Abstract:

Spring foraging habitat selection by Mongolian Gazelle (Procapra gutturosa) in Hulun-Beir grassland was studied with cluster analysis. Based on the analyses,It was concluded: The main factors that influence spring foraging habitat selection by Mongolian Gazelle were herding animals disturbance, water sources,human disturbance;The secondary factors were slope degree, slope position, slope aspect, vegetation type, food abundance; wind direction had a little influence on spring foraging habitat selection by Mongolian Gazelle. The optimal spring foraging habitat of Mongolian Gazelle were as follows: distance to herding animals disturbance>2 000 m; distance to water sources≤1 000 m; slope degree 5～25°; distance to human disturbance> 1 000 m; middle slope; Stipa spp. Or Stipa spp. and Aneurolepidium chinese; excellent or fair food abundance; Sunny slope or half sunny and half shady.

Key words: Mongolian gazelle, Feeding habitat selection, Cluster analysis