The impact of disturbance from photographers on the Blue-crowned Laughingthrush (Garrulax courtoisi)

Avian Conservation and Ecology

WeiweiZhang,¹  TaoLiu,¹  JinzeShi,²  HuiqinHuang,² 

[1] Center for Wildlife Resources Conservation Research, Jiangxi Agricultural University;College of Wildlife Resources, Northeast Forestry University

关键词: bird photographer;    breeding success;    habitat management;    human disturbance;    nest-site selection;   

DOI  :  10.5751/ACE-01007-120115

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Resilience Alliance Publications

【 摘 要 】

Human disturbance may cause significant declines in animal populations. The Blue-crowned Laughingthrush (Garrulax courtoisi) is critically endangered and restricted to a small area in Wuyuan, Jiangxi Province, China. Disturbance from photographers in the main breeding sites were severe in the past few years. We studied nest-site selection in nine breeding colonies in relation to disturbance by bird photographers. We compared the nest tree species and nest height above ground in Shimen (SM), the largest and most disturbed site, with the other eight sites. Birds in SM were more selective in nest tree species than in the other sites, they also nested much further from the nearest village building. Nest height above ground at SM was greater than at the other sites and itself in 2004 when there were almost no visitors. These results suggest that disturbance from birding visitors may exacerbate the endangered status of this bird. Management of bird visitors in a small breeding area of endangered species should be considered.

【 授权许可】

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