An assessment of giant panda habitat in Minshan, Sichuan, China

Habitat degradation and lost has been widely recognized as the main cause of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population decline. Habitat research plays an essential role in wildlife conservation. The Minshan area locates at the northwest of Sichuan Basin, covers 3 460 755.39 hectare of forests and other habitats, and preserves approximately 37% of giant panda habitat and 46% of its wild population. It is well known as one of the hot regions for biodiversity conservation in China and the World, and the key area for conserving the endangered giant pandas, based on ETM and GIS spatial modelling. We made a systematical study on the panda habitat distribution, habitat quality, spatial pattern and habitat protection measures in Minshan area. In the study, land use and land cover, firstly, were analyzed based on ETM data in 2000～2001. Then, the main factors that influenced the panda habitat quality were identified, and the habitat assessment criteria was set up applying biology and behavior ecology knowledge of giant panda, and data analysis of the giant panda survey in 2001. Thirdly, the habitat distribution and habitat quality were assessed based on the combination of land cover, elevation, slope and the impact of human activities, and landscape pattern of habitat was calculated and analyzed by aid of FRAGSTAT. The result showed that forests, including sub-alpine coniferous forests, mixed deciduous-coniferous forests, deciduous forests and evergreen forests, were the dominated land cover in Minshan area. There were forest area 1 917 903.44hm~2, about 55.42% of the total area. The potential habitat for giant panda covered an area of 1 323 789.15 hm~2, and 553 413.45 hm~2 habitats were lost due to forest resources utilization, transportation, agricultural activities and resident firewood collection. The present suitable habitat is 770 375.7 hm~2 that has been divided into at least 5 pieces of disjunctive habitat unit by transportation and other factors. The research also suggested that the panda habitat in Minshan area faces big threats from human activities, especially the tourism development and traffic system construction. It is needed to extend the nature reserve area and covers the main area of habitat, and build up habitat corridor to connect the isolated habitat units.