Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Wildlife in Huangshan Scenic Area, Anhui Province, China

TL;DR

The study examines how reduced human activity during the pandemic affected wildlife in Huangshan, showing species expanded habitats and adjusted behaviors.

Contribution

This paper provides empirical evidence of wildlife responses to reduced human disturbance during the pandemic in a mountainous scenic area.

Findings

Five species showed habitat expansion and population growth during the pandemic.

Most species increased diurnal activity when human disturbances decreased.

Human and domestic animal presence significantly decreased during the pandemic.

Abstract

Huangshan, a famous mountainous scenic area and biodiversity hotspot in East China, is particularly vulnerable to human activities and habitat fragmentation, more so than designated nature reserves. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant global shifts in human activity, providing an unprecedented opportunity to study the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on wildlife survival. Camera data from before and during the pandemic were analyzed to explore the changes in population size, habitat use, and temporal activity of the local species. This study highlights the negative impacts of human activity on wildlife, providing essential data to support conservation and management in the Huangshan Scenic Area.

Human activities impact ecosystems globally, and understanding human–wildlife coexistence is crucial for species conservation. This study analyzed trends in local wildlife populations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic to assess their response to human disturbance. From 2017 to 2022, 60 camera sites were monitored, and seven species with the largest population size—excluding rodents—were selected for analysis. The results revealed that the presence of humans (p = 0.025) and domesticated animals (cats and dogs, p = 0.002) significantly decreased during the pandemic. Conversely, five species (except the Tibetan macaque and mainland serow) showed habitat expansion and population growth (p < 0.05), which may be related to their avoidance of human presence or artificial structures such as roads and tourism facilities. In addition, the analysis showed that most species, except the Tibetan macaque and wild boar, adjusted their activity patterns, showing increased diurnal activity when human disturbances were reduced (RR > 0). These findings suggest that species may adapt their behaviors to avoid human presence. This study highlights the negative impacts of human activities on local wildlife and emphasizes the need for stronger conservation and management efforts to mitigate human disturbances in scenic areas.

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