Zonation of nature reserve according to the habitat requirement of conservation target: a case study on the endangered Brown Eared-Pheasant at Baihuashan Nature Reserve

Zoning is an effective way to achieve regional planning and construction as well as standardized management. Efficient management zone designations would contribute to strengthening endangered species and biodiversity conservation of nature reserves. We evaluated the conservation effectiveness of the Baihuashan National Nature Reserve (BNNR), which was established primarily to conserve the vulnerable Brown Eared-Pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum). We used species distribution models (SDMs) and GAP analysis to assess that the suitability of current functional zoning efforts to the protection of this species. Our results showed that current functional zoning is not adequate for protecting the Brown Eared-pheasant in BNNR. To optimize the conservation effectiveness for this species, we recommend a new functional zoning strategy be employed at BNNR, which is based on the distribution of the Brown Eared-pheasant and on the local economy. Our study thus provides a new strategy for optimizing the conservation effectiveness of functional zoning in nature reserves.