Selection and Utilization of Microhabitats by Ungulates on the Earthquake Damaged Sites in Autumn

To explore the microhabitat selection and utilization characteristics of ungulates in areas experienced earthquake damages, a regular survey of 40 field sites affected by earthquake in Wolong Nature Reserve was conducted from the second year to the 11th year (2010-2019) after the Wenchuan Earthquake. 10 related environmental factors such as altitude, slope, and aspect on the spot were measured. Kernel density analysis was performed to analyze the characteristics of ungulates on microhabitat selection and utilization, and the overlap of niches among species was evaluated. The results show that: (1) The ungulates with high to low utilization frequency of the sites experienced earthquake damages are Chinese goral (Naemorhedus griseus), sambar (Rusa unicolor), Chinese serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) and tufted deer (Elaphodus cephalophus). The utilization rate of the earthquake-damaged sites by tufted deer increased with vegetation restoration, while the overall utilization rate by Chinese serow decreased. (2) Chinese goral prefers habitats with an altitude of about 2 400 m, large number of woody species, large vegetation coverage and high soil ratio. Chinese serow prefers habitats with altitude of 2 600 m, large number of woody species, small vegetation coverage, and high ratio of bare rock or gravel. The tufted deer prefers habitats with altitude of 2 400-2 600 m, large number of herb species, large vegetation coverage and high soil ratio. The sambar prefers habitats with altitude of 2 100 m, large number of herb species, large vegetation coverage, and high ratio of bare rock or gravel. (3) A high similarity in micro-habitat utilization of earthquake-damaged sites was found between Chinese serow and Chinese goral, and between Chinese goral and tufted deer. The overlap in micro-habitat variables between sambar and Chinese serow, sambar and tufted deer, sambar and Chinese goral is low, and there was a large niche differentiation. By investigating the microhabitat selection characteristics of ungulate species in sites experienced earthquake damages, the study may enrich information about behavioral characteristics of ungulate species in dealing with earthquake damages and support effective species conservation policies and restoration measures after earthquake damages.