Assessment of conservation status of Qinling Natural Reserves Networks

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1 The Second Sino-German Wokshop on Biodiversity Conservation Assessment of conservation status of Qinling Natural Reserves Networks Example of giant panda nature reserves network Li Junsheng Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Science Bonn March 30 th -April 1 st

2 Agenda Background Introduction Spatial Pattern of Established Reserves GAP Analysis of Pandas and Their Habitat Assessment of Reserves Networks Optimization of Reserves Networks 2

3 1. Background Introduction Important Geographical Location Rich Biodiversity Resources Social and Economic Development 3

4 Important Geographical Location The Qinling Mountain are a major mountain range covering a total area of 55,000 square kilometer and reaching elevations of over 3,700 metres, Located mainly in the middle of China. Most of the range locate in Shanxi Province, other in Gansu Province. The range is the one of the most ecogeographical boundaries in China. 4

Important Geographical Location The topography

because it locates between the Loess Plateau and

There are over 30 pinnacles reaching elevations

5 Important Geographical Location The topography and physiognomy of the range are very complex because it locates between the Loess Plateau and the Tibetan Plateau. There are over 30 pinnacles reaching elevations of over 2,000 metre, The mountain are cliffy. the Tibetan Plateau the Loess Plateau 5

6 Important Geographical Location It is also the important boundary from mountains in the western to the plain in the eastern of China. The range is the only area that acts as a water catchment for the two most important rivers in China the Yangtze River and the Yellow River. 6

7 Important Geographical Location From the range of Qinling Mountain to Huaihe River, it is an important isohyet of 800 mm, and isotherm of the 0 in January. The north of the boundary is the semihumid region and the south of boundary is humid region in China. 7

8 Important Geographical Location Qinling Mountain also forms a natural boundary between the North and South of the country. The Northern side of the range is prone to cold weather, however the physical barrier of the mountain mean that the land to the South enjoys a sub-tropical climate, with the rich, fertile landscape supporting a wealth of wildlife and vegetation. 8

9 Important Geographical Location Qinling Mountain is the portion of the boundary between the Palaearctic Realm and the Oriental Realm. And Qinling Mountain is also the ecotone between southern and northern fauna in China. Palaearctic Realm Oriental Realm 9

Rich Biodiversity Resources Qinling Mountains is

rich biology, many endangered, threatened, and

national priority protection wildlife list,

Crested Ibis (Japan's national bird and extinct

10 Rich Biodiversity Resources Qinling Mountains is one of the 17 biodiversity hotspots in china with rich biology, many endangered, threatened, and endemic animal and plant species which need to be well protected. Over 15 animal species have been listed in the national priority protection wildlife list, including Golden Monkey, Golden Takin, Leopard, and Crested Ibis (Japan's national bird and extinct there in the wild). Biodiversity Hotspots in China Golden Monkey Crested Ibis Golden Takin 10 Larix Chinensis

Rich Biodiversity Resources The distribution areas of Panda in Qinling Mountain It is one of the few remaining natural habitats where China's national symbol, the giant

The population size is relatively small and it is distributed in a separate mountain range with little connection with others, which make the Qinling population very

11 Rich Biodiversity Resources The distribution areas of Panda in Qinling Mountain It is one of the few remaining natural habitats where China's national symbol, the giant panda s home. The Qinling panda population is an independent panda population with about pandas. The population size is relatively small and it is distributed in a separate mountain range with little connection with others, which make the Qinling population very fragile. With the rapid development of China, human expansion and disturbances have become major threats to the animal. If no immediate conservation measures were taken, the Qinling panda population may become on the verge of extinction. 11

infrastructure or links to the modern economy.

12 Social and Economic Development Approximately 5 million people live in the QM, many of whom are poor, make their living from agriculture, and live in isolated areas with very limited infrastructure or links to the modern economy. Some region of the range has been highly degraded through inappropriate farming practices, logging, overuse of natural resources and encroachment over many decades. 12

13 2. Spatial Pattern of Established Reserves Crested Ibis 13

14 2. Spatial Pattern of Established Reserves Up to now,to protect these rich biodiversity, especially for panda, 19 national and provincial nature reserves have been established in Qinling Mountain from Five of these are national reserves: Fuping Reserve, Changqing Reserve, Taibai Reserve, Zhouzhi Reserve and Qingmuchuan Reserve. The area cover about hm 2. Province reserves cover about hm 2. Can these established reserves protect the panda population really? 14

15 GAP Analysis of protection of pandas and their habitat Parameters: Elevation Slope Aspect Vegetation Food accessibility 15

16 Parameter of the Panda habitat choosing Parameter Suitability Non-suitability Elevation (m) 1500~ Slope 0 ~30 -- Aspect 67.5 ~ Vegetation Forest Non-forest Food accessibility bamboo -- 16

17 Preparation of data DEM 17

18 Slope 18

19 Aspect 19

20 20

21 Analysis of the relationship between spots and topography, langscape in panda distribution of Qinling Mt.

22 Distribution spot of panda from the second( ) (white spot)and third survey( )(red spot) 22

23 Spatial of distribution areas of panda population in Qinling Mts. 23

24 The Distribution and Population of Panda The number of different population in Qinling Mt.(QLM) Name of Population individuals Note Pingheliang Population 5 Jingjiliang Population 6 Tianhuashan Population 12 Xinglongling-Taibaishan Population (Data from the third survey of panda population) 219 Niuweihe Population 29 Xi Qinling Population 4 In Western of QLM 24

25 Suitability habitat and distribution of panda in Qinling Mt. Xinglongling- Taibaishan Population Tianhuashan Population Jingjiliang Population Pingheliang Population Niuweihe Population 25

26 The suitable spatial area for topography feature among different panda population in qinling Mts.(elevation slope aspect) item Niuweihe Xinglongling -taibaishan tianhuashan Jingjilian g Pingheliang Sum of suitable patch areas among different populations (hm 2 ) Number of suitable patch Average area of different suitable patchs (hm 2 ) Area of the bigest suitable patch (hm 2 ) Sum suitable habitat area in five populations (hm 2 ) % of different population suitable habitat The habitat areas among different populations 14.77% 52.36% 19.55% 7.25% 6.07% % of suitable habitat areas 16.63% 16.09% 19.84% 16.69% 34.10% Sum suitable habitat area of panda distribution region (hm 2 ) % areas between five population and 64.59% distribution region 26 Note: topography feature include: 1) elevation (1500m~2400m), 2) slope(0 ~30 ), 3) aspect (67.5 ~292.5 )

27 Relationship between suitable habitat areas and individual number 27

28 The corelationship between suitable habitat areas and distribution number Correlations Ã Íø ñðü Ã ÊýÁ Íø ñêêòë µøðîãæ»ý Ã Íø ñðüã ÊýÁ Pearson Correlation Sig. (2-tailed) 1.291**.007 N Íø ñêêòëµøðîãæ»ý Pearson Correlation.291** 1 Sig. (2-tailed) N **. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed). 28

29 Suitability habitat and distribution of panda in Qinling Mt. 29

30 Distribution of forest and panda in Qinling Mt. 30

31 Forest areas in different population Item Niuwehe Xinglongling -Taibaishan Tianhuashan Jingjiliang Pingheliang Forest areas in different of populations (hm 2 ) The number of forest patch Average areas of forest patchs(hm 2 ) The bigest area of forest patchs(hm 2 ) The ratio of forest areas in different of the populations % 58.04% 14.91% 6.35% 2.32% 31

32 Analysis of forest fragment in panda distribution 32

33 The food of panda Fargesia qinlingensis Fargesia dracocephala 33

34 Distribution of panda food Fargesia qinlingensis Fargesia dracocephala 34

35 Ecological Carrying capacity of panda distribution region

36 Risk assessment of population Name of habitat The areas of different habitats and their theory ecological capability(nest:10.62k m2 ) Areas of habita t (ha) Theory capab ility Forest areas (ha) Theory capab ility of forest Suitable topog raphy areas (ha) Theory capab ility of topog raphy areas Niuweihe Actual number Xinglongling- Taibais han Tianhuashan Jingjiliang Pingheliang

37 37

38 Case of dead Some dead case of the panda were found on 1 July 2006, 12 December 2007,19 March, 5 July Some individual injured while feeding on cliff. 38

39 The Pingheliang population will be extinct because of ecological isolation. 39

40 Risk area 40

41 Analysis of GAS 41

42 Optimization Scheme of reserves network in future To establish 4 new reserves To adjust the boundary of 3 reserves To setup 3 carriages 42

43 Two projects are being carried out: 1) Effect on giant pandas by human activity (high way and dam structure) in Qinling Mts.---funded by WWF 2) Effect on spatial distribution of giant panda by climate change in Qinling Mts. ---funded by MOST Thanks! 43

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