The Dynamics Of Space Utilization And Habitat Selection Of Giant Pandas(Ailuropoda Melanoleuca) In Wolong Nature Reserve

Giant Panda(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)is an endemic species to China,with a leading role amongst the globally pretected animals.However,wild giant panda population could only survive among several separated habitats in the top six mountain systems nowadays,and habitats,destruction and fragmentation directly threatened the survival of wild giant pandas.The dynamics of space utilization and habitat selection of giant pandas study enjoys great significance for a cultivated understanding of connection between giant pandas' living conditions and human-nature system,providing reference for the protection and rejuvenation of giant pandas' population and habitats.This study was commenced in Wolong Natural Reserves,Sichuan Province,based on twice nationwide wild giant pandas survey and GPS location data of neck rings and DEM layer,vegetation type chart,bamboo grove distribution chart,combining wild habitats quadrats statistics.The paper studied the distribution traits,dynamic changes and the decent drivers of wild giant panda space use and habitat adaptability in the reserved area;and further companred the habitat traits differentiation on different levels,and also discussed giant panda habitat selection in the primary forest habitats and secondary habibtat.In order to provide scientific support for wild giant panda protection.The main research conclusions are as followed:1.The space use of wild giant panda population in Wolong Nature Reserve covers 51368.22 hm2,distributing in the coniferous and theropencedrymion on slope 20°?50°with elevation of 2 000 m?3 000 m.Major ingestion bamboos are Fargesia robusta and Bashania fangiana,including areas of high vegetation coverage,rich bamboo resource and low human disturbances habitat.2.Compared with the 2001,the general space use of 2012 changed slightly,however.40%areas diversed and drifted on a certain level.In tenns of giant panda space use pattern changes the highly habitable areas increased.However,the edge habitats tend to be more vulnerable to natural disasters and human disturbance with trend of more plaques and fragmentations.3.Compared with the 2001,the ecological suitability of 2012 increased with certain level,but different ranges habitable suitability changed dramatically.The main factors affecting ginat panda's space use and habitat suitability are the bamboo grove recovery,seismic destroys and ecological investments.Enough attentions shall be drawn to the protections in the future.4.The ecological traits differentiations of giant panda in and out the core home range in Taping Area of the Reserve primarily appear as the distance to short cut road,arbor tree height,bamboo grove density and dead bamboo density.Compared with non-core home range,core home range possesses shorter road cut,lower arbor heights,higher bamboo density.5.Recovery conditions of giant pandas in the secondary forest in the Wolong Nature Reserve are beyond expectations,portion of secondary forest are qualified for the giant panda habitat choice,fully meeting the giant panda's needs.However,compared with primary forest habitats,the secondary vegetation types still show with high portion of hardwood forest,lower arbor forest and shrub diameter than primary forest.6.From different forest origins,giant panda commenced diversified choices for 23 habitat factor types among 15 habitat factors including slope and exposure.Giant panda in the secondary forest enlarging and diverting habitats factor type choice are provided with adaptability in different habitat type.Generally giant pandas tend to choose primary forest habitats.