Final Report - Asian Development Bank

TA 4721-PRC: Preparing the Shaanxi-Qinling Mountains Integrated Ecosystem Management Project
Final Report Appendix 5
51. Pan and his colleagues studied Giant Panda in Changqing Forestry District of the Qinling
from 1986-1999. Twenty-one Giant Pandas were radio-instrumented during the project, enabling
study of habitat use, spatial distribution, and reproductive biology. In summary, the following points
are considered most critical to management of the species across the Qinling:
(i) the Qinling population is concentrated in the upper reaches of three valleys drained by
the Xushui, Youshui, and Jinshui Rivers;
(ii) Giant Pandas occupy habitats ranging in elevation from 1,300-3,000 m: farming and
associated villages limit Panda movements below 1,300 m;
(iii) south-facing slopes were preferred;
(iv) Giant Pandas occurred in four populations: three were close enough to permit panda
movements between them (Xinglongling, Niuweihe, and Taibaishan) and the fourth
was isolated (Tianhuashan);
(v) the three connected areas were estimated to support 167-331 Giant Pandas;
(vi) the sex ratio of the population was 1:1 and females produced one offspring every two
years;
(vii) Giant Pandas attained sexual maturity at the age of 4.5 years;
(viii) the population growth rate was estimated at 4.1% annually; and
(ix) genetic diversity of the population had not been degraded by inbreeding.
52. Pan and colleagues concluded that:
(i) the reproductive potential, population structure, and genetic diversity of the Qinling
population favor its long-term survival;
(ii) human-caused habitat destruction is the greatest threat to the Qinling population and
extinction can only be prevented by protecting Giant Panda habitats;
(iii) population management measures should focus on the boundary between the
farmlands at lower elevations and the lower forest habitats;
(iv) Giant Panda will probably survive in the Qinling if management is based on good
science and loving concern for the species.
iv. Research at Foping National Nature Reserve
53. San Diego Zoo’s Center for Research on Endangered Species (CRES) initiated in 2006 a
program through its Panda Unit to conduct a long-term intensive research on the conservation
behavior and ecology of Giant Pandas at Foping Nature Reserve. Research addresses specific
conservation issues of wild Pandas to yield results of conservation value for wild Pandas. Research
topics include: mating behavior and dispersal of young and impacts of these factors on genetics;
denning ecology with respect to logging of old-growth trees that formerly provided den sites, and
prospects for installation of man-made dens. The Panda Unit also plays a supportive role in
continuing financial and scientific capacity-building of Chinese conservation biologists and managers
working with giant pandas. This acknowledges emerging scientific talent in China and the need for
conservation initiatives to be largely run by Chinese nationals, as this ensures maximum long-term
sustainability.
v. Census of Giant Panda
54. The global Giant Panda population was estimated in three counts in 1974-77, 1985-88 and
2004 15 . Totals were 2,459, 1,112, and 1,596, respectively (Figure 1). Counts for the Qinling from the
same three periods were 237, 109, and 273, respectively. The Qinling population was estimated at
300 after the 2004 census in which 273 pandas were counted. Foping NNR in the Qinling supports
the highest density of pandas in China.
55. The decline in Panda numbers from the first to second counts (Figure 1, Table 6) resulted
mainly from the reduced area of survey from nearly 30,000 km 2 in the first count to nearly 14,000 km 2
in the second count. However, Panda habitats were degraded in Sichuan Province during the 12
years between counts and Panda numbers declined sharply as well. Habitat degradation was
15 rd
SFA. 2006. The 3 National Survey Report on Giant Pandas in China. Science Press, Beijing. 355p + maps,
in Chinese.
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