Diversity and distribution of food plants: Implications for conservation of the critically endangered Hainan gibbon

Zhidong Zhang,Runguo Zang

doi:10.3897/natureconservation.31.27407

Zhidong Zhang, Runguo Zang

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.31.27407

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Abstract

An understanding of the diversity and distribution patterns of Hainan gibbon (Nomascushainanus) foods is essential to its conservation. We used data from plots in various successional stages and Pinusmerkusii plantations (PF) of Bawangling National Nature Reserve (BNNR) to compare variations in food species diversity and composition amongst forest types. A total of 85 food species and 16,882 food plants individuals were found across forest types. Habitat-exclusive food species were most abundant in old growth natural forest (OGF), followed by mid-aged natural secondary forest (MSF). We did not find exclusive species in PF. For all food species, as well as each stem size class, PF displayed a lower species richness and abundance and, in addition, less similar species composition in each age class compared to secondary forests. The highest stem density and species richness were found in MSF. The abundance of food trees was higher in MSF and OGF than in young natural secondary forest. Results suggested that MSF could serve as an alternative habitat for Hainan gibbons after short-term recovery. Hainan gibbons might be limited to secondary forests older than 25 years old. PF was found to be unsuitable for Hainan gibbons.

Highlights

Tropical forests are rapidly declining (Steininger et al 2008) and those remaining are suffering severe damage and fragmentation due to extensive local human activities as well as human-induced global environmental change (Laurance et al 2011; Zhang et al 2010)
At least 83.5% of all trees were recorded in natural forests with various successional stages, while only 25.9% of all trees were found in plantations
Habitat-exclusive species had the highest richness in old growth natural forest (OGF), followed by mid-aged natural secondary forest (MSF), while we did not find habitat-exclusive species in PF

Summary

Introduction

Tropical forests are rapidly declining (Steininger et al 2008) and those remaining are suffering severe damage and fragmentation due to extensive local human activities as well as human-induced global environmental change (Laurance et al 2011; Zhang et al 2010). To effectively conserve the remaining primate populations, extensive knowledge of habitat requirements and resource distribution in fragmented tropical forest landscapes is needed. Changes in food availability are a driving force of changes in primate populations (Mammides et al 2009; Rode et al 2006; Worman and Chapman 2006). The density of frugivorous primates is related to the presence of preferred food trees (Worman and Chapman 2006) and influenced by food availability measured as the richness (Mammides et al 2009) or the density (Mbora and Meikle 2004) of food trees. Overall, understanding the distribution patterns of food resources and maintaining viable food trees for primates are crucial factors in primate conservation (Mwavu and Witkowski 2009)

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