Identifying priority protection areas of key food resources of the giant panda

Animals that live in seasonal environments adjust their reproduction cycle to optimize seasonal forage quality.Giant pandas(Ailuropoda melanoleuca)are seasonal altitudinal migrants that feed on bamboo shoots and leaves with different nutritional quality.However,the importance of bamboo shoots to giant pandas,especially small and isolated populations,is not fully appreciated.Here,we explored whether mating time of giant pandas is shaped by bamboo shoot phenology.We also assessed the intensity of ongoing bamboo shoot harvesting by local communities in 42 giant panda reserves based on questionnaire surveys.Varying intensity and protection levels of bamboo shoot harvesting were found.From these data,we developed a priority ranking scheme of protection areas for this key food resource.Our study showed that pandas time their mating behavior to coincide with bamboo shoot phenology due to the high nutritional demands associated with mating and pregnancy.We also found that bamboo shoots were not well protected in many places.Liangshan,Daxiangling,and Xiaoxiangling,containing the most isolated panda populations,were identified as the areas with the most urgent need of protection.Furthermore,equal attention should be paid to the Qiong L-B population,as this region holds considerable potential to serve as a corridor between the Minshan and Qionglai populations.To address the challenges posed by bamboo shoot harvesting,we recommend establishing more practical bamboo shoot management policies,increasing public awareness of bamboo shoot protection,and providing alternative sources of income for local communities.

Need of a paradigm shift to conserve endangered species in China’s national park system

CHINAS EVOLVING NATIONAL PARK DESIGNATIONS AND SINGLE LARGE PROTECTED AREA OR SEVERAL SMALL PROTECTED AREAS(SLOSS)DEBATE As of 2021,the International Union for Conservation of Nature estimated that there are over 6,000 national parks(NPs)in more than 100 countries,most of which are strongly focused on endangered species.1 Over the past 6 years,China has invested US$20million in developing the Giant Panda National Park(GPNP)and a furtherUS$16million in establishing theNortheast China Tiger and Leopard National Park(NCTLNP).