Open AccessConservation potentials and limitations of large carnivores in protected areas: A case study in Northeast China
Author(s) -
Wen Dusu,
Qi Jinzhe,
Long Zexu,
Gu Jiayin,
Tian Yumiao,
Roberts Nathan James,
Yang Eryan,
Kong Weiyao,
Zhao Yan,
Sun Quan,
Jiang Guangshun
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
conservation science and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2578-4854
DOI - 10.1111/csp2.12693
Subject(s) - tiger , leopard , endangered species , geography , habitat , population , panthera , predation , flagship species , national park , china , wildlife , ecology , apex predator , fishery , biology , archaeology , sociology , computer science , demography , computer security
Protected areas are considered the cornerstone of endangered wildlife conservation. However, quantified conservation potentials and limitations of large carnivores in protected areas are lacking. In the Northeast Tiger and Leopard National Park (NTLNP) in China, our camera trap survey in 2019 found 26–27 adult Amur tigers and 49–59 adult Amur leopards occurring in the park. Based on spatial area, current prey populations, and environmental carrying capacity of prey, we estimated the supportable number of tigers to be 55, 90, and 101 individuals, respectively. For leopard, these values were 95, 356, and 572, respectively. Further simulations indicated that human land use change scenarios did not contribute much to increasing the potential prey‐supportable populations of Amur tiger and leopard. Our results showed that the number of tigers and leopards in NTLNP is currently low and has a high recovery potential. However, even the highest supportable population is not enough to support the sustainable existence of an Amur tiger population. Therefore, we suggest that, in addition to further restoration and improvement of the prey population and habitat quality in NTLNP, managers should strengthen the connectivity between NTLNP and other habitat patches to form a well‐connected network of protected areas. Promoting the spread of tigers and leopards outwards from this source population in NTLNP through ecological corridor construction would enlarge the area of habitat and is a crucial measure for realizing the sustainable survival of an Amur tiger population in Northeast China.