Food Patch Particularity And Habitat Quality Evaluation Of Reintroduced Przewalski’s Horse (Equus Przewalskii)

From July to September 2012, this study investigated the living conditions of the Przewalski’s horse in Kalamaili Natural Reserve of north Xinjian. From July to August 2013, our research used sampling methods to survey vegetation ingredient, used continuous observation method to observe the behavior of Przewalski’s horse and used TWINSPAN method to divide the vegetation patches of the study area, refered the feeding time to explore the foraging selection policy of Przewalski’s horse and evaluated the habitat quality of Przewalski’s horse. The results showed that:(1) A total of 29 kinds of plants were recorded in the surveyed vegetation quadrats, could be divided into 27 vegetation patches, the important value≧ 10 means that the plant species are dominant species in the group, and also constructive species and major associated species for each group.(2) Combined with feeding behavior of Przewalski’s horse, all vegetation patches can be divided into feed patches with feeding time the area ratio is 59.23% and non-foraging patches without feeding time the area ratio is 11.14%. Based on use degree of Przewalski’s horse the patches can be divided into high-utilization patches; medium-utilization patches and poor-utilization patches the area ratio were 13.03%,35.13%, and 22.21%; Among them, the average foraging time per unit area of high-utilization patches is 1.59 times that of medium-utilization patches,23.68 times that of poor-utilization patches. While the average area of high-utilization and medium-utilization patches area was not higher than the average of all plaque. Based on the results we can conclude that in desert grassland with low primary productivity, the feeding Strategies of Przewalski’s horse is first to satisfy energy demand, followed by demand for quality food.(3) According to the data of reintroduced Przewalski’s horse main activity area, forging strategy and combined with previous studies, established 12 evaluation elements to habitat quality evaluation of reintroduced Przewalski’s horse:Altitude, Gradient, Slope aspect, Vegetation patches, Content of stipa and ceratoides latens, Distance from water, Water activities, Wolf activity, Asiatic wild ass activities, Artificial construction, Highway and Tourism activities. Used AHP method to evaluate the weight of those 12 evaluation elements, then each element were graded and assignment to establish habitat quality evaluation system of Przewalski’s horse, at last evaluated the habitat quality of reintroduced Przewalski’s horse in this study area.