No. 8 - Autumn 2006

ANALYSIS OF SPATIO-TEMPORAL CHANGES IN THE LANDSCAPE PATTERN OF THE TAISHAN MOUNTAIN
Luo Guo

Abstract - Analyzing spatial and temporal changes in landscape patterns is an important aspect of landscape ecology. We used satellite imagery and ERDAS Image software, calculated landscape indices, and quantified landscape transformation processes to determine the nature and magnitude of landscape structural changes within an upland area of the Taishan Mountains in Shandong province, eastern China. We used digital image processing techniques to produce landscape classification maps from 1986 and 2001 Landsat images. Based on a geographic information system (GIS) and patch analyst program software (FRAGSTATS), landscape pattern indices were calculated, and the relationships between changes in landscape patterns and anthropogenic disturbances were further investigated. The results showed a significant decrease in Pinus forests, due mainly to the conversion to Quercus and mixed forests. Forest vegetation patches have become more fragmented, isolated, and much smaller since 1986. Changes in landscape structure were significantly associated with anthropogenic disturbances, although the strength of the association differed throughout the study zone. A larger proportion of bare substrate on steep slopes will damage the health of the mountain ecosystem, in all likelihood, and upland clearing will lead to longer term potential for land degradation.

WINTER HABITAT PARTITIONING BETWEEN ASIATIC IBEX AND BLUE SHEEP IN LADAKH, NORTHERN INDIA
Namgail T.

Abstract - Asiatic ibex Capra ibex sibrica and blue sheep Pseudois nayaur are the most abundant wild ungulates in the Ladakh Region of the Indian Trans-Himalaya. Both species use rugged terrain to escape predation, and the competitive exclusion principle suggests that the distribution of one species may be affected by the presence of the other. I evaluated habitat use by these mountain ungulates in the Shun Gorge, at the eastern boundary of ibex distribution in the Zangskar Mountains, Ladakh, India. I hypothesised that due to their high affinity toward cliffs as a predator escape strategy, ibex and blue sheep overlap in their habitat use, especially in winter when they are likely to be confined by snow cover. Resource selection indices and chi-square statistics revealed that both ibex and blue sheep prefer habitat close (1-50 m) to cliffs. The two species were also similar in their use of habitat in terms of slope angle, except that ibex avoided gentle slopes (<15°) and blue sheep avoided very steep slopes (>45°). Both used habitats in terms of elevation and snow cover non-selectively except that blue sheep avoided very low areas (<4000 m), and ibex avoided snow-free areas. I suggest that there is high potential for competition between the two species, and the presence of one species may negatively influence the distributional pattern of the other.

EFFECTS OF TOURIST ACTIVITIES ON UNGULATE BEHAVIOUR IN A MOUNTAIN PROTECTED AREA
Pelletier F.

Abstract - Many protected areas seek to both preserve biodiversity and promote recreational activities. These objectives, however, may conflict if human activities reduce animal use of protected habitat. To determine if traffic volume affected the area-use pattern of wild ungulates, I conducted ungulate surveys along a road in the Sheep River Provincial Park, Alberta, over two years. I counted groups of four ungulate species, and compared the number seen during weekdays (low traffic volume) and weekends (high volume). Fewer groups of all three cervid species were seen during weekends than during weekdays, while no difference was observed for bighorn sheep. Bighorn sheep, however, flew at the sight of or when chased by domestic dogs. High traffic volume decreased ungulate use of habitat areas within sight of the road. Anthropogenic disturbance therefore led to habitat loss in this protected area because during days with heavy traffic, ungulates avoided habitat close to the road. Moreover, harassment by domestic dogs artificially increases the predation risk perceived by ungulates, which is likely to increase vigilance, decrease foraging time and cause bighorn sheep to spend more time in escape terrain.

PASTORAL PRACTICES AND BIRD COMMUNITIES IN GRAN PARADISO NATIONALPARK: MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS IN THE ALPS
Rolando A., Dondero F., Ciliento E. & Laiolo P.

Abstract - Alpine meadows are examples of semi-natural habitats largely created and maintained through grazing of domestic livestock. Deterioration of these habitats is widespread in the Alps, due mainly to depopulation of high elevation rural areas and reduction of stocking levels followed by a continue intensification of agricultural practices in valley bottoms. In order to determine the best management practices in terms of bird diversity maintenance and bird species conservation, we examined the effects of pastoral abandonment on the breeding avifauna of Gran Paradiso National Park (nort-western Italian Alps). We tested for differences in mean species diversity and overall bird abundance per sampling area among four levels of increasing grazing impact, and examined the associations among 32 bird species and local habitat structure, landscape, grazing pressure and elevation. In general terms, the abandonment of pastures seems to determine a prompt increase of bird diversity and density per plot. However, while pastoral disuse leads to an overall increase in local avian diversity and density, most of woodland species that increase the diversity of abandoned habitats are quite ubiquitous and with a secure conservation status. conversely, several grassland species that here seem to be dependent upon grazing, have an unfavourable conservation status in Europe. It must be stressed that at landscape scale, grazing increases habitat diversity and, in turn, bird diversity. In conclusion, in order to preserve threatened bird species and to maintain a complex habitat mosaic and an high species diversity at large environmental scale, extensive grazing should be maintained in the Alps.

LAMBING SEASONS IN SUBSPECIES OF URIAL (OVIS VIGNEI) IN PAKISTAN
Awan G. A. & Festa-Bianchet M.

Abstract - In 2000-2005, we quantified the onset and duration of lambing in three urial (Ovis vignei) subspecies in Pakistan. Onset of lambing in the southern populations was on average on day 31 (± 9.0 SE; n = 18; Julian date), two months earlier than in the northern populations (Salt Range; onset on Julian day 90 ± 0.95 SE, n = 6). The birth season in the southern populations of Afghan urial (subspecies cycloceros) lasted 1.7 times longer (61 days ± 5 SE vs. 35 days ± .70 SE) than punjabensis in the Salt Range. The southern subspecies had a more protracted lambing season and greater interannual variation in distribution of births than the northern subspecies. Onset and duration of lambing did not differ in two populations in the Salt Range. Population sex ratio and male age structure did not appear to affect lambing synchrony.