Abstract: The assessment of suitable habitats is crucial for wildlife conservation, ecological restoration, and effective management. Species distribution models have been extensively utilized to predict suitable habitats and to analyze the key determinants influencing the distribution of endangered and rare species across diverse regions. To comprehensively understand the suitable area of forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii), we collected presence data using infrared camera traps in the Liupan Mountain National Nature Reserve (2017-2019) and the Gansu Taitong-Kongtong Mountain National Nature Reserve (2023-2024). The MaxEnt model was used to predict the suitable distribution area. The results showed that majority (66.34%) of the suitable habitats were concentrated within two national nature reserves. The Liupan Mountain National Nature Reserve covered an area of 222.33 km², accounting for 32.65% of the reserve area, while the Gansu Taitong-Kongtong Mountain National Nature Reserve covered an area of 76.43 km², accounting for 46.94% of the reserve area. Vegetation type was the most important factor influencing the habitat suitability of forest musk deer in the Liupan Mountain region, with a contribution of 51.7%. Additionally, temperature, precipitation, and human disturbance affected habitat suitability to varying degrees. By evaluating the distribution of suitable habitats and identifying the key environmental determinants, this study provides a scientific foundation for the conservation of forest musk deer and their ecological environment in the Liupan Mountain region.

Key words: forest musk deer, MaxEnt model, suitable habitat, Liupan Mountain region