Arborophila rufipectus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	AVES	GALLIFORMES	PHASIANIDAE

Scientific Name:

Arborophila rufipectus

Species Authority:

Boulton, 1932

Common Name/s:

English

–

Sichuan Partridge

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Endangered C2a(i) ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s:

BirdLife International

Reviewer/s:

Butchart, S., Carroll, J., Bird, J., McGowan, P.

Contributor/s:

Bo, D., Dowell, S.

Justification:
This species is listed as Endangered because its population is very small and severely fragmented, and is undergoing a continuing decline because of ongoing hunting and habitat loss, although the latter is at lower levels than previously.

History:

2006	–	Endangered
2004	–	Endangered
2000	–	Endangered
1996	–	Critically Endangered
1994	–	Critically Endangered

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Arborophila rufipectus is endemic to China, where it is known from south-central Sichuan, with probable records from north-east Yunnan. Surveys in 1996 and 1997 estimated densities of 0.48 and 0.24 calling males per km², respectively. The total area of suitable habitat within its known range was then estimated at 1,793 km², and on the basis of densities recorded, and the assumption that each calling male represents one pair, the total population was estimated at 860-1,722 birds. However, it has since been recorded at several new sites and more recent surveys in Laojunshan Nature Reserve recorded densities of 4.24 ± 0.6 individuals per km², so this population estimate is likely to be too low¹, though population densities across its range appear to be highly variable.
Countries:	Native: China
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	Surveys in 1996 and 1997 estimated densities of 0.48 and 0.24 calling males per km², respectively. The total area of suitable habitat within its known range was then estimated at 1,793 km², and on the basis of densities recorded, and the assumption that each calling male represents one pair, the total population was estimated at 860-1,722 birds. However, it was recorded at several new sites between 1998 and 2002 and more recent surveys at Laojunshan Nature Reserve at the eastern edge of its range recorded densities of 4.24 ± 0.6 calling males per km². Although reliable, this is the highest density recorded for this species and it is known to occur at much lower densities further west, so it is probable that Laojunshan represents optimal habitat within the bird's preferred altitudinal range (about 1000 to 2000 m). Nevertheless, the 1996/7 population estimate is likely to be too low, hence it is best placed in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals.
Population Trend:	Decreasing

Population:

Surveys in 1996 and 1997 estimated densities of 0.48 and 0.24 calling males per km², respectively. The total area of suitable habitat within its known range was then estimated at 1,793 km², and on the basis of densities recorded, and the assumption that each calling male represents one pair, the total population was estimated at 860-1,722 birds. However, it was recorded at several new sites between 1998 and 2002 and more recent surveys at Laojunshan Nature Reserve at the eastern edge of its range recorded densities of 4.24 ± 0.6 calling males per km². Although reliable, this is the highest density recorded for this species and it is known to occur at much lower densities further west, so it is probable that Laojunshan represents optimal habitat within the bird's preferred altitudinal range (about 1000 to 2000 m). Nevertheless, the 1996/7 population estimate is likely to be too low, hence it is best placed in the band 1,000-2,499 mature individuals.

Population Trend:

Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	It is found in temperate broadleaf cloud forest, mainly mixed evergreen and deciduous, at 1,100-2,250 m. Radio telemetry studies have shown that when foraging it favours undisturbed, closed-canopy forest with an open forest floor, sparse bamboo growth and damp leaf-litter. Although it prefers shallow slopes, most of the remaining areas of forest within its range are on steep slopes. It occurs in secondary forest at similar densities, but usually within 1 km of primary forest. Research has also shown that it occurs in broadleaf plantations after about 15 years of growth provided that native broadleaves are used in the replanting¹.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

It is found in temperate broadleaf cloud forest, mainly mixed evergreen and deciduous, at 1,100-2,250 m. Radio telemetry studies have shown that when foraging it favours undisturbed, closed-canopy forest with an open forest floor, sparse bamboo growth and damp leaf-litter. Although it prefers shallow slopes, most of the remaining areas of forest within its range are on steep slopes. It occurs in secondary forest at similar densities, but usually within 1 km of primary forest. Research has also shown that it occurs in broadleaf plantations after about 15 years of growth provided that native broadleaves are used in the replanting¹.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Until recently the main threat was habitat destruction through commercial clear-felling of primary forest, as most remaining primary broadleaf forest within its known range was at risk from logging within 20-25 years. In 1998, a Government imposed ban on logging in the upper Yangtze basin led to a complete halt in deforestation throughout its range¹. There is now a major forest plantation scheme in operation aiming to re-forest ridges and steeper slopes¹. In some areas, forest is still being cleared for agriculture or illegally logged, though this is on a small scale. Many people enter its forest habitat to collect bamboo shoots and medicinal plants in spring and early autumn, which creates substantial disturbance during the breeding season, and additional disturbance is caused by livestock either grazing in, or moving through, the forest. It is also illegally hunted. Hydroelectric schemes and the resulting reservoirs in the valleys below its mountain forest habitat provide indirect threats in future as the people they displace will be moved to higher locations in close proximity to the remaining forest, putting it under increased pressure¹.

Major Threat(s):

Until recently the main threat was habitat destruction through commercial clear-felling of primary forest, as most remaining primary broadleaf forest within its known range was at risk from logging within 20-25 years. In 1998, a Government imposed ban on logging in the upper Yangtze basin led to a complete halt in deforestation throughout its range¹. There is now a major forest plantation scheme in operation aiming to re-forest ridges and steeper slopes¹. In some areas, forest is still being cleared for agriculture or illegally logged, though this is on a small scale. Many people enter its forest habitat to collect bamboo shoots and medicinal plants in spring and early autumn, which creates substantial disturbance during the breeding season, and additional disturbance is caused by livestock either grazing in, or moving through, the forest. It is also illegally hunted. Hydroelectric schemes and the resulting reservoirs in the valleys below its mountain forest habitat provide indirect threats in future as the people they displace will be moved to higher locations in close proximity to the remaining forest, putting it under increased pressure¹.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Conservation Actions Underway It is a nationally-protected species in China. In 1998, it was recorded in Mabian Dafengding Nature Reserve, where there was estimated to be 192 km² of potentially suitable habitat. Several recent surveys and a radio telemetry study have greatly improved knowledge of its distribution, population density, and ecological and conservation requirements¹. Some forestry practices may be of benefit to its conservation, notably leaving strips of primary forest along ridge tops and replanting with native broadleaf trees. In 2001, Laojunshan Nature Reserve (35 km2) in Pingshan County was established specifically to protect the Sichuan Partridge and this reserve now contains the highest known population densities of this species. Two further reserves were subsequently established within the range of the partridge, at Mamize (380 km²) in Leibo county in 2002 and at Heizhugou (over 300 km²) in E'bian county¹ in 2004. Both these reserves contain substantial areas of suitable broadleaf forest and the Sichuan Partridge has been recorded in both, although at much lower densities than at Laojunshan. All three reserves have received support to train and equip staff and engage with the local community to provide alternative livelihoods and encourage sustainable forest resource management practices. This support has been provided by the Sichuan Forest Biodiversity Project which is a collaboration between the Sichuan Forest Department, Chester Zoo (who provide funding) and Liverpool John Moores University in the UK. Conservation Actions Proposed Expand protected area network by extending Laojunshan and Mabian Dafending, proposing and establishing new reserves, connecting reserves using habitat corridors and assisting existing reserves to attain National Nature Reserve Status. Enhance management capacity at protected areas, including removing fast-growing alien tree species where possible. Develop sustainable wood-cutting, bamboo and medicinal plant collection and alternative livelihoods to provide economic benefits for local people. Encourage controlled ecotourism in selected areas in line with tourism plan for region. Monitor populations to establish the population size and density in all reserves, and to determine the effects of management. Conduct education programmes for local schools about forests and wildlife using the Sichuan Partridge as an ambassador. Develop a range-wide management plan to guide conservation actions in the future. Revise the species's population size estimate.

Conservation Actions:

Conservation Actions Underway
It is a nationally-protected species in China. In 1998, it was recorded in Mabian Dafengding Nature Reserve, where there was estimated to be 192 km² of potentially suitable habitat. Several recent surveys and a radio telemetry study have greatly improved knowledge of its distribution, population density, and ecological and conservation requirements¹. Some forestry practices may be of benefit to its conservation, notably leaving strips of primary forest along ridge tops and replanting with native broadleaf trees. In 2001, Laojunshan Nature Reserve (35 km2) in Pingshan County was established specifically to protect the Sichuan Partridge and this reserve now contains the highest known population densities of this species. Two further reserves were subsequently established within the range of the partridge, at Mamize (380 km²) in Leibo county in 2002 and at Heizhugou (over 300 km²) in E'bian county¹ in 2004. Both these reserves contain substantial areas of suitable broadleaf forest and the Sichuan Partridge has been recorded in both, although at much lower densities than at Laojunshan. All three reserves have received support to train and equip staff and engage with the local community to provide alternative livelihoods and encourage sustainable forest resource management practices. This support has been provided by the Sichuan Forest Biodiversity Project which is a collaboration between the Sichuan Forest Department, Chester Zoo (who provide funding) and Liverpool John Moores University in the UK.

Conservation Actions Proposed
Expand protected area network by extending Laojunshan and Mabian Dafending, proposing and establishing new reserves, connecting reserves using habitat corridors and assisting existing reserves to attain National Nature Reserve Status. Enhance management capacity at protected areas, including removing fast-growing alien tree species where possible. Develop sustainable wood-cutting, bamboo and medicinal plant collection and alternative livelihoods to provide economic benefits for local people. Encourage controlled ecotourism in selected areas in line with tourism plan for region. Monitor populations to establish the population size and density in all reserves, and to determine the effects of management. Conduct education programmes for local schools about forests and wildlife using the Sichuan Partridge as an ambassador. Develop a range-wide management plan to guide conservation actions in the future. Revise the species's population size estimate.

Citation:	BirdLife International 2008. Arborophila rufipectus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 09 February 2012.
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