# Spatial Distribution Pattern of Wild Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) Habitats in the Chengdu Section of the Giant Panda National Park

## TL;DR

This study identifies the best habitats for snow leopards in the Chengdu section of the Giant Panda National Park, showing they are mainly in Dayi and are shaped by cold temperatures and low human presence.

## Contribution

The study provides the first detailed habitat assessment of snow leopards in this region using MaxEnt modeling and camera surveys.

## Key findings

- 95.7% of snow leopard records were found in Dayi County, indicating a core habitat area.
- Low annual ground temperature and distance from human settlements are key factors in habitat suitability.
- Suitable habitat covers 320.98 km², decreasing from Qionglai Mountain to Minshan.

## Abstract

This study evaluates the habitat suitability of the vulnerable snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Chengdu section of the Giant Panda National Park, China, by integrating infrared camera surveys and MaxEnt modeling. The results reveal a highly restricted and uneven habitat distribution, with the core area concentrated in Dayi. Model analysis identified low annual ground temperature and significant avoidance of human settlements as the primary factors shaping habitat suitability. The findings underscore the urgent need to prioritize conservation efforts in the Dayi core area and implement targeted measures to mitigate human disturbance. This research provides critical scientific evidence to inform effective protection and management strategies for this flagship species in the region.

Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) are a flagship species for global biodiversity conservation, and their effective protection relies on accurate habitat assessment. This study focused on the Chengdu section of the Giant Panda National Park (Pengzhou, Dujiangyan, Chongzhou, Dayi), integrating terrain, climate, vegetation and human disturbance factors. Using the MaxEnt model (AUC = 0.943) and field infrared camera data, we evaluated snow leopard habitat quality. Results showed that: (1) 95.7% of snow leopard records were concentrated in Dayi County; (2) Key drivers included annual mean temperature (peak at −2 °C), annual mean ground temperature (peak at −1 °C) and human population density (>5 km), while NDVI (≈2000) had a significant negative effect; (3) Suitable habitat was 320.98 km2 (22.20%), decreasing from Qionglai Mountain to Minshan. This study fills regional survey gaps and provides a scientific basis for snow leopard conservation.