Evaluating habitat suitability and potential dispersal corridors across the distribution landscape of the Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) in Sichuan, China

Abstract The new taxonomy status of the red panda has been confirmed recently after a long period of controversy. The Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani) has been classified as a phylogenetic species that is separate from the Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens). Effective conservation of the adjacent genetic populations of the Chinese red panda to maintain its biodiversity is a challenge. Here, we examined the habitat suitability of the main distribution in the mountains in Sichuan, China, which are occupied by the Chinese red panda, by using occupancy models, evaluated the efficacies of potential corridors and analyzed their priorities based on a circuit model, home range analysis, and least-cost path analysis. Our models predicted 18.07%, a relatively small proportion of high- and moderate-suitability habitats (core suitable habitat) in the main distribution mountains of the Chinese red panda. The most suitable core habitat (78.05%) and all identified high priority potential corridors (31) of the Qionglai (QL) population were contained in existing nature reserves and the Giant Panda National Park. In contrast, the Xiaoxiangling-Liangshan (XXL-LS) local populations might face severe conservation issues. A total of 62.87% of the suitable core habitat of the Chinese red panda in the Liangshan Mountains exists outside of nature reserves. This indicates a need to strengthen management and conservation efforts, particularly corridor establishment among the XXL-LS populations. Our findings will provide insight into habitat protection and dispersal of Chinese red panda throughout the main distributions in the mountains in Sichuan. Corridor evaluation methods may also be applied to corridor design for other wildlife and benefit conservation and management.