Impacts of Arficial Collecting Bamboo Shoots on the Growth of Qiongzhuea macrophylla and Feeding Habits of Giant Panda

Mabiandafengding Nature Reserve, located at the southernmost of the giant panda's (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) distribution, was a valuable and unique research location for the dynamic of population. Due to the influence of various human disturbances, the numbers of giant panda were reduced from 36 to 18 in 1992-2012. In order to understand how bamboo shoots collection led to a reduction in the population of giant pandas, the situation of bamboo shoots selection was investigated together with the growth of Qiongzhuea macrophylla. The results showed that the local residents collected bamboo shoots for a long period. The situation of bamboo shoots collection was getting worse. Moreover, this was an important source of income for local residents. Based on the investigation compared with the data collected in 20 years ago, the basal diameter, height and density of Q. macrophylla declined significantly because of a long-term bamboo shoots collecting. It could be an important factor in habitat selection of the giant panda in Mabiandafengding Nature Reserve.