%0 Journal Article %A LI Weiping %A BAO Heng %A ZHANG Minghai %T Habitat analysis and design of potential ecological corridors for Amur Tiger in Northeastern China %D 2017 %R 10.16829/j.slxb.201704001 %J ACTA THERIOLOGICA SINICA %P 317-326 %V 37 %N 4 %X Amur tiger(Panthera tigris altaica)is the largest of the five remaining tiger subspeciesAs the flagship species for global biodiversity conservation, it plays an indispensable role in maintaining healthy ecosystem functions. In recent decades, tiger conservation has faced enormous challenges, mainly due to strong human disturbance of their habitats, leading to the further habitat fragmentation, insularization of tiger's main geographic range and disruption of natural ecological corridors. Therefore, identifying the tigers’ core habitats, developing and restoring ecological corridors between key habitats are very important. In this research, by using the expert model combining Amur tiger habitat selection rules and habitat features, we analyzed 7 main parameters, including the vegetation type, distribution of national and provincial natural reserves, terrain and human disturbance factor. We determined the relative importance values for factors by an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), then, by using the weighted linear equation, we identified potentially suitable habitats for Amur tiger, the Amur tiger’s core habitats and the synthetical cost values among the distribution area. Using the corridor design model (Linkage mapper), we proceeded with the design of potential ecological corridors between core habitats. Ultimately, we identified 21 potential ecological corridors, connecting areas of the Amur tiger’s current sporadic distribution in China, especially the migration channels between Zhangguangcailing - Wandashan - Laoyeling, which has practical significance for expanding living space for this species.
%U http://www.mammal.cn/EN/10.16829/j.slxb.201704001