Distribution Modeling Of Breeding Hooded Crane In Heilong Basin And Its Application

Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, but little research has been conducted to date regarding its essential habitat needs. For mastering the distribution of Hooded Cranes’ breeding habitat and better implementing the protection of the species and its habitat. We had made some investigations in the breeding habitat of Hooded Crane in Lesser Khingan Mountains,2011-2013. This study is the first to present and analyze the best available compiled nest data of Hooded Crane from the last years (2002-2013) in China and Russia. Randomforest model was created to analyze the crane’s breeding habitat on an international landscape level by using Salford Predictive Modeler and R. Then, the prediction map was mapped in geographical information system (GIS). The randomforest model shows that cranes in the boreal taiga favor a slope smaller than2.4degrees, an elevation of300-500meters and an aspect facing toward the northeast as their breeding habitat. This prediction map estimates the presence of2,000-3,000pairs of Hooded Crane breed in area of6,832km2(approximately0.18%of the study area). And, only a rather small area (784km2) of the predicted breeding area is located in already existing protected areas. There are significant threats on lack of protected areas and seriously influenced by humanity in breeding habitat of Hooded Crane.