Bonasa sewerzowi Przewalski, 1876
Text, map and
photo from Storch I. (2000) : Grouse Action Plan 2000-2004,
reproduced here with the Editor's agreement
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Common names: |
Ban wei zhen ji |
Chinese |
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Chinese
grouse, |
English |
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Gélinotte de Severtzow |
French |
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China-Haselhuhn |
German |
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Grevol chino |
Spanish |
Photo by Siegfried
Klaus
Conservation Status
IUCN 1996: Lower risk (near
threatened).
CITES 1998: not listed in Appendices.
National red data books: China (Wang 1997).
Taxonomy
Some authors consider the
species to be monotypic (Johnsgard 1983, del Hoyo et al. 1994),
whereas others distinguish two subspecies B. s. sewerzowi and B.
s. secunda, which are separated by a distance of 250km (Potapov
cit. in Bergmann et al. 1996; Li 1996).
Distribution
Central China from central Ganus and southern Qinghai provinces to Tibet, nothwest Yunnan and most of Sichuan. The western distribution limit seems to be uncertain (see question mark on distribution map); recently, the species has been confirmed in the westernmost portion of the Tibetan forest at approx. 93°E (Lu 1997).
Population size and trend
The range of the Chinese
grouse probably has become greatly reduced since the advent of
large scale forest clearances in historic times; however, the
original range of the species is uncertain. In recent times, the
habitat has become more and more fragmented, and the species has
disappeared from parts of its range. Population densities have
been estimated at 9 birds per km_ in Yunnan and <2 birds in
Sichuan and may exceed 12 adults per km_ (Klaus et al. 1996). The
range is still contracting and numbers are declining but the rate
of change is unknown. The total population size has been estimated
at >10,000 birds (Sun pers. comm.). The conservation status is
not sufficiently clarified (see Bergmann et al 1996, Klaus et al.
1996, Li 1996).
Habitat and ecology
The Chinese grouse inhabits
conifer-rich mixed montane forests from the valley bottoms to the
treeline. In most areas, conifer-dominated habitats are restricted
to the higher elevations and the wetter northern exposures. The
species occupies a similar niche to its close relative, the hazel
grouse B. bonasia. The Chinese grouse select patches with willows
Salix, birch Betula and other deciduous species in close
interspersion with conifers for cover. The dominating conifer
species are spruce Picea spp. and fir Abies spp.. In the newly
discovered Tibetan distribution area, juniper Juniperus is the
only conifer (S. Klaus pers. comm.). Preferred habitats are dense
and multi-layered forests; in summer, the birds also use krummholz
and subalpine shrub habitats above the treeline. Mainly feeds on
buds and leaves of willow and birch, spruce seeds as well as
flowers, leaves and shoots of other shrubs and herbs. Twigs and
buds of willow and birch are the major winter food (see Bergmann
et al. 1996, Sun 1995, 1996).
Hunting and cultural importance
Illegal hunting and egg
collecting may be locally common. Some forestry workers in Zhuoni
County, Gansu, said that they hunted 60-80 birds each year and
they did not know the birds were a protected species (Sun, pers.
comm.).The overall cultural and economic roles of the species is
unclear, but probably not important.
Principal threats
Habitat loss and fragmentation. High demands for farmland, timber and firewood are the reasons for the ongoing destruction of forests in the range of the Chinese grouse and elsewhere in China. The effects are ongoing loss and fragmentation of its habitats. Many populations have become isolated in the remaining small forest islands. Reforestation can only partly compensate for these losses.
Climatic change. The effects of anthropogenic habitat loss are enhanced by climatic changes towards increasing aridity. This has both natural causes related to the ongoing raising of the Himalayas and anthropogenic causes related to large-scale deforestation. In many areas, a lack of precipitation allows forest vegetation to grow only on the wetter northern slopes.
Exploitation. Some illegal hunting and egg collecting are reported. At least where the species has been studied recently, the effects of poaching on the population are considered to be low. In other areas, particularly outside protected areas, exploitation may have significant effects on the populations (Sun 1995, Sun pers. comm.).
Research needs
During 1995 to 1998, the bird has been studied at Lianhuashan Natural Reserve in Gansu Province. More than 50 birds were radiotracked (Sun pers. comm.), revealing insights into habitat-relationships, spacing patterns and behaviour.
Effects of forestry practices. Chinese grouse are known to occur in some second-growth habitats although grouse numbers seem to decrease after logging (Sun pers. comm.). However, the effects of various sylvicultural practices on grouse population dynamics are not well understood. In most of the bird's present range, the predominating sylvicultural technique is selective cutting of different intensity (Sun pers. comm). According to forestry regulations, a maximum of 40% of the trees may be logged; however, in practice the cutting rate often exceeds this limit. To assess the effects of various forestry practices on the persistence and population density of Chinese grouse, a series of surveys is suggested in different types of managed forests with different cutting regimes, including newly cut primary habitats as well as second-growth forests; also, populations should be monitored before and after cutting. The results are important to give advice to the forestry administration how to integrate forestry operations and grouse habitat conservation.
Landscape ecology. Throughout its range, the remaining habitats of the Chinese grouse are highly fragmented. Habitat fragmentation patterns (patch size and isolation, distance between patches, existence of potential movement corridors between patches and distribution ranges) can be assessed with the help of satellite images and other remote sensing techniques. The presence and population density of Chinese grouse should be surveyed in the field in relation to fragmentation patterns. Research into the effects of habitat fragmentation on population dynamics and persistence of the Chinese grouse has been started by Sun Yue-Hua of the Chinese Academy of Sciences at Beijing. A cooperation has been started in 1999 between the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (NSFC) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) to support the project. Additional small grants have been provided by the Stiftung Avifauna Protecta (SAP) and the BP Conservation Programme. Finances for the continuation and completion of the project is still lacking.
Dispersal. Knowledge about dispersal is vital to understand how Chinese grouse are able to cope with fragmented habitats. Further radiotracking studies, particularly of broods and juveniles, are desirable to understand dispersal behaviour, dispersal rates and distances. The closely related hazel grouse is known to be a poor disperser that is very reluctant to cross open land between forest patches (see Swenson 1991).
Population structure and dynamics. More work is needed on reproductive biology to understand better basic parameters of population dynamics such as brood and chick survival and sex and age-related mortality rates.
Current conservation measures
Legal protection. The species is totally protected throughout its range. As a species listed in category I of the China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals, it has the potential to play a prominent role in Chinese conservation policy.
Protected areas. There are several protected areas within the species´ range. The Chinese grouse has been confirmed as resident (R) in some of these reserves; for others (?), its presence is yet to be confirmed. Reserves are considered to be critical for the survival of the species; their present effectiveness is judged to be high.
In Gansu Province:
1) Qilianshan Natural Reserve in Zhangye County (R)
2) Liancheng Forest Park in Yongdeng County (R)
3) Lianhuashan Natural Reseve in Kangle County, 12,000 ha (R)
4) Guozhagou Natural Reserve in Zhuoni County, 2,509 ha (?)
5) Gahai-Zecha Natural Reserve in Luqu County (R), 247,431ha with 14,150 ha of forest (R)
6) Baishuijiang Natural Reserve in Wen County, 95,292 ha (?)
In Qinghai Province:
1) Beishan Forest Park in Beishan County (R)
2) Mengda Natural Reserve in Xunhua County, 9544 ha (?)
In Sichuan Province (all designated for Giant Panda protection):
1) Jiuzhaigou Natural Reserve in Jiuzhaigou County, 60,000 ha (R)
2) Baihe Natural Reserve in Jiuzhaigou County, 20,000 ha (?)
3) Wolong Natural Reserve in Wenchuan County, 200,000 ha (R)
4) Tangjiahe Natural Reserve in Qingchuan County, 40,000 ha (R)
5) Wanglang Natural Reserve in Pingwu County, 27,700 ha (?)
6) Huanglongsi Natural Reserve in Songpan County, 40,000 ha (?)
7) Xiaozhaizigou Natural Reserve in Beichuan County, 6,000 ha (?)
8) Fengtongzhai Natural Reserve in Baoxing County, 40,000 ha (R)
In Yunnan Province:
1) Baima Snow Mountain Natural Reserve in Deqing County, 180,000 ha (?
2) Haba Snow Mountain Natural Reserve in Zhongdian County, 21,907 ha (?)
Habitat preservation. The Chinese government stopped cutting the virgin forest in Sichuan and Gansu in October 1998 after a big flood in the summer (Sun pers. comm.).
Surveys. Surveys of
Chinese grouse populations have been limited to restricted areas
in different parts of the range.
Priority conservation measures
The Chinese grouse is listed as a globally near threatened species. Therefore, its conservation has high priority. Here, a short summary of recommended conservation measures is given. Recommendations for research and conservation priorities for the Chinese grouse are described in greater detail in Chapter 4.
Assess, maintain, and restore the connections between local populations. Fragmentation of habitats and isolation of populations is a major threat to the Chinese grouse. To ensure connectivity and exchange between the populations is vital for the long-term persistence of the species. Three steps are recommended: surveys to assess the distribution and status of the species throughout its range; habitat and genetic studies to assess the connectivity between local populations; extension of the protected area network by creating new reserves and habitat corridors to connect isolated populations. (see Research needs: landscape ecology.)
Integrate forestry practices and habitat conservation. As a first step towards integrating sylvicultural practices and Chinese grouse conservation, the effects of various cutting regimes on Chinese grouse populations should be assessed by comparing populations in different types of managed forest and by monitoring population dynamics before and after cutting (see Research needs). This knowledge should then be used to formulate guidelines for grouse habitat preservation. Finally, the guidelines should be applied in forest management by the state forestry administration.
Captive breeding. Up
to now, no attempts at captive breeding of Chinese grouse have
been conducted; to develop captive breeding and rearing techniques
is not an urgent priority in Chinese grouse conservation, however.
To build up a captive stock of Chinese grouse may be suggested as
a longer-term activity.
Correspondents
Siegfried Klaus, Sun
Yue-Hua, Lu Xin
Key publications
Bergmann, H.-H., Klaus, S., Müller, F., Scherzinger, W., Swenson, J.E., Wiesner, J. 1996. Die Haselhühner, Westarp Wissenschaften, Magdeburg, Germany. Pp 210-276.
Lu, Xin 1997. A new disribution area of the Chinese grosue in Tibet. Grouse News 14:18-20.
Sun, Y.-H. 1995. Studies of grouse in China. In: Jenkins, D. (ed.): Proc. Intern. Symp. Grouse 6: 34-35.