Application of landscape connectivity in habitat suitability evaluation--Case study in Wolong Nature Reserve, Sichuan, China
Application of landscape connectivity in habitat suitability evaluation case study in Wolong Nature Reserve,Sichuan, China

--Landscape connectivity is a parameter of landscapefunction, which measures the processes by which the sub-populationsof organisms are interconnected into a functional demographic unit.It is a landscape phenomenon which describes the relationshipsbetween landscape subunits. Landscape connectivity can be measuredby measuring the degree to which the landscape pattern facilitatesor impedes movement of animals among resource patches, particularlyfor conserved animal species. In this paper, the landscapeconnectivity for Giant Panda in Wolong Nature Reserve was evaluatedby using landscape ecological model on the base of choosing threenatural affecting factors on Giant Panda and using geographicinformation system. The results demonstrated that only about 90.36km2 (c.a.4.47%) of total area 2023.31 km2 is most suitable for GiantPanda surrvivor, the suitable area is about 226.42 km2 (11.19%),the moderately suitable area is 276.74 km2 (13.67%), as much as1236.51 km2 is total unsuitable for Giant Panda living. The resultwill be helpful for making a decision on improving eco-environmentand protecting Giant Panda in Wolong Nature Reserve.