Background:Despite an increasing number of surveys and a growing interest in birdwatching,the population and distribution of Asian Dowitcher(Limnodromus semipalmatus),a species endemic to the East Asian-Australasian a...Background:Despite an increasing number of surveys and a growing interest in birdwatching,the population and distribution of Asian Dowitcher(Limnodromus semipalmatus),a species endemic to the East Asian-Australasian and Central Asian Flyways,remains poorly understood,and published information about the species is largely outdated.In boreal spring 2019,over 22,432 Asian Dowitchers were recorded in a coastal wetland at Lianyungang,Jiangsu Prov-ince,China,constituting 97.5%of its estimated global population.Methods:In 2019 and 2020,we conducted field surveys at Lianyungang to determine the numbers of Asian Dow-itchers using the area during both southward and northward migrations.We also assessed the distribution and abun-dance of Asian Dowitchers elsewhere along the China coast by searching literature and consulting expert opinion.Results:The coastal wetlands of Lianyungang are the most important stopover site for Asian Dowitchers during both northward and southward migrations;they supported over 90%of the estimated global population during north-ward migration in two consecutive years(May 2019 and 2020).This area also supported at least 15.83%and 28.42%(or 30.74%and 53.51%using modelled estimates)of the global population during southward migration in 2019 and 2020 respectively.Coastal wetlands in the west and north of Bohai Bay also have been important stopover sites for the species since the 1990s.Although comprehensive,long-term monitoring data are lacking,available evidence sug-gests that the population of the species may have declined.Conclusions:The high concentration of Asian Dowitchers at Lianyungang during migration means the species is highly susceptible to human disturbances and natural stochastic events.The coastal wetlands of Lianyungang should be protected and potentially qualify for inclusion in China’s forthcoming nomination for World Heritage listing of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China(Phase II)in 2023.Additional research is needed to understand Asian Dowitchers’distribution and ecology,as well as why such a high proportion of their population rely on the Lianyungang coast.展开更多
Background:China's coastal wetlands belong to some of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide.The loss and degradation of these wetlands seriously threaten waterbirds that depend on wetlands.Methods:The China Coa...Background:China's coastal wetlands belong to some of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide.The loss and degradation of these wetlands seriously threaten waterbirds that depend on wetlands.Methods:The China Coastal Waterbird Census was organized by volunteer birdwatchers in China's coastal region.Waterbirds were surveyed synchronously once every month at 14 sites,as well as irregularly at a further 18 sites,between September 2005 and December 2013.Results:A total of 75 species of waterbirds met the 1 % population level Ramsar listing criterion at least once at one site.The number of birds of the following species accounted for over 20 % of the total flyway populations at a single site:Mute Swan(Cygnus olor),Siberia Crane(Grus leucogeranus),Far Eastern Oystercatcher(Haematopus osculans),Bar-tailed Godwit(Limosa lapponica),Spotted Greenshank(Tringa guttifer),Great Knot(Calidris tenuirostris),Spoon-billed Sandpiper(Calidris pygmeus),Saunders' s Gull(Larus saundersi),Relict Gull(Larus relictus),Great Cormorant(Phalacrocorax carbo),Eurasian Spoonbill(Platalea leucorodia),Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor) and Dalmatian Pelican(Pelecanus crispus).A total of 26 sites supported at least one species of which their number met the1 % criterion.Forty-two species met the 1 % criterion in the Yellow River Delta,Shandong;29 at the Cangzhou coast,Hebei and 26 species at the Lianyungang coast,Jiangsu.Conclusions:The results highlight the international importance of China's coastal wetlands for waterbirds.This study also demonstrates that participation of local birdwatchers in waterbird surveys results in data that are invaluable not only for understanding the current status of waterbirds in China's coastal regions but also for waterbird conservation and management.展开更多
Background:The Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor)is a globally threatened species,nesting mainly in western Korea with smaller numbers breeding in Liaoning Province,China,and Far East Russia.Recent winter field sur...Background:The Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor)is a globally threatened species,nesting mainly in western Korea with smaller numbers breeding in Liaoning Province,China,and Far East Russia.Recent winter field surveys to estimate the species'population size were almost totally conducted in coastal areas,but tracking studies showed that some individuals now winter inland.To ensure its long-term survival,we need a more comprehensive assessment of the current distribution and abundance of the species.Methods:We combined the most recent count data and satellite tracking information to update existing informa-tion about the population abundance and distribution of the Black-faced Spoonbill at all stages of its annual life cycle,and how these have changed during 2004-2020.Results:Black-faced Spoonbills mainly breed on the west coast of the Korean peninsula,while immature birds show a wider summer distribution throughout Yellow Sea coastal areas,when a few remain on wintering sites in the south.Combined tracking results and mid-winter counts confirmed known wintering sites on the east and south coasts of China,but showed that the species also winters on wetlands in the Yangtze River floodplain and in Southeast Asia.During 2004-2020,counts of wintering birds in coastal habitats increased from 1198 to 4864,with numbers wintering on the island of Taiwan contributing most to the overall increase.Latest counts found 5222 in 2021.We also identify key wintering and stopover sites as well as their current conservation status.Conclusions:This study revised the known summering and wintering ranges of the Black-faced Spoonbill and assessed the conservation status of key sites based on a combination of field survey and satellite tracking data.We recommend prioritisation of further field research to identify and survey inland wintering areas in the Yangtze River floodplain and summering areas of immature birds.More tracking of adult individuals and birds during spring migration is necessary to fill these information gaps.We also suggest establishing a Black-faced Spoonbill monitoring platform to store,share and show real-time distribution range and population abundance data.展开更多
Background:The Eurasian Spoonbill(Platalea leucorodia)occurs throughout Eurasia and North and sub-Saharan Africa,with three recognized subspecies and six geographically distributed populations.However,in China,we knew...Background:The Eurasian Spoonbill(Platalea leucorodia)occurs throughout Eurasia and North and sub-Saharan Africa,with three recognized subspecies and six geographically distributed populations.However,in China,we knew almost nothing about migration routes,habitat use and effectiveness of current site protection measures for this species.Methods:We deployed Global Positioning System/Global System for Mobile Communications(GPS/GSM)satellite trackers on 29 Eurasian Spoonbills captured in summer in Mongolia and northeastern China,to obtain complete migration routes data from 10 individuals from 19 complete migration episodes.Results:Tracking data showed no geographical overlap during the annual cycle in Eurasian Spoonbills marked in the two main summering areas.Birds marked in the Naoli River Basin in Heilongjiang Province,China,wintered along the Jiangsu coastline in China,while Eurasian Spoonbills from two discrete summering areas(in Inner and western Mon-golia)overwintered inland in the Yangtze River floodplain of China.Excluding the single Inner Mongolian bird,spring migration was significantly faster than autumn migration in the other two groups of birds.Eurasian Spoonbills mainly used water,wetland and grassland habitats in summer,but almost exclusively water in winter.Lack of protection of staging sites used by all the birds in spring and poor levels of protection throughout the annual cycle for western Mongolian birds(5-22%)gives considerable cause for concern,although sites used in other time by East Mongolian and Naoli River birds in the rest of their annual life cycle enjoyed good levels of protection(49-95%).Conclusions:These results revealed previously unknown relationships between summering and wintering areas,migration routes and stopover sites for Eurasian Spoonbills wintering in China,suggesting the existence of discrete biogeographical population units.They also identified winter habitat use of Eurasian Spoonbills in China,confirming open water habitats as being critical throughout the annual cycle,although based on small sample size,gaps in cur-rent site safeguard networks for these populations.展开更多
基金supported by the Science and Technology Innovation Committee of Shenzhen Municipality(JCYJ20190809115207397).
文摘Background:Despite an increasing number of surveys and a growing interest in birdwatching,the population and distribution of Asian Dowitcher(Limnodromus semipalmatus),a species endemic to the East Asian-Australasian and Central Asian Flyways,remains poorly understood,and published information about the species is largely outdated.In boreal spring 2019,over 22,432 Asian Dowitchers were recorded in a coastal wetland at Lianyungang,Jiangsu Prov-ince,China,constituting 97.5%of its estimated global population.Methods:In 2019 and 2020,we conducted field surveys at Lianyungang to determine the numbers of Asian Dow-itchers using the area during both southward and northward migrations.We also assessed the distribution and abun-dance of Asian Dowitchers elsewhere along the China coast by searching literature and consulting expert opinion.Results:The coastal wetlands of Lianyungang are the most important stopover site for Asian Dowitchers during both northward and southward migrations;they supported over 90%of the estimated global population during north-ward migration in two consecutive years(May 2019 and 2020).This area also supported at least 15.83%and 28.42%(or 30.74%and 53.51%using modelled estimates)of the global population during southward migration in 2019 and 2020 respectively.Coastal wetlands in the west and north of Bohai Bay also have been important stopover sites for the species since the 1990s.Although comprehensive,long-term monitoring data are lacking,available evidence sug-gests that the population of the species may have declined.Conclusions:The high concentration of Asian Dowitchers at Lianyungang during migration means the species is highly susceptible to human disturbances and natural stochastic events.The coastal wetlands of Lianyungang should be protected and potentially qualify for inclusion in China’s forthcoming nomination for World Heritage listing of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China(Phase II)in 2023.Additional research is needed to understand Asian Dowitchers’distribution and ecology,as well as why such a high proportion of their population rely on the Lianyungang coast.
文摘Background:China's coastal wetlands belong to some of the most threatened ecosystems worldwide.The loss and degradation of these wetlands seriously threaten waterbirds that depend on wetlands.Methods:The China Coastal Waterbird Census was organized by volunteer birdwatchers in China's coastal region.Waterbirds were surveyed synchronously once every month at 14 sites,as well as irregularly at a further 18 sites,between September 2005 and December 2013.Results:A total of 75 species of waterbirds met the 1 % population level Ramsar listing criterion at least once at one site.The number of birds of the following species accounted for over 20 % of the total flyway populations at a single site:Mute Swan(Cygnus olor),Siberia Crane(Grus leucogeranus),Far Eastern Oystercatcher(Haematopus osculans),Bar-tailed Godwit(Limosa lapponica),Spotted Greenshank(Tringa guttifer),Great Knot(Calidris tenuirostris),Spoon-billed Sandpiper(Calidris pygmeus),Saunders' s Gull(Larus saundersi),Relict Gull(Larus relictus),Great Cormorant(Phalacrocorax carbo),Eurasian Spoonbill(Platalea leucorodia),Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor) and Dalmatian Pelican(Pelecanus crispus).A total of 26 sites supported at least one species of which their number met the1 % criterion.Forty-two species met the 1 % criterion in the Yellow River Delta,Shandong;29 at the Cangzhou coast,Hebei and 26 species at the Lianyungang coast,Jiangsu.Conclusions:The results highlight the international importance of China's coastal wetlands for waterbirds.This study also demonstrates that participation of local birdwatchers in waterbird surveys results in data that are invaluable not only for understanding the current status of waterbirds in China's coastal regions but also for waterbird conservation and management.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31870369 and 31970433)China Biodiversity Observation Networks(Sino BON)。
文摘Background:The Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor)is a globally threatened species,nesting mainly in western Korea with smaller numbers breeding in Liaoning Province,China,and Far East Russia.Recent winter field surveys to estimate the species'population size were almost totally conducted in coastal areas,but tracking studies showed that some individuals now winter inland.To ensure its long-term survival,we need a more comprehensive assessment of the current distribution and abundance of the species.Methods:We combined the most recent count data and satellite tracking information to update existing informa-tion about the population abundance and distribution of the Black-faced Spoonbill at all stages of its annual life cycle,and how these have changed during 2004-2020.Results:Black-faced Spoonbills mainly breed on the west coast of the Korean peninsula,while immature birds show a wider summer distribution throughout Yellow Sea coastal areas,when a few remain on wintering sites in the south.Combined tracking results and mid-winter counts confirmed known wintering sites on the east and south coasts of China,but showed that the species also winters on wetlands in the Yangtze River floodplain and in Southeast Asia.During 2004-2020,counts of wintering birds in coastal habitats increased from 1198 to 4864,with numbers wintering on the island of Taiwan contributing most to the overall increase.Latest counts found 5222 in 2021.We also identify key wintering and stopover sites as well as their current conservation status.Conclusions:This study revised the known summering and wintering ranges of the Black-faced Spoonbill and assessed the conservation status of key sites based on a combination of field survey and satellite tracking data.We recommend prioritisation of further field research to identify and survey inland wintering areas in the Yangtze River floodplain and summering areas of immature birds.More tracking of adult individuals and birds during spring migration is necessary to fill these information gaps.We also suggest establishing a Black-faced Spoonbill monitoring platform to store,share and show real-time distribution range and population abundance data.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.31970433)Youth Innovation Promotion Association+1 种基金Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.2020046)China Biodiversity Observation Networks(Sino BON)。
文摘Background:The Eurasian Spoonbill(Platalea leucorodia)occurs throughout Eurasia and North and sub-Saharan Africa,with three recognized subspecies and six geographically distributed populations.However,in China,we knew almost nothing about migration routes,habitat use and effectiveness of current site protection measures for this species.Methods:We deployed Global Positioning System/Global System for Mobile Communications(GPS/GSM)satellite trackers on 29 Eurasian Spoonbills captured in summer in Mongolia and northeastern China,to obtain complete migration routes data from 10 individuals from 19 complete migration episodes.Results:Tracking data showed no geographical overlap during the annual cycle in Eurasian Spoonbills marked in the two main summering areas.Birds marked in the Naoli River Basin in Heilongjiang Province,China,wintered along the Jiangsu coastline in China,while Eurasian Spoonbills from two discrete summering areas(in Inner and western Mon-golia)overwintered inland in the Yangtze River floodplain of China.Excluding the single Inner Mongolian bird,spring migration was significantly faster than autumn migration in the other two groups of birds.Eurasian Spoonbills mainly used water,wetland and grassland habitats in summer,but almost exclusively water in winter.Lack of protection of staging sites used by all the birds in spring and poor levels of protection throughout the annual cycle for western Mongolian birds(5-22%)gives considerable cause for concern,although sites used in other time by East Mongolian and Naoli River birds in the rest of their annual life cycle enjoyed good levels of protection(49-95%).Conclusions:These results revealed previously unknown relationships between summering and wintering areas,migration routes and stopover sites for Eurasian Spoonbills wintering in China,suggesting the existence of discrete biogeographical population units.They also identified winter habitat use of Eurasian Spoonbills in China,confirming open water habitats as being critical throughout the annual cycle,although based on small sample size,gaps in cur-rent site safeguard networks for these populations.
