Study On The Population Size And Distribution Of South China Sika Deer In Qingliangfeng Nature Reserve

There were 13 subspecies of Cervus nippon in the world, but only Cervus nippon sinchuanicus and Cervus nippon kopschi are survived as wild species in China. Presently, there are two populations of C. n. kopschi, mainly distributed in two area: some live in the area which march with Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve (Lin'an, Zhejiang province) and Wan jia village (Ning guo, An hui province); the other live in Taohongling National Nature Reserve, the northeast of Jiang xi province.The population size and distribution of C. n. kopschi in Qingliangfeng National Nature Reserve are investigated by the methods of"snow track counting","strip sampling","observation of individual and feces"and"evidence of feeding on plant". The study shows that the average density of C. n. kopschi population in the reserve is 1.86/km2, and the amount is 119 (the range 84-154). The study also points out that C. n. kopschi mostly distribute in a long and narrow area, which composes of Maxiao, Qianqingtang, Dapingxi, Daochangping and Luoshijian. The habitat of this area is full of valleys, sloping field, meadow and boscage. The study reveals that the main habitat of C. n. kopschi is the field full of shrub, grass and arbor, and the most favorite habitat is shrubbery. The altitude range of habitat of C. n. kopschi population in the reserve is from 775m to 1305m, and 77.3% of the population live beyond 800m to 1200m altitude.