Assessment and protective strategy of black muntjac habitat in Zhejiang, China

Habitat degradation and loss had been widely recognized as the main cause for the decline of wildlife population. Habitat assessment can provide essential information for wildlife refuge design and management. In this article, a systematic study on the black muntjac distribution, habitat quality, and spatial pattern was conducted. Initially, the main factors that influence the black muntjac habitat quality were identified, and habitat assessment criteria were set up. The vegetation, topographic, river, road, and village maps were then digitized by the geographical information system (GIS). Finally, the habitat distribution and quality were assessed based on the combination of vegetation, elevation, river system, and impact of human activities. The result showed that the potential habitat for black muntjac covered an area of 3172.6 hm2, and 501.5 hm2 of habitat in the Jiulong Mountain Natural Reserve was lost because of the degradation caused by human activities. The existing suitable habitat is 2671.1 hm2, mostly distributed in Shangliaokeng, Jiulongshan, Neibeiping, Waijiulong, and Dayanqian in Gutian, Zhejiang Province, China.