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The expansion of land being used for cash crop cultivation has threatened wildlife in recent decades. Tea has become the dominant cash crop in southwestern China. Unfortunately, tea plantations may threaten Asian elephant ( Elephus maximus ) populations via habitat loss and fragmentation. Identifying areas of suitable habitat for tea plant cultivation, and where this habitat overlaps with Asian elephant distribution, is vital for planning land use, managing nature reserves, shaping policy, and maintaining local economies. Here, we assess the potential impact of tea plantations on Asian elephants in southwestern Yunnan province, China. We used MaxEnt modeling with bioclimatic and environmental variables to identify suitable habitat for tea plant cultivation under the current climate scenario, and then overlapped this habitat with 9 known Asian elephant distribution areas (G1–G9) to determine “threatened areas.” Our results showed that (1) annual precipitation (48.1% contribution), temperature constancy (29 % contribution), and slope (8.7 % contribution) were key in determining suitable habitat for tea plants; (2) the cumulative area of suitable habitat for tea plants was 13,784.88 km 2 , mainly distributed in Menghai (3934.53 km 2 ), Lancang (3198.67 km 2 ), and Jinghong (2657.74 km 2 ); (3) the distribution area of elephants was 943.75 km 2 , and these areas overlapped with suitable tea plant habitat primarily located in G4 (379.40 km 2 ), G3 (251.18), and G7 (168.03 km 2 ); and (4) threatened areas in G1 and G7 were predominately located along the periphery of current nature reserves. Win-win solutions that work for elephant conservation and economic development include rescoping nature reserve boundaries, strengthening management on the periphery of nature reserves, establishing ecological corridors and new nature reserves within regions where elephants are currently distributed, planting alternative cash crops, and financial subsidies to farmers. This study improves understanding of human-elephant coexistence, and will assist in guiding land use policy for the future conservation outcomes seeking to promote responsible and profitable cash crop farming and elephant conservation.

Given the growing interest in sustainable tourism and the need to preserve ecological integrity, understanding how tourism resource development can coexist with biodiversity conservation is crucial, especially in ecologically sensitive regions. The Dabie Mountain region, with its rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, is a prime area for exploring the balance between tourism and environmental protection. Our study examined the spatial configuration of ecotourism resources in the Dabie Mountains, focusing on the role of ecosystem services, biodiversity hotspots, and traditional villages. Using the InVEST model, kernel density analysis, and a geographic detector, we found that the study area primarily consisted of lower-habitat-quality regions. Approximately 48,914.05 km2 (96.82% of the total area) was classified as low-quality habitat, presenting potential risks to biodiversity and ecosystem services in these regions. Higher habitat quality was observed in the eastern and southern regions, particularly in Yue Xi County, which exhibited superior biodiversity and habitat conditions compared to other administrative areas. Class V habitats, covering 39.89 km2 (31.69% of Class V area), were located in areas with greater terrain relief and proximity to water bodies, which contribute to higher biodiversity. This study identified a potential ecotourism development space of 649.79 km2, with a spatial distribution aligned with natural landscape features that support biodiversity conservation. Yue Xi and Jinzhai together accounted for 49.84% of the total ecotourism development space. Our study emphasizes the need to balance biodiversity conservation with tourism development, ensuring that ecotourism goals are met while preserving ecological integrity and cultural heritage. These findings provide a strong foundation for future research on biodiversity conservation in tourism development and offer insights for achieving sustainable ecological management in the region.

Identifying and improving the existing ecological security patterns (ESPs) are of great importance to promoting ecological security and achieving sustainable development goals. The Three Gorges Reservoir Region (TGRR) is an area with a sensitive, fragile, and complex ecological environment in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River. The construction of ESPs for the TGRR is significant for maintaining regional ecosystem stability and promoting peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. The main objective of the study is to identify the ecological nodes, ecological corridors, and ecological sources that play essential roles in the ecosystem. Based on land use data and human interference factors, we have evaluated the current habitat quality using the InVEST model and identified vital ecological sources for the TGRR. The negative exponential transformation function was used to convert habitat suitability into a landscape resistance layer. Circuit theory modeling was utilized to identify ecological corridors, and the final ESPs of the TGRR were then constructed. Results showed that (a) the spatial distribution of habitat varied significantly in the TGRR. The optimal habitats were concentrated in the northeast, east, and southwest, accounting for 45.98% of the total suitable habitats; (b) habitat quality varied through space, with habitat quality being higher in the northeast and lower in the western regions. (c) Ecological sources were distributed primarily in the forests with high vegetation coverage in the east. The total area of ecological sources was about 15,412 km 2 , approximately accounting for 34% of the study area; (d) the ESPs were dominated by ecological sources composed of forests, which were radially connected by ecological corridors. In total, these included 14 significant ecological sources, 25 clusters of ecological corridors, and 23 ecological nodes. The results are of great significance to promote the ecological security of the TGRR and could provide theoretical support for biodiversity conservation and territorial space planning for the Three Gorges Region.

Farmland abandonment poses a critical threat to food security, ecological stability, and sustainable rural development, particularly in China’s hilly and mountainous regions. This study examines the spatial distribution and socioeconomic determinants of farmland abandonment in the Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle (CCEC), located in the upper Yangtze River Basin. Drawing on multi-temporal land use data, we quantify the extent and spatial variation of abandonment over the past decade. Supplementary household survey data were analyzed using a Binary Logistic Regression Model to identify key drivers behind farmers’ abandonment decisions. The results reveal pronounced spatial heterogeneity, with dryland abandonment exceeding 20% and paddy field abandonment surpassing 8% in peripheral mountainous zones. Major positive drivers include household labor aging ( β = 1.218; marginal effect: 27.1%), low net farming income (below 7500 RMB/hectare; 21.4%), high dependence on hired labor (18.3%), and land fragmentation ( β = 0.217; 5.3%). In contrast, higher educational attainment, access to agricultural subsidies, greater policy awareness, and larger household size significantly reduce abandonment likelihood. While natural and institutional factors were considered, socioeconomic variables exhibited more statistically robust and consistent influence on farmland abandonment decisions within the study area. These findings provide empirical insights for designing targeted rural revitalization policies that address labor shortages, enhance agricultural returns, and promote sustainable land use in mountainous regions.

Understanding of predator feeding ecology, interactions among co-occurring predator species, and seasonal changes is critical for conservation management given the important role that predators play in shaping their ecosystems, but is lacking for most regions of the world. Dietary studies have demonstrated varying conclusions in the role that resource partitioning plays in the maintenance of predator communities due to complex inter-related factors that may shape prey use. We used DNA metabarcoding on 581 scat samples to determine the dietary composition, similarity, diversity, and niche overlap of eight predator species (Tibetan wolf ( Canis lupus ), snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ), Tibetan brown bear ( Ursus arctos pruinosus ), Eurasian lynx ( Lynx lynx ), Tibetan fox ( Vulpes ferrilata ), red fox ( V . vulpes ), Pallas’s cat ( Otocolobus manul ), and beech marten ( Martes foina )) across four sampling periods (September 2019, December 2019, March 2020, July 2020) in the Gouli Nature Reserve located in Dulan County, Qinghai Province, China. We identified 26 unique prey items, with blue sheep ( Pseudois nayaur ) and pika ( Ochotona spp.) being most common. Small mammals had the highest frequency of occurrence, while domestic and wild ungulates contributed the most biomass. No significant differences in diet were detected across months, with the exception of March and December for the red fox ( p = 0.010). Dietary niche overlap was greater than expected when considering all species ( p < 0.001) across seasons and between the Tibetan wolf and snow leopard in March ( p = 0.007) when compared for species pairs by season. This study contributes to understanding of fine-scale temporal changes in predator diet, and offers methodological and management strategies that may have applicability to other predator guilds living in complex landscapes.

The Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) is a rare and endangered primate species endemic to China. Conducting research on the population distribution changes of the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey holds paramount importance for its conservation. Our study represented a comprehensive investigation into the population distribution of the Sichuan snub‐nosed monkey by integrating data acquired from field surveys, protected areas, and historical records and using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to explore changes in distribution across various time periods, including the historical (the Mid‐to‐Late Pleistocene), recent (1980–2000), and current (2001–2023). The research findings demonstrate a significant shift in the distribution range of the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey compared to historical time frames. Notably, between 1980 and 2000, there was a sharp decline in distribution area. Analyses revealed that the southernmost distribution county for the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey in Sichuan Province has shifted northward from Huili to Kangding. Furthermore, distribution changes in Sichuan Province are not solely characterized by a reduction in habitat area but also by a decrease in vertical distribution zones. Regions in the northeastern part of Sichuan with elevations below 1000 m, such as Guang'an City, Bazhong City, Dazhou City, and Nanchong City, no longer support the presence of the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey. At present, the distribution range is confined to elevations between 1000 and 4000 m in the two major mountain ranges of Qionglai and Minshan. A holistic approach is required to safeguard this species. The establishment of movement corridors can play a critical role in enhancing the overall connectivity of current distribution areas. Additionally, we propose implementing a hierarchical approach to protect current habitats. Spatially differentiated conservation measures should be implemented to prioritize the protection of key habitats while simultaneously monitoring anthropogenic activities in non‐key habitats to prevent further fragmentation and isolation of the monkey's distribution areas. Historical changes in the distribution of the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey were identified. Between 1980 and 2000, there was a sharp decline in the distribution area of the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey. The boundary of the distribution area for the Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkeys in Sichuan Province has significantly shifted northward. Distribution changes of Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkeys are not solely characterized by a reduction in habitat area but also by a decrease in vertical distribution zones.

The spatiotemporal differentiation within habitats plays a crucial role in shaping community diversity and coexistence mechanisms. Exploring how species with similar ecological niches coexist remains a fundamental problem in ecology. We utilized infrared camera data to study the spatiotemporal activity patterns and interspecies interactions of three wild ungulates and sympatric livestock—red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), and cattle (Bos taurus)—in Xinjiang Kanas National Nature Reserve, China. By applying methods such as the multi‐species occupancy model, we explored how these species achieve coexistence through spatiotemporal niche differentiation. Results show that elevation (β = 0.595), aspect (β = 2.454), and tree density (β = 2.563) were key determinants of red deer occupancy; roe deer were strongly influenced by elevation (β = 1.789), aspect (β = 2.673), and slope (β = 0.796); wild boar occupancy increased with distance to water (β = 1.652) but declined with elevation (β = −1.567); cattle preferred lower elevations (β = −1.921). All three wild ungulate species positively correlate with the seasonal grazing covariate, indicating that their activities increase in summer. Their crepuscular activity patterns moderately overlap with those of cattle. The analysis of interspecies interactions reveals that cattle have a strong negative impact on red deer and roe deer (|ORsp| = 10.608 and 11.928, respectively); by contrast, the interaction between cattle and wild boar is relatively weaker. The spatiotemporal interaction analysis indicates that there is behavioral avoidance among species. Their co‐occurrence rates range from 25.9% to 51.9%, and the observed encounter intervals are longer than expected. This study emphasizes the disruptive impact of grazing and advocates taking measures such as shortening the grazing duration, limiting the grazing area, and removing physical barriers to maintain ecosystem health. Meanwhile, it is proposed to achieve long‐term conservation through interdepartmental collaboration and the establishment of monitoring systems. This study emphasizes the disruptive impact of grazing and advocates taking measures such as shortening the grazing duration, limiting the grazing area, and removing physical barriers to maintain ecosystem health. Meanwhile, it is proposed to achieve long‐term conservation through interdepartmental collaboration and the establishment of monitoring systems.

Climate change is significantly altering the distribution of large carnivores and their primary prey species, with particular emphasis on the changing prey distribution in high‐altitude regions. The Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, known for its rich biodiversity, is highly sensitive to climate change, affecting the habitats of snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur). Our study identified blue sheep as the primary prey of snow leopards through metagenomic analysis and used bioclimatic data and Land Use/Cover Change (LUCC) information to model habitat suitability under three climate scenarios (RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5). Projections showed that under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5, snow leopard habitats will decrease by 13.0% and 23.4%, while blue sheep habitats will decrease by 38.3% and 49.7%, respectively. These habitats are expected to shift to higher altitudes, with snow leopards experiencing a more significant shift. Based on these findings, we recommend adjusting protected area boundaries for S1 (Ideal distribution range), establishing ecological corridors for S2 (stepping stone), and implementing targeted measures to mitigate human‐wildlife conflicts in S3 (potential conflict area). To protect these species, international efforts to reduce carbon emissions, cross‐administrative cooperation, and community‐based conservation strategies are essential. Our study revealed the changing patterns of snow leopards and their main prey distribution areas under different climate change scenarios.

Climate change has direct impacts on wildlife and future biodiversity protection efforts. Vulnerability assessment and habitat connectivity analyses are necessary for drafting effective conservation strategies for threatened species such as the Tibetan brown bear (Ursus arctos pruinosus). We used the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model to assess the current (1950–2000) and future (2041–2060) habitat suitability by combining bioclimatic and environmental variables, and identified potential climate refugia for Tibetan brown bears in Sanjiangyuan National Park, China. Next, we selected Circuit model to simulate potential migration paths based on current and future climatically suitable habitat. Results indicate a total area of potential suitable habitat under the current climate scenario of approximately 31,649.46 km2, of which 28,778.29 km2 would be unsuitable by the 2050s. Potentially suitable habitat under the future climate scenario was projected to cover an area of 23,738.6 km2. Climate refugia occupied 2,871.17 km2, primarily in the midwestern and northeastern regions of Yangtze River Zone, as well as the northern region of Yellow River Zone. The altitude of climate refugia ranged from 4,307 to 5,524 m, with 52.93% lying at altitudes between 4,300 and 4,600 m. Refugia were mainly distributed on bare rock, alpine steppe, and alpine meadow. Corridors linking areas of potentially suitable brown bear habitat and a substantial portion of paths with low‐resistance value were distributed in climate refugia. We recommend various actions to ameliorate the impact of climate change on brown bears, such as protecting climatically suitable habitat, establishing habitat corridors, restructuring conservation areas, and strengthening monitoring efforts. Determining regions of refugia and climate connectivity enable the identification of the most effective areas to maintain brown bear populations and enhance connectivity against the background of climate change projection in this century.

Exploring vegetation distribution spatial patterns facilitates understanding how biodiversity addresses the potential threat of future climate variability, especially for highly diverse and threatened tropical plant communities, but few empirical studies have been performed. Dacrydium pectinatum is a constructive and endangered species in the tropical mountain forests of Hainan Island, China. In this study, sixty‐eight 30 m × 30 m permanent plots of D. pectinatum were investigated, and species‐based and phylogenetic‐based methods were used to analyze the α‐ and β‐diversity pattern variation and its key drivers. Our study showed that species and phylogenetic α‐diversity patterns are different on a local scale. However, on a regional scale, the variations in the two α‐diversity patterns tend to converge, and they decrease with increasing elevation. The phylogenetic structure changes from overdispersion to convergence with increasing elevation. Soil (SOM, TP, AP), topography (EL, SL), and stand (CD) factors and α‐diversity showed close correlations. Species and phylogenetic β‐diversity have significant positive correlations with changing environmental distance and geographical distance; however, as a representative form of habitat heterogeneity, elevation distance has a greater impact on β‐diversity changes than geographical distance. In conclusion, the α‐ and β‐diversity patterns of the D. pectinatum community are mainly related to habitat filtering, especially in high‐elevation areas, and the colonization history of various regions also affects the formation of diversity patterns. Species‐based and phylogenetic‐based methods robustly demonstrated the key role of the habitat filtering hypothesis in community assembly. We believe that more plant diversity patterns need to be explored to understand the biodiversity formation mechanisms in tropical forests. We also recommend strengthening the construction and management of nature reserves to help address the biodiversity loss crisis in endangered tropical plant communities. Changes in α‐ and β‐diversity of Dacrydium pectinatum communities are closely related to environmental filtration and diffusion restrictions. Species coexistence in tropical plant communities requires mild environmental conditions, and low temperature, precipitation, soil nutrients, and light will aggravate environmental filtering and species competition.