From Sep.2021 to Sep.2022,camera-trapping was used to investigate the population density,activity trajectory,circadian rhythm and rodent damage of the sciurine species at the Maijishan Grottoes,a world cultural heritage site.The results showed that Sciurotamias davidianus and Trogopterus xanthip-es were the species living in the grottoes and its surroundings,both being hazardous to the preservation of cultural relics.The population density of S.davidianus calculated by the Schnabel method and min-imum number known to be alive method were(3.64±0.26)squirrels/hm2 and(3.64±0.24)squirrels/hm2 respectively,and there was no significant difference between(3.08±0.19)squirrels/hm2 by the encounter-based method;but there were significant differences between the population density of S.davidianus and T.xanthipes(7.33±1.26)squirrels/hm2 measured by encounter-based method.The distribution of these two deleterious species ranged widely:the grottoe trestle paths,west and east sides of the grotto cliff,doors of the caves and the Buddha statues in the open air all provide convenience for them to climb around.The deterioration and destruction by the sciurine species to the grottoes mainly included mechani-cal damage caused by their crawling and scratching,fecal contamination and nesting inside and outside the grottoes.According to the investigation of the current situation,it is proposed the focus be on the prevention and control of T.xanthipes at night;safeguard procedures such as ultrasonic repellent and regular spraying of chemical repellent be stipulated in the peripheral area of the trestle path that had been repeatedly polluted by the two species and at the high-frequency activity position close to the cliff,so as to provide scientific data and practical basis for rodent control and preservation of the cave temple.
sciurine speciespopulation densitycamera trappingprevention and control measuresMai-jishan Grottoes
维普
万方数据
