Abstract
Red Claw Crab (Chiromancers haematocheir) requires a different habitat in each stage of their life cycle; estuary area at larval stage before metamorphosis, then forest during maturing and matured stages. Using this crab as an ecological indicator, suitability of landscape element types in urban park as wildlife habitat was evaluated. Results showed; 1) spaces in and along an artificial stream were favored by the crab, which were located along a forest edge, while bare ground was disfavored, 2) in the forest, holes of stonewall were selectively used, 3) in the artificial stream, areas shaded by planted grasses and stones were preferred, and 4) at a time for larva spawning, a place with an old type stonewall, which has many large holes and vegetation, was selectively used. Water supply by the artificial stream and climate mitigation by the forest were essential functions for supporting the life of these crabs. Even in manmade structures for amenity, such as stream, stonewall, planted grasses and rocks, they successfully make use of such habitats. Therefore, it is evident that manmade structures can be designed multi-functionally for satisfying demands as habitat for wildlife and for the amenity of urban dwellers.
