High variability in ungulate density estimates suggests standardization of survey methodologies in Central Asia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5564/pib.v39i1.3146Keywords:
Ibex, argali, blue sheep, Central Asia, density estimation, Himalayas, urgunatesAbstract
In this systematic literature review, we sought to summarize methodological development used to estimate their population abundance and density and factors associated with the observed spatial variability in density estimates in key three species ibex Capra Sibirica, argali Ovis ammon, and blue sheep or bharal Pseudois nayaur. We retrieved density estimates of these three species from 97 peer-reviewed articles published between 1960 and 2023. We examined the relationship between density estimates (animal/km2 ) with multiple predictor variables such as elevation, season, survey and estimation methodology (e.g. distance sampling, total count, and double observer), sampling area, and whether the study area was protected or not among other factors. Our results show extreme spatial variability in density estimates of all three species (blue sheep, range = 0.1 to 9.3 individual/km2 ibex, range = 0.006 to 6 individual/km2 ; argali, range = 0.008 to 8 individual/km2 ). The results of regression models indicate significant variability in density estimates, particularly for blue sheep, influenced by elevation, protected areas, and estimation methods. For ibex, sampling area and season explained a larger proportion of variation whereas argali density was largely explained by elevation, snow leopard presence, season, and estimation method. These findings shed light on the challenges of estimating prey density in snow leopard habitats and provide insights for reconciling contrasting estimates, thus aiding in effective conservation efforts.
Төв Азийн туурайтан амьтдын нягтшилыг тооцоолох судалгааны аргазүйг стандартчилах тухай
Хураангуй. Бид энэхүү системчилсэн тоймдоо цоохор ирвэсийн гол идэш тэжээлийг бүрдүүлдэг янгир ямаа (Capra sibirica), аргаль хонь (Ovis ammon), хөх хонь (Pseudois nayaur)-ы тоо толгойн элбэгшил, нягтшилыг тооцоолох аргазүйг нэгтгэн дүгнэхийг зорив. Бид эдгээр гурван туурайтны зүйлийн нягтшилын тооцоог 1960-2023 оны хооронд хэвлэгдсэн 126 өгүүллээс судлагдсан улс, газрын нэр, судалгаанд хамрагдсан талбайн хэмжээ, судалгаа хийсэн улирал,он жил, судалгааны арга (зайны тандалт, нийт тоо,хос ажиглалт гэх мэт), тусгай хамгаалалттай газар эсэх, өндөршил, цоохор ирвэстэй зэрэг мэдээллийг цуглуулсан. Үр дүнгээс үзэхэд хөх хонь (тархалт = 0.1-9.3 бодгаль/km2), янгир ямаа (тархалт = 0.006-6 бодгаль/km2), аргаль хонь (тархалт = 0.008-8 бодгаль/km2) байв. Эдгээр туурайтан амьтдын нягтшил нь байгалийн хүчин зүйлээс хамаарч өндөр хэлбэлзэлтэй байв. Регрессийн загвар (Regression model)-ийн үр дүн нь өндөршил, тусгай хамгаалалттай газар нутаг, судалгааны аргазүйгээс хамаараад хөх хонины нягтшил нь хэлбэлзэж байгааг харуулж байна. Янгир ямааны нягтшилын хувьд судалгааны талбайн хэмжээ, улирлаас хамааралтай байсан бол аргаль хонины нягтшилыг тогтооход өндөршил, улирал, судалгааны арга болон цоохор ирвэсээс хамаарч байна. Эдгээр үр дүн нь цоохор ирвэсийн гол идэш болох янгир ямаа (Capra sibirica), аргаль хонь (Ovis ammon), хөх хонь (Pseudois nayaur) туурайтны нягтшилыг тооцоход тулгарч буй асуудлуудыг шийдэхэд эергээр нөлөөлж, нягтшилыг тооцох олон ялгаатай аргазүйг нэгтгэх ойлголт өгч, цаашлаад байгаль хамгаалах үйл хэрэгт үнэтэй хувь нэмэр оруулна гэж үзэж байна.
Түлхүүр үгс: Янгир ямаа, аргаль хонь, хөх хонь, Төв Ази, нягтшилын тооцоолол, туурайтан
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