Giant Panda Microhabitat Study in the Daxiangling Niba Mountain Corridor

Abstract

Habitat reduction and increased fragmentation are urgent issues for the survival and recovery of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). However, changes in the distribution and microhabitat selection of giant panda habitats in different seasons in the same region have rarely been assessed. To further understand giant panda habitat requirements, this study analyzed the giant panda habitat selection characteristics and differences using the sample data of the giant panda occurrence sites collected during 2020–2022. The results showed that the giant panda in both seasons selected medium altitudes (2000–2400 m), southeastern slopes, slopes less than 15°, taller tree layers (8–15 m) with a larger diameter at breast height (17–25 cm) and medium density (25–55%), shorter shrub layers (<4 m) with sparse density (<30%), and taller bamboo (>2 m) with high density (>35%). The giant panda microhabitat survey in the Niba Mountain corridor clarified the characteristics of suitable habitat selection for the giant panda in the corridor. The findings of the study can provide scientific references for the development of practical habitat conservation and management measures for giant pandas in the study area.

Giant pandas are losing their edge: Population trend and distribution dynamic drivers of the giant panda

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Antimicrobial resistance, virulence genes profiles and molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistantKlebsiella pneumoniaestrains from captive giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

“…The giant panda, an endemic species to China, serves as the flagship species for global wildlife conservation efforts (Jia W et al 2023). Bacterial diseases have emerged as a major epidemic that poses a grave threat to the life and well-being of giant pandas.…”

Characteristics and Roles of Large Trees in Giant Panda Habitat of Wanglang Nature Reserve

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