Microhabitat Use of Temminck’s Tragopan (Tragopan temminckii) During the Breeding Season in Laojunshan National Nature Reserve, Western China

Habitat utilization is a critical determinant of animal survival and reproductive success. Clarifying species-specific habitat preferences provides essential insights into ecological requirements and forms the basis for sound conservation planning. The Temminck's Tragopan (<i>Tragopan temminckii</i>), a medium-sized, sexually dimorphic pheasant endemic to montane forests of central and southern China, is classified as a nationally protected Class II species. Nevertheless, its fine-scale habitat selection during the breeding season remains inadequately documented. In 2024, we conducted a field investigation in the Laojunshan National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, to examine microhabitat use during this critical period. Our analysis revealed a significant preference for sites characterized by greater tree and bamboo height, higher canopy and bamboo cover, increased litter coverage, and taller shrub layers. In contrast, the species consistently avoided locations dominated by dense, tall herbaceous vegetation. Principal Component Analysis identified six principal components, collectively explaining 71.78% of the total environmental variance. The first component was primarily associated with bamboo structural attributes, the second with tree-layer structure, and the third with proximity to forest edges and streams. These findings indicate that effective conservation of this pheasant requires targeted forest management practices that preserve this specific suite of habitat characteristics, which are essential for ensuring reproductive success and long-term population viability.