Study on the Relationship between Bamboo Resources and Giant Pandas Activities in Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province

Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve in Sichuan is the core channel for the communication of giant pandas in Liangshan Mountains, where there are 23 giant pandas in this area, so it is particularly important to find out the relationship between bamboo resources and giant panda activities in this area. In order to find out the species, distribution and area of wild bamboo species in this area, and the relationship between bamboo species and giant pandas activities region, the field investigation was carried out by the method of sample line and sample square. Based on the movement track of giant pandas, the bamboo species that giant pandas like to eat were investigated. The results showed that giant pandas in this reserve liked to eat Yushania ailuropodina, Yushania brevipaniculata, Yushania dafengdingensis, Yushania mabianensis and Arundinaria faberi, didn’t like Chimonobambusa szechuanensis. There was no trace of activitis in the C. szechuanensis area. The area where pandas like to eat bamboo is up to 43823 hm², however, only 14557 hm² was utilized by giant pandas at present. Since 2018, giant pandas had moved westward in this nature reserve, resulting in a reduction of bamboo utilization area of 5120 hm². All kinds of bamboo species that giant pandas like to eat were distributed at the altitude of 2246~3616 m where giant pandas lived. Giant pandas may move out of the area before the expansion of the nature reserve because of low bamboo shoot rate and high bamboo forest coverage. Meanwhile, slope gradient, landform and slope aspect may also be the factors for giant pandas to move out of this area.