Surveying.

The main aim of this project is to survey and assess the conservation status of the endangered wild forest musk deer in Hualongshan National Nature Reserve (HNNR) in ShaanXi of southwest China, and quantify the impacts from the living of local communities. Further objectives are to carry out extensive environmental educating and nature-consciousness-developing in local school and communities, and interact with local officials and authorities. The team will work out the scientific wild forest musk deer protection plan to reduce the negative pressure from the locals and improve the integrative conservation of musk deer population and habitats. The detail of sections of projects are listed in the following:

1) To determine the current status of Forest musk deer population and the habitat: On the basis of the intensive population and habitat surveying in the field and information collected from all sources, we will quantify the habitat status, population of forest musk deer, on the bases of which, the current status of musk deer and the whole ecosystem conservation will be evaluated.

2) To determine the local economical structure: Through structural and participating socio-economical surveying in the local households and communities, the information and data on the local production system, poaching, the trading of musk and other wildlife products will be collected, from which the the weight and efficiency of each production style will be differentiated, and the potential relations among the above variables will be determined

3) To improve the nature consciousness: Through the interaction with the local communities and the environmental educations such as the public presentation and the local school activities, we will publicize the concept of nature conservation and the value of endangered animals in the target area.

4) To work out the integrative plan of musk deer conservation and communities development: In this proposed project, the Forest musk deer will be considered as the model, flagship and umbrella species, so based on the outcomes of forest musk deer conservation, we will collaborate with related institutions to develop and work out the more scientific system to protect local ecosystem and improve the local communities.