Giant Panda Microhabitat Study in the Daxiangling Niba Mountain Corridor

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The giant panda is an endemic species in China and the flagship species of global wildlife conservation. Habitat studies of the giant panda corridor can reveal their survival status, habitat environment, and the threats they face, which is crucial for giant panda population recovery and habitat conservation. The results of this study show that due to the opening of the National Road 5 (G5) Niba Mountain tunnel and the completion of the Niba Mountain giant panda corridor plan, the recovery of vegetation within the Niba Mountain giant panda corridor has led to the emergence of giant panda activity in the area, which may have spread to the central part of the reserve through the corridor. The habitat selection characteristics of the giant pandas in the corridor were clarified by investigating the microhabitats of the giant panda corridor in Niba Mountain. These findings can provide a reference for scientists to formulate practical habitat conservation and management measures for giant pandas in the study area. 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.