Disturbance control can effectively restore the habitat of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca)

Abstract

Expanding human disturbances on a global scale are encroaching upon wildlife habitat. Management of human–wildlife conflict is an important issue in biodiversity conservation. Conservation decisions are supported by information on how many habitats could be recovered by controlling human disturbances, yet it has rarely been quantitatively studied. Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are still confronted with threats of human disturbance even though populations have been restored in recent decades. In this study, the impact of four types of human disturbance, including livestock, infrastructure, farming and other disturbances were assessed based on a dataset that covers 75% of total giant panda population. Five scenarios where disturbances are controlled were used to evaluate the habitat area that can be restored by controlling disturbance. Results revealed that 2102 km2 of suitable habitat can be restored if all these disturbances were completely controlled. Controlling livestock alone can restore up to 830 km2 of habitat, much more than controlling farming or infrastructure. Controlling infrastructure restored more habitat than the other disturbances in the Daxiangling and Qionglai Mountains. Moreover, in the Minshan Mountains, controlling agriculture resulted in the most habitat restoration. It appears, the reserves system does work in controlling the three types of human disturbance, however, more control is needed over human disturbances in order to restore wildlife habitat outside of the reserves. These results not only calculate how much giant panda habitat can be restored by controlling disturbance, but also provide insights for other species habitat management.