Abstract:From July 2005 to June 2006, habitat selection and use by black muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons) were studied in Jiulong Mountain Natural Reserve, Zhejiang Province, China. Sampling plots were located every 200m along six redomly located transects, and a total of 442 plots were sampled. Vegetation type, % tree, shrub, grass cover, position on slope (upper medium, or lower), slope aspect, slope angle, food abundance, elevation, distance to nearest human disturbance, and the distance to nearest water source were recorded. Plots were examined seasonally to determine recent use by black muntjac. Selectivity of black muntjac for each environmental variable was calculated using the Vanderploeg and Scavia selectivity index for spring, summer, autumn and winter. Additionally, Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was done to determine the important factors affecting habitat selection of the black muntjac in all four seasons. In spring, black muntjac preferred to select the environment of mixed forest sites with ＞60%-80% shrub cover, ＞20%-40% grass cover, high food abundance (＞68%), medium slope position, gentle slope (＞15-30°), Altitude between 1000m and 1200m, and human disturbance ＞1000m. In summer, black muntjac select the environment of mixed forest sites with ＞20%-60% tree cover, ＞20%-40% grass cover, high food abundance (＞68%), upper slope position, high slope (＞30-45°), and elevation ＞1200m. In autumn, black muntjac select sites with ＞20%-40% shrub and grass cover, medium and lower slope position, medium slope (＞15-30°), high food abundance (＞68%), elevation between 1000m and 1200m, and distance to nearest human disturbance and water source＞1000m. In winter, black muntjac preferred to select the environment of coniferous forest sites with ＞60%-80% tree cover, ＞20%-60% shrub cover, ＞40%-60% grass cover, lower slope position, medium slope (＞15-30°), southward aspect, high food abundance (＞68%), and distance to nearest water source ＞500 m. PCA indicated that % tree cover, slope, food abundance and distance to nearest human disturbance were important factors influencing black muntjac habitat selection in spring. Percent tree cover, slope, aspect, elevation, and distance to nearest human disturbance were important factors in the summer. In the autumn, key factors influencing habitat selection were % tree cover, slope, slope position and food abundance. Percent tree cover, slope, slope position, and distance from water resources were important factors affecting habitat selection in the winter. These results demonstrate seasonal changes in habitat selection by black muntjac and will improve management of endangered black muntjac population.