Ecological‐Linguistic Overlap: The Spatial Congruence Between Giant Panda ( Ailuropoda melanoleuca ) Habitats and Southwestern Mandarin

This study demonstrates significant ecological-linguistic overlap between the distribution of the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) and Southwestern Mandarin in China. Analysis of data from China's 4th National Giant Panda Survey reveals that 1745 of the 1864 recorded wild individuals (93.62%) reside in counties where Southwestern Mandarin is the predominant dialect. Spatial analysis confirmed a strong and statistically significant congruence (Schoener's D = 0.92, p = 0.04). Paleontological records further indicate that approximately 80%-90% of giant panda fossils are clustered within these linguistic zones. This ecological-linguistic overlap may be attributed to shared environmental drivers and bamboo's dual ecological-cultural role, providing a regional-scale empirical case consistent with the core tenets of the ecological risk hypothesis. Our findings highlight the potential of linguistic maps as a supplementary layer of information for identifying conservation priorities.