Living on the edge: Opportunities for Amur tiger recovery in China

摘要: Abstract Sporadic sightings of the endangered Amur tiger Panthera tigris altaica along China-Russia border during late 1990s sparked efforts to expand this subspecies distribution and abundance by restoring potentially suitable habitats in Changbai Mountains. To guide science-based recovery provide a baseline for future monitoring population, empirical, quantitative information is needed on what resources management practices promote or limit occurrence tigers region. We established large-scale field camera-trapping network estimate density, survival recruitment Hunchun Nature Reserve surrounding area using an open population spatially explicit capture-recapture model. then fitted occupancy model that accounted detectability spatial autocorrelation assess relative influence habitat, major prey, disturbance habitat use patterns. Our results show ranges most abut with Russia. Tiger densities ranged between 0.20 0.27 individuals/100 km2 over study area; Reserve, density was three times higher than inland forested area. strongly negatively related heavy cattle grazing, human settlements roads positively associated sika deer vegetation cover. These findings can help identify drivers declines dispersal limits refine strategies conservation human-dominated transboundary landscape. Progressively alleviating impacts disturbances forest, simultaneously addressing economic needs local communities, should be key priority actions increase populations. The long-term goal improving large ungulates.