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Chinese Journal of Ecology ›› 2023, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (11): 2797-2805.doi: 10.13292/j.1000-4890.202311.011

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Habitat suitability assessment of large mammals and rare birds in Xianju County based on MaxEnt modeling.

LYU Huanxin1, XIA Shaoxia2*, GU Jingjing3, SU Changhong1*, WANG Chunxiao2,4, CUI Peng5   

  1. (1College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Tianjin Normal University, Tianjin 300387, China; 2Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; 3Xianju National Park Management Committee, Taizhou 317300, Zhejiang, China; 4College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China; 5Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China).

  • Online:2023-11-10 Published:2023-10-31

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Abstract: Assessment of habitat suitability and identification of the driving factors are crucial to the protection and management of species and their habitats, and also are the premise and basis for biodiversity conservation planning. In this study, the distribution of key habitats and their suitability in Xianju National Park pilot area of Xianju County were evaluated using a MaxEnt model based on species occurrence data for large mammals and rare birds sourced from field investigations. Furthermore, the main driving factors and their contributions to habitat suitability were analyzed. The conservation gaps were identified by overlaying these variables on current distribution of protected areas. Finally, suggestions for future regional biodiversity protection and planning are proposed. The results showed that mean value of the area under the curve (AUC) for the 13 target species was 0.956, indicating that the outcome of the MaxEnt model used in this study was reliable. Human population density, mean temperature in the wettest quarter, and land use types were the main factors affecting habitat suitability for mammals. The annual temperature range and mean temperature of the wettest quarter were the main factors affecting the distribution of pheasants, while altitude and slope were the main factors affecting the distribution of suitable areas for wetland birds. In terms of habitat distribution, suitable areas for mammals and pheasants were mainly located around Kuocang Mountain in the south of Xianju County, while suitable areas for wetland birds were located near the Yong’an River. Currently, the protected areas in Xianju County are 316.80 km2, while the suitable habitats located outside the existing protected areas are 160.37 km2 for mammals, 178.67 km2 for pheasants, and 422.65 km2 for wetland birds, indicating some conservation gaps within the current protected system. We suggest the strengthening of biodiversity protection in Xianju County in conjunction with the construction of the Xianju National Park pilot area, which can provide a theoretical basis and best practice guidelines for regional sustainable development.


Key words: mammals, birds, habitat suitability, Xianju County, MaxEnt model.