Local ecological knowledge as a tool for assessing the status of threatened vertebrates: a case study in Vietnam

摘要: This study draws on the local ecological knowledge of 58 hunters from seven communes in Ngoc Son Ngo Luong Nature Reserve (Hoa Binh province, North Vietnam) to examine status 40 threatened vertebrates. The reserve forms part a biodiversity-rich mountainous corridor. Respondents were shown photographs species and asked rate their abundance scale 0–3 (0, extinct; 3, very abundant) two periods: pre-1975 (before Doi Moi) 2009. results show that 39 have lived area five are now extinct (Delacour's langur Trachypithecus delacouri, northern white-cheeked crested gibbon Nomascus leucogenys, dhole Cuon alpinus, oriental small-clawed otter Aonyx cinereus, Indochinese tiger Panthera tigris corbetti) presence another six is doubtful (Phayre's leaf-monkey phayrei ssp. crepuscula, sun bear Helarctos malayanus, binturong Arctictis binturong, fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus, leopard pardus, wreathed hornbill Anorrhinus undulatus). general decline numbers abundance, with mammals declining fastest, especially carnivores primates. differences between narrowed since 1975, converging towards trends impoverishment at similar low abundances. survey among also concord findings research nearby areas. demonstrates usefulness for planning, decision-making management protected areas absence historical records or financial resources conducting intensive fieldwork remote little-known