Study on Morphological Characteristics of Giant Panda’s Staple Food Bamboo and Its Environmental Features in Liziping National Nature Reserve, Sichuan

Abstract

Giant pandas have formed a series of strategies to adapt to bamboo food in the evolution process, such as eating bamboos at different altitudes in different seasons, and bamboos at different altitudes have specific morphological and environmental characteristics. In this study, Liziping National Nature Reserve in Sichuan province was taken as the study area, and the morphological characteristics and site environment differences of different staple food bamboos of giant panda populations in Xiaoxiangling Mountains were revealed through field investigation. The results showed that the basal diameter and height of A. spanostachya, Y. lineolata and F. ferax were significantly different. The F. ferax at low altitude had the largest basal diameter and height, while the A. spanostachya at higher altitude had the smallest basal diameter and height. Different bamboo species have different site environments, mainly in altitude and tree canopy density. Different bamboo species require different tree canopy which is most suitable for growth. The results of this study can provide reference for the habitat restoration and management of the giant pandas in this area, especially the refined management of the giant panda’s staple food bamboo.