Assessment of effective conservation of the Sichuan takin by giant panda reserves through functional zoning

Abstract

The flagship species conservation strategy is widely practiced in nature reserves. However, few studies have quantitatively explored whether the current functional zoning adequately conserves the habitats of other species. To examine this problem, we selected the Tangjiahe, Xuebaoding, and Wanglang national nature reserves in southwest China and tested the protective efficiency of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) reserves on a local herbivore-Sichuan takin (Budorcas taxicolor tibetana) in functional zoning. We predicted that the habitat distribution of the Sichuan takin with Maxent and habitat suitability would be classified as very low, low, moderately, or highly suitable. We calculated the percentage of each type of habitat class across the core, buffer, and experimental zones in these reserves and introduced an economic index present value index to further assess the efficacy of the functional zoning in conserving the habitat of Sichuan takin. Our findings indicate that suitable habitat distributions of Sichuan takin are multicore and influenced by diverse variables in different nature reserves. The percentage of moderately suitable and highly suitable habitat in the core zone is 69% and 54% in Tangjiahe, 76% and 75% in Wanglang, and 47% and 28% in Xuebaoding, respectively. The present value index of moderately and highly suitable habitat is 1.01 and 0.79 (Tangjiahe), 0.87 and 0.86 (Wanglang), 0.76 and 0.44 (Xuebaoding), respectively. The efficiency of functional zoning on Sichuan takin seems lower than imagined in giant panda reserves, and species that have important impacts on local ecosystem need further estimation and greater focus.

Research on the Changes in Distribution and Habitat Suitability of the Chinese Red Panda Population

“…Chinese red pandas are sympatric with giant pandas, and their habitats may be positively affected by the umbrella effect. Wang et al (2021) confirmed that China's protection work on giant pandas and their habitats in the past few decades indirectly achieved the protection of sympatric species [42,43]. Therefore, we believe that the implementation of a series of protection policies has played a positive role in the protection of Chinese red panda populations.…”

Ecotourist trail‐use affects the taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity of mammals in a protected area: lessons for conservation management

“…Therefore, it is essential to emphasize protection of rare and endangered species (Gao et al. 2020; Yang et al. 2021), especially many large mammals (Cao & Zhang 2021; Wang et al.…”

“…Furthermore, common species often achieve higher population density than conservation priority species. Therefore, it is essential to emphasize protection of rare and endangered species (Gao et al 2020;Yang et al 2021), especially many large mammals (Cao & Zhang 2021;Wang et al 2021), and to strengthen their management in protected areas (PAs).…”

Integrating Livestock Grazing and Sympatric Takin to Evaluate the Habitat Suitability of Giant Panda in the Wanglang Nature Reserve

“…As an important companion of giant panda [ 44 , 45 ], takin largely occur sympatricly in giant panda habitats [ 12 , 13 , 24 , 46 ]. In the current study, almost all of the suitable panda habitats not shared by livestock were shared by takin.…”

“…More specifically, the objectives of this study are to: (1) describe the habitat suitability characteristics of giant panda under natural conditions; (2) evaluate the possible impact of livestock grazing on the habitat suitability of giant panda; and (3) predict the habitat overlap between sympatric takin and giant panda. Considering that (a) livestock grazing is widespread in giant panda habitat [ 2 ] (p. 130); (b) livestock and giant panda exhibit many similarities in the habitat selection process [ 22 ]; and (c) takin are important companions of giant panda [ 11 , 23 , 24 ], we hypothesize that livestock and takin have reduced the suitable giant panda habitat in size through habitat overlap.…”