Global climate change is a threat to the persistence of many species, particularly those that may experience climate-induced habitat loss, have limited dispersal ability, and a narrow ecological breadth. The collared pika (Ochotona collaris) is a small, cold-adapted mammal that meets these criteria. For species that are particularly vulnerable to climate warming, such as collared pika, conservation efforts may be most effective at the leading—rather than trailing—edge of their range because their distribution is predicted to shift northward. Using a rapid assessment protocol, we determined site occupancy rates for collared pika near the northern (leading) edge of their range. We used repeated, time-based searches to survey 55 sites for pika occupancy. Detection probability was high (p = 0.917), and our modelled occupancy rate was moderate (Ψ = 0.238). Sites surveyed were categorized with a habitat quality rank (1–4), which was a strong predictor of pika occupancy. Sites within the best habitat quality rank had a probability of pika occupancy of about 76%. Our results suggest that the most suitable habitat is largely already occupied. As pika distribution shifts northward in response to climate change, population growth at the leading edge of their range may be inhibited by a lack of available habitat. Given limited monitoring of collared pika trends, we recommend establishment of a series of areas throughout the species’ range, where occupancy-based surveys are periodically conducted, particularly at the leading and trailing edges. For cold-adapted species like collared pika, range edges should be prioritized to monitor for climate-induced changes in occupancy rates and distribution.

中文翻译：

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领口短毛猫（Ochotona limbis）在其范围的前沿快速评估场地的占用

全球气候变化对许多物种的持久性构成威胁，特别是那些可能遭受气候导致的栖息地丧失，扩散能力有限以及生态范围狭窄的物种。衣领鼠兔（Ochotona衣领）是一种小型的，适应寒冷的哺乳动物，符合这些标准。对于特别容易受到气候变暖影响的物种，例如羽衣甘蓝鼠疫，保护工作可能在其范围的前缘而不是后缘最有效，因为预计它们的分布会向北移动。使用快速评估方案，我们确定了在其范围的北部（领先）边缘附近的颈果皮卡的场地占用率。我们使用基于时间的重复搜索来调查55个站点的皮卡占用情况。检测概率很高（p = 0.917），而我们的模型入住率适中（Ψ = 0.238）。所调查的地点按栖息地质量等级（1-4）进行分类，该等级强烈预测了皮卡的占有率。栖息地质量等级最高的地点的皮卡占有率约为76％。我们的结果表明，最合适的栖息地已经被占用。由于响应气候变化，皮卡分布向北移动，缺少可用的栖息地可能会抑制其范围前沿的人口增长。考虑到对领斑羚趋势的监测有限，我们建议在整个物种范围内建立一系列区域，定期进行基于占用率的调查，尤其是在前沿和后沿。对于冷适应的物种，例如衣领鼠兔，应优先考虑范围边缘，以监测气候引起的占用率和分布变化。