Ecological degradation in protected areas: The case of Wolong Nature Reserve for giant pandas

It is generally perceived that biodiversity is better protected from human activities after an area is designated as a protected area. However, we fou nd that this common perception was not true in Wolong Nature Reserve (south western China), which was established in 1975 as a "flagship" protected are a for the world-renowned endangered giant pandas. Analyses of remote sensin g data from pre- and post-establishment periods indicate that the reserve h as become more fragmented and less suitable for giant panda habitation. The rate of Loss of high-quality habitat after the reserve's establishment was much higher than before the reserve was created, and the fragmentation of high-quality habitat became far more severe. After the creation of the rese rve, rates of habitat loss and fragmentation inside the reserve unexpectedl y increased to levels that were;similar to or higher than those outside the reserve, in contrast to the situation before the reserve was created.