Abstract: To understand the winter bed-site microhabitat characteristics of Pére David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus) can provide theoretical basis for seeking strategies to scientifically protect and effectively manage E. davidianus in winter. In this paper, an investigation was conducted in 61 E. davidianus bedsite quadrants and 70 control quadrants in Hubei Shishou Milu National Nature Reserve from November 2011 to February 2012, aimed to understand the winter bedsite microhabitat selection by E. davidianus in the Reserve. The E. davidianus preferred the habitats with richer food, higher degree of vegetation cover, and better shelter for bedding down in winter. The principal component analysis showed that food richness, ambient temperature, and comfort index were the key factors affecting E. davidianus bedsite microhabitat selection. This study analyzed the reqirements of E. davidianus for the ecological factors of winter bedsite microhabitat, which would help to the insitu and ex-situ protection of wild E. davidianus population.

Key words: single-seed sowing, peanut, canopy microenvironment, photosynthetic characteristics, yield.