Author(s): Yang, Z., Hu, J. & Liu, N.
Title: The influence of dispersal on the metapopulation viability of Giant Panda (Aliuropoda melanoleuca) in the Minshan mountains
Year: 2007
Volume: 53
Pages: 169-184.
Abstract: Giant Panda Aliuropoda melanoleuca is a rare ancient animal native to China, and its population in the Minshan Mountains in China has been divided into six subpopulations that are almost disconnected from each other. The six sub-populations are named respectively BH sub-pop, ZZWG sub-pop, MS sub-pop, BCH sub-pop, QFS sub-pop and GGS sub-pop. It is crucial and urgent to find ways to conserve these isolated subpopulations. In this study VORTEX software is used to model the dynamics of the Giant Panda population over the next 100 years in the Minshan Mountain as a metapopulation (named Minshan meta-pop). Results are as follows: (1) If there were no dispersers, BH sub-pop, ZZWG sub-pop, QFS sub-pop and GGS sub-pop would become extinct within 100 years, and the population size of MS sub-pop and BCH sub-pop would increase within 100 years. (2) If there were immigrants the four little sub-populations (BH sub-pop, ZZWG sub-pop, QFS sub-pop and GGS sub-pop) would retain more than 90% of their current genetic diversity over the next 100 years, even if the dispersal rate was just 1%. (3) High dispersal rate was not of benefit to population growth and maintenance of genetic diversity in the metapopulation. (4) In the polygynous system of the Giant Panda, the male plays an important role in dispersal. Limiting the dispersal of females and increasing the successful dispersal of males could promote the development of the metapopulation. (5) Altering the age of dispersers had almost no impact upon the dynamics of metapopulations. (6) In order to ensure that this metapopulation will survive for 100 years, the minimum effective viable population size (Ne) should be 40 breeding individuals or 100 total individuals with a stable age distribution. Finally, we put forward some specific recommendations in light of the current situation faced by Giant Pandas in the Minshan Mountains, such as constructing "corridor belt" to link large and small populations and analyzing the sensitivity of Giant Panda population.
Keywords: metapopulation, Giant Panda, Population Viability of Analysis, VORTEX, dispersal
Journal: Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae
Journal abbreviation:
ISSN: 1217-8837
Publisher: Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest
Editor(s): Bakonyi, G., Mahunka, S., Papp, L., Báldi, A., Csuzdi, Cs. & Forró, L.
