Molecular censusing doubles giant panda population estimate in a key nature reserve

Zhan, Xiangjiang; Li, Ming; Zhang, Zejun; Goossens, Benoît; Chen, Youping; Wang, Hongjia; Bruford, Michael William; Wei, Fuwen

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2006.05.042

Cited by 187 publications

(178 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Recently, genetic studies have indicated that the evolutionary outlook of the giant panda is improving, according to increases seen in the size of local populations and medium levels of genetic variation [23,24]. However, a work on the smallest, and currently most fragmented population has demonstrated strong indications of population collapse, which commenced around 250 years ago, due to serious habitat loss caused by human population increase and land use expansion [25].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of China’s rapid development on its iconic giant panda

Zhu

Zhang

et al. 2013

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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Anthropogenic factors affect biodiversity and have led to the contraction or extinction of animal populations worldwide. Here, we use historical demographic data, spanning the past 300 years, to show that a rapid distributional contraction of giant pandas took place during the 18th and 19th centuries alongside the increase in human population. Land-use also underwent a significant change across the areas where giant pandas were found because of government agricultural policy and the introduction of new crops. The impact of social development on giant pandas includes habitat loss and fragmentation, and range reductions. Our findings would facilitate the design of effective conservation strategies that seek to conserve and increase current habitats of this iconic species, especially in areas that our analysis has identified as places where pandas have suffered from high human pressure.giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), distributional contraction, human populatoin explosion, land-use increases and habitat loss, conservation implication Citation:

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of China’s rapid development on its iconic giant panda

Zhu

Zhang

et al. 2013

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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“…Such studies may allow identification of social group-mediated genetic structure and inferences on sex-biased dispersal and how these may be modified by habitat fragmentation (e.g., Minhos et al, 2016) and/or hunting and exploitation (e.g., Ferreira da Silva et al, 2014). Understanding social structure and spatial assortment of related individuals using MIS is also an important factor underpinning the accuracy of capture-recapture molecular censusing (Miller, 2005;Zhan et al, 2006).…”

Section: Social and Genetic Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and genomic monitoring with minimally invasive sampling methods

Carroll

Bruford

DeWoody

et al. 2017

Preprint

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Emerging genomic technologies are reshaping the field of molecular ecology. However, many modern genomic approaches (e.g., RAD-seq) require large amounts of high quality template DNA. This poses a problem for an active branch of conservation biology: genetic monitoring using minimally invasive sampling (MIS) methods. Without handling or even observing an animal, MIS methods (e.g. collection of hair, skin, faeces) can provide genetic information on individuals or populations. Such samples typically yield low quality and/or quantities of DNA, restricting the type of molecular methods that can be used. Despite this limitation, genetic monitoring using MIS is an effective tool for estimating population demographic parameters and monitoring genetic diversity in natural populations. Genetic monitoring is likely to become more important in the future as many natural populations are undergoing anthropogenically-driven declines, which are unlikely to abate without intensive management efforts that often include MIS approaches. Here we profile the expanding suite of genomic methods and platforms compatible with producing genotypes from MIS, considering factors such as development costs and error rates. We evaluate how powerful new approaches will enhance our ability to investigate questions typically answered using genetic monitoring, such as estimating abundance, genetic structure and relatedness. As the field is in a period of unusually rapid transition, we also highlight the importance of legacy datasets and recommend how to address the challenges of moving between traditional and next generation genetic monitoring platforms. Finally, we consider how genetic monitoring could move beyond genotypes in the future. For example, assessing microbiomes or epigenetic markers could provide a greater understanding of the relationship between individuals and their environment.PeerJ Preprints | https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.3209v1 | CC BY 4.0 Open Access |

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“…This method can satisfactorily estimate the giant panda populations (Zhang et al 2005;Yin et al 2005), but it may underestimate the population size because giant pandas often have overlapping home ranges and pandas of different age classes can produce similar bite sizes (Schaller et al 1985). Although genetic methods can provide more accurate results for panda population estimation (Zhan et al 2006), it is not feasible to collect enough fecal DNA samples in the entire mountains now. Therefore, the giant panda individuals we used in this study provide a coarse evaluation of the spatial distribution of panda population, rather than a definite or accurate panda numbers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating population size analysis into habitat suitability assessment: implications for giant panda conservation in the Minshan Mountains, China

Wang

Ouyang

2009

Ecological Research

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Compared to conventional approaches, the integration of population size analysis with habitat suitability assessment on a large scale can provide more evidence to explain the mechanisms of habitat isolation and fragmentation, and thus make regional conservation plans. In this paper, we analyzed the habitat suitability for giant pandas in the Minshan Mountains, China, using the ecological-niche factor analysis (ENFA) method, and then evaluated the current conservation status of this endangered species. The results showed that (1) giant pandas were distributed in a narrow altitudinal range in which vegetation cover was dominated by coniferous forest, mixed coniferous and deciduous broadleaf forest, and deciduous broadleaf forest with scattered bamboo understory, and (2) roads and human settlements had strong negative effects on the panda habitat selection. According to habitat analysis, the total habitat area of giant panda in the Minshan Mountains was 953,173 ha, which was fragmented into 12 habitat units by major roads, rivers, and human settlements. The habitat of the mid-Minshan was less fragmentized, but was seriously fragmented in the north. The panda population size estimation showed that 676 individuals inhabited the study area, and 94.53% of them were in the mid-Minshan, but small panda populations less than 30 individuals inhabited the isolated and fragmented habitat patches in the north. The nature reserves in the Minshan Mountains have formed three conservation groups, which covered 41.26% of panda habitat and protected 70.71% of panda population of the study area, but there still exists two conservation gaps, and the connectivity among these reserves is still weak. Due to habitat isolation and extensive human disturbances, giant pandas in the north (i.e., Diebu, Zhouqu, and Wudou) are facing threats of local extinction. In order to protect pandas and their habitats in this area, some effective conservation approaches, such as establishing new reserves in gap areas, creating corridors among patches, and seasonally controlling traffic flux in key roads, should be implemented in the future to link these isolated habitats together.

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Molecular censusing doubles giant panda population estimate in a key nature reserve

Cited by 187 publications

References 6 publications

Effect of China’s rapid development on its iconic giant panda

Effect of China’s rapid development on its iconic giant panda

Genetic and genomic monitoring with minimally invasive sampling methods

Integrating population size analysis into habitat suitability assessment: implications for giant panda conservation in the Minshan Mountains, China

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