Have you ever heard about snow leopard?

Why are snow leopards hardy when they can live in high seas? Because the skull of snow leopard is wide and short, the top bulge expands the nasal cavity, so it can fully moisten and heat the dry and cold air on the mountain, and can also inhale more oxygen each time. The red blood cells of snow leopard are small and large, which improves the ability of carrying oxygen and is a representative physiological change adapting to high altitude life.

The high cold snow leopard sticks to its cautious life habit and has only "obtained passports" for itself in 12 countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

Among the 12 countries, Sayan mountain, Hangai mountain (formerly known as Yanran mountain), Altai mountain, Tianshan Mountain, Pamir Plateau, Hindu Kush mountain, Karakorum mountain, Altun mountain, Qilian Mountain, Kunlun Mountain, Tanggula Mountain, Hengduan Mountain and Himalaya mountain are the whole world of snow leopard.

However, due to the limitations of geography, climate and many other factors, it is difficult for researchers to carry out their work, which also leads to the poor coverage of the areas covered by snow leopard surveys all over the world: about 1.8% of the snow leopard habitat is covered by the survey in China, but the global coverage rate is only 2%.

Tip2

What is the relationship between snow leopard and Plateau ecosystem?

Snow leopard is known as the key species and umbrella species of alpine ecosystem. Snow leopard can control the number of herbivores by preying on wild ungulates, so that their population number will not exceed the carrying capacity of grassland.

Not only that, the snow mountains and glaciers in the snow leopard's living area also provide drinking water for billions of people in Asia, including China. It is very important to protect the habitat of snow leopard for the protection of local drinking water safety and national ecological security. However, with the gradual development of snow leopard research and protection, the "high cold" habitat of snow leopard is shrinking due to global warming.

Based on climate change and snow leopard habitat models, the researchers distinguished the snow leopard habitat that is vulnerable to climate change and the relatively stable habitat under climate change, which may become Noah's Ark for snow leopard in the global warming flood in decades.

The stable habitat is about 1 million square kilometers, mainly composed of three mountain systems: Altai mountain, Qilian Mountain, Tianshan Pamir Plateau, Hindu Kush mountain and Karakoram mountain range, accounting for 35% of the recent distribution area of snow leopard.

These mountains are able to maintain an arid and semi-arid climate during global warming, prevent the expansion of forests and glaciers, and thus preserve alpine meadows for snow leopards and other animals.

To protect the snow leopard, we need to protect the broad habitat of the snow leopard. At the same time, it protects many wild animals and plants living in the alpine ecosystem. Therefore, the protection of snow leopard is of great significance to maintain the health and stability of the alpine ecosystem.

Tip3

What can you focus on this year's world snow leopard day?

In order to let more public participate in the action of understanding and protecting snow leopard, Tencent and the World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) recently launched a wechat app called "where is the mysterious snow leopard". In the small program, users can learn about the habits, evolution history, research and protection history, coexternal animals, habitat environment and other popular science knowledge. At the same time, we can play the role of "patrolman" through interesting interactive games, and experience the work of front-line protectors.

On the day of world snow leopard day, the World Wide Fund for nature (WWF) announced that well-known Chinese actor Jing bairan has become a snow leopard conservation promotion ambassador. He expressed his gratitude for his efforts to promote public protection of snow leopard. It is hoped that his actions and influence will lead more people to pay attention to snow leopard and biodiversity conservation.

In July, Jing bairan participated in the snow leopard protection film shot by WWF in Wolong National Nature Reserve. During the 5-day shooting process, he experienced the work of patrolmen in the wild together with scientific research workers, patrol officers of the nature reserve and WWF staff. "I hope we can pay attention to snow leopard and wildlife protection with more young people, and we also hope that we can participate in it as much as we can."

Source: China Environment News