Response of Tragopan caboti spatiotemporal distribution to human disturbance in Wuyi Mountain National Park

Wuyi Mountain National Park is one of the first five national parks established in China. Its construction plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the local ecosystem. However, frequent human disturbances within the park might threaten the survival of wildlife, particularly impacting Tragopan caboti, a flagship species and a first-class nationally protected species in China. Therefore, studying the spatiotemporal responses of Tragopan caboti to human disturbances is of great significance for enhancing biodiversity conservation efforts and improving management practices in Wuyi Mountain National Park. From January 2020 to September 2021, this study deployed 138 infrared cameras in Wuyi Mountain National Park and conducted a 109.52 km line transect survey from July 2023 to September 2023 in areas not covered by the cameras. Using kernel density estimation and integrated species distribution models, the study analyzed the spatiotemporal responses of Tragopan caboti to human disturbances. The results indicated that: (1) On a temporal scale, there was a high degree of overlap between the daily activity patterns between Tragopan caboti and human disturbances. Both male and female Tragopan caboti adjusted their daily activity patterns to cope with human disturbance, with significant differences observed in male Tragopan caboti during the breeding season. (2) On a spatial scale, the integrated species distribution model yielded an AUC value of 0.85, indicating that Tragopan caboti was primarily distributed in the southern part of Jiangxi and the northwestern part of Fujian within Wuyi Mountain National Park. The suitable habitat area was 261 km², with high, medium, and low suitability habitats accounting for 4.34%, 7.39%, and 11.89% of the core protected area, respectively. (3) The Human Footprint Index (HFI) merged as the most critical environmental factor affecting habitat suitability, contributing 25.88% to the model. The species was more frequently found in areas with higher Human Footprint Index values. It is recommended that Wuyi Mountain National Park should enhance monitoring of human activities, scientifically regulate the extent and intensity of such activities, implement zoned management measures, and strengthen the overall protection of Tragopan caboti. This study enriches the understanding of Tragopan caboti's response to human disturbance and provides reference for species protection and regional management within Wuyi Mountain National Park.