Fine-Scale Evaluation of Giant Panda Habitats and Countermeasures against the Future Impacts of Climate Change and Human Disturbance (2015–2050): A Case Study in Ya’an, China

A comprehensive study predicts that giant panda habitats in Ya’an, China, will expand under climate change alone but shrink significantly (58.56%) when human disturbance is factored in, with suitable habitat shifting westward, northward, and eastward. Unlike previous research showing habitat loss due to climate change, this study found potential increases, emphasizing the critical role of human activity in shaping conservation outcomes. The research used MaxEnt modeling under two scenarios—climate change alone and coupled with human disturbance—to identify priority regions for expansion within the Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries UNESCO World Heritage site. It also highlighted gaps in current conservation networks, suggesting two specific areas for future protection based on high-resolution remote-sensing data and field investigations.

Zhen, J., Wang, X., Meng, Q., Song, J., Liao, Y., Xiang, B., Guo, H., Liu, C., Yang, R., & Luo, L. (2018). Fine-Scale Evaluation of Giant Panda Habitats and Countermeasures against the Future Impacts of Climate Change and Human Disturbance (2015–2050): A Case Study in Ya’an, China. Sustainability, 10(4), 1081. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10041081