Abstract: Based on the maps of habitat factors in Zhalong wetlands in 1996 and 2004, two models called habitat suitability index model and nearest neighbor analysis model were established to quantitatively analyze the changes of reproduction habitat quality of red-crowned crane in Zhalong wetlands. The results showed that in 1996-2004, the suitable reproduction habitats of red-crowned crane in the wetlands experienced both area loss and functional loss. By the end of  2004, the suitable habitats in the study area lost greatly, and those in core area undergone serious fragmentation. Consequently, the habitatselection behaviors of red-crowned crane responded in two ways: one was the centralization of nests towards core area, and the other was the spatial distribution pattern changed from uniform to aggregative.

Key words: habitat suitability evaluation, distribution pattern, fragmentation, red crowned crane population, Zhalong National Natural Reserve