Study On Habitat Selection Of Alpine Musk Deer In Xinglongshan National Nature Reserve

As a rare species listed as the first class of national protected wildlife by Chinese government, alpine musk deer (Moschus sifanicus) is more vulnerable to extinction than before. The range of its distribution has been shrunk and the wild population has been decreased drastically. It is estimated that the total population of alpine musk deer is between 19300 and 23200 at present in China. The field experiments were carried out with transect line methods in Xinglongshan National Nature Reserve, Gansu province from spring to winter in 2006. 37 sites were used by alpine musk deer among 283 sites measured in spring(Apr.), 63 sites were used among 286 sites measured in summer (Jul. and Aug.), 39 sites were used among 286 sites measured in autumn (Oct.), and 48 sites were used among 283 measured in winter (Dec.). The principal component analysis, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis H test have been used to study habitat selection of alpine musk deer.1. In spring , alpine musk deer preferred shrubs. They selected sunny aspect in lower position. The distance from water and travel line was within 1000m, and far away from village. Compared with random plots, used sites were characterized by lower elevation, smaller average diameter at breast height of broadleaves, canopy of arbor and shrub density, worse sheltering and lee condition, as well as better food abundance. There were no selection to average height of conifers, average diameter at breast height of conifers, average height of broadleaves and average distance from the closest shrubs. The results of principal component analysis showed that the primary factor was food supplies, whichcontained such variables as canopy of arbor, average height of broadleaves, average diameter at breast height of broadleaves, average diameter at breast height of conifers and vegetation type.2. Alpine musk deer preferred Coniferous forests and mixed forests in summer. They mostly used southern slope with good sheltering and lee condition in the upper slope, and the eastern, western as well as northern slope were used effectively. The distance from water and travel line was farther than 500m, and far away from village. Compared with random plots, used sites were characterized by higher conifers and lower food abundance. However, there were no selection to average height of conifers, average diameter at breast height of conifers, average height of broadleaves, average diameter at breast height of broadleaves, canopy of arbor, shrub density, average distance from the closest shrubs and distance from village. The results of principal component analysis showed that the primary factor was geographic condition, which contained such variables as slope position, the distance from water and village.3. Alpine musk deer preferred shrubs during autumn. They selected southern, eastern and western aspect in medium and lower position. The distance from water, travel line and village they preferred was within 1000m. Compared with random plots, used sites were characterized by lower elevation, smaller conifers, average diameter at breast height of broadleaves and canopy of arbor, worse sheltering and lee condition. There were no selection to average height of broadleaves, shrub density, average distance from the closest shrubs and food abundance. The results of principal component analysis showed that the primary factor was geographic condition, which contains elevation, slope position, the distance from water, travel line and village.4. In winter, alpine musk deer preferred broadleaved forests and shrubs. They selected southern aspect with good lee condition and bad shelteringclass in lower position of mountain. The distance from water and travel line was within 1000m, and far away from village. Compared with random plots, used sites were characterized by lower elevation, smaller conifers, average diameter at breast height of broadleaves, canopy of arbor and shallower snow depth. There were no selection to average height of broadleaves, shrub density, average distance from the closest shrubs and food abundance. The results of principal component analysis showed that the primary factor affecting the habitat selection of alpine musk deer was food and water supplies in winter.5. Ecological variables in used sites among seasons were compared by the significance tests. The results showed that the seasonal differences were significant at 0.05 level in such variables as average height of conifers, average diameter at breast height of conifers, canopy of arbor, food abundance, slope position, slope aspect, sheltering class, lee condition, the distance from water, travel line and village. But there were no significant differences at 0.05 level in such variables as elevation, average height of broadleaves, average diameter at breast height of broadleaves, shrub density, average distance from the closest shrubs and vegetation type.