Evaluating the effects of roads on giant panda habitat at two scales in a typical nature reserve

Little is known about how roads affect the habitats of giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), this study aimed to provide a scientific basis to better understand this question, and to formulate targeted measures to reduce the adverse effects of roads. To evaluate the effects of roads on giant panda habitat, a field survey was carried out in the Wanglang Nature Reserve at two scales, 400 m² and 100 m², in July and August of every year from 2015 to 2019. We compared the community characteristics of roadside habitats, giant panda habitats and the local environment by using difference tests and multiple comparison methods. The results showed that, at the 400 m² scale, the significant differences in number of bamboo clumps and regeneration size among different habitats were related to roads. At the 100 m² scale, the significant difference in number of bamboo clumps was also related to roads. Roads may affect the number of bamboo clumps and regeneration size, which alters important characteristics of giant panda habitat. The roadside habitat had fewer bamboo clumps and smaller regeneration sizes than the giant panda habitat, and this lack of food may be why giant pandas seldom use the roadside habitat. To improve the suitability of the roadside habitats, more bamboo should be planted and protective measures should be taken to ensure the normal growth of bamboo and regeneration species. This study provides reference methods for future studies on the effects of roads in other regions.

Comparative habitat use by takin in the Wanglang and Xiaohegou Nature Reserves

We investigated the habitat use characteristics of takin in Wanglang and Xiaohegou Nature Reserves to detect whether takin has the different habitat use patterns in different environments. We found that takin has similarities and differences in habitat use in these two nature reserves. Takin at Wanglang usually used the habitats with greater bamboo coverage and bamboo density, whereas takin at Xiaohegou usually used the habitats with a lower canopy. The results of a logistic regression analysis showed that bamboo density, herb-cover proportion, and tree size contributed significantly to the difference between takin plots at Wanglang and Xiaohegou, with an overall correct prediction rate of 92.3%, indicating that these are the main factors discriminating habitat use characteristics of takin in these two nature reserves. Considering takin has different habitat use characteristics in different areas, different protection measures should be taken to protect different takin populations. Based on the habitat use characteristics of takin at Wanglang and Xiaohegou, we summarized adaptation of takin to environments as general adaptation, regional adaptation, and special adaptation.