Analysis of ecological environment factors of Himalayan marmot based on global positioning system, remote sensing and geographical information system in Yushu City, Qinghai Province

Abstract

Objective To analyze the ecological environmental differences of hibernation hole and temporary hole of Himalayan marmot based on global positioning system (GPS), remote sensing (RS) and geographical information system (GIS) in Yushu City, Qinghai Province. Methods Hibernation holes and temporary holes were located based on GPS. Ecological environment factors related with Himalayan marmot, such as land surface temperature (LST), digital elevation model (DEM), normalized different vegetation index (NDVI), were extracted based on RS and GIS. The ecological environment differences between hibernation hole and temporary hole were explored based on epidemiological statistical method. Results Monthly LST (degree Kelvin, K) of hibernation hole was slightly higher than that of temporary hole in the same period. Yearly day LST of hibernation hole was 1.1 K higher than that of temporary hole in the same period. Yearly night LST of hibernation hole was 0.3 K higher than that of temporary hole in the same period. Monthly NDVI of temporary hole was slightly higher than that of hibernation hole in the same period. Yearly NDVI of temporary hole was 0.001 higher than that of hibernation hole in the same period. DEM of temporary hole was about 40 m higher than that of hibernation hole. The top two ratios of soil type factors were both alpine meadow soil and dark felty soil for hibernation hole and temporary hole, which were 62.1% and 29.3%, 64.4% and 25.6%. The top two ratios of land cover factors were both rainfed cropland and mosaic cropland for hibernation hole and temporary hole, which were 43.3% and 25.8%, 40.0% and 26.2%. Conclusions Soil type factors and land cover factors for hibernation hole and temporary hole are similar. Lower DEM and higher LST are chose for hibernation hole, and better NDVI is chose for temporary hole, which is good for food intake. Key words: Himalayan marmot; Ecological environment factors; Disparity; Analysis