Dai Yunchuan, Zhu Yujing, Xia Wancai, Zou Shuzhen, Wang Fan, Li Dayong
Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan Province, China.
Institute for Ecology and Environmental Resources, Chongqing Academy of Social Sciences, Chongqing, China.
Am J Primatol. 2025 Jan;87(1):e23714. doi: 10.1002/ajp.23714.
The Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) was found to possess significant scientific and conservation value but faced multiple threats including habitat fragmentation and loss, human disturbance, illegal hunting, and the impacts of climate change on their habitat. To enhance habitat protection for this species, our study utilized field survey data and distribution records from protected areas to systematically evaluate spatial heterogeneity in suitable habitat distribution and habitat quality in Sichuan Province. Integration of 3S technology and ecological modeling allowed for a comprehensive assessment. We found that: (1) The potential habitat area for the species in Sichuan Province covered 78,470.47 km², with suitable and marginally suitable habitats occupying 28,301.36 and 50,169.11 km² respectively. Suitable habitats were predominantly found at elevations of 1600-3200 m, in areas with low population density and minimal human disturbance. (2) Suitable habitats within protected areas accounted for 42.7% of the total suitable habitat area, while marginally suitable habitats within protected areas comprised 24.8% of the total marginally suitable habitat area. (3) Vegetation types most utilized by the species, ranked from highest to lowest preference, were deciduous broadleaf forests, evergreen coniferous forests, evergreen broadleaf forests, mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, and shrublands. Evergreen coniferous forests exhibited the largest patch area and lowest fragmentation, whereas deciduous broadleaf forests showed higher fragmentation within protected areas. (4) Four potential ecological corridors were identified, connecting the Wujiao, Xuebaoding, and Baodinggou nature reserves. Strengthening the protection of suitable habitats and potential ecological corridors would enhance landscape connectivity, facilitating the effective utilization of suitable habitats by the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. Our findings provided a scientific basis for future conservation and management efforts for the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey.
四川金丝猴（Rhinopithecus roxellana）具有重大的科学和保护价值，但面临多种威胁，包括栖息地破碎化和丧失、人类干扰、非法捕猎以及气候变化对其栖息地的影响。为加强对该物种的栖息地保护，我们的研究利用了实地调查数据和保护区的分布记录，系统评估了四川省适宜栖息地分布的空间异质性和栖息地质量。3S技术与生态模型的结合实现了全面评估。我们发现：（1）四川省该物种的潜在栖息地面积为78470.47平方千米，适宜栖息地和边缘适宜栖息地分别占28301.36平方千米和50169.11平方千米。适宜栖息地主要分布在海拔1600 - 3200米、人口密度低且人类干扰最小的地区。（2）保护区内的适宜栖息地占适宜栖息地总面积的42.7%，而保护区内的边缘适宜栖息地占边缘适宜栖息地总面积的24.8%。（3）该物种最常利用的植被类型，从偏好程度由高到低依次为落叶阔叶林、常绿针叶林、常绿阔叶林、针阔混交林和灌丛。常绿针叶林斑块面积最大且破碎化程度最低，而落叶阔叶林在保护区内的破碎化程度较高。（4）确定了四条潜在生态廊道，连接了五家、雪宝顶和宝鼎沟自然保护区。加强对适宜栖息地和潜在生态廊道的保护将增强景观连通性，促进四川金丝猴对适宜栖息地的有效利用。我们的研究结果为四川金丝猴未来的保护和管理工作提供了科学依据。
