Spatial-Temporal Patterns of Human-Wildlife Conflicts Under Coupled Impact of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors in Mt. Gaoligong, Western Yunnan, China

Abstract

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) are major conservation concerns that threaten both the existence of wildlife and rural livelihoods, which can vary spatially and temporally under diverse environments. With the process of rural development wildlife conservation, the perspectives on spatial-temporal patterns of HWC under impact of natural and anthropogenic factors remain limited. We gathered HWC incidents over 2012-2021 in Longyang District, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province, China, to assess their spatial-temporal patterns and determinants. We found that HWC were uneven spatially, with a higher probability in areas near the protected area and away from densely populated areas. Specifically, forests and croplands were the key factors driving conflicts for Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus) but shrubs for rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta). Additionally, August-October was the peak period of HWC, when wildlife overlapped with humans severely due to the high natural productivity stemming from the warm and humid climate. The frequency of HWC fluctuated across years, which are partly attributed to the climatic fluctuations. In addition, HWC has increased in recent years, especially conflicts involving wild boars (Sus scrofa) and rhesus monkeys, whereas human-bear conflicts have declined across years despite being insignificant. Our thorough understanding of HWC provided several useful insights into conflict prevention and human-wildlife coexistence.

Keywords: Environment factors, Getis-Ord, Time series, Asiatic black bear, Nature conservation, Rural development