Study On The Habitat Selection Of Giant Pandas In Gansu Minshan Mountains

Gansu Minshan Mountains giant panda habitat, which is the most northern distribution border of giant pandas in China, is connected with the southern slope of Minshan Mountains in Sichuan Province. The habitat is the key region for protecting giant pandas in China and the hot spot determined by World Wide Fund for Nature protection which is classified as priority level A protection class. Based on animal habitat selection theory, the factors which decide giant panda habitat selection are complex. More and more frequent human disturbance have made the habitat of giant pandas increasingly deteriorate, so how the pandas express their tolerance range and mechanisms of adaptation by habitat selection? Furthermore, how do the adaptations of giant pandas change when they are in the different geographic areas but in the same mountain? In order to understand the characteristics at different geographic areas of the selection of Gansu Minshan Mountains giant panda habitat as well as the major factors of human disturbance on habitat selection of giant pandas, we carried the field survey of giant panda habitat in both represent region, Gansu Minshan Mountains Baishuijiang and Diebu region, in 2007 to 2008. The study provides scientific fundation for situ conservation and the most suitable habitat protection of giant pandas, as well as the control of major human disturbance.In order to enhance the level of quantitative and get the scientific conclusions, the study used the relevant statistical methods to analyze the data collected at different levels. The analysis of variance was used to compare the microhabitat in different geographic regions of giant pandas and the analysis of frequency was used to further analyze the habitat factors surveyed in filed so the habitat factors the giant pandas commonly using or to avoiding were determined. Principal component analysis method was employed to analyze the intrinsic characteristics of the habitat factor and find the main factor impacting the selection of habitat in the two regions. As for the human disturbance on the selection of giant pandas'habitat, the independence testing was used to quantitatively analyze the human disturbance on gaint panda habitat and identify the key influencing factors. The corresponding analysis conclusions contribute to provide the countermeasures and suggestions to protect giant pandas in Minshan Mountains, Gansu .The results showed that: (1) Baishuijiang and Diebu region have the focus distribution of giant pandas. Baishuijiang: Baimahe- Qiujiaba - Section One, Section Two, Yaokanggou, Niujuangou region; Diebu: Gouxiahe on both sides of the Wangzanggou, Luodagou regional.(2) The micro-habitat selections of giant pandas in two regions have a statistically significant difference. Such as altitude, slope shape, habitat types, the average diameter at breast height of tree, shrub cover, bamboo growth conditions, average height of tree, selection factors were different significantly. But as to the selection factors such as slope position, slope aspect, slope, height of bamboo, bamboo cover selection factors, there was no significant difference. This indicated that habitat selection of giant pandas in Gansu Minshan Mountains of different geographical regions showed similar and divergent characteristics. Furthermore, it was indicated the spatial scales are important factors when conducting research of giant panda habitat selection.(3) The main factors determined the activities of giant pandas in two regions are different: the most important factor of giant pandas habitat selection of Baishuijiang is the vegetation factor and in Diebu region is the food. In general, the habitat selection factors of giant pandas in Gansu Minshan Mountains had a relatively consistent character: the more gentle slope of south-east aspect, with good growth of the clustered or mixed bamboo, bamboo cover larger and smaller shrub cover and located in the mountain, uphill bit moderate canopy density native mixed forest or coniferous forest, high trees, and less human disturbance, water relatively close.(4) Based on the regional differences of both the giant panda habitat areas, the main disturbance factors of human interferences in Baishuijiang were grazing, digging, medicine and so on. Diebu region was caused by the impact of historical exploitation and grazing. Human disturbance in the two regions had a larger vertical distribution range, Baishuijiang for 2000—2800m and Diebu for the 2500—3100m.(5) These results will help to search for reasonable potential habitats in the Minshan Mountains giant pandas'actual living space, and guide the human activities and development to avoid the preference of habitat giant pandas. The specific measurements and suggestions of the protection of the Minshan Mountains giant pandas were raised.