Delineation of core terrestrial habitat for conservation of a tropical salamander : The Hong Kong newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis)

Anthony LAU*, Nancy E. KARRAKER, Paolo MARTELLI, David DUDGEON

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal PublicationsJournal Article (refereed)peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Core terrestrial habitat, sometimes called fixed-width riparian buffer or life zone, is defined as the spatial delineation of 95% of an amphibian population that encompasses all breeding, overwintering, and terrestrial foraging habitats. It has been proposed as a measure of the extent of terrestrial habitat use by amphibians, from which species-specific guidelines on buffer zone width can be derived. The Hong Kong newt (Paramesotriton hongkongensis), one of few tropical salamandrids, is endemic to southern China and categorized by the IUCN as Near Threatened. Populations of P. hongkongensis have declined due to habitat degradation and overexploitation for the pet trade. Previous studies of aquatic habitat use by P. hongkongensis revealed distinctive patterns, with juveniles using terrestrial habitats exclusively and most adults remaining on land for about 10 months each year. However, other information on the terrestrial stage is incomplete. We combined radio telemetry and terrestrial transect surveys to study habitat use and quantify movement and distribution patterns of P. hongkongensis during its terrestrial stage with the goal of delineating core terrestrial habitat for the species. Fifty-two P. hongkongensis radio-tracked during the wet season primarily used forest, maintained small home ranges (mean = 0.04 ha), and made frequent short distance movements (< 7 m/day) between cover objects. From transect surveys that detected 117 P. hongkongensis, we estimated that the core terrestrial habitat extends 113 m from the nearest stream margin. Currently, there are no guidelines in place for establishment of fixed-width buffer zones to protect semi-aquatic animals in Hong Kong. We recommend that buffer zones of at least 113 m be designed to protect the terrestrial stages of P. hongkongensis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)76-82
Number of pages7
JournalBiological Conservation
Volume209
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2017
Externally publishedYes

Funding

We thank Lily Ng and the Kendrick family for logistical support, and staff at the Hong Kong Ocean Park veterinary center for help with transmitter implantation. The following people contributed substantial field assistance: Michael Chan, Janet Chung, Milka Chung, Zelda Kwan, Evan Pickett, Beverly Po, Alphonse Tseng, and Elaine Yuen. Vivian Fu kindly provided helpful suggestions and valuable data on terrestrial newts. Three anonymous reviewers provided constructive and critical comments. Digital Globe Foundation granted access to high-definition satellite images via an imagery grant. The Planning Department kindly provided GIS data, and the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Conservation Department of the Hong Kong SAR Government issued a research permit (AF GR CON 09/51). We are grateful for financial support from the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong (Research Grant: HKU 765510M; Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme: PF11-05693), USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture - McIntire-Stennis Program (RI00MS-978-INT), and the College of the Environment and Life Sciences, University of Rhode Island. The University of Hong Kong Committee on the Use of Live Animals in Teaching and Research (permit 3043-13) and the Hong Kong Department of Health (Animals Regulations permits 13-357 and 13-358) granted approval for use of animals in this research.

Keywords

  • Kernel density estimation
  • Life zone
  • Radio telemetry
  • Riparian buffer zone
  • Salamandridae

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