Ecological significance and risks of mineral licks to mammals in a nature reserve on the Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Issue 1 (31st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Xingcheng; Wen, Zhixin; Wang, Yujin; Feijó, Anderson; Fu, Qiang; Ran, Jianghong
• Is Part Of: Ecosystem health and sustainability. Volume 8:Issue 1(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-31
• Subjects: Mineral licks -- mineral nutrients -- illegal hunters -- parasites and diseases; Ecosystem health -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Environmental ethics -- Periodicals; Ecosystem management -- Periodicals; Ecosystem management; Environmental engineering; Environmental ethics; Environmental health; Environmental policy; Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1080/20964129.2022.2052764
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2096-4129

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Mineral licks are important components of terrestrial ecosystems that have special value to the maintenance of fluid balance of mammals, by providing them with essential mineral nutrients such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium. In the Anzihe Nature Reserve, southwest China, seven species of ungulates and one species of primates were frequently observed visiting the mineral licks in high densities. As a consequence, mineral licks have attracted illegal hunters and facilitated the spread of parasites and diseases, leading to a depletion of local populations. Therefore, we suggest that regions with abundant mineral licks should be designated as key protected areas in the Anzihe Nature Reserve and relevant zones for animal health surveillance.