Evaluation of habitat suitability based on patches of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Shennongjia, Hubei Province

Researchers identified that agricultural land interference becomes significant at distances beyond 2000 meters, while roads pose a major obstacle to the movement of Sichuan snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Shennongjia, Hubei Province. The study used Poisson regression to model monkey group distribution based on patch-scale features such as vegetation type, patch characteristics, and human interference. Findings revealed that monkeys prefer larger, simpler-shaped patches of cold-temperate coniferous forests and mixed coniferous-broadleaf forests while avoiding agricultural areas. Roads, rather than agriculture, now act as the primary barrier limiting monkey expansion, though agricultural interference remains a concern in certain regions. The study recommends comprehensive monitoring of road and tourism impacts on wildlife within Shennongjia Nature Reserve.

ZHANG Yu, 张宇, LI Li, 李丽, LI Diqiang, 李迪强, & WU Gongsheng, 吴巩胜. (2018). Evaluation of habitat suitability based on patches of the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in Shennongjia, Hubei Province. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 38(11). https://doi.org/10.5846/stxb201705040829