Join us for a webinar that delves into the fascinating world of cluster studies in snow leopard research. We will explore the realm of spatial ecology and its broader implications for understanding the species. Our guest, Gustaf Samelius, Assistant Director of Science for the Snow Leopard Trust, will join us to share a recent update on the collation of detailed cluster studies of snow leopards in the South Gobi, Mongolia. These studies, conducted in collaboration with the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation, are part of the Long-Term Ecological Study, which has been active for over 13 years. Gustaf will discuss how his time in the Gobi during spring 2023 has provided a more detailed understanding of the species.
We will also be joined by Yanlin Liu from Qinghai Normal University, China, who will participate as a discussant. Yanlin will share how the collaring work in the Qilianshan mountains of China (which is approx. less than 500km from the Mongolia South Gobi study) addresses similar or different questions related to prey predation. Koustubh Sharma will facilitate this discussion and we hope that participants will engage with our guests, with questions, as we delve into a broader conversation about snow leopard behavior and predation.
About the talk
GPS-collars are a common way to study spatial ecology but GPS-collars can also teach us about other aspects of ecology such as foraging patterns and reproductive biology. During this seminar, Gustaf will show us how they use what is called cluster studies (which is visiting of the places where collared animals stop for extended periods) to study predation patterns of collared snow leopards in southern Mongolia. Gustaf will also show us how they are also starting to use cluster studies to learn more about where the collared cats are resting and how this will help us understand how the cats are using the mountains and why they are limited to mountains.
About our Guests
Gustaf Samelius, Assistant Director of Science for the Snow Leopard Trust, specializes in applied ecology and the conservation of snow leopards and mountain ecosystems. With nearly a decade of experience, Gustaf has been actively involved in the Long-term Ecological Study, providing him with a detailed understanding of snow leopard ecology in this region.
Yanlin Liu has been working with different teams on the snow leopard assessment in Qilian Mountains. Yanlin is currently a Lecturer in the College of Life Sciences at Qinghai Normal University and consultant for the Chinese Felid Conservation Alliance. He previously served as the director of the snow leopard project for the ShanShui Conservation Center and a Post-Doc in the Chinese Academy of Forest.
Koustubh Sharma is the Science and Conservation Director at Snow Leopard Trust (SLT) and International Coordinator at The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP). With nearly 20 years of experience in ecological research, wildlife conservation and training, he helps build collaborations and coordinate alliances and at multiple levels for snow leopard research and conservation.
Date/Time
Thursday, August 31st, 2023 at 14:00pm Bishkek time
Location
ZOOM, to join this talk, REGISTER HERE
Please note
- If you have never used Zoom before, we recommend that you try the link 10 minutes before the start of the lecture.
- Please feel free to write questions in the comment area and there will be time for questions/discussion at the end of the talk.
- Please note that the session will be recorded and later featured on the SLN website. If you have concerns about this please let us know before the session.
