Abstract: The monitoring and analysis of regional species diversity constitute crucial bases for the formulation of conservation strategies. To evaluate the seasonal variations of bird and mammal resources in the Laoshan forest area of northern Shaanxi Province, we employed camera traps to conduct a survey on bird and mammal resource diversity, compiled wildlife inventory, and analyzed the relative abundance of each species. We examined the spatial patterns of biodiversity across different seasons using the inverse distance weighted method, delineated priority areas for forest conservation through overlay analysis, and analyzed the impacts of human activities using Human Influence Index. Between January 2020 and April 2023, a total of 19 bird species from 6 orders and 11 families and 12 mammal species from 4 orders and 8 families were recorded. Among those species, two species are listed as Class I Nationally Protected Species-the leopard (Panthera pardus) and the Brown Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum), with five species under Class Ⅱ Nationally Protected Species. The discovery of a population of North Chinese leopards (Panthera pardus japonensis) within the forest area represents the northernmost recorded distribution in Shaanxi Province. The Brown Eared Pheasant exhibited the highest relative abundance among birds, indicating an ongoing northward expansion of the species in Shaanxi. Biodiversity in forests displayed a spatial pattern characterized by higher diversity at the periphery and lower diversity in the center. The warm season (June-August) showed a broader area of high biodiversity compared to the cold season (December-February), suggesting that the eastern and southwestern regions should be designated as priority areas for biodiversity conservation. Human activities negatively impacted the spatial distribution of biodiversity across the forest area. Our findings provide reliable evidence for the planning of wildlife nature reserves in the Laoshan forest area. We recommend the establishment of ecological corridors within the region to promote the healthy development of biodiversity.

Key words: Northern Shaanxi, Laoshan forest area,  biodiversity, infrared camera, relative abundance index