Habitat Selection: Autumn and Winter Behavioral Preferences of Water Deer ( Hydropotes inermis ) in Northeast China

Yue Sun, Zongzhi Li, Junda Chen, Romaan Hayat Khattak, Zhensheng Liu () and Liwei Teng ()
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Yue Sun: College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Zongzhi Li: College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Junda Chen: College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Romaan Hayat Khattak: College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Zhensheng Liu: College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
Liwei Teng: College of Wildlife and Protected Areas, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-13

Abstract: The wild water deer ( Hydropotes inermis ) population has declined rapidly over recent decades and has reached an endangered status in China. Therefore, it is important to understand their habitat selection to effectively protect both existing and emerging populations. This paper used the data of 11 habitat factors in Baishan Musk Deer National Nature Reserve in the autumn and winter from 2018 to 2019 to conduct a habitat selection study of water deer by resource selection function analysis. The results indicated that in both the autumn and winter, water deer preferred grasslands at sunny and middle slopes, dominated by Artemisia carvifolia and A. argyi , respectively. In addition, the resource selection function showed that the height of dominant herbage, hiding cover, distance from water, and distance to human settlements greatly contribute to the habitat selection of water deer in the cold season. The correct prediction rate of the resource selection function model exceeded 80%, highlighting its suitability for predicting the habitat selection of water deer. The outcomes of this study provide an effective scientific basis for the conservation and restoration of water deer, and valuable enlightenment for implementing a sustainable development strategy in northeast China.

Keywords: water deer; habitat selection; resource selection function; redistribution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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