Multi-Dimensional Niche Partitioning among Sympatric Carnivores in a Human-Influenced Landscape on the Eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China

Understanding how sympatric carnivores coexist in human-dominated landscapes is crucial for their conservation. This study investigated the mechanisms of niche partitioning among carnivores under human disturbance in the non-protected area surrounding Bujia Snow Mountain, eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. We employed a multi-dimensional approach integrating dietary analysis, spatial occupancy modeling, and temporal activity rhythm analysis, based on camera-trapping data and scat samples collected from 2022 to 2023. The predator community included the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), gray wolf (Canis lupus), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), and brown bear (Ursus arctos). Dietary niche overlap was high between snow leopard and wolf (Pianka's Overlap is 0.78, P<0.001) and between red fox and leopard cat (Pianka's Overlap is 0.74, P>0.05), but other pairs showed moderate to low overlap. Wolves heavily relied on domestic cattle (%PA=81.25%), which may intensify human–carnivore conflict. Spatial co-occurrence was common among carnivores (SIF>1 for multiple species pairs), with no statistically significant avoidance. Temporal activity patterns showed clear differentiation: snow leopards exhibited no distinct diel rhythm or slight nocturnality, wolves showed slight diurnally except in early spring, and lynx and red fox were predominantly nocturnal. Notably, species responded differently to human activity: snow leopard occupancy was negatively associated with proximity to roads during high-disturbance periods, whereas wolves selected areas closer to roads and showed a positive association with cattle abundance. Our findings demonstrate that in this human-influenced landscape, carnivores achieve coexistence through multidimensional niche partitioning in diet and time, coupled with divergent responses to anthropogenic pressures. This study highlights the need for tailored conservation strategies and supports the potential of the snow leopard as an umbrella species for broader community-level conservation.