Species associations and conservation of Giant Pandas

This paper documents our comparative study on the community environments of giant pandas Ailuropoda melanoleuca between Wolong National Nature Reserve (Wolong NNR), Tangjiahe NNR, and Heizhugou NNR in Sichuan, China using infrared camera data collected from 2017 to 2021, in an attempt to explore the ecological relations of the giant panda with other animals. Results showed that the giant panda belonged to the species association networks of Tangjiahe lower altitude network (Tangjiahe LAN) and Wolong LAN. In Tangjiahe LAN, the giant panda had symmetric associations with two species: the Asiatic golden cat (Catopuma temminckii) and Temminck's tragopan (Tragopan temminckii). In Wolong LAN, the panda was directly associated with six species. Three types of associations were found in Wolong NNR. The first type was mutually asymmetric association between the panda and the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellanae), in which the two species benefited from each other. The second type was a uni-directional asymmetric association between the giant panda and the red panda (Ailurus fulgens), in which the giant panda benefited from the red panda. The third type was symmetric association between the giant panda and other four species, including the Asiatic black bear (Ursus thibetanus), yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), sambar (Rusa unicolor), and tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus), in which they competed for similar ecological resources. In Heizhugou NNR, species didn't form a network and the giant panda was not directly associated with any species. Accordingly, it is suggested that conservation resources be invested on Wolong NNR in the case of resources shortage, because it will ensure the giant panda to further survive easier and, at the same time, will also benefit more other species in surviving. It is also suggested that the state budget currently made for ecological restoration be made with priority to Heizhugou, helping the natural community to recover in the NNR.

Automated summary

This study compares the community environments of giant pandas in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Tangjiahe NNR, and Heizhugou NNR in Sichuan, China using infrared camera data collected from 2017 to 2021. The results reveal the ecological relations of the giant panda with other animals in different networks. It is suggested that conservation resources be invested in Wolong NNR to ensure the survival of the giant panda and benefit other species. The state budget for ecological restoration should prioritize Heizhugou NNR to help the natural community recover.