[Land use pattern and its dynamic changes in Amur tiger distribution region].
Land use and land cover change has been the primary cause for the habitat loss and fragmentation in the distribution region of Amur tiger (Panthera tigris altaica). Based on the spatiotemporal changes of land use and land cover in the distribution region, as well as their effects on the population dynamics of Amur tiger, this paper analyzed the development process and its characteristics of the main land use types (agricultural land, forest land, and construction land) in this region, with the land use change history being divided chronically into three distinctive periods, i.e., ancient times (prior to 1860), modern times (1860-1949), and contemporary times (after 1949). The results showed that the sporadic land use in ancient times had no significant effects on the survival of Amur tiger, while the extensive and intensive land use after the 1860s was mainly responsible for the decrease of Amur tiger population and its living space. Since 1949, the Amur tiger distribution region has been divided into two parts, i.e., Northeast China and Russia Far East. The differences in land use pattern, policy, and intensity between these two parts led to different survival status of Amur tiger. The key driving forces for the land use change in Amur tiger distribution region were human population increase, policy change, and increased productivity.
Li
Zhong-wen
ZW
Centerfor Landscape Ecology and Sustainability Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China. li.zhwen@gmail.com
Wu
Jian-guo
JG
Kou
Xiao-jun
XJ
Tian
Yu
Y
Wang
Tian-ming
TM
Mu
Pu
P
Ge
Jian-ping
JP
D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D018556:Crops, Agricultural / Q000254:growth & development*; D017753:Ecosystem; D006802:Human Activities; D006801:Humans; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013534:Survival; D046010:Tigers / Q000502:physiology*; D014197:Trees / Q000254:growth & development*