Habitat selection of takin (Budorcas taxicolor)in Cibagou Nature Re- serve of Tibet,China
WU Pengju,ZHANG Endi
2006, 26(2):
152-158.
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In recent decades most studies of takin (Budorcas taxicolor)have been conducted in Shaanxi,Sichuan and Yunnan. Relatively little work has been focused on habitat selection of takin and especially,that of the species in Tibet. From December 2001 to August 2002,we conducted a study on habitat selection of takin in Cibagou Nature Reserve, which lies in Zayu county,southeastern Tibet. Cibagou is characteristized by high mountains and deep valleys. We randomly placed fourteen transects oriented perpendicularly to elevation contours within the Cibagou valley. Within transects,we set a total of 187 sample plots (10 m×10 m)every 250 m from the bottom to the upper. At each plot,we quantified 10 variables (including vegetation and other quantitative factors). Plots were checked for fresh tracks of takin in winter,spring and summer. Vanderloeg coefficients and the Scavia indices were used to evaluate takin habitat selection. Takin used 44 plots in winter,39 in spring,and 20 in summer. Takin actively selected for Rhododendron-coniferousforest,Fargesia-coniferous forests and Theropencedrymion in winter,Fargesia-coniferous forests and Theropencedrymion in
spring,and Alpine meadow-shrubs and Rhododendron-coniferous forests in summer. Vanderloeg coefficients and Scavia indices confirmed these seasonal differences. Discriminant analysis of nine quantitative factors didn't show the significant difference between winter and spring,despite the significant differences among bamboo density,elevation and slope degree between the two seasons;the differences between spring and summer,winter and summer were highly significant in the analysis, and bamboo density,shelter,canopy cover,tree density,and especially elevation,also took on significant seasonal difference. Based on the comparison of researches on takin habitat between in Cibagou and elsewhere,we suggest that food might play a key role on vertical migration of takin,whereas salt might also influence takin movements in summer.