Effects of iron mine exploitation on the population of brown eared pheasant

Abstract

Brown eared pheasant, Crossoptilon mantchuricum, is a globally threatened species of pheasant that is native to China. Following research in 1997, effects of iron mine exploitation on this species were studied again in Wulushan Nature Reserve of Shanxi Province in the spring of 2000, aiming at further un- derstanding the current status of habitats and population dynamics. Before exploitation, brown eared pheasants were observed in all three buffer zones, i. e. 50 m, 50 - 100 m, 100 m. Early after ex- ploitation began, the species was not found in the 50 m buffers, and there was a small decrease on number in the 50 - 100 m buffers, and an increase in the 100 m buffers. The results indicate that iron mine exploitation caused brown eared pheasants in the 50 m and 50 - 100 m buffers to move to the 100 m buffers. After 3 years, brown eared pheasants did not occur in either the 50 m or the 50 - 100 m buffers. Compared with early after exploitation began, there was also a decrease in 100 m buffers. At the beginning of exploitation, because there were few iron mines, the effects on activities of brown eared pheasants were not great and population density did not change markedly. However, with increase in the number of iron mines and long-term exploitation many feeding sites were damaged, and this, com- bined with the effect of noise and explosives from mining, restricted normal feeding activities directly. Consequently population density and ranging pattern changed greatly. The results indicate that iron mines are an important factor determining habitat use by brown eared pheasants. The species has not accommo- dated to habitat change caused by iron mine exploitation.