Abstract: In this paper, landscape elements evaluation (method I) and principle components analysis (method II) were used to evaluate the habitat suitability of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in Daxiangling Mountains. With method I, the moderate suitable, suitable, and most suitable areas occupied 94.62, 45.46, and 0.21 km², accounting for 4.17%, 2.00%, and 0.01% of the total area, while with method II, the moderate suitable and suitable areas occupied 623.03 and 170.27 km², accounting for 27.49% and 7.51% of the total area, respectively. Both of the two methods could be used to evaluate the habitat of A. melanoleuca in Daxiangling Mountains, but there was a greater difference between the results. Method I needed less money and manpower, but the result was not very accurate, because fewer factors were considered in the evaluation process, which led to the more contribution of one factor to the whole evaluation. Method II needed more money and manpower, and it was very difficult to collect all the necessary data to reach 95% of a ccumulated contribution. These two methods should be integrated together to decrease the error in the evaluation of wild animal habitat suitability.

Key words: Dinghushan, Acid deposition, Chemical properties