Niche Partitioning and Facilitative Coexistence of Two Sympatric Pheasants Across a Gradient of Human Disturbance

ABSTRACT How ecologically similar species coexist in human‐impacted tropical islands remains poorly understood. We investigated the spatiotemporal niche partitioning and interspecific interactions between the endangered, endemic Hainan Peacock‐Pheasant ( Polyplectron katsumatae ) and the more common Hainan Silver Pheasant ( Lophura nycthemera whiteheadi ) to assess how anthropogenic pressure mediates their coexistence. Using 125 camera traps (28,241 trap‐days) and hierarchical Bayesian occupancy modeling, we quantified their activity patterns, habitat preferences, and spatial associations across a human disturbance gradient in Hainan's tropical montane rainforest. The pheasants exhibited clear temporal segregation: the Peacock‐Pheasant was strictly crepuscular, whereas the Silver Pheasant was diurnal with a single morning peak, and their activity overlap was lower in the wet season than in the dry season. Spatially, they showed contrasting preferences: the Silver Pheasant occupied higher elevations with high NDVI, while the Peacock‐Pheasant preferred mid‐elevations with medium NDVI and proximity to water in the dry season. Despite this niche differentiation, a significant positive spatial association was detected (Species Interaction Factor: 2.48–3.01), indicating co‐occurrence was more frequent than expected by chance. However, human disturbance critically modulated this relationship. The Peacock‐Pheasant was extremely disturbance‐sensitive, its occupancy declining to near zero in areas of high human impact. The Silver Pheasant exhibited greater tolerance, with occupancy peaking at intermediate disturbance levels. Our results demonstrate a coexistence mechanism stabilized by multidimensional niche partitioning but rendered conditional and fragile by anthropogenic pressure. Conservation must prioritize protecting core habitats for the sensitive Peacock‐Pheasant while maintaining landscape connectivity and managing disturbance gradients to preserve this intricate interspecific dynamic.