[pp.53-62]

The geographical distribution and habitat use of the Japanese serow (Naemorhedus crispus) in the Fuji-Tanzawa region, Ja

Tomoko DOKO and Wenbo CHEN （Yokohama National University / Keio University）

Abstract:
The Japanese serow is an endemic ungulate in Japan. Its spatial distribution and habitat use are poorly known. This study aims to identify the geographical distribution and quantify the habitat use of the Japanese serow in the Fuji-Tanzawa region. A total of 320 point records of Japanese serow occurrence (160 presence records and 160 absence records) and 11 potential predictors were prepared in a GIS environment. The MaxEnt and GLM methods were used to model the geographical distribution of the species. The size of the total serow population was estimated. A gap analysis was conducted to identify conservation gaps. The use of habitat was analyzed with boxplots and a jackknife test. Of an estimate of 2,811 serows, 2,525 serows (90 %) were located outside game reserves. The greatest proportion, 43 %, was found for habitat within private and communal forests. The most important predictor of serow occurrence was altitude, followed by the distance to paths and stone steps, and the slope. The current population size is considered sufficient to maintain a healthy level of genetic diversity, but most of the habitat is not protected by the current zoning plan and belongs to private and communal forest. Only the Tanzawa local population appears to be sufficiently well protected by a zoning plan. The Japanese serow avoids the paths used by humans for climbing, but prefers habitat close to highways. These preferences are considered to represent the effects of humans and of interactions with Sika deer.

Key Word:
Fuji-Tanzawa region, GIS, Japanese serow, Naemorhedus crispus, species geographic distribution model

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