Den habitat selection of the chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis) in Northern Guangxi China

Abstract

A habitats comprises a range of environmental features that provide adequate resources for wildlife to survive. Consequently, the criteria of habitat selection by animals, combines a wider spectrum of both environmental and other factors, with major prerequisites being food resources, availability of shelter and suitable conditions for reproduction. The den habitat selection of the Chinese bamboo rat (Rhizomys sinensis) was studied in Yuanbaoshan Nature Reserve, Guangxi China. The Vanderloeg and Scavia selectivity index (Ei) indicates that the Chinese bamboo rat shows a preference for all habitat features except for slope, slope position and distance to water (P>0.05). Chi-square goodness of fit test showed that canopy density, shelter from wind, distance between shrubs, shrub density, elevation, southern aspect, human disturbance and food abundance, were the preferred features (P less than 0.05). With regards to human disturbance, the Chinese bamboo rat preferred places >1000 m away from human habitation. An eastern and southern sloping direction, a 20°^~40° slope and an elevation range of >1800m were more frequently used. The Chinese bamboo rat prefers habitats lying above 1000m in elevation with high shrub density (with shrub separation under 0.1m). Principle component analysis indicates that concealment factors, geographical factors, interference factors, food factors, and water factors affect the den habitat character of the Chinese bamboo rat. Our results support the notion that the habitat preferences of the Chinese bamboo rat are a tradeoff between suitable habitat features and avoidance of potential human interactions.