JOURNAL OF NANJING FORESTRY UNIVERSITY ›› 2021, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 178-184.doi: 10.12302/j.issn.1000-2006.202004058

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Community structure and diversity of overwintering waterfowls in south coast of Jiangsu Province

WANG Xuan1,2(), CUI Peng3, DING Jingjing1,2,*(), CHANG Qing4   

  1. 1. Jiangsu Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 211153, China
    2. Yancheng Wetland Ecosystem Research Station of Jiangsu Province, Yancheng 224000, China
    3. Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China
    4. College of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
  • Received:2020-04-28 Accepted:2021-02-24 Online:2021-09-30 Published:2021-09-30
  • Contact: DING Jingjing E-mail:xuanzaiwang@163.com;sunshinedjj@163.com

Abstract:

【Objective】 The south coast of Jiangsu Province is not only an important stopover site for waders on the migration way, but also a crucial overwintering sites for many waterfowls birds such as geese and ducks. Recently, the intensive coastal engineering at south coast of Jiangsu Province put a serious influence on biodiversity conservation. 【Method】 The study was conducted from middle to late January 2019. Based on the distribution and activity characteristics of waterfowl habitats in the survey area, the sample point method combined with the sample line method was used to investigate areas along beaches, estuaries, lakes and high tide habitats. The vital areas investigated comprised Tiaozini, Xiaoyangkou, Tongzhou Bay, Lyusi Harbor and Gold Beach. The community structure and diversity of overwintering waterfowls were analyzed. 【Result】 A total of 41 species 35 353 individual of waterfowls were recorded, which belonged to 6 Orders and 10 families. Anseriformes accounted for the largest number of species, accounting for 52.50% of the total number, followed by plovers, accounting for 33.02%. The results showed that Xiaoyangkou and Tiaozini areas were the research focus because of the high number of species and individuals of overwintering waterfowls. In terms of habitat, the number of overwintering waterfowls in artificial fish ponds and tidal mudflats was more than 10 000, which was higher than that in Spartina alterniflora flat, marine reclamation land and reed ponds. In terms of species number, the number of anseriformes in the south coast of Jiangsu Province was higher than that of waders overwintering; in terms of diversity index, Tiaozini had the highest number of waterfowls overwintering, followed by Lyusi Harbor, Gold Beach, Xiaoyangkou, Tongzhou Bay. 【Conclusion】 With continuous loss and degradation of natural wetlands, artificial wetland, as an alternative habitat, plays an increasingly important role for waterfowls to overwinter. Compared to natural wetlands, reasonably managed artificial habitats provide a better choice for overwintering waterfowls. The invasion of Spartina alterniflora has a complex ecological impact on overwintering waterfowls. The fragmentation of reed community and the encroachment of mud flat will reduce the habitat for waterfowls. The rapid expansion of Spartina alterniflora has gradually negatively affected the number and distribution of coastal bird communities.

Key words: coastal wetland, waterfowls, community structure, overwintering, habitat

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