Westudy distribution, ecology and conservation of animal species,particularly the structure, spatial pattern and variation in species diversity in anthropogenic landscape under the influence of global change. We put forward the G-F index for measuring species diversity; discovered climate is the key factor that determines the vertebrate distribution pattern and the Rapoport rule explains latitudinal range of terrestrial vertebrates in China. We found evidence to support the Energy Hypothesis and Environment Stable Hypothesis, but not enough evidence to support Habitat Heterogeneity Hypothesis for explaining the mammalian distribution pattern in China. We found evidence to support the hypothesis of the evolution of endemic genus, Procapra, was caused by the uplifting of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. We discovered that human activity has produced more profound impact on population genetic structure of Przewalski's gazelles than high mountains and large lakes; habitat fragmentation may only cause genetic structure differentiation but also threaten animal surviving. We discovered that large scale grassland fence construction fragmented the habitat of wild ungulates, finally caused local extirpation and extinction of those species which need extensive open habitats. The Critically endangered Przewalski's gazelle after immediately conservation action based on our researches, the gazelle was down listed in IUCN Redlist from CR (1996) to EN (2008),. We also found human activity in the heartland of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau changed the range of Chiru Pantholopshodgsonii; human being becomes a decisive factor for species distribution and survival in modern time. Global change also influences the distribution and existence of species on the plateau, our simulation results shown that: as temperature increases, ungulate diversity in northeastern part of the plateau may increase while the chance of species extinction also increases.
Prof. Jiang worked together with graduates on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in 2010
Milu (also call Père David’ deer) Elaphurusdavidianus was extinct in wild. For restoring Milu, we studied behavior, genetics and population management of Milu and put forward the concepts of behaviors of inplasticity and plasticity. We found behavior expression in animal needs special environment, the behavior with plasticity, which was depressed in Milu kept in paddock, expressed when the Milu were released into field. We also discovered the cryptic sexual selection and reproduction skew in Milu, put forward and tested the reproductive tactics and time constraint hypothesis; we discovered that human being caused stress in Milu kept in paddocks and reduced their fitness. Milu still kept the memory of sounds and images of their historical predators (particularly tiger Pantheratrigus). We detected no variation in the hypervariable region of mitochondria DNA of Milu and found no correlation between neonatal fitness, e.g. body weights, mortality and heterozygosity in Milu; inbreeding had no detectable impact on viability of Milu. We discovered that population growth in Milu is density-dependent. We proposed soft released for restoring wild Milu populations and test the hypothesis that population density trigged dispersal in wild Milu and discovered Milu adopted the dispersal tactics by searching “stepping stones” and “refuges” in the anthropogenic landscape.
Field survey provides baseline data for endangered species conservation and alien species control. Migratory of species are without respect of international borders, and human activity already changed global animaldistribution patterns. Prof. Jiang coordinated the species monitoring demonstration in deserts and grasslands in western China from 2008 to 2011 and Prof. Jiangtogether with collaborators have drawn up the guides for monitoring desert and grassland animals. Prof. Jiang also participated the drawing up of TechnicalGuide for Biodiversity Observation--Mammals for the Ministry of Environment Protection. Prof. Jiang also conducted field survey in the karst region of southern China and identified conservation GAP for the endangered species in region.
Prof. Jiang discussed the Red List of China’s Mammals with Prof Ma Yong in 2014.
Prof. Jiang also coordinated biodiversity surveys in many nature reserves and provided advice to nature reserves construction in the country. Our biodiversity survey reports provided supportive documents for the Qingmuchuan and Laoxiancheng nature reserves to be promoted as national nature reserves. Prof. Jiang also coordinated studies on nature reserve planning, human-wild animal conflicts and reserve management. Prof. Jiangrecommended that the area of strictly protected nature reserve in the country should be kept below 12% of the land area of the country. We discovered that human-wild animal conflicts in nature reserves area critical issue which already imposed negative impacts on the management of reserves.We found families in the sampled nature reserves consumed more energy than those families in cities, due to low combustion efficiency of fuel woods.
Prof. Jiang has been coordinating the CITES Scientific Authority of China to provide advice for CITES issues since 1999. Prof. Jiang coordinated studies on the practice and theory in international trade of wild animals and formulation ofNon Detrimental Finding (NDF) procedures for trade in CITES species in China. After study the trade trend and field status, we prepared theproposal to list Mangshan viper Protobothropsmangshanensis in CITES Appendix II and the proposal was adopted by CITES Convention of Parties in Bangkok in 2013, such a measure provides protection to Mangshan viper which is threatened by international trade.
Forclassifying endangered species, Prof. Jiang put forward a criterion which adopted distinguished ecologically endangered vs. evolutionarily endangered species, life history strategies, used the concept of “economic extinction”.Prof. Jiang advised on the amendment of Wild Animal Protection Law of PRC, drawing up of the Bylaw of International Trade of Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in PRC. Prof. Jiang also coordinated ichthyologists, herpetologists, ornithologists and mammalogists nationwide to compile the Redlists of China’s Vertebrates. We discovered about 26% of the mammals are threatened in the country. Prof. Jiang also participated the writing of the documents for implementing Convention on Biological Diversity, such as Action Plan of China’s Biodiversity 2011-2030, Species Conservation Strategy and National Nature Reservation Development Plan 2013-2030.
Prof. Jiangwas on a field trip,Saving the Elephants, in Kenya in 2011.
Now, we are studying the factors affecting the distribution of the genus Procapra with a grant from National Nature Science Foundation, which is an extension of our past study on the Przewalski’s gazelle. Prof. Jiang is coordinating a survey on endemic animals and biogeography on the Chinese side of Altay Mountains which are located between Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China. This program is a continuation from our work on species diversity pattern. Altay has typical northern conifer forest and temperate desert landscapes and fauna of many endemic and well known species; thus the region is listed as one of the global biodiversity hotspot. Aiming at surveying distributions and trends of native and alien species in insects,fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals in the area under rapid economic development and global change, we launched the program in 2013 for providing biodiversity information for sustainable social economic development in the border region.
Prof. Jiang talked with Cui Shaopeng during a field surveyin Chinese Altay in 2014.