Surface water is a major limiting factor affecting animal activities in karst ecosystems. From March, 2006 to June, 2007
and from October, 2010 to May, 2011, infra-red camera traps were installed along animal trails and temporary rain pools in
Nonggang National Nature Reserve, Guangxi, China, to monitor mammal diversity and relative abundance. In total, 19 species from
17 genera, 12 families, and 5 orders were recorded, including two State Key Protection Class I species, the François’ langur
(
Trachypithecus francoisi
) and Assam macaque (
Macaca assamensis
). Although 42% of species only occurred in one of the microhabitats, differences in species assemblages between trails and pools were not significant. The results of our observation
indicated that camera trapping was effective in monitoring medium to large sized mammals, and for recording illegal hunting. In
addition, our results suggest that authorities should reinforce patrolling, especially at water pools during the dry season, and
eradicate unsustainable extraction of underground water. Moreover, based on the advantages of large inhibited environments to
animal species, especially to large predators, we also recommend connecting the three isolated sections of the reserve to promote
species recovery and dispersal.
