RT Journal
T1 IDENTIFICATION OF ECOLOGICAL CORRIDORS AND NODES FOR BLACK-AND-WHITE SNUB-NOSED MONKEY (Rhinopithecus bieti) IN SOUTHWEST CHINA
A1 Chunlan He
A1 Xiaoqian Shi
A1 Jinxiang Shen
A1 Zhipang Huang
A1 Yan Feng
JF Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
JO JAPS
SN 1018-7081
VO 35
IS 6
SP 1742
OP 1754
YR 2025
FD 2025/11/30
DO DOI https://doi.org/10.36899/JAPS.2025.6.0149
AB <p>The black-and-white snub-nosed Monkey (<em>Rhinopithecus bieti,&nbsp;</em>BWSM), a critically endangered species in Southwest China, faces severe threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and migration barriers. Establishing and maintaining ecological corridors is crucial for its conservation. This study utilized the current distribution range of the BWSM as ecological source areas and employed the Linkage Mapper tool combined with the gravity model to extract ecological corridors and nodes, classify corridor hierarchies, and assess resistance factors. The key findings include the following: (1) Twenty-eight ecological source patches were identified, showing an island-like distribution with protection gaps; (2) Migration resistance followed a spatial pattern of south &gt; north &gt; central; (3) Thirty-five ecological corridors were extracted, including 10 first-level, 19 second-level, and 6 third-level corridors, predominantly oriented north-south. Additionally, 45 barrier points and 41 pinch points were identified, both of which exhibited discrete distributions. First-level corridors presented no barriers, while barrier and pinch points accounted for 41.1% and 30.24% in second-level corridors, and 58.9% and 69.76% in third-level corridors, respectively; (4) Land cover, residential areas, and road networks were the primary resistance factors affecting ecological corridors, while water systems and elevation had minimal influence. Secondary and tertiary corridors face migration obstructions due to fragmented vegetation, extensive residential development, and dense road networks. These findings provide a scientific basis for prioritizing the restoration and construction of ecological corridors to enhance habitat connectivity for BWSM conservation.</p>
K1 Black-and-white snub-nosed monkey (BWSM); ecological corridor; ecological node; Linkage Mapper; Gravity Model
PB Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum
LK https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2024-JAPS-2670