Abstract
To evaluate the effectiveness of human restoration in species conservation, in this study, we undertook a field survey of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) habitat and man-made forest habitat in Wanglang Nature Reserve of China. Our results revealed that giant panda did not use the man-made forest in this area so far, and that there were significant differences between the giant panda habitat and the man-made forest habitat. Compared with giant panda habitat, the man-made forest habitat was characterized by lower shrub coverage, thinner trees and lower bamboo density. To improve the effectiveness of human restoration, the habitat requirement of giant panda should be fully consider in the whole process of habitat restoration.
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Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the Special Research Program for Public-welfare Environmental Protection Projects (2013467039) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (31170500). We would like to thank Li Yunxi, Zheng Yong, Zhao Jixu, Yuan Zhiwei, Lan Gaoshan, Ouyang Jie, and Jiang Wenlong for their participation in our field work. We also thank Jiang Shiwei, Chen Youping, and Zhao Lianjun in the Wanglang Nature Reserve for their assistance during the field work.
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Kang, D., Wang, X., Yang, H. et al. Habitat use by giant panda in relation to man-made forest in Wanglang Nature Reserve of China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 13440–13445 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3194-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3194-z