Camera-trapping survey of wild the species diversity of mammal and birds in Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province

The investigation of mammal and bird diversity is an important part of the background survey of biological resources in nature reserves and also an important foundation for

a deeper understanding of the ecosystem. From March 2021 to December 2023, 130 infrared cameras were deployed in the Yunnan Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve to monitor 375 sites in 244 grids. A total of 93 958 valid camera working days were accumulated, and 21 545 independent and valid records were made. Recognition 35 species belonging to 17 families and 6 orders of mammals and 83 species belonging to 21 families and 6 orders of birds were identified, including 8 species of first-class national key protected wild animals and 35 species of second-class national key protected wild animals. record 8 new species records of protected areas: Mustela kathiah, Nisaetus cirrhatus, Accipiter trivirgatus, Trochalopteron chrysopterum, Turdus feae, Turdus obscurus, Turdus naumanni, and Tarsiger rufilatus. The top 5 animals in terms of relative abundance index are Dremomys pernyi, Elaphodus cephalophus, Macaca mulatta, Rhinopithecus bieti, and Martes flavigula; The top 5 in terms of grid occupancy rate are the Martes flavigula, Rhinopithecus bieti, Dremomys pernyi, Capricornis milneedwardsii, and Macaca mulatta. The top 5 birds in terms of relative abundance index are the Ithaginis cruentus, Chrysolophus amherstiae, Myophonus caeruleus, Tragopan temminckii, and Pucrasia macrolopha; The top 5 in terms of grid occupancy are the Ithaginis cruentus, Pucrasia macrolopha, Tragopan temminckii, Chrysolophus amherstiae, and Myophonus caeruleus. The mid-altitude section (3 000~3 500 m), theropencedrymion, and the core area have the richest number of bird and animal species. The number of mammal species captured at a single site showed significant differences at different altitudes and among different vegetation types, but no significant differences in different functional areas. The number of bird species also showed no significant differences at different altitudes, different vegetation types, and different functional areas. The destruction of human activities and the living environment is the cause of the absence of top predators such as felines in the protected area. In addition, the herbivorous animals in the reserve are under less pressure from being preyed upon. It is advisable to reintroduce top predators to maintain the balance of the ecosystem. This study reflects the species diversity and distribution of mammals and birds in the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve.