Giant pandas, as rare wildlife, rely on a series of specific natural environmental factors for their survival.
Research indicates that giant pandas prefer to inhabit areas with dense tree coverage, moderate bamboo density, flat terrain, the distribution of forest gaps, distance from human activities, and ample water sources. These regions not only provide abundant food resources but also ensure relative stability in their living areas. The size of the home ranges for giant pandas varies among different mountain ranges due to differences in natural environment and food resources. Female giant pandas generally have a territory ranging from 3 to 5 square kilometers, while males have larger territories, ranging from 6 to 9 square kilometers.
Currently, the home of giant pandas is primarily concentrated in certain areas of the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, the Western Sichuan Mountains, the Gannan Mountains, and the Qinling Mountains, covering a total area of approximately 2.58 million hectares across Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. According to data from the fourth national giant panda survey report, the panda habitat is divided into 33 patches, most of which are relatively small and severely isolated. In particular, those patches smaller than 100 square kilometers often have panda populations of fewer than 10 individuals, facing a very high risk of extinction.
The conservation of giant pandas and their habitats has become a consensus across society. In the future, it is necessary to further strengthen scientific research, increase conservation efforts, and reduce human activities that disrupt panda habitats.
