Abstract
Establishing nature reserves is one of the most effective means for protecting endangered species and biodiversity. However, establishing nature reserves may stop gene-exchange of the target population from natural populations given that the previous human activities within the reserves were moved to the surrounding areas of the nature reserves. This may break the connection between nature reserve and natural habitats. In this study, a habitat suitability evaluation of Wolong Nature Reserve for giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) conservation indicates that among the total area of 202300 ha, only about 2144 ha, or 1.06%, is highly suitable, and as much as 123280 ha (more than 60% of the total area) was unsuitable for giant panda. Moreover, the highly suitable, suitable areas, and moderately suitable areas were spatially fragmented. Based on the evaluation, landscape design for giant panda conservation was performed. It was suggested that both habitat quality and patch size be considered to meet the requirements for sustaining populations when core patches in a nature reserve were designed. Buffer with right width should include all core patches to allow giant panda to move freely. On the subject of corridor design, two cases were to be identified, first, the existing corridor, which was a narrow passage between some patches, had to be protected carefully. Second, those areas, which may become the potential habitats for giant pandas after rational vegetation rehabilitation, should be identified by using GAP approaches. This study indicates that some key areas which may enable the core patches larger to accommodate more giant pandas by vegetation rehabilitation, were much more important than the other places. These areas should receive higher attentions when establishing nature reserve.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Anderson, G.S., and Danielson, B.J. (1997). The effects of landscape composition and physiognomy on metapopulation size: the role of corridors. Landscape Ecology, 12, 261-271.
Baudry, J., Burel, F., Aviron, S., Martin, M., Ouin, A., Pain, G., et al. (2003). Temporal variability of connectivity in agricultural landscapes: do farming activities help? Landscape Ecology, 18, 303-314.
Bayliss, J.L., Simonite, V., and Thompson, S. The use of probabilistic habitat suitability models for biodiversity action planning. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment(in press).
Bennett, A.F. (1990). Habitat corridors and the conservation of small mammals in a fragmented forest environment. Landscape Ecology, 4, 109-122.
Bennett, A.F, Henein, K., and Merriam, G. (1994). Corridor use and the elements of corridor quality: chipmunks and fencerows in a farmland mosaic. Biology Conservation, 68, 155-166.
Caicco, S.L., Scott, J.M., Butterfield, B., and Csuti, B. (1995). A gap analysis of the management status of the vegetation of Idaho, USA. Conservation Biology, 9, 498-511.
Chave, J., Wiegand, K., and Levin, S. (2002). Spatial and biological aspects of reserve design. Environmental Modeling and Assessment, 7, 115-122
Chen L.D., Fu B.J. and Liu X.H. (2000). Landscape pattern design and wildlife conservation in nature reserve - case study in Wolong Nature Reserve. Journal of Natural Resources, 15, 164-169.
Chen, L.D., Liu, X.H., and Fu, B.J. (1999). Evaluation on giant panda habitat fragmentation in Wolong Nature Reserve. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 19, 291-297.
Committee of Bio-Diversity of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CBCAS). (1994). Approaches and Principles to Study Bio-Diversity. Science and Technology Press, Beijing, China (in Chinese)
Danielson, B.J., and Hubbard, M.W. (2000). The influence of corridors on the movement behaviour of individual Peromyscus polionotusin experimental landscapes. Landscape Ecology. 15, 323-331.
Dauber, J., Hirsch, M., Simmering, D., Waldhardt, R., Otte, A., and Wolters, V. (2003). Landscape structure as an indicator of biodiversity: matrix effects on species richness. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 2083, 1-9
Fahrig, L. (2003). Effects of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Ann. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst. , 34, 487–515
Feng, W.H. (1991). Collected papers on giant panda studies. J. Sichuan University, (special issue), 7-13.
Giant Panda Survey Team of Wanglang Nature Reserve. (1974). Preliminary survey of giant panda in Wanglang Nature Reserve, Pingwu county, Sichuan. Acta Ecologica Sinica. 20, 162-169.
Henein, K., and Merriam, M. (1990). The elements of connectivity where corridor quality is variable. Landscape ecology, 4, 157-170.
Hu, J.C. (1981). Study on biological nature of giant pandas, Gordon Monkey, Taking in Wolong Nature Reserve. Chengdu, China. Sichuan People Press.
Hu, J.C. (1996). Progress on giant panda studies in the years 1990-1994. Journal of Sichuan Teachers College,17, 1-8.
Hu, J.C., Schaller, G.B., Pan, W., and Zhu, J. (1985). Giant pandas in Wolong Nature Reserve. Chengdu, China: Sichuan People Press.
Jactel, H., Goulard, M., Menassieu, P., and Goujon, G. (2002). Habitat diversity in forest plantations reduces infestations of the pine stem borer Dioryctria sylvestrella. Journal of Applied Ecology, 39, 618-628
La Polla, V.N., and Barrett, G.W. (1993). Effects of corridor width and presence on the population dynamics of the meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus). Landscape Ecology, 8, 25-38.
Li, C.B. (1997). A Study of Staple Food Bamboo for The Giant Panda. Guizhou Science and Technology Press, Guiyang, China.
Li, W., Wang, Z., Ma, Z., and Tang, H. (1999a). Designing the buffer zone in a biological reserve based on suitable habitats: Yancheng Reserve and the red crowned crane. Biological Conservation, 90, 159-165.
Li, W., Wang, Z., Ma Z., and Tang, H. (1999b). Designing the core zone in a biosphere reserve based on suitable habitats: Yancheng Biosphere Reserve and the red crowned crane (Grus japonensis). Biological Conservation, 90, 167-173.
Liu, J., Linderman, M., Ouyang, Z., An, L., Yang, J., and Zhang, H. (2001). Ecological Degradation in Protected Areas: The Case of Wolong Nature Reserve for giant pandas. Science, 292, 98-101
Liu, J., Ouyang, Z., Taylor, W.W., Groop, R., Tan, Y., and Zhang, H. (1999). A framework for evaluating the effects of human factors on wildlife habitat: the case of Giant Panda. Conservation Biology, 13, 1360-
Liu, X.H., Bronsveld, M.C., Toxopeus, A.G., Kreins M.S., Zhang, H., Tan, Y. et al. (1997). GIS application in research of wildlife habitat change - a case study of the giant panda in Wolong Nature Reserve. The Journal of Chinese Geography, 7, 51-60.
Lü, Y.H., Chen, L.D., Fu, B.J. and Liu, S.L. (2003). A framework for evaluating the effectiveness of protected areas: the case of Wolong Biosphere Reserve. Landscape and Urban Planning, 63, 213-223.
Lü, Y.H., Fu, B.J., Liu, S.L., and Chen, L.D. (2003). Comprehensive evaluation of the function of Wolong Nature Reserve. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 23, 571-579.
Mckendry, J.E., and Machlis, G.E. (1991). The role of geography in extending biodiversity gap analysis. Applied Geography II, 135-152.
Nepal, S.K., and Weber, K.E. (1994). A buffer zone for biodiversity conservation viability of the concept in Nepal Royal Chitwan National Park. Environmental Conservation. 21, 333-341.
Ouyang, Z.Y., Liu, J.G., Xiao, H., Tan, Y.C. and Zhang, H.M. (2001). Assessment of giant panda habitat in Wolong Nature Reserve. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 21, 1869-1874.
Pan, W.S. (1988). Qinling Mountain’s Natural Habitat for Giant Pandas. Peking University Press, Beijing.
Qin, Z.S. and Taylor, A. (1993). Forest Dynamics, Bamboos and Environment in Wolong Nature Reserve. Beijing Forestry Press, Beijing, China.
Schaller, G.B. (1993). The Last Panda. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago.
Steiner, N.C. and Köhler, W. (2003). Effects of landscape patterns on species richness - a modelling approach. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 2086, 1-9
Taylor, A., and Qin, Z.S. (1998). Forest landscape dynamics and panda conservation in southwestern China. In Nature's Geography(pp. 56-74), The University of Wisconsin Press.
Wang, J.X., and Ma, Z.G. (1993). Ecological Studies on Giant Panda's Main Feed Bamboo. Sichuan Science and Technology Press, Chengdu, China.
Wolong Nature Reserve (WNR) and Sichuan Normal University (SNU). (1987). The vegetation and resource plants in Wolong. Sichuan Publishing House of Science and Technology, Chengdu, China.
Wolong Nature Reserve (WNR) and Sichuan Normal University (SNU). (1992). The animal and plant resources and protection of Wolong Nature Reserve. Sichuan Publishing House of Science and Technology, Chengdu, China.
Xu, J.Y., Chen, L.D., Lü, Y.H., and Fu, B.J. (2005). Harmonization of protected areas management and local development: methods, practices and lessons. Chinese Journal of Ecology, 24, 102-107.
Yang, G., Hu, J.C., Wei, F.W., and Wang, W. (1994). The number and activity of the giant panda Population in Dafengding nature reserve, Mabian. Journal of Sichuan Teachers College, 15, 114-118.
Yu, K.J. (1996). Security patterns and surface model in landscape planning. Landscape and Urban Planning, 36, 1-17.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Chen, L., Liu, X., Fu, B., LÜ, Y., Qiu, J. (2008). Identification Of The Potential Habitat For Giant Panda In The Wolong Nature Reserve By Using Landscape Ecology Methodology. In: Hong, SK., Nakagoshi, N., Fu, B., Morimoto, Y. (eds) Landscape Ecological Applications in Man-Influenced Areas. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-5488-2_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-5488-2_7
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-5487-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-5488-4
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)