Abstract
AbstractAvailable habitat and hence the global population of the Endangered giant nuthatch Sitta magna, restricted to lower montane habitats of south-western China, eastern Myanmar and northern Thailand, remains poorly quantified. Thailand is the only portion of the species’ range for which there is a population estimate. To obtain a more precise estimate of the Thai population and clarify the extent and characteristics of suitable habitat remaining, we conducted 335 point-count surveys at 67 points across eight localities during November 2019–February 2020. We estimated abundance and identified preferred habitat characteristics using N-mixture models, and created suitable habitat maps based on data from surveys and remote sensing. Our estimate for Thailand was 578 (95% CI 391–854) individuals based on a density of 3.7 (95% CI 2.5–5.5) individuals/km2 in 156 km2 of suitable habitat. The giant nuthatch prefers dry forest with a large amount of mature native or planted pine Pinus kesiya and with a large tree basal area and an open canopy. Our estimate of suitable habitat remaining was less than previously reported and thus the population has probably decreased, although most of this habitat is within protected areas. Habitats for the species in Thailand have a stronger level of protection than in Myanmar and China, although habitat in China remains unquantified. We recommend further research in Myanmar and China, which may hold the majority of available habitat for the giant nuthatch. For long-term management, detailed study of the association of the giant nuthatch with pine plantations is required.
Highlights
The ecology of many threatened species of South-east Asia remains poorly described (Xiao et al, )
In China, the giant nuthatch appears to be associated with mature pine forests at altitudes of, m (BirdLife International, ), with an estimated population of, mature individuals, the amount of available habitat remains largely unquantified (BirdLife International, )
We combined mature P. kesiya forest and mature P. kesiya plantation older than years (Table ) because only % of the surveyed area contained mature native pine habitat and in a preliminary analysis we found no support for mature pine forest alone affecting giant nuthatch habitat selection
Summary
The ecology of many threatened species of South-east Asia remains poorly described (Xiao et al, ). The giant nuthatch Sitta magna is a globally Endangered species restricted to lower montane habitats of south-western China, eastern Myanmar and northern Thailand (BirdLife International, ). As with many such species in this region, it has received little conservation attention and the extent of its remaining habitat, a basic requirement for estimating population size, is inadequately defined (Boyce & McDonald, ). The global population of the giant nuthatch has been estimated to be , – , individuals, and it was recategorized from Vulnerable to Endangered in (BirdLife International, ) because of concerns about the loss and degradation of presumed habitat Many such Red List assessments may not, be reliable (Charra & Sarasa, ). In China, the giant nuthatch appears to be associated with mature pine forests at altitudes of , – , m (BirdLife International, ), with an estimated population of – , mature individuals, the amount of available habitat remains largely unquantified (BirdLife International, )
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