Bird community diversity patterns and their drivers in the Qinghai region of Kunlun Mountains
Aim:Kunlun Mountains is a crucial part of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau that presents a challenging environment for wildlife surveys and community research due to its high-elevation,cold,and hypoxic environment.This study aims to reveal patterns of avian community diversity across different regions,and their drivers.Methods:Surveys were conducted on wild birds within the Qinghai region of the Kunlun Mountains in the December 2021 and July 2022 using the line transects method.A total of 102 grids,each measuring 10 km × 10 km,with different altitudinal gradients and habitat types were investigated.Bird community diversity across different regions was calculated using R software.Subsequently,environmental variables were extracted using ArcGIS software,and a generalized additive model(GAM)was employed to fit the potential non-linear relationships between diversity indices and various variables.Results:A total of 87 bird species representing 14 orders,31 families,and 59 genera were recorded.Among these,5 species were classified as first-class national protected wildlife,11 species were classified as second-class national protected wildlife,and 8 species were identified as local new distributions.The analysis of distribution patterns demonstrated higher avian community diversity during summer compared to winter,with grassland and meadow habitats showing significantly greater diversity than other habitats.Furthermore,bird community diversity during both winter and summer exhibited similar single peak patterns along the altitudinal gradient.Climate variables revealed seasonal differences in bird diversity,with precipitation of coldest quarter significantly impacting richness during summer and annual precipitation during winter.Additionally,isothermality and temperature seasonality had the most substantial impact on the Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indices in both winter and summer.These findings underscored the significance of water resources and stable climatic conditions on bird community diversity in the Qinghai region of the Kunlun Mountains.Conclusion:This study provides a scientific foundation for the conservation of the bird resources in the Kunlun Mountains,and offers crucial data for the planning and establishment of national park in future.
Kunlun Mountainsbird community diversityelevation gradient
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NSTL
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