Bamboo Cover Research Articles

Habitat status and feasibility of constructing corridors for a vulnerable population of giant pandas

Habitat corridors provide connectivity to decrease the negative effects of fragmentation. However, numerous current studies on habitat corridors remain in the design stage, and there is a lack of research addressing the challenges and feasibility of actual construction. Therefore, fine-scale analyses of habitat corridors are needed to provide deeper insights. We proposed a fine-scale habitat corridor design using the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population in the Mabian Dafengding National Nature Reserve as a case study. The research combined field quadrats, camera traps, and remote sensing data to complete analyses using the species distribution model, landscape pattern index, circuit theory model, and least-cost path (LCP) model. The results show that 53 km2 of suitable habitat for giant pandas exists in the reserve, and anthropogenic disturbance and bamboo cover were key environmental factors affecting giant pandas’ habitat suitability. Fragmentation has caused suitable habitat isolation, and the core habitat is non-contiguously scattered between the north and south. In the design of ten habitat corridors, two primary corridors connect the core habitat from north to south. The proposed primary corridors, roughly 1.4 km wide, are limited by natural impediments such as rivers, food resources, and anthropogenic disturbance. Our research used the latest methods and data to design the habitat corridor and reveals many difficulties for actual construction, despite employing approaches such as the LCP. Our findings enhance the understanding of habitat corridor feasibility and support the development of giant panda conservation efforts.

Scarification under the canopy of Japanese oak: should pre-harvest treatment coincide with the masting year of acorns?

ABSTRACT The regeneration of Japanese oak (Quercus crispula Blume) has turned even more pressing in recent years. The pre-harvest treatment, which accumulates advanced seedlings, is essential for its natural regeneration in stands with a dense dwarf bamboo cover. Such pre-harvest treatment is considered particularly effective when done in conjunction with a mast year of acorns, but it is difficult to adjust the operation to specific timing. If there is no mast year for several years after the pre-harvest treatment, there is concern that the “priority effect” from other plant species may inhibit Japanese oak regeneration. The objective of this study was to determine whether scarification under the canopy of Japanese oaks, treated several years before the masting of acorns, is effective for its regeneration. Seedlings and vegetation were surveyed at sites scarified four years before (PRE) and just before masting (MAST) to compare the effects of treatments, i.e. differences in scarification years on the number and/or size of tall trees and other plant species. PRE could limit the predominance of dwarf bamboos and birches, and sufficient number of seedlings (>10 stems m−2) for future development was observed in the fifth year after masting. Since Japanese oak generally has a masting cycle of less than 5 years at most, we can conclude that the timing of pre-harvest treatment is not constrained by the masting year. Further studies are required to determine the details of priority effects of competitive plants on oak seedlings to establish a natural forest management for Japanese oak.

Development of site-specific allometric equation and predicting aboveground biomass of natural and plantation forests of Oxytenathera abyssinica (A. Rich.) Munro, Northwestern Ethiopia

Bamboo is an ideal plant for commercial production due to its rapid growth rate, high biomass production, low cost of production and environmental friendliness. Although Ethiopia has the highest bamboo cover in Africa, allometric equations for estimating its biomass are scarce. Most allometric models developed to date have been largely concerned with trees and shrubs. The objective of this study was to generate species- and site-specific allometric models that could be used to estimate the total aboveground dry biomass and culm dry biomass of lowland bamboo in northwest Ethiopia. Three power form-based allometric models were created using diameter at breast height (DBH) and culm height (H) as independent variables. One hundred and eight Oxytenathera abyssinica culms were used to predict the total aboveground biomass and culm biomass. Model one (M1) was the best model to predict the culm and total aboveground biomass of the species, regardless of forest type. The allometric models may provide useful information about aboveground biomass and culm biomass estimation methods to forestry professionals, bamboo producers and other stakeholders, and could help in the calculation of the country’s contribution to global carbon sequestration and trade.

MIZORAM FOREST AFTER INDIAS INDEPENDENCE: BAMBOO, WILD-LIFE AND LAND USE

Mizoram has abundant natural bamboo resources and nearly one third of its geographical area is under bamboo cover. Bamboo is extensively use as material for construction of houses, cutlery, waving, handicrafts, support for climbers, food, etc. Bamboo resource management and utilization has never been given a serious thought. Harvesting bamboo for local consumption had been negligible as compared to the huge stock available in the state. The introduction of Mahal system has generated income for the forest department. Gregarious bamboo flowering historically has significant ecological, socio- economic and political impact. Being an ecological hotspot, Mizoram is home to a great variety of wildlife species. Systematic survey on flora and fauna is yet to be undertaken. Wildlife conservation in is an important mandate of the Forest department. Apart from awareness campaign, protected areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries have been notified. The practice of jhuming has gradually deteriorated tree and bamboo forests. Forest plays an important role in protection and conservation of soil and water which are the two important resources on which growth and productivity depends. It also provides the needs of the local population who are depending on forests for fuel, fodder, building materials, fruits, vegetables,etc. As forest plays vital roles in environmental stability and ecological balance, the socio- economic life of the people of the state revolves around the forest.

Experimental study of flexural behavior of glulam Douglas Fir beams spliced with engineered bamboo cover plates and inclined self-tapping screws

Due to the limitation of transportation and installation, long-span timber structural components need to be extended through multiple spliced joints. Among the common spliced joints, spliced beam joints with self-tapping screws have the advantages of low cross-section weakening, beautiful appearance, and convenient construction. However, the beam joints spliced by self-tapping screws have limitations in terms of bearing capacity and stiffness. To overcome these limitations, this paper proposes inclined self-tapping screw-engineered bamboo joints. In this novel joint, the high-strength engineered bamboo connection plates are used to improve the mechanical properties of spliced glulam beams. A total of thirteen glulam beams were designed. The effects of the layout and number of self-tapping screws, types of connection plates, and spliced gaps on the flexural performance of novel glulam beams were experimentally investigated through four-point bending tests. The results show that the mechanical properties of the spliced beam with parallel self-tapping screws are better than those with staggered self-tapping screws. The bending capacity of the glulam beams spliced with bamboo scrimber plates arranged in parallel increases with the increase of the number of self-tapping screws. The average bending capacity and stiffness can reach 97.3 % and 93.3 % of the intact beams, respectively. The bending capacity and stiffness of glulam beams with the same number of self-tapping screws arranged in parallel and spliced with plybamboo are lower than those of glulam beams spliced with bamboo scrimber. The gap between the spliced cross-sections of glulam beams significantly reduces the flexural mechanical properties of spliced beams, especially the stiffness.

Improved mapping of highland bamboo forests using Sentinel-2 time series and machine learning in Google Earth Engine

Recent advances in the application of spectral bands from satellite observations and machine learning algorithms (MLA) in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud-computing platform have been demonstrated to enhance the accuracy of mapping forest resources. This study presents a novel method for mapping the natural distribution of highland bamboo (Oldeania alpina) using spectral bands and three machine learning algorithms, namely random forest, gradient tree boosting, and classification and regression tree. First, spectral bands, vegetation indices and textural features including contrast, entropy and inverse difference moment were derived from the Sentinel-2 elevation data. Second, observations were categorized as the dry season (December–February), short rainy season (March-May), main (long) rainy season (June-August), wet season (September–November) and annual composite. Third, the machine learning algorithms were tested using 1882 ground control points collected from field and high spatial resolution images. Finally, the best-performing machine learning algorithm was used to classify and map bamboo forests. The five land cover categories identified were bamboo stands, natural forest, other vegetation, non-vegetated areas and water bodies. The result shows that the random forest classifier is a robust algorithm with an overall accuracy of 94% considering all the annual composite’s spectral, vegetation and textural variables. The highland bamboo coverage (91 km2) in the Andracha district provided valuable insights. Bamboo stands were mostly distributed in the southern and southeastern parts of the district. Here, we show that image compositing and multiple input parameters using machine learning techniques can overcome challenges facing land cover classification, which can hinder accurate mapping of Afromontane forests. We conclude that the incorporation of vegetation indices and textural features in land cover classification increases accuracy of mapping natural highland bamboo coverage and distribution. The application of this new method is a promising prospect not only in Ethiopia but also in Afromontane forests elsewhere in Africa.

Genetic Diversity of Bamboo (Yushinia alpina) Borer Larvae in the Mau Forest Complex, Kenya

Bamboo borer larvae have caused major losses of bamboo cover in natural forests and plantations. Lack of information on the fauna of bamboo trees has been cited as the contributing factor to poor management of bamboo stands. Genetic diversity information helps understand the effects of different fauna in guiding management plans. Genetic diversity information has recently become an important tool in conservation science. This paper aimed to determine the genetic diversity of the bamboo borer larvae in the Mau Forest complex in order to generate information that could guide the management and conservation of bamboo trees (Yushinia Alpina) in the Mau Forest Complex. The mitochondrial C oxidase Subunit 1 (COI) of 12 isolates was sequenced and analyzed. A similarity search of the bamboo borer larvae was carried out using the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) BLAST search to identify the larvae species. The genetic diversity and genetic pairwise distances were determined, and Tajimas D and Nei’s FU Fs statistics were calculated to estimate the population expansion that has occurred. The results showed genetic diversity (haplotype diversity 0.956) in the bamboo borer larvae population of the Mau Forest Complex. The nucleotide diversity (0.283) was found to be low. The similarity search showed that the bamboo borer larvae of Yushinia alpina belonged to four (4) species of noctuid larvae (Lepidoptera). The identity matches to the similar species scored an average of 94%. The Tajimas D (0.374) and FUs Fs (5.547) collectively indicated no rare excess mutations in the population. The results reveal high genetic diversity, which is key in the management of forest species

Impacts of bamboo dominance and die‐off on seedling dynamics in a tropical secondary forest (Brazil)

AbstractAulonemia aristulata is a tropical bamboo species of mixed rhizome type and monocarpic flowering that can become super‐dominant after anthropogenic disturbances in tropical forests. The synchronized reproductive events of flowering and die‐off of monocarpic bamboo systems provide a rare opportunity to evaluate the temporal effects of bamboo dominance on forest regeneration. To evaluate the effects of bamboo dominance on forest regeneration, we compared the structure (abundance, richness, composition) and dynamics (mortality, recruitment, survival and growth) of tree and shrub seedling communities from two non‐contiguous forests stands (bamboo‐dominated vs. non‐dominated sites) for 2 years, before and after a synchronized reproductive event. Bamboo dominated plots had higher abundance, floristic richness and recruitment of tree and shrub seedlings when compared with bamboo non‐dominated plots. Bamboo die‐off did not represent an opportunity to improve establishment and investment in the vertical growth (height) of seedlings in bamboo‐dominated plots. We postulate that the mode of rhizome extension seen in bamboos might be a consistent trait determining the spatial pattern of occupation and population structure and thereby playing a fundamental role in the pattern of native tree community establishment after bamboo die‐off. The formulation of a management approach is necessary in order to better understand the biological traits of bamboo species and their influence on the spatial pattern of occupation and population structure. Additionally, this influence may differently impact restoration and definition of management practices, including the need for direct intervention by manually controlling bamboo cover following die‐off to promote and maintain seedling establishment and diversity.

Genetic Diversity of Bamboo (Yushinia alpina) Borer Larvae in the Mau Forest Complex, Kenya

Bamboo borer larvae have caused major losses of bamboo cover in natural forests and plantations. Lack of information on the fauna of bamboo trees has been cited as the contributing factor to poor management of bamboo stands. Genetic diversity information helps understand the effects of different fauna in guiding management plans. Genetic diversity information has recently become an important tool in conservation science. This paper aimed to determine the genetic diversity of the bamboo borer larvae in the Mau Forest complex in order to generate information that could guide the management and conservation of bamboo trees (Yushinia Alpina) in the Mau Forest Complex. The mitochondrial C oxidase Subunit 1 (COI) of 12 isolates was sequenced and analyzed. A similarity search of the bamboo borer larvae was carried out using the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) BLAST search to identify the larvae species. The genetic diversity and genetic pairwise distances were determined, and Tajimas D and Nei’s FU Fs statistics were calculated to estimate the population expansion that has occurred. The results showed genetic diversity (haplotype diversity 0.956) in the bamboo borer larvae population of the Mau Forest Complex. The nucleotide diversity (0.283) was found to be low. The similarity search showed that the bamboo borer larvae of Yushinia alpina belonged to four (4) species of noctuid larvae (Lepidoptera). The identity matches to the similar species scored an average of 94%. The Tajimas D (0.374) and FUs Fs (5.547) collectively indicated no rare excess mutations in the population. The results reveal high genetic diversity, which is key in the management of forest species

Assessing Micro-habitat Preferences of Hill Partridge (Arborophila torqueola) in the Central Himalayan landscape of India

Ground-dwelling birds are one of the most vulnerable taxa. These birds are also under-studied and therefore constitute the lesser-known group of aves. Understanding their patterns of resource selection and their relationship with the composites of their habitat is a prerequisite for ensuring the effectiveness of future conservation efforts. Hill partridge ( Arborophila torqueola) is distributed in a vast range throughout the Himalayas to South-East Asia but knowledge about its micro-habitat is provided by only a single short term study from China. Their sulking behavior and inconspicuous habitat type make it extremely challenging to study them closely. However, with the advent of camera traps, it was possible to observe them meticulously during this study. We attempted to discern the patterns of its habitat selection, and its relationship with various vegetative and non-vegetative components. This study revealed a complex pattern of habitat selection by hill partridge. They preferred habitat with a greater canopy and bamboo cover. It inhabited forests dominated by oak trees in combination with other trees. They were virtually absent from the sites that showed higher bare-ground percentages.

Resource selection and home range size variation of Atlantic Forest woodpecker species: Implications for selective logging and conservation

Understanding the habitat requirements of forest-dependent species, such as woodpeckers, is crucial for effective management strategies in environments facing significant anthropogenic pressures. During 2013–2019, we investigated the variation in the availability of forest structural attributes in two unlogged forests, one forest with active selective logging, and one forest 33 years after it had been logged, in the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest in Misiones, Argentina. Then, we studied the selection of the forest attributes by co-occurring populations of Helmeted Woodpecker (Celeus galeatus), Lineated Woodpecker (Dryocopus lineatus), and Robust Woodpecker (Campephilus robustus), along with their correlation to variations in home range sizes of woodpeckers. We found that the density of potential nest trees of the three woodpecker species, the density of potential Helmeted Woodpecker roost trees, the basal area ha−1 of live trees ≥ 30 cm DBH, the density of live large trees ≥ 30 cm DBH, and the volume of dead wood ≥ 30 cm diameter differed among study sites. Home range sizes of Helmeted Woodpeckers decreased with higher potential roost tree density and greater understory bamboo cover. The home range sizes of Robust Woodpeckers decreased with a higher density of dead trees, while home range sizes of Lineated Woodpeckers were not influenced by any of the variables we measured. The three woodpecker species selected diameter classes and tree species for foraging and nesting disproportionally to their availability. Helmeted Woodpecker preferred guatambú (Balfourodendron riedelianum) over other trees for roosting. We recommend considering key attributes associated with smaller home range sizes of the threatened Helmeted Woodpecker in sustainable forest management, as these attributes are also important for the other two woodpecker species. To ensure the availability of the resources selected by these woodpeckers, we recommend increasing the legal minimum cutting diameter to 60 cm for grapia (Apuleia leiocarpa), guatambú, rabo duro (Lonchocarpus leucanthus) and palo de canga (Symplocos uniflora), and to 50 cm for laurel negro (Nectandra megapotamica) and laurel amarillo (N. lanceolata). We found similar quantities of most of the tree resources we measured in unlogged forests and a forest undergoing a natural recovery for 33 years after the cessation of selective logging, and we recommend that more logged forests be restored in this manner.

Reproductive characteristics in an understory bamboo and gradual environmental changes after its dieback provide an extended opportunity for overstory tree regeneration in a mixed cool-temperate forest in central Japan.

The reproductive characteristics of understory bamboo and the effects of dieback on overstory tree seedlings through temporal changes in the environment at the forest floor have only been examined in a few bamboo species, due to the unpredictable occurrence of flowering events and long intervals between them but provide valuable information on tree regeneration and succession in a forest with dense dwarf bamboo cover. We investigated environmental conditions and assessed seedlings (< 30-cm tall) of the dwarf bamboo Sasa borealis and overstory tree species at 44-50 measurement points during 2016-2021, which included a S. borealis mass flowering event in 2017. We also conducted seed germination tests to determine germination rates and patterns in S. borealis. Environmental factors affecting seedling recruitment of S. borealis and of overstory trees were analysed using spatiotemporal generalized linear mixed models in the Bayesian framework. We observed gradual temporal changes in the environment, including increasing canopy openness and decreasing maximum height of dead S. borealis culms. The seeds germinated slowly and the emergence of current-year S. borealis seedlings peaked in spring-summer in 2019. The tree seedling density after 2019 increased significantly compared to that before the dieback. The model results suggest that tree seedling establishment was enhanced by increased light availability. Continuous field observation beginning before S. borealis dieback revealed gradually enhanced tree recruitment in response to slow decay of the remaining dead culms and slow recovery of S. borealis. The seedling regeneration pattern of understory bamboo partly contributes to a prolonged opportunity for overstory tree regeneration.

Responses to changes in precipitation of plant species vary by functional groups on understories of temperate forests in central Japan

Climate change has one of the most dramatic impacts on plant species diversity at the global scale. However, compared to global warming, there are few reports of the effects of changes in long-term precipitation patterns on plant community diversity in areas other than moisture-limited areas, for example temperate areas. In temperate forests, understory plant communities constitute a large proportion of plant diversity. It is crucial to investigate effects of change in long-term precipitation patterns and the other important environmental changes on plant species composition of understories in temperate forests for making the conservation strategy. The important changes that may have particularly affected plant composition in recent years include the followings; temperature rise, increase of large herbivores, change of habitat area, and changes in the cover of canopy and understory-abundant species according to the land use change. Vulnerability to the above environmental changes may be higher for species groups that are less adapted to their current habitat and have shrinking population sizes (e.g., grassland species on understories in abandoned secondary forests). The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of precipitation and the above-mentioned factors on changes in cover of individual species on understories in temperate forests from the 1980s to the 2000s. In the analysis, we took into account the differences in the functional groups of the species (grassland herbaceous species, forest herbaceous species, and woody species). Grassland herbaceous species responded more sensitively to precipitation, temperature, cover of dwarf bamboo, and deer habitat use than other functional groups. In the 1980s, the cover of grassland herbaceous species tended to be higher in places with lower precipitation, higher temperatures, and lower cover of dwarf bamboo and canopy, in association with climatic conditions and past land-use history. Over the last 20 years, increased precipitation and deer habitat use had particularly strong effects on the decline of grassland herbaceous species. This study found that precipitation variability is becoming a driving factor for biodiversity change through decline of vulnerable species groups in temperate areas. We should continue to monitor the precipitation effects on the ecosystems.

RCompetence Between Endangered Wild Animals: an Example of Takin (Budorcas Taxicolor Bedfordi) and Panda (Ailuropoda Melanoleuca)

The study was conducted in tow locations are: (1) Taibai Mountain natural reserve (107°22’-107°51’E and 33°49’-34°05’N) and (2) Zhouzhi natural reserve (108° 14′-108° 18′ E, 33° 45′-33° 50′ N). To examine and analyze the impact of Golden takin behavior on the Giant panda activity in winter habitat and analyze their interactions at Taibai Mountain and Zhouzhi natural reserve. For habitat survey, randomly walked within the study areas with different vegetation types to search for signs of each species. The presence of Golden takin and Giant panda was identified based on their fresh droppings. Once fresh droppings were found and a sampling plot of 20 m x 20 m was established and centered on the droppings location. Two (2 m × 10 m) were set at different locations within the 20 m × 20 m plot, and observations were made according to the type of habitats including type of trees, bamboo type, bamboo cover, bamboo density, canopy, shrub cover and herb cover. At Taibai Mountain, a total of 12 infrared cameras were placed on tree stems at 1 m height, the laying density of cameras is 4 sets / km2 and other 20 infrared cameras were mounted at Guangtoushan in Zhouzhi natural reserve,to monitor Golden takin and Giant panda movement. Camera traps data were collected every three months depending on the status of battery and the weather conditions. Takin displayed the highest peak activity at periods of 16:00-18:00 pm (48.03%) and 16:00-18:00 pm (39.29%) in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, respectively, while for Panda the highest peaks of activity were recorded at periods of 14:00-16:00 pm (24.58%) and 12:00-14:00 pm (26.13%) in 2013-2014 and 2014-2015, respectively. At Zhouzhi natural reserve, Takin showed also highest peak of activity at periods of 16:00-18:00 pm (23.48%) and 16:00-18:00 pm (38.48%) in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, respectively, whereas the highest peak activity for Panda were recorded at periods of 12:00-14:00 pm (19.15%) and 12:00-14:00 pm (18.22%) in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016, respectively.

Analysis of Demographic and Work Profile of Rural Bamboo Handicraft Workers

Aims: The present study aims to analyze the demographic and work profile of the workers involved in bamboo handicraft work in rural region and it is noteworthy to mention that bamboo cover in India is 13.96 million hectare.&#x0D; Study Design: The study comprises a descriptive research design.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in three villages of Pusa Block of Samastipur District of Bihar from February to May 2022.&#x0D; Methodology: For this study a survey was conducted on 120 randomly selected bamboo handicraft workers in Harpur, Waini and Gangapur villages.&#x0D; Results: The findings of study revealed that majority of bamboo handicraft workers were of 34 to 41 years of age with more than 15 years of work experience. Most of them were illiterate and more than three forth of them belonged to SC community. They were engaged in semi-skilled work and were earning only Rs. Rs.9843.33±379.82 per month from this work. Most of them are self employed and work for long hours about 6-10 hours a day with frequency of 2-3 times a day.&#x0D; Conclusion: Majority of bamboo handicraft workers were belonged to middle age and were illiterate with more than 15 years of experience of bamboo craft. They have a large family to feed with having only one source of income and were struggling for better living condition. They were working for long hours without having any proper facilities which reduces their efficiency of work.

Post-monsoon bird assemblages in rural and riverine environments of Northern Howrah, West Bengal, India: A spatio-temporal approach

The primary goal of this study was to evaluate avian assemblages in four different land types (Wetland Associated Bamboo Forest, Agricultural Land, Wetland Associated Agricultural Land and Riverside Agricultural Land) located in a flood prone area of South Bengal during the post monsoon months of 2020. Surveys were conducted for 48 days in a land type and time dependent manner to explore the changes in abundance, dominance, evenness and species richness. A total of 18654 observations belonging to 16 orders, 44 families, 70 genera and 81 species were recorded. Despite having lowest total count and third species rich area, Bamboo Forest emerged as the most diverse area with the highest Shannon index (3.37), Evenness index (0.4616) and lowest dominance index (0.06108). Bamboo forests exhibited the maximum values of Simpson 1-D (0.9389), Brillouin index (3.312), Menhinick Index (1.261), Equitability (0.8134) and alpha diversity (Fisher’s alpha 11.74). Having maximum number of species occurrence (69), Riverside agricultural land was found to be the least diverse land type (Shannon index 2.847) showing highest value of dominance (0.1203). December attracted the most diverse (Shannon index 3.474) bird community and October showed the lowest value of Shannon index (2.919) with maximum value of dominance (0.123). We conclude that protection of natural habitats like bamboo forests, wetland and tree cover in small villages and proper management of agricultural lands is necessary for promoting species diversity and evenness in a rural environment.

Back-and-forth shifts in habitat selection by giant pandas over the past two decades in the Daxiangling Mountains, southwestern China

Habitat selection is a complex process, and animals may change their habitat selection over time. However, we have a poor understanding of temporal variation in habitat selection of endangered giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), which has limited the development of conservation strategies for them. This study examined giant panda habitat selection in three stages of the past two decades (2001–2002, 2011–2012, and 2019–2020) in the Daxiangling Mountains, southwestern China. We applied the resource selection function to estimate the probability of species occurrence with five limiting habitat factors, i.e., elevation, slope, aspect, tree diameter at breast height, and bamboo cover. We found that giant pandas consistently selected for south- and west-facing slopes with mid-elevations and large trees in the three stages. However, there were shifts back-and-forth in the choice between higher and lower elevations and between higher and lower bamboo cover across the three stages. We suggest that the giant panda habitat selection had important consequences for gaining the high availability of palatable bamboo and good shelters. The back-and-forth shifts might be the result of changes in the type, spatial distribution, and intensity of human disturbance. Our study provides insights for improving our understanding and approaches for quantifying temporal variation in habitat selection in giant pandas and other species, suggesting that adaptive conservation and management in response to changing environments is needed.

On the impact of earthquake-induced landslides on Red Panda Ailurus fulgens (Mammalia: Carnivora: Ailuridae) habitat in Langtang National Park, Nepal

In addition to the threats of human encroachment, infrastructure development, tourism activities, habitat fragmentation, and human-wildlife interactions, natural disasters also pose a threat to the habitat of endangered species such as the Red Panda. This study aims to assess the impact of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake-induced landslides on the Red Panda’s habitat in Langtang National Park (LNP), central Nepal Himalaya. Remote sensing and geographical information system were applied to estimate the potential and core habitats of the Red Panda, and collect information on earthquake-induced landslides. Field sampling and verification of remotely collected data were done within a year of the earthquake. Considering preferred vegetation types, elevation range, aspects, distance from water sources, and Red Panda presence points, an area of 214.34 km2 was estimated as the potential habitat of Red Panda in the Park. Thirty-nine landslides were identified in LNP triggered by the Gorkha earthquake, 14 of which occurred in the core Red Panda habitat. As a result of the earthquake-induced landslides, a significant decrease in tree density was observed in the areas affected by the landslides. Similarly, the bamboo cover was observed to be significantly lower in the areas affected by landslides compared to the unaffected adjacent areas. The average size of the landslide, causing damage to the Red Panda habitat was 0.8 ha. The potential habitat damaged by the earthquake-induced landslide was estimated to be 11.20 ha which is equivalent to the habitat required by one Red Panda. The findings could be useful in initiating restoration of the damaged Red Panda habitat in LNP.

Survival of young, dense Betula ermanii stands after wildfire at top soil removal sites

Abstract A forest fire in a cool-temperate broadleaved forest in northern Japan, from 26 May to 19 June 2019, provided an opportunity to examine the post-fire dynamics of young, dense birch (Betula ermanii Cham.) stands that had previously undergone top soil removal through soil scarification. To characterize the post-fire responses (survival and resprouting) of birch trees, we set up two plots, 6 months after the fire. We investigated the trunk diameter at breast height and burn marks on the trunks (scorch height and bole charring percentage) of all B. ermanii trees in both plots. Survival and resprouting of each tree were monitored over a 10-month period (6 and 16 months after the fire). To quantify post-fire vegetation recovery of the forest floor, we manually mapped the dominant understory plant, dwarf bamboo (i.e. Sasa kurilensis (Rupr.) Makino et Shibata), from orthomosaic images obtained using an unmanned aircraft vehicle, and estimated the recovery rate in the second year after the fire. Additionally, the seedlings of woody species were counted in both plots. A logistic generalized linear model revealed that the size-dependent survival rates of the plants in each plots were similar in the first year after fire. All B. ermanii trees died without resprouting in the second year after the fire, indicating the lethal effects of fire on young birch trees in top soil removal sites. Moreover, a high recovery rate of dwarf bamboo over 2 years in both plots and limited woody seedling establishment of woody plants suggest that the fire resulted in the regeneration failure of young stands in the top soil removal sites. Based on these findings, we suggest that the vulnerability of young trees can lead to the rapid change in vegetation from young forest to dense dwarf bamboo cover after a fire.

The protective effect of dwarf bamboo on broad-leaved seedlings against deer browsing

The forest understory is often densely covered by dwarf bamboo Sasa spp. in Hokkaido, northern Japan. Dwarf bamboo is an important winter forage for sika deer Cervus nippon, and dwarf bamboo inhibits forest regeneration by preventing seedling establishment. Although percentages of browsed seedlings are a useful index of deer browsing pressure, dwarf bamboo is also expected to affect browsing on seedlings by altering physical accessibility to seedlings. We hypothesized that the relationship between seedling height and browsing incidence depends on the coverage of dwarf bamboo because smaller seedlings were protected by dwarf bamboo. The incidence of browsing was recorded for broad-leaved seedlings ≥ 0.2 m in height and < 1 cm in diameter at breast height in 19 plots (40–200 m2 each) located in natural forests. Coverage of dwarf bamboo varied from 3% to 74%, except for one plot where dwarf bamboo was absent. The mean height of the dwarf bamboo in each plot was 0.44–1.17 m. The product of seedling height and coverage of dwarf bamboo was selected as an explanatory variable in the generalized linear mixed model for the incidence of browsing on each seedling. This suggests that smaller seedlings were protected by dwarf bamboo and browsing incidence is low for smaller seedlings within plots with high coverage of dwarf bamboo. This can be an example of associational defense against deer. The probability of browsing incidence was low for seedlings 0.2–0.5 m tall in sites with dense dwarf bamboo, while no significant differences were detected between seedlings 0.5–0.8 m tall and those ≥ 0.8 m. Even though seedlings under dwarf bamboo cover tend to escape from deer browsing, dwarf bamboo directly affects seedling survival and growth negatively. Therefore, it is necessary to manage both the deer population and dwarf bamboo to enable forest regeneration. The percentages of seedlings with browsing incidence on seedlings ≥ 0.5 m tall can approximate the browsing level and is useful for management decisions.