; Dandan Zhang; James L. D. Smith; Jianping Ge; Tianming Wang
• Keywords: Occupancy

Abstract Aim Asian forests are becoming increasingly degraded and fragmented by the extensive intensification of anthropogenic activities; these activities threaten wildlife ecosystem sustainability. Facing a defaunation crisis, managers need more information on species assemblages to guide conservation efforts. We tested relative influence natural factors mammalian richness occupancy in temperate Northeast Asia. Location China. Methods Camera‐trapping data multispecies models were used estimate terrestrial mammal community working landscape assess community‐, group‐, species‐specific responses features while accounting for imperfect detection. Species grouped based body size, diet activity pattern. Results deployed 138 cameras photographed 21 over 22,976 trap days across China–Russia border. Both correlates varied their importance predicting presence different animals. Vegetation cover cattle found have significantly positive negative influences community‐level occupancy, respectively. The relationship with vegetation was most evident large or diurnal species; wild ungulate species. Large also negatively associated human settlements. predicted each station from 5 14 unique species, had mean probability 0.45 (95% credible interval = 0.09–0.86). generally lowest livestock grazing areas close Human is important than environmental variables. Main conclusions Our results highlight that primary disturbance impact richness. Multispecies helped identify drivers biodiversity declines will inform strategies human‐dominated landscapes forests. suggest planning seeks maximize forest protection services such as carbon storage.