Abstract: To understand the species composition and diversity of mammals in the Baihua Mountain National Nature Reserve, Beijing, a total of 57 infrared cameras were deployed from January 2023 to June 2024. Independent and effective camera working days were accumulated to be 10682 days. A total of 16 species were observed, belonging to 7 orders and 12 families. They accounted for 25.39% of the 63 mammal species in Beijing. Five species are listed as the second class national protected species, including leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). Chinese goral and leopard cat appeared in 32 (53.14%) and 30 (52.63%) cameras, respectively. Rhesus macaque was only photographed by one infrared camera, and this individual was suspected to be human-released escapee. In terms of relative species richness, the top five species were Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus), David’s rock squirrel (Sciurotamias davidianus), hog badger (Arctonyx collaris), wild boar (Sus scrofa) and Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus). According to capture rate (CR), there were significant differences among different areas of Baihua Mountain Nature Reserve (P<0.01), with the Qingshui area having the highest richness (CR=14.44). Different altitudes showed significant different species diversity (P<0.01), with high and low altitudes having higher richness than the middle one. Species diversity varied significantly among different habitats (P<0.01), with the highest species richness being observed in coniferous forest habitats (CR=42.99). There was no significant difference in species richness among different months. By using the infrared camera technology, this study provided abundant data of mammal resources and species diversity, and explored the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of mammals, which provides scientific support for wildlife conservation and management strategies in the mountain forests in Beijing.

Key words: Baihua Mountain National Nature Reserve, camera trap, mammal, species diversity, altitude, habitat