The Beishan Underground Research Laboratory(URL)is an important facility for the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste in China.This study conducted a comprehensive survey of terrestrial wild vertebrate biodiversity within a 5 km radius of the laboratory using line transect sampling,quadrat surveys,infrared camera monitoring,and interviews.Based on the characteristics of the animal resources in the site region,the study proposed a long-term monitoring plan tailored to the ecological features of the area,providing baseline data and scientific support for safety assessment.From 2019 to 2023,a total of 46 species of vertebrates belonging to three classes,16 orders,and 32 families were documented.A high proportion of rare and endangered species was observed,highlighting the ecological fragility of the area.The recorded fauna predominantly exhibit Palearctic biogeographic affinities,with a strong representation of Central Asian distribution types.Among the recorded taxa,birds exhibited the highest diversity,with summer migrants constituting the dominant residency type.Long-term monitoring revealed significant fluctuations in species composition,particularly among birds.These changes were attributed not only to the accumulation of monitoring data but also to the transient presence of migratory bird species passing during seasonal migration.Considering the vertebrate community dynamics around the URL,this study recommends the establishment of a long-term monitoring framework comprising six avian transects,eight rodent quadrats,one reptile quadrat,and 25 infrared camera monitoring points.Future efforts should focus on species composition and diversity of vertebrates,as well as the population dynamics of dominant species with stable distributions across taxa.Key focal species include the Phrynocephalus versicolor among reptiles;Alectoris chukar,Oenanthe deserti,Podoces hendersoni,Curruca curruca,Curruca nana,and Lanius isabellinus among avian;Vulpes vulpes,Lepus tolai,Lynx lynx,Ovis darwini and Gazella subgutturosa among medium-and large-sized mammals;and the Meriones meridianus among small mammals.
the Beishan underground research laboratory(URL)vertebratesecosystemanimal monitoring
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