Study On Resources Status Of Equus Hemionus And Gazella Subgutturosa,and Wildlife Conservation Awareness Of Herdsmen In The Mt.Kalamaili

We carried out field surveys on Khulan(Equus hemionus)and goitred gazelle(Gazella subgutturosa sairensis)in the Mt.Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve(MKUNR)by using the distance sampling method in 2018.Part of Khulan and goitred gazelle habitats had changed in MKUNR,but main distribution areas still located from north of Mt.Kalamaili to nrothen margins of MKUNR in different seasons of 2018.We estimated the density and encounter rates(the number of observed animal groups/km)of Khulan and goitred gazelle with the interactive computer program DISTANCE 7.2.From spring to autumn,the encounter rate of Khulan varied between 0.015 to 0.0307 km-1;whereas that of goitred gazelle varied between 0.028 to 0.039km-1 in 2018.We estimated population densities of Klulan were 0.81±0.16 individual/km2 in spring,0.73±0.21 individual/km2 in summer,0.45±0.12 individual/km2 in autumn,and 0.42±0.14 individual/km2 in winter in the survey area in 2018,respectively.We estimated the population densities of goitred gazelle were 0.20±0.03 individual/km2 in spring,0.23±0.07 individual/km2 in summer,0.31±0.05 individual/km2 in autumn,and 0.54±0.11 individual/km2 in winter in 2018,respectively.We compared the data obtained from this survey with those form 2007 in MKUNR,the adjacent areas in Mongolia and other surveys on Khulan and goitred gazelle in Xinjiang,and we also discussed survey methods used and robustness of results obtained.Finally,we gave recommendation of using the latest survey data as baseline data for long term monitoring on Khulan and goitred gazelle in the MKUNR.Through face-to-face interviews with the herdsmen in winter grazing sites,this paper investigates the wildlife conservation awareness of the community herdsmen of the MKUNR.The results show that:(l)In winter of 2017,226 herdsmen,who were investigated in MKUNR,were young adults and minors(92.93%),and were almost primary and secondary school education(98.33%).The total number of livestock grazing of the MKUNR was 97298,and 98.45%were sheep and goats.(2)Herdsmen of the MKUNR have a high awareness of wildlife protection.Overwintering herdsmen in MKUNR(98.67%)can read Kazakh environmental protection law,and most herdsmen(96.91%)know that they graze in MKUNR in winter.And most herdsmen(98.23%)know that Przewalski's horses are key wildlife protected by Chinese government,and all of them want to know more about the protection network and the environment infomation.It is considered that the main factors affecting the survival of wildlife in MKUNR are natural faetors such as snow disaster and drought,followed by mining and roads,grazing.Poaching and other activities have little impact on wildlife.(3)It is considered by overwintering herdsmen that there is no competion among Przewalski's horse,khulan and goitered gazelle with livestocks in winter.Only a small number of herdsmen in Kezixilike township(1.67%)did not agree to the use of meadows by wildlife in winter.Most overwintering herdsmen(93.81%)in various townships are in favor of restricting or banning grazing in MKUNR in winter.(4)The overwintering herdsmen in various townships have no significant difference in their understanding of the ongoing rectification of the MKUNR(P=0.552)since 2015.There were very significant differences in understanding whether or not to send coal to herdsmen recently in MKUNR(P=0).There are significant differences in understanding of mining activities in MKUNR(P=0.042),and significant differences in the understanding of ecotourism in MKUNR(P=0).(5)There were significant differences in the understanding of settlement or nomadic among overwintering herdsmen in different townships(P=0),and there were significant differences in the understanding of the increase or decrease of income after grazing restriction(P=0.026).There was no significant difference in understanding whether the number of desired livestocks increased or decreased(P=0.108).Although most overwintering herdsmen wanted to settle down,the traditional animal husbandry was still the main source of economic income for herdsmen in the above-mentioned townships.