Abstract:

The Macaca thibetana is an endemic species to China.Assessment on habitat suitability Macaca thibetana is very important for the conservation,which plays an important role in the rational and scientific protection of this species.To improve the conservational strategy,by using the MaxEnt model,this study evaluated and analyzed the habitat suitability based on site data obtained by infrared camera monitoring technology and three environmental factors such as vegetation,terrain,and human interference for the Macaca thibetana in Xianxialing provincial nature reserve in Jiangshan city.The results showed:the MaxEnt model could accurately predict the spatial distribution of habitat suitability for Macaca thibetana.The moderate and high suitable habitats for Macaca thibetana were mainly distributed in the southeast,northeast,and northwest of the Reserve with high altitude and broad-leaved forests.The area of moderate and high suitable habitats was 3 041.10 hm²,accounting for 43.96% of the total area of the Reserve.Factor variable contribution analysis showed that altitude,distance from road,and slope aspect were the main factors affecting habitat quality,with contribution rates of 33.30%,29.40%,and 12.40%,respectively.Based on the results of the distribution of habitat suitability,we suggested that management department should further rationally plan the functional areas of the reserve through preventing the expansion of the bamboo forest area from causing the degradation of the broad-leaved forest,improving the connectivity between the northwest and southwest suitable habitats,and providing a safe and smooth corridor for the migration of the Macaca thibetana population.

Key words: Macaca thibetana, habitat, suitability, MaxEnt model