Progress in the ecology and conservation of giant pandas

• Published in: Conservation biology Vol. 29; no. 6; pp. 1497 - 1507
• Main Authors: Wei, Fuwen, Swaisgood, Ronald, Hu, Yibo, Nie, Yonggang, Yan, Li, Zhang, Zejun, Qi, Dunwu, Zhu, Lifeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Scientific Publications 01.12.2015; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: Adaptive management; Ailuropoda melanoleuca; Animals; bamboos; behavioral ecology; cambio climático; China; Climate change; Climate change mitigation; communications technology; Conservation; conservation areas; Conservation of Natural Resources; diet; Ecology; ecología de comportamiento; ecología de forrajeo; ecología de paisaje; ecología molecular; Endangered & extinct species; Endangered Species; Environmental restoration; extinction; foraging; foraging ecology; Genetic diversity; genetic variation; habitat conservation; habitat destruction; Habitat fragmentation; Habitat loss; Habitats; landscape ecology; landscapes; manejo adaptativo; molecular ecology; Offspring; old-growth forests; Pandas; Population decline; population dynamics; Population structure; progeny; Protected areas; rearing; Special Section: Balancing Conservation and Development to Preserve China's Biodiversity; Species extinction; Ursidae - physiology; Wildlife conservation; China; ecología de forrajeo; ecología molecular; ecología de paisaje; manejo adaptativo; molecular ecology; behavioral ecology; ecología de comportamiento; adaptive management; cambio climático; foraging ecology; landscape ecology; climate change
• ISSN: 0888-8892; 1523-1739; 1523-1739
• DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12582

Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) conservation is a possible success story in the making. If extinction of this iconic endangered species can be avoided, the species will become a showcase program for the Chinese government and its collaborators. We reviewed the major advancements in ecological science for the giant panda, examining how these advancements have contributed to panda conservation. Pandas’ morphological and behavioral adaptations to a diet of bamboo, which bear strong influence on movement ecology, have been well studied, providing knowledge to guide management actions ranging from reserve design to climate change mitigation. Foraging ecology has also provided essential information used in the creation of landscape models of panda habitat. Because habitat loss and fragmentation are major drivers of the panda population decline, efforts have been made to help identify core habitat areas, establish where habitat corridors are needed, and prioritize areas for protection and restoration. Thus, habitat models have provided guidance for the Chinese governments’ creation of 67 protected areas. Behavioral research has revealed a complex and efficient communication system and documented the need for protection of habitat that serves as a communication platform for bringing the sexes together for mating. Further research shows that den sites in old‐growth forests may be a limiting resource, indicating potential value in providing alternative den sites for rearing offspring. Advancements in molecular ecology have been revolutionary and have been applied to population census, determining population structure and genetic diversity, evaluating connectivity following habitat fragmentation, and understanding dispersal patterns. These advancements form a foundation for increasing the application of adaptive management approaches to move panda conservation forward more rapidly. Although the Chinese government has made great progress in setting aside protected areas, future emphasis will be improved management of pandas and their habitat.