Habitat Selection Of Chinese Water Deer (Hydropotes Inermis) In Jishan Island

The Chinese water deer (Hydropotes inermis) is believed to be the most primitive existing member of the family Cervidae. Its Chinese subspecies has become seriously restricted in both range and numbers. The distribution of the deer is now described as being limited to only parts of eastern China. The surviving population in Poyang Lake is the one among all four populations. During historic time it has been considered an abundant animal over much of the area. In reality, both the range and the number of animals have declined drastically over the last half-century, largely as a result of loss of habitat and poaching from human. The remaining populations have become isolated and even more vulnerable to these threats. To date, most studies have been focused on the ecology, biology and behavior of the deer and little studies were conducted on its habitat.Habitat study is a key component for conservation on endangered species and improvement of the management and development of protected areas. Our case study at Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve (PNR thereafter), Jiangxi Province on the habitat quality of the deer was to address this important yet often overlooked part.By comparing with actual distribution of the deer, it was found that the deer usually inhabited in the sites of good quality. This indicated that the factors we have chosen are identified as key factors limiting the suitability of deer's habitat in PNR.The population densities and habitat selection of Chinese water deer were studied by using pellet counts in Jishan Island from October 2002 to September 2003.The Chinese water deer selected predominantly herb and bush-grasses as its habitat. The population densities of in forbs and bush were 0. 2374±0. 1312 ind/ha and 0. 4637±0. 2282 ind/ha, respectively. The population densities of Chinese water deer 0.3606±0.1384 ind/ha in its suitable habitat.Seasonal movements between the flood and the dry season were caused by the water level of Poyang Lake. It was a kind of passive vertical movements. Deer moved to the hillock in the flood season, and the grassland in the dry season. The breeding of deer was affected by the changes of the water level.Presently, water deer in PNR facing several threats in PNR but most directly one is habitat loss, and made theanimal be prone to other threats such as nature disasters, poaching, and predation. We therefore, put forwardfollowing conservation recommendations. Firstly, recover some reclaimed land to deer's habitat through the cooperation between reserve authority and local government, and to provide potential "islands" in intertidal zone for the deer to escape from high tides in typhoon season. Secondly, restrict human activities in deer's suitable habitats. Thirdly, strengthen law enforcement on poaching. Fourthly, carry out public education on wildlife conservation, and last but least, conduct ecological studies on the water deer to obtain knowledge for the species so as to provide a scientific basis for a better management.