The Research On Distribution Patterns Of Rare And Endangered Species Richness And Hotspots Across Giant Panda Distribution Areas

Analyzing spatial distribution patterns of species richness and hotspots is an effective mean for protecting biodiversity. The wild giant pandas distribute in the mountainous regions including Qinling Moutains, Minshan Mountains, Qionglai Mountains, Xiangsling Mountains and Liangshan Mountains, where are in the east of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in China. The giant panda distribution areas involve 45 counties in Sichuan, Shanxi and Gansu with areas of about 146,667.0 km2, while the total areas of habitats for giant panda are about 23,049.9 km2. The number of nature reserves where distributed with giant panda in China has reached 67 by the end of 2014, and the total areas of reserves are about 33,786.8 km2. The giant panda distribution areas are the biodiversity hotspot in the world, however, few details of biodiversity in the region are already known. We studied the spatial distribution patterns of rare and endangered (RE) species and those endemic RE species to China across the giant panda distribution areas based on the directory of RE species, remote sensing images, data from references and expert experiences, by using ArcGIS 10.1 platform and R statistical analysis software. We identified the richness hotspot areas of rare and endangered species and endemic species based on the hot-score calculated by the principle of protecting species as more as possible and covering areas as less as possible, and analyzed the performance of the nature reserves for protecting the hotspot areas. The brief results are as followings:(1) Two hundred and ninety three rare and endangered species were occurred in giant panda distribution areas, including 109 mammals,58 birds,18 reptiles,35 amphibians,73 higher plants. In which, one hundred and thirty three species were endemic to China and 19 species were endemic to giant panda distribution areas.(2) The richest rare and endangered species, with 15-19 species/km2, were distributed in Wenxian and Pingwu in Minshan Mountain, Wenchuan, Baoxing and Kangding in Qionglai Mountain, and the richest endemic rare and endangered species, with 5-6 species/km2, were distributed in Qinling Mountain, Minshan Mountain and Qionglai Mountain. For the vertical distribution pattern,87.4% rare and endangered species and 84.2% endemic rare and endangered species were covered at the elevation of 800-2800 m.(3) There were six rare and endangered species hotspots, which covered 10.5% of the giant panda distribution areas and 85% of the total rare and endangered species. At the same time, there were six endemic rare and endangered species hotspots, which covered 17.2% of the giant panda distribution areas and 85% of the total endemic rare and endangered species.(4) The nature reserves established for giant panda covered 30.9% of the rare and endangered species hotspots and 27.9% of the endemic species hotspots, and protected 71.7% of the rare and endangered species and 76.7% of the endemic rare and endangered species, respectively. Our results provided scientific basis for improving effectiveness of nature reserves to maintain the wild giant panda population.Our results would provide scientific basis for improving effectiveness of giant panda nature reserves and maintaining sustainable existence of the wild population of rare and endangered species.