Abstract: Nest predation is the primary cause of nest failure and leads to low or zero breeding success for most birds. From May to July, 2012, infrared cameras were used to identify predators of ground nests of birds in Kuankuoshui Nature Reserve, Guizhou, southwestern China. A total of 7 predation events were recorded for 15 natural ground nests, including 2 (28.6%) by Siberian Weasel (Mustela sibirica), 1 (14.3%) by Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Magpie (Pica pica), Civet Cat (Paguma larvata), Edward’s Rat (Rattus edwardsi) and King Rat Snake (Elaphe carinata), respectively. Totally, 17 predation events were recorded for 22 artificial ground nests, including 11 (64.7%) predated by Civet Cat, 5 (29.4%) by Edward’s Rat and 1 (5.9%) by Red-billed Blue Magpie. Mammals were responsible for 83.3% of total predation events, and thought to be the main predators of ground nests of birds. Time of predation varied with different types of predators, i.e. mammal predation occurred mainly at night, while both predation events by birds and snakes were exclusively diurnal.

Key words: ozone, reactive oxygen, gene expression.,  Ginkgo biloba