青木川自然保护区大熊猫生境评价

在实地调查和收集资料的基础上,对陕西省青木川自然保护区大熊猫生境选择的特点进行研究;利用层次分析法以及ArcMap、ArcView等地理信息系统辅助软件,从地理环境因素、生物群落因素、主食竹因素和干扰因素4方面对大熊猫栖息地的核心区和缓冲区进行质量评价.结果表明：研究区适宜大熊猫生存的生境面积比例为62.1%;次适宜生境面积占31.0%;不适宜生境面积占6.9%.大熊猫适宜生境主要分布在研究区西部和北部海拔较高的地带,不适宜生境主要受植被类型、竹子因素、干扰因素等影响.为减少大熊猫不适宜生境,需要保护区管理者进一步完善管理机制,控制人类活动,特别是海拔900～1600 m范围内的放牧、割竹和砍柴活动.     

凉山山系大熊猫和黑熊适宜生境预测及重叠分析

研究同域物种的分布格局及重叠状况对物种的区域整合保护管理及区域生物多样性保护具有重要实践价值。本研究基于全国第四次大熊猫调查及长期野外调查数据, 利用MaxEnt模型预测了凉山山系两种同域分布的熊科动物——大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)和黑熊(Ursus thibetanus)的适宜生境, 基于适宜生境预测结果, 分析了两个物种的生境需求因子、生境破碎化现状及重叠状况。结果显示: (1)大熊猫和黑熊的适宜生境分布格局相似, 主要分布在凉山山系的山脊地带, 适宜生境面积分别为1,383.84 km²和2,411.49 km²; (2)两个物种的适宜生境都较为破碎, 且存在一些隔离分布区, 相较而言, 黑熊适宜生境的连通性要优于大熊猫; (3)两个物种生态位重叠度较高(D = 0.654, I = 0.901), 适宜生境重叠面积为958.29 km², 分别占大熊猫和黑熊适宜生境总面积的69.25%和39.74%; (4)两个物种对环境因子的选择和响应表现出了相似性和差异性。相似性在于对两个物种生境分布影响最大的两个因子均为距居民点距离和海拔; 差异性在于对大熊猫生境分布影响次之的因子是植被类型和最冷季均温, 而黑熊的是年最大EVI指数和距道路距离。为了更有效地保护两个物种, 应加强对人类干扰的控制和植被的恢复, 对栖息地实行连通管理, 并建立多物种保护规划。     

生态位因子分析在大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)生境评价中的应用

生态位因子分析是研究物种地理分布的一种多变量分析方法,其最大优点是模型计算只需物种"出现点"的数据,而不需要"非出现点"数据,在生境评价与生境预测中得到广泛应用.将该方法应用于大熊猫生境适宜性评价中,利用大熊猫活动痕迹点和遥感数据分析了平武县大熊猫生境分布现状,综合评价了该县自然保护区的分布状况和存在的保护空缺.研究结果表明,大熊猫偏好在中高海拔(＞2128 m)的针叶林和针阔混交林中活动,而避免在落叶阔叶林和灌丛林中活动,避免在有人为干扰的地区活动,农田是对大熊猫活动影响强度最大的人为干扰因子.平武县大熊猫生境主要分布在该县西部和北部地区,总面积为234033 hm2,其中适宜生境为106345 hm2,次适宜生境为127688 hm2.目前该县已建的3个大熊猫自然保护区使47.2%的大熊猫生境得到保护(包括49.2%的适宜生境和45.6%的次适宜生境),尽管如此,保护区之间连接性差,存在严重的保护空缺.该县北部的白马乡、木座乡是大熊猫的主要分布区,却没有得到保护区的有效保护,建议在该地区新建自然保护区.     

大相岭山系大熊猫生境评价与保护对策研究

从长远来看,从山系或更大尺度上来开展大熊猫(Ailuropodamelanoleuca)生境的研究与保护更有意义。本研究通过野外调查,在地理信息系统(GIS)和遥感(RS)技术支持下,利用大熊猫生境结构理论模型,选取海拔、坡度、植被类型、竹子分布、道路和居民点的分布等评价因子,系统地研究了大相岭山系大熊猫生境的分布、生境质量与空间格局,以及生境保护现状,在此基础上提出了该山系生境保护与自然保护区建设的对策。遥感数据分析结果表明,与大熊猫生境密切相关的阔叶林与针叶林的面积为344,970hm2,占该地区总面积的58.4%,灌丛占18.4%,其他的土地利用与土地覆被类型占23.2%。综合评价结果表明,大相岭山系的大熊猫潜在生境为118,749hm2,由于森林及矿产资源的开发、交通以及农业活动等的影响导致生境面积减少为93,115hm2,且尚存的生境被隔离为两个互相独立的生境单元,使荥河与瓦屋山这两个种群的交流受到严重阻碍,而现有的保护区仅保护了生境总面积的28.0%。为了有效地保护该山系的大熊猫,应该注意从三个方面加强对大熊猫生境的规划与保护:(1)扩大自然保护区的保护范围,使大熊猫生境的集中分布区都得到保护;(2)以退耕还林和天然林保护工程为契机,加强被隔离生境的联系,促进大熊猫种群之间的交流;(3)控制海拔1,800–2,700m之间人类活动对大熊猫生境的影响。     

卧龙大熊猫生境的群落结构研究

系统样方调查,研究了卧龙大熊猫生境的物种结构与群落特征。结果表明,大熊猫原 始生境群落特征表现为微个样方内的物种数平均为２１．５７个,盖度为１．６４,物种多样性指数为１．５７,优势度指数０．３８,最大平均树径达７９．４ｃｍ,平均每平方米竹类生物量为６．７３ｋｇ。大熊猫对生境的群落结构也有较广的适宜性,在卧龙落叶直林, 叶－针叶混交林及针叶林３种植被型均可为它的适宜生境。但生境适宜性程度及生境质量主     

生态位因子分析在大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)生境评价中的应用

生态位因子分析是研究物种地理分布的一种多变量分析方法,其最大优点是模型计算只需物种“出现点”的数据,而不需要“非出现点”数据,在生境评价与生境预测中得到广泛应用。将该方法应用于大熊猫生境适宜性评价中,利用大熊猫活动痕迹点和遥感数据分析了平武县大熊猫生境分布现状,综合评价了该县自然保护区的分布状况和存在的保护空缺。研究结果表明,大熊猫偏好在中高海拔（>2128 m）的针叶林和针阔混交林中活动,而避免在落叶阔叶林和灌丛林中活动,避免在有人为干扰的地区活动,农田是对大熊猫活动影响强度最大的人为干扰因子。平武县大熊猫生境主要分布在该县西部和北部地区,总面积为234033 hm2,其中适宜生境为106345 hm2,次适宜生境为127688 hm2。目前该县已建的3个大熊猫自然保护区使47.2%的大熊猫生境得到保护（包括49.2%的适宜生境和45.6%的次适宜生境）,尽管如此,保护区之间连接性差,存在严重的保护空缺。该县北部的白马乡、木座乡是大熊猫的主要分布区,却没有得到保护区的有效保护,建议在该地区新建自然保护区。     

甘肃大熊猫生境质量评价

本研究以第四次大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)调查、甘肃省森林资源二类清查等数据为基础资料,依据国内外有关大熊猫对生境选择利用的研究成果,结合本地本山系大熊猫分布及活动的实际情况,选取竹子分布、植被类型、海拔、坡度、坡向、道路和居民区等评价因子,建立了大熊猫生境质量评价指标体系和准则,借助Arcgis10.2软件,利用栅格赋值和空间叠加原理系统地研究了甘肃大熊猫生境质量。结果表明,甘肃大熊猫生境质量总体较好,适宜和较适宜生境面积总和占到了69.77%;四个局域种群单元中白水江单元适宜生境面积最大,其次为甘南单元;各大熊猫分布县中,文县的大熊猫生境质量最好,其次为舟曲;甘肃大熊猫适宜生境大都处于保护区中,各保护区适宜生境总和为178 771 hm~2,占全省大熊猫适宜生境的88.72%;各保护区中,白水江国家级自然保护区的适宜生境面积最大,其次为插岗梁省级保护区。     

卧龙地区流域土地覆盖变化及其对大熊猫潜在生境的影响

土地覆盖变化作为土地利用驱动的显著结果,是人类活动对环境影响的最显著的表现。为了将土地覆盖变化结果用于探讨大熊猫潜在生境与人为活动导致的环境变化之间的关系,利用1：25万数字高程模型和1：10万土地覆盖分类数据（1990年,2000年两期）,采用流域时空对比和景观格局分析的手段,对卧龙地区两流域土地覆盖变化及大熊猫潜在生境的景观格局变化进行了对比研究,结果表明：①10a间,寿溪流域土地覆盖年变化率（0．33％）低于渔子溪流域（1．02％）,且两流域土地覆盖类型的变化趋势有所不同。主要表现为：在寿溪流域,主要土地覆盖类型的斑块均表现出破碎化的趋势,且森林和灌丛的斑块破碎化趋势更显著;而在渔子溪流域,仅是与人类活动相关的草地、农田斑块破碎化加剧,而森林和灌丛的平均斑块大小反而增加了。②两流域大熊猫潜在生境的景观格局变化趋势有所不同。在渔子溪流域,大熊猫潜在生境的景观多样性指数、均匀度指数、破碎度和森林景观形状指数均高于寿溪流域。而与渔子溪全流域相比,该地区大熊猫潜在生境的森林平均斑块大小较小,并且近十年,在渔子溪流域,大熊猫潜在生境景观的森林面积比重及斑块大小的减少,森林景观形状指数的增加等变化趋势与全流域的相反,间接反映出渔子溪流域的大熊猫潜在生境所受的人类活动的压力更大。③两流域分级集水区的大熊猫潜在生境比重分布与居民点密度分布存在空间上的分异。利用缓冲区分析表明,在渔子溪流域,大熊猫潜在生境与居民点范围的重叠更为严重,约57．7％的人类活动范围处于与大熊猫潜在生境重叠的区域。据此推断,大熊猫潜在生境在流域中的分布与人类活动空间上的交错关系是导致近十年渔子溪流域大熊猫生境受到严重干扰的重要原因。     

汶川地震灾区生物多样性热点地区分析

汶川地震灾区位于长江上游,是我国大熊猫(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)的主要分布区,被保护国际认定的25个全球生物多样性热点地区之一.2008年5月12日发生的汶川大地震导致该区域生态环境遭受严重破坏,需要识别生物多样性热点地区,指导灾后生物多样性保护.选取物种生境质量、植被景观多样性指数和物种多样性指数作为评价指标,其中生境质量采用InVEST生物多样性模型计算,然后利用空间相关分析中G系数进行热点地区分析,探测出灾区生物多样性的热点区,并在此基础上与现有保护区分布、物种生境分布以及Marxan模型计算出的优先区进行对比验证.结果显示:热点区范围涉及到现有76％的保护区,且保护区内的热点区面积达到灾区所有保护区面积的55％;在选取的69个指示物种中有60个物种位于热点区的生境面积占这些物种在灾区的总生境面积的50％以上,有32个物种在80％左右,热点区内的所有指示物种生境总面积占整个灾区指示物种生境总面积的70％以上.基于空间相关分析方法得出的热点地区基本上与Marxan模型输出的优先保护区范围结果基本一致.但空间相关分析的热点区划分克服了Marxan模型优先保护区分布过于离散,孤岛效应明显的不足.     

岷山地区大熊猫生境评价与保护对策研究

综合运用大熊猫生物学与行为生态学研究成果、遥感数据分析与地理信息系统技术 ,在系统研究岷山地区大熊猫生境分布、生境质量与空间格局的基础上 ,明确岷山地区保护大熊猫的关键区域 ,分析岷山地区大熊猫保护与自然保护区建设的对策 ,以期为岷山地区大熊猫保护及其与岷山地区资源开发与发展的协调提供依据。遥感数据分析结果表明 ,岷山地区以森林为主 ,各类森林面积 1 91 790 3.4 4 hm2 ,占 5 5 .4 2 % ,将与大熊猫生境密切相关的森林植被分为常绿阔叶林、落叶阔叶林、针阔混交林、亚高山针叶林等 ,其中亚高山针叶林面积 5 380 4 9.6 4 hm2 ,占全部森林的占 2 8.0 5 % ,落叶阔叶林面积 4 6 1 35 5 .6 7hm2 ,占2 4 .0 6 % ,针阔混交林面积 4 0 30 36 .2 6 hm2 ,占 2 1 .0 1 %。结果表明岷山地区有大熊猫潜在生境 1 32 3789.1 5 hm2 ,由于森林资源利用、交通、农业活动影响、居民薪柴砍伐 ,以及生境破碎化与生境隔离等导致的生境丧失 5 5 341 3.4 5 hm2 ,目前尚存的大熊猫适宜生境 770 375 .7hm2 ,由于交通等隔离而成为至少 5个相互分隔的生境单元 ,大熊猫种群交流受到严重阻碍。为了有效地保护岷山大熊猫 ,首先应充分注意到各种人类活动 ,尤其交通的建设对大熊猫生境的影响 ;其次要扩大自然保护区范围 ,     

卧龙自然保护区大熊猫空间利用格局动态变化特征

野生动物在长期的栖息地选择过程中,能判断其生境质量,而趋向于选择既能降低能量消耗,又能获得营养价值和能量净收益较高的有利生境。以往的研究多是从统计学方法或宏观尺度对大熊猫生境进行评价,很少考虑到野生动物自身生物学特性及生境选择过程中的空间利用特征。本研究结合家域模型与景观格局分析技术定量分析大熊猫实际空间利用格局的动态变化特征及其破碎化程度,进而反映不同时期大熊猫生境选择模式及栖息地生境适宜性的动态变化。结果表明：卧龙自然保护区大熊猫在对栖息地的实际利用过程中向更适宜的区域集中,使得高适宜等级区域面积有所增大;而边缘生境区域更容易受到自然灾害和人为因素的干扰,破碎化加剧,需要在保护工作中引起足够的重视。从大熊猫行为模式特征出发,在不同时空尺度上,评估大熊猫对生境选择的空间格局变化特征,丰富了野生动物栖息地适宜性评价的时空尺度选择,为更准确地制定保护区管理政策提供了有效的工具。     

道路影响下野生动物廊道的选址——以大熊猫保护廊道为例

沿道路设置供野生动物迁徙、扩散和连接栖息地的廊道是应对道路干扰最有效的措施,科学选址则是野生动物廊道建设的前提,也是廊道研究的薄弱领域。以大熊猫廊道为例对野生动物廊道选址指标体系、方法和程序进行了探索,将栖息地特征、地形因素、植被可转化性、工程成本作为大熊猫廊道选址指标,基于Arcgis和栖息地格局、海拔、坡度、植被数据,为四川306省道椅子垭口段确定了两处大熊猫廊道位置,并用监测数据证明了所选位置具有较大的可行性和准确性。研究表明栖息地格局是廊道选址的重要基础,应侧重对地形因素的研究。研究为廊道选址方法和流程进行了示范,还对选址指标体系优化、提高选址的科学性进行了探讨,有助于推动野生动物廊道研究从理论探索走向实际应用。     

Impact of livestock grazing on biodiversity and giant panda habitat

Livestock grazing occurs in many protected areas for wildlife and has become a threat to wildlife worldwide. Livestock grazing within protected areas causes negative effects to rare wildlife (e.g., giant panda [Ailuropoda melanoleuca]) and their habitat. We used the 2,000-km² Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, southwestern China, to document the effects of livestock on the giant panda and its habitat. We monitored arrow bamboo (Bashania fangiana), wildlife sign (i.e., feces and tracks), and characteristics of plant communities in intact habitat (IH; limited livestock grazing) and disturbed habitat (DH; with grazing disturbance) to assess the effects of livestock grazing and the responses of giant pandas and sympatric species across spatial and temporal scales. Bamboo coverage and the height and basal diameter of bamboo in IH were greater than those in DH, whereas the number of herbaceous species and herbaceous coverage in IH were lower than those in DH. Wildlife signs in IH were greater than those in DH; specifically, giant panda and red panda (Ailurus fulgens) signs were greater, whereas signs of sambar (Rusa unicolor) and tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus) in IH were similar to those in DH. Livestock grazing reduced bamboo, which may threaten the long-term survival of the giant panda. Our results have implications for understanding and management of livestock grazing in the Wolong National Nature Reserve and elsewhere. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.     

大相岭北坡大熊猫生境适宜性评价

2005年3-11月采用样线法和样方法对大相岭北坡大熊猫栖息地进行了调查,通过利用样方法发现的大熊猫痕迹频次对栖息地的适宜性进行景观连接度（适宜性）赋值,对大相岭北坡大熊猫栖息地的质量进行了分析评价。研究区面积约为2266.79km^2,其中竹林分布面积约为842.3km^2。仅有约56.8km^2占6.8%的竹林面积是适宜大熊猫生存的地区,次适宜地区面积为96.3km^2,约占11.4%,较差适宜地区面积为177.4km^2,约占21.1%,3个等级加到一起共为330.5km^2,占竹林面积的39.3%,主要分布在2200-2800m的平缓山坡,有60%以上为不适宜地区。人为活动对大熊猫栖息地的影响主要是不仅减少了大熊猫的生境面积,也降低了大熊猫亚种群之间的景观连接度,对大熊猫种群之间的基因交流产生阻碍。作者通过实际调查提出了管理措施。     

Impact of the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake on biodiversity and giant panda habitat in Wolong Nature Reserve,China

Natural disasters such as earthquakes have profound effects on the earth’s biodiversity. However, studies on immediate earthquake impacts are rarely conducted at fine scales due to logistical constraints. We conducted the first post-earthquake field survey in Wolong Nature Reserve, Wenchuan, China, less than 1 year after it was hit by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake in 2008. Since Wolong harbors approximately 10% of the endangered wild giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) population, the impact of the earthquake on the giant panda and its habitat is of particular concern. We established 15 transects in three focus areas within the Reserve where we classified occurrences of earthquake damage according to vegetation and geophysical characteristics. In the 11.2 km² area sampled, we recorded 156 occurrences of earthquake damage consisting of landslides and mudflows, which comprised a total area of 0.88 km². Of all earthquake damage occurrences sampled, only 36% of occurences (73% of surface area) corresponded to damaged areas previously detected through broad-scale remote sensing. The remaining damaged areas mainly consisted of occurrences too small to be detected without field observation. Although there were significant losses to tree and shrub species diversity and richness in earthquake-damaged areas, remnant vegetation was found in the majority (80%) of damaged areas, suggesting the potential for forest recovery. Most earthquake-damaged areas were too steep to be classified as suitable giant panda habitat (79%). In addition, a sizable number of signs of giant panda (67) and other wildlife (148) were observed near the earthquake-damaged areas, and there appeared to be avoidance of earthquake damage only at short-range distances. This study has implications for understanding the impact of natural disasters on biodiversity and highlights the importance of fine scale on-the-ground assessments of disaster impacts on wildlife and their habitats.     

Impact of livestock on giant pandas and their habitat

Livestock production is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity worldwide. However, impacts of livestock on endangered species have been understudied, particularly across the livestock–wildlife interface in forested protected areas. We investigated the impact of an emerging livestock sector in China's renowned Wolong Nature Reserve for giant pandas. We integrated empirical data from field surveys, remotely sensed imagery, and GPS collar tracking to analyze (1) the spatial distribution of horses in giant panda habitat, (2) space use and habitat selection patterns of horses and pandas, and (3) the impact of horses on pandas and bamboo (panda's main food source). We discovered that the horse distribution overlapped with suitable giant panda habitat. Horses had smaller home ranges than pandas but both species showed similarities in habitat selection. Horses consumed considerable amounts of bamboo, and may have resulted in a decline in panda habitat use. Our study highlights the need to formulate policies to address this emerging threat to the endangered giant panda. It also has implications for understanding livestock impacts in other protected areas across the globe.     

Synergistic effects of anthropogenic disturbances on giant pandas

Livestock grazing and the collection of bamboo shoots are the main threats to giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitat in the Liangshan Mountains in China. It is important to clarify the effect of these disturbances to the giant panda to formulate targeted management policies. Based on species distribution models and daily activity models, we investigated the effects of livestock grazing and bamboo shoot collection on giant pandas from May 2021 to July 2022. Our results indicated the giant panda's suitable habitat in the reserve covered 51.83 km² (15.02% of the reserve area). Grazing and bamboo shoot collection led to losses of 19.08 km² and 7.68 km² of suitable habitat, respectively. Together, the 2 activities resulted in a loss of 28.35 km² of suitable habitat, which was more than half of the area of panda habitat. The areas of suitable habitat for giant pandas significantly overlapped with the areas affected by both disturbances. Giant pandas did not show significant differences in daily activity rhythms under a single disturbance, but the daily activity rhythms of giant pandas differed when we compared the area combining the 2 disturbances with the undisturbed area. Our study reveals that the anthropogenic disturbances in the reserve have varying effects on the suitable habitat range and daily activity rhythm of giant pandas and evidence of a synergistic effect. Therefore, when formulating relevant conservation policies, it is important to fully evaluate the extent and characteristics of anthropogenic disturbances in shaping the population distribution and habitat preferences of the giant panda and other wildlife to enhance the efficacy of conservation management practices.     

Impact of road construction on giant panda’s habitat and its carrying capacity in Qinling Mountains

The Qinling giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an endangered endemic species to China. Despite ongoing efforts to ensure its conservation, concerns about maintaining its populations persist. We used GIS fed with data on land use including road network of 2001, third national giant panda survey, and a digital elevation model (DEM) to assess the impact of road construction on giant panda habitat, and estimate the carrying capacity of the Qinling Mountain area. We assessed habitat suitability with a mechanistic model, and conducted correlation analysis to evaluate relationship between the extent of giant panda habitat and amount of sites occupied by pandas within of 5 km × 5 km grid. We also estimated the carrying capacity of the Qinling Mountainous Area.
Our results revealed a significant correlation (R² = 0.447, P < 0.01) between the number of sites with signs left by giant panda and the extent of habitat within of 5 km × 5 km grid. The minimum habitat area that can support one panda was 10 km². Before the road network construction, the area of habitat suitable for the panda amounted about 1561 km² and that of marginally suitable habitat about 1499 km². The corresponding carrying capacity represented about 240 individuals. After the road network construction, the suitable habitat area was reduced by nearly 30% to 1093 km². Marginally suitable habitat and unsuitable habitat have both increased by 17% and 1%, respectively. As a result, the potential population size which the habitat could support was reduced to 217 individuals. The study results also suggested that most impacts on habitat from road construction took place in the high elevation areas above 1500 m. However, regarding the impact on the giant panda habitat, road networks developed much more inside the current nature reserves than outside of them.     

Impact of road construction on giant panda’s habitat and its carrying capacity in Qinling Mountains

The Qinling giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is an endangered endemic species to China. Despite ongoing efforts to ensure its conservation, concerns about maintaining its populations persist. We used GIS fed with data on land use including road network of 2001, third national giant panda survey, and a digital elevation model (DEM) to assess the impact of road construction on giant panda habitat, and estimate the carrying capacity of the Qinling Mountain area. We assessed habitat suitability with a mechanistic model, and conducted correlation analysis to evaluate relationship between the extent of giant panda habitat and amount of sites occupied by pandas within of 5 km × 5 km grid. We also estimated the carrying capacity of the Qinling Mountainous Area.
Our results revealed a significant correlation (R² = 0.447, P < 0.01) between the number of sites with signs left by giant panda and the extent of habitat within of 5 km × 5 km grid. The minimum habitat area that can support one panda was 10 km². Before the road network construction, the area of habitat suitable for the panda amounted about 1561 km² and that of marginally suitable habitat about 1499 km². The corresponding carrying capacity represented about 240 individuals. After the road network construction, the suitable habitat area was reduced by nearly 30% to 1093 km². Marginally suitable habitat and unsuitable habitat have both increased by 17% and 1%, respectively. As a result, the potential population size which the habitat could support was reduced to 217 individuals. The study results also suggested that most impacts on habitat from road construction took place in the high elevation areas above 1500 m. However, regarding the impact on the giant panda habitat, road networks developed much more inside the current nature reserves than outside of them.     

Population genetics reveals high connectivity of giant panda populations across human disturbance features in key nature reserve

The giant panda is an example of a species that has faced extensive historical habitat fragmentation, and anthropogenic disturbance and is assumed to be isolated in numerous subpopulations with limited gene flow between them. To investigate the population size, health, and connectivity of pandas in a key habitat area, we noninvasively collected a total of 539 fresh wild giant panda fecal samples for DNA extraction within Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China. Seven validated tetra‐microsatellite markers were used to analyze each sample, and a total of 142 unique genotypes were identified. Nonspatial and spatial capture–recapture models estimated the population size of the reserve at 164 and 137 individuals (95% confidence intervals 153–175 and 115–163), respectively. Relatively high levels of genetic variation and low levels of inbreeding were estimated, indicating adequate genetic diversity. Surprisingly, no significant genetic boundaries were found within the population despite the national road G350 that bisects the reserve, which is also bordered with patches of development and agricultural land. We attribute this to high rates of migration, with four giant panda road‐crossing events confirmed within a year based on repeated captures of individuals. This likely means that giant panda populations within mountain ranges are better connected than previously thought. Increased development and tourism traffic in the area and throughout the current panda distribution pose a threat of increasing population isolation, however. Maintaining and restoring adequate habitat corridors for dispersal is thus a vital step for preserving the levels of gene flow seen in our analysis and the continued conservation of the giant panda meta‐population in both Wolong and throughout their current range.