Correspondent Qi Jinzhe Science and Technology Daily reporter Li Liyun
Reporter learned from Northeast Forestry University on the 27th that the scientific research team of the Feline Research Center of the State Forestry and Grassland Administration led by Jiang Guangshun of Northeast Forestry University and the World Wild Biology Society, Experts from WWF, the University of California, Heilongjiang Wildlife Research Institute and other domestic and foreign institutions published an online publication titled "Integrated Assessment Calls for the Establishment of a Sustainable Siberian Tiger Metapopulation in Northeast Asia" in the journal Biological Conservation on the 23rd. "The latest research results on the population dynamics and conservation potential of wild Siberian tigers in China. The results show that Northeast China is already home to at least 55 wild Siberian tigers and will be able to support the survival of more than 300 Siberian tigers in the future.
The study lasted for 6 years, covering all the habitat landscape patches of Siberian tigers in my country, with a total of about 2,400 automatic cameras deployed, and a total monitoring time of about 2.2 million days; a 5km long snow survey sample line was completed 662 pieces; collected 146 pieces of Siberian tiger feces genetic samples, 122 pieces of other valid information such as footprints and predation traces, and collected the distribution data of all ungulate prey for comprehensive analysis.
From January 2013 to December 2018, the information sites of the Amur tigers in China and the current distribution areas of the Amur tigers in China and Russia. Photo courtesy of Northeast Forestry University
The study shows that the population of wild Siberian tigers in my country is growing dynamically, and suggests the characteristics of the spatial distribution pattern of Siberian tiger habitats. The study is based on the home space area and prey biomass requirements of wild Siberian tigers Evaluated the protection potential of my country's current Siberian tiger habitat landscape and pointed out that "the next hot spot for tiger protection in the world will be in China."The study identified 55 wild Siberian tigers (including 20 juveniles) through the image data recorded by automatic cameras, and the number of adult individuals increased from 7 in 2013 to 33 in 2018. At the same time, the Siberian tigers were identified through genetic information from stool samples. 30 individuals. During this period, the average growth rate of the population was 1.51%. Compared with the 12 to 16 wild Siberian tigers surveyed in my country in 2000, the number of individuals has been multiplied and the conservation effect is very significant.
The current number of Siberian tiger individuals and the number that can be accommodated in each habitat landscape patch. (Photo courtesy of Northeast Forestry University)
The study also found that there are 47813 square kilometers of forests with a stable distribution of Siberian tigers in my country, of which Laoyeling area is 18,029 square kilometers; Zhangguangcailing area is 10941 square kilometers; Wandashan The area is 5580 square kilometers, and the Xiaoxinganling area is 13,263 square kilometers.
Research shows that the ungulate prey in all landscape patches is mainly small roe deer, while the large ungulates that Siberian tigers prefer to prey such as wild boar, red deer are relatively lacking. The number of tiger populations supported by the current total biomass of prey in each habitat patch are 110 (Laoyeling), 56 (Zhangguangcailing), 14 ( Wandashan) and 31 (Xiaoxinganling). However, if the predation preference of Siberian tigers is considered, the number of Siberian tiger populations that can be supported will decrease significantly. Based on the population density of the Russian Siberian tiger and the home area of adult female tigers, it is estimated that the current distribution area in my country can support the survival of 310 wild Siberian tiger populations. Under the current trend of rapid global tiger habitat loss, my country's Siberian tiger population and habitat have great potential for restoration, and it will become the most promising country in the global tiger distribution area.
Nevertheless, the number of adult female tigers that the Amur tiger distribution area in the current 4 landscape patches in my country can support is only 45 (Laoyeling), 27 (Zhangguangcailing), and 14 (Wanda Mountain) and 33 (Xiaoxinganling).International tiger and leopard expert Chaplong and other studies in 2008 have shown that at least 83 breeding females are required to maintain the sustainable survival of a tiger population. Therefore, the study of believes that all landscape patches including the Laoye Mountain where Siberian Tiger and Leopard National Park is located cannot alone support a sustainable wild Siberian tiger population.
The study pointed out that prey density, especially the lack of large and medium-sized prey, is the main factor affecting the sustained and stable recovery of the population. More importantly, because each landscape patch cannot alone support the sustainable survival of the wild Siberian tiger population, only through the establishment of ecological corridors to connect the various landscape patches and the Siberian tiger habitat in Russia to build a complete Siberian tiger metapopulation Only then can the Siberian tiger be fully recovered and its sustainable survival guaranteed. Therefore, in addition to the restoration of large-scale prey, the study also suggests that the protection of Siberian tigers in my country should promote top-level national land and space utilization planning, effective man-made disturbance management, improved connectivity between landscape patches, and extensive international cooperation. At the same time, we should scientifically evaluate and carry out the re-introduction of female Siberian tigers, quickly promote the effective recovery of populations in the habitat landscape patches of non-female Siberian tigers, and enable my country to have a sustainable wild Siberian tiger metapopulation as soon as possible.
Editor: Zhang Shuang
Review: Julie
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