Effects of Forest Roads on Habitat Pattern for Sables in Da Hinggan Mountains, Northeasten China

The anthropogenic managements of forest have created a network of roads resulting in the loss and alternation of habitat. To better understand road＇s impact on animal habitats, we assessed the habitat pattern of sables （Martes zibellina）, one of rodents within national first-class protected species,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chinese geographical science 2014-10, Vol.24 (5), p.587-598
Main Authors: Li, Yuehui, Wu, Wen, Xiong, Zaiping, Hu, Yuanman, Chang, Yu, Xiao, Duning
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aerial photography
Animal populations
Anthropogenic factors
Earth and Environmental Science
forest roads
Forests
Geography
Habitats
home range
landscapes
Martes
Mountains
Protected species
Roads
Roads & highways
rodents
Wildlife
中国东北地区
人居模式
啮齿动物
大兴安岭
森林站
生境类型
紫貂
道路网络
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Summary:The anthropogenic managements of forest have created a network of roads resulting in the loss and alternation of habitat. To better understand road＇s impact on animal habitats, we assessed the habitat pattern of sables （Martes zibellina）, one of rodents within national first-class protected species, when roads are considered in Huzhong area in Da Hinggan Mountains, northeastern China. Em- ploying published literatures about behavior ecology, aerial photographs and forest stand maps, we classified the study area into three habitat types including best-suitable, suitable and unsuitable habitats based on sable habitat requirements at the landscape scale includ- ing four variables derived from forest source map with attribute database. Results indicated the loss and significant fragmentation of best-suitable habitat and home range habitat when roads, especially 150 m avoidance distance of roads, were considered. The roads re- duced and fragmented highly suitable habitats more significantly during earlier development period than the later development period. Additionally, the suitable area percentage increased with increasing distance to roads. This study helped to identify the suitable area for sables and location of sable population. Also, this study suggested the passage construction and road management involving road clo- sure and removal will reduce the fragmentation functionally and benefit the sable population.
ISSN:1002-0063
1993-064X
DOI:10.1007/s11769-014-0674-5