Multi-scale habitat selection of Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii) in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan

Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii) exhibits distinct habitat preferences at both landscape and microhabitat scales, with seasonal variations reflecting its life-stage resource demands. The species consistently favors higher elevations (3,700–4,300 m), intermediate slopes (27°–33°), exposed slope-faces, and meadow/tundra-dominated landscapes year-round. However, breeding monals prefer habitats with higher rock coverage, while non-breeding individuals favor areas with greater herbage and lower shrub/litter coverage. This study, conducted using infrared camera monitoring across 15 transects in Wolong National Nature Reserve (2019–2020), applies PCA and logistic regression to analyze microhabitat and landscape-scale data. The findings highlight critical habitats essential for the species' persistence, offering actionable insights for targeted conservation efforts in this globally prioritized protected wildlife.

Yang, H., Cheng, Y., Zhou, T., Feng, X., Hu, Q., Zhang, G., Yang, J., Zhang, J., Wang, B., Zhou, C.,. (2022). Multi-scale habitat selection of Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii) in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan. Biodiversity Science, 30(7), 21535. https://doi.org/10.17520/biods.2021535