ESR prepress abstract   -  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01356

ABSTRACT: Understanding microhabitat use and selection by terrestrial animals and its driving factors is one of the major tasks in ecology and conservation biology. Many habitat selection studies do not differentiate the core (the key protection area of the national nature reserve) and none-core (the buffer zone and experimental zone of the reserve) areas' habitat characteristics, relying instead on presence and absence data. In this study, we compared microhabitat characteristics between the core and non-core areas of François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi) in the Mayanghe National Nature Reserve. Using a resource selection function (RSF), we systematically conducted 20 transects, establishing 228 tree quadrats—162 in the core area and 66 in the non-core area. The collected data included topographic, anthropogenic, and vegetation-related variables. The results indicate that quadrats in core areas had higher elevations and greater distances from roads, rivers, settlements, and agricultural land compared to those in non-core areas. Moreover, we found that elevation, distance to rivers, distance to roads, tree quantity and tree diameter at breast height are key factors driving microhabitat selection of François’ langur (The population distributed in different regions). The findings highlight the importance of prioritizing high-elevation areas that are far from roads to improve habitat management and restoration for François’ langur. This can provide critical insights into understanding habitat selection, which is essential for informing conservation planning and practices. Additionally, it enhances our understanding of habitat selection and contributes to current population conservation efforts.