Analysis on the Community Enviroment of the Chinese Serow in the Nanjian area of Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve

Understanding the ecological relationships among species in the Chinese serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) community is of great guiding significance for species conservation. This study analyzed infrared camera data collected between November 2019 and January 2021 in the Nanjian region of Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve. Using spatial association methods, a species association network was constructed for the Chinese serow and other ground-dwelling birds and mammals to investigate the ecological role of the Chinese serow within the community and its community conservation issue. The results showed that: A total of 28 ground-dwelling birds and animals were recorded, excepet for the unidentified Murids species. Murids and 18 of these animals formed a species association network in the Nanjian region of Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve. In this network, Chinese serow had direct spatial associations with Yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), Malayan Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), Silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera), Indochinese Gray langur (Trachypithecus crepusculus), Masked Palm civet (Paguma larvata), and Temminck's tragopan (Tragopan temminckii) in the network. Competitive interactions were identified between the Chinese serow and the Malayan porcupine, Temminck's tragopan, and Masked Palm civet, indicating that excessive population growth of these species may compress the habitat of the Chinese serow and inhibit the population development of the Chinese serow. A predator-prey relationship was observed between the Yellow-throated marten and the Chinese serow, suggesting that increased predator populations may further constrain the Chinese serow population. Conversely, the Chinese serow with the Indochinese Gray langur and the silver pheasant had commensal relationships, implying potential benefits to the Chinese serow through the conservation of these species. The study found that the Chinese serow played a crucial role in maintaining community structure. It is recommended to establish long-term monitoring of the Chinese serow, delineate core distribution areas, and implement measures to preserve and restore its habitats.