Habitat Selectivities And Seasonal Variations Of Wolves(Canis Lupus) In Mount Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve, Xinjiang,China

In recent years, with the habitat environment worsening and excessively hunting, Canis lupus population was continuing to reduce, therefore, it had been extremely essential to effectively protect Canis lupus populations and its habitat. To study Canis lupus habitat selectivities in Mount Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve(MKUNR) of Xinjiang, we used samples and control quadrants to study different seasons habitat selectivities and seasonal variations of Canis lupus from February to April, July to August and Novembe to December in 2013.1.The results show that, in spring, Canis lupus preferred to select mountain slopes and mountaintops, 900-1000 m of altitudes, with distance of 2.0 to 4.0k m to permanent water sources, with distance of 0.5-1.0km to main roads, with distance of 2.0-4.0km to nomad communities, and the canopy cover was 0.9-1.0. In summer, Canis lupus preferred to select mountain slopes and mountain trenchs, 900-1000 m of altitudes, with distance less than 2k m to permanent water sources, with distance of 1.5-3.0km to main roads, with distance of 2.0-4.0km to nomad communities, and the canopy cover was 0.9-1.0. In winter, Canis lupus preferred to select mountain slopes and sand dunes, under 800 m of altitudes, with distance less than 2k m to permanent water sources, with distance of 1.5-3.0km to main roads, with distance of 2.0-4.0km to nomad communities, and the canopy cover was 0.5-0.9.2.Principal Component Analysis(PCA) showed that Canis lupus habitat selectivities were mainly affected by human disturbance in spring, by water source in summer, and by food in winter.3. In the protection zone, Canis lupus usually tend to choose far away from nomad communities, but it can greatly reduce Canis lupus being found or hunting risk, which are near roads and close water areas. Canis lupus,which chose altitudes of 900m-1000 m, was easy to find prey, and at the same time could reduce the rate of being discovered. Canis lupus, which chose high hidden environments, was one of the main factors that affect Canis lupus habitat selectivities. Therefore, Canis lupus preferred to choose higher elevation, strong concealment, close to water sources, rich food abundances, less human disturbance or away from residential areas of nomads in MKUNR. At the same time, Canis lupus habitat selectivities occured changes with seasons of year round, it is clearly better adapt to environment of the MKUNR.