Abstract: We examined land use changes in giant panda protected areas and their impacts on habitat quality for 37 counties (cities/districts) of giant panda habitats in Sichuan Province. Based on the data of land use and habitat threat factors from 2000 to 2020, the changes of habitat quality of giant panda protected areas was analyzed from the perspective of land use change, using land use transfer matrix, land use dynamic degree, landscape pattern index and InVEST model. The results showed that forest land (+1.49%), built-up land (+59.72%), and water area (+27.79%) increased from 2000 to 2020, while grassland (-2.44%) and cultivated land (-2.14%) area decreased. The main change types were the inter-conversion of grassland and forest land and the conversion of cultivated land into built-up land. The spatial variation range of habitat quality and landscape fragmentation in the study area was roughly the same. The habitat quality was lower in the area with higher landscape fragmentation. Spatially, habitat quality decreased from west to east, with the area of improving habitat quality (952.35 km²) being smaller than that of decreasing habitat quality (1562.38 km²). The habitat quality within the giant panda habitats remained stable. The degradation of the overall habitat quality showed an increasing trend, with the mean value of habitat degradation index being increased from 0.018 in 2000 to 0.022 in 2020. Moreover, the spatial distribution patterns of high degree of habitat degradation and low habitat quality were relatively consistent, mainly in the eastern and southern parts of the study area. Our results provide a scientific reference for the conservation and restoration of giant panda habitats.

Key words: giant panda reserve, land use change, InVEST model, landscape pattern, habitat quality.