Spatiotemporal Activity Disruption of Wild Ungulates by Co-Occurring Livestock in Xinjiang Kanas National Nature Reserve, China

Strategic Insights -

A new study on ecology and evolution has highlighted the importance of habitat differentiation in shaping community diversity and coexistence mechanisms among wild ungulates. Researchers from the Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education) used infrared camera data to study the spatiotemporal activity patterns and interspecies interactions of three wild ungulates and sympatric livestock in Xinjiang Kanas National Nature Reserve, China. The study found that elevation, aspect, and tree density were key determinants of red deer occupancy, while roe deer were strongly influenced by elevation, aspect, and slope. The analysis also revealed that cattle had a strong negative impact on red deer and roe deer, while their interaction with wild boar was relatively weaker. The study emphasized the need to take measures such as shortening the grazing duration and limiting the grazing area to maintain ecosystem health and achieve long-term conservation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study highlights the importance of habitat differentiation in shaping community diversity and coexistence mechanisms among wild ungulates.
  • Elevation, aspect, and tree density were key determinants of red deer occupancy, while roe deer were strongly influenced by elevation, aspect, and slope.
  • Cattle had a strong negative impact on red deer and roe deer, while their interaction with wild boar was relatively weaker.
  • The spatiotemporal interaction analysis indicates that there is behavioral avoidance among species, with co-occurrence rates ranging from 25.9% to 51.9%.
  • The study emphasizes the need to take measures such as shortening the grazing duration and limiting the grazing area to maintain ecosystem health and achieve long-term conservation.
  • The establishment of monitoring systems and interdepartmental collaboration is proposed to achieve long-term conservation through conservation of the Xinjiang Kanas National Nature Reserve.
  • Yuhang Zhu from the Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education) is the corresponding author of the study.

Statistics:

  • 25.9% to 51.9% co-occurrence rates among wild ungulates and sympatric livestock.
  • 10.608 and 11.928 observed odds ratios (ORsp) for the negative impact of cattle on red deer and roe deer, respectively.
  • 1.789 to 2.673 observed odds ratio ranges for the influence of elevation, aspect, and slope on roe deer and red deer, respectively.
  • 0.595 to 2.563 observed odds ratio ranges for the key determinants of red deer and wild boar occupancy.

Sources:

  • Spatiotemporal Activity Disruption of Wild Ungulates by Co-Occurring Livestock: A Case Study in Xinjiang Kanas National Nature Reserve, China. Ecology and Evolution, 2025,15(10):n/a-n/a. (Ecology and Evolution - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2045-7758)
  • China Weekly News. October 21, 2025; p 429.
  • http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)2045-7758
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/ece3.72273