红外相机技术目前已成为监测陆栖哺乳动物和地栖鸟类的常用技术手段。为监测新疆天池博格达峰自然保护区内鸟类和兽类资源,于2019年7月—2020年9月,在保护区内选取30个红外相机位点共布设58台红外相机,累积工作29730个工作日,共获得99850份图像及视频数据,采集独立有效照片5744张;共观测到野生陆生脊椎动物9目19科29种,其中兽类5目10科15种,鸟类4目9科14种。观测到的动物中有国家I级重点保护野生动物雪豹（Panthera uncia）,国家II级重点保护野生动物6种,分别为北山羊（Capra sibirica）、马鹿（Cervus canadensis）、猞猁（Lynx lynx）、赤狐（Vulpes vulpes）、黑鸢（Milvus migrans）以及暗腹雪鸡（Tetraogallus himalayensis）。森林生境中,兽类相对多度指数最高的是马鹿（RAI=60.569）,鸟类相对多度指数最高的是山斑鸠（Streptopelia orientalis,RAI=0.854）;高山草甸及裸岩生境中,兽类相对多度指数最高的是马鹿（RAI=18.693）,鸟类相对多度指数最高的是暗腹雪鸡（RAI=0.316）和黄嘴山鸦（Pyrrhocorax graculus,RAI=0.854）。物种累积曲线结果显示：兽类物种数在200 d之后几乎不再增长,而鸟类物种数在100 d之后增速放缓但一直持续增长,表明时长450 d的红外相机监测力度对保护区中的兽类而言较为充分,对鸟类而言还不够充分。研究结果可为新疆天池博格达峰自然保护区野生陆生脊椎动物多样性监测与评估提供数据参考,为该保护区的保护管理工作提供科学依据。

Infrared cameras have the advantages of minimal disturbance to animals, continuous photography of hidden species, and easy preservation and retrieval of image data. It is suitable for monitoring medium to large mammals and terrestrial birds to obtain their real existence statuses. In this study, we systematically investigated and determined the species diversity of wild mammals and birds in the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve of Xinjiang, China. In July 2019—September 2020, 58 infrared cameras were placed at 30 planned locations across the reserve. We obtained 99850 images and videos during a survey of 29730 camera days and collected 5744 independent valid photos after screening. A total of 29 species belonging to 9 orders and 19 families were observed, among which we found 15 mammal species belonging to 5 orders and 10 families, and 14 bird species belonging to 4 orders and 9 families in the reserve. One Class I National Key Protected Species of wild animals was the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), and six Class II National Key Protected Species of wild animals were the sibirica ibex (Capra sibirica), red deer (Cervus canadensis), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), black kite (Milvus migrans), and Himalayan snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis). The presence of three carnivores, namely, snow leopards, Eurasian lynx, and red fox, indirectly confirmed the health of the Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve ecosystem. In forest habitat, the most abundant mammal specials with the highest RAI was the red deer (RAI=60.569), and the most abundant avian species with the highest RAI was the turtledove (Streptopelia orientalis, RAI=0.854). In alpine meadow and bare rock habitat, the most abundant mammal species with the highest RAIs was the red deer (RAI=18.693), and the most abundant avian species with the highest RAIs were the Himalayan snowcock (Tetraogallus himalayensis, RAI=0.316) and yellow-billed chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus, RAI=0.854). The species accumulation curve showed that the number of mammal species recorded using the infrared camera will not increase until 200 days. After 100 days, the growth in the number of bird species slowed but did not halt until the research ended. The presence of three carnivores, namely, snow leopards, Eurasian lynx, and red fox, indirectly confirms the health of the Bogda Nature Reserve ecosystem. In this study, the species diversity of wild mammals and birds in Tianchi Bogda Peak Nature Reserve was continuously observed using the infrared camera for the first time, and we obtained a large amount of image data. It provides a reliable reference for systematically revealing mammal and bird diversity monitoring and assessment in the reserve as well as provides the scientific foundation for subsequent conservation and management. In the future, we will increase the number of infrared camera monitoring sites and expand the scope of surveillance, extend the time of monitoring, and establish a long-term monitoring mechanism. When necessary, traditional sample methods such as line transect and infrared camera monitoring methods were combined to obtain more systematic and accurate monitoring data and results of bird and mammal diversity in the reserve.