Measures of giant panda habitat selection across multiple spatial scales for species conservation |
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Authors: | Dunwu Qi Shanning Zhang Zejun Zhang Yibo Hu Xuyu Yang Hongjia Wang Fuwen Wei |
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Institution: | 1. Key Laboratory for Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichenxi Road, Beijing 100101, China;2. China Wildlife Conservation Association, 18 Hepinglidong Street, Beijing 100714, China;3. Key Laboratory for Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichenxi Road, Beijing 100101, China
Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong, Sichuan 637002, China;4. Sichuan Forestry Department, Wildlife Conservation Division, 610081 Chengdu, Sichuan, China |
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Abstract: | Examining ecological processes across spatial scales is crucial as animals select and use resources at different scales. We carried out field surveys in September 2005, March–September 2006, and April 2007, and used ecological niche factor analysis to determine habitat preferences for the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) across 4 spatial scales: daily movement, core range, home range, and seasonal elevational migration. We found that giant pandas prefer conifer forest and mixed forest at higher than average elevation (2,157 m) of study area in the 4 scale models. However, we also observed significant scale differences in habitat selection. The strength of habitat preference increased with scale for the 2 disturbed forests (sparse forest and fragmented forest), and decreased with scale for 0–30° gentle slope and south- and north-facing aspect. Furthermore, habitat suitability patterns were scale-dependent. These findings highlight the need to determine species–environment associations across multiple scales for habitat management and species conservation. © 2012 The Wildlife Society. |
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Keywords: | ecological niche factor analysis (ENFA) giant panda habitat selection hierarchy scale spatial heterogeneity |
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