Understanding Effects of Large-scale Development on Bird Migration and Habitats Through Cutting Edge Avian Monitoring Techniques

Authors

Lei CAO, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, ChinaFollow
Fanjuan MENG, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China
Qingshan ZHAO, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China

Keywords

waterbird; migration; wetland; conservation; satellite tracking; integrated catchment management

Document Type

Biodiversity Conservation and Ecological Civilization

Abstract

The linkage created by migratory birds in time and space and between different global ecosystems, local biodiversity and diverse human culture epitomises the concept of “All Life on Earth”. The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, referred to as the Ramsar Convention below, uses bird abundance as a means to identify the relative significance of Wetlands of International Importance, tightly linking the most threatened wetlands on our planet with waterbird conservation. Wetland loss and degradation in Asia has caused a dramatic decrease in waterbird abundance and diversity, underlining the critical need for monitoring and conserving those natural systems that remain. Through close cooperation with 10 other countries, the Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has established the largest migratory bird movement ecological database in Asia, with independent intellectual property rights. It contains basic data on the migration strategies and flyways of large-bodied birds in Asia. Analyses of these data have shown that migratory large-bodied birds from over 20 Asian countries have all used wetland habitats in China, and the area of intensive use accounts for less than 1.5% of China's total land area, mainly concentrated in the floodplains of just six river systems. Furthermore, we have identified critical relationships between wetland area, inundation area, hydrological process and bird abundance, diversity and behaviour. Large-scale development of wetland and water resources has caused loss and degradation of waterbird habitat, resulting in dramatic decreases in waterbird numbers. From a global perspective, the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats represents a common challenge for all human beings. In recent years, China has pioneered the successful conservation of its most threatened typical wetlands, which provides valuable practical experience and confidence for global biodiversity conservation. Finally, we make recommendations as to how China can take the lead in organizing global migratory bird monitoring and conservation.

First page

436

Last Page

447

Language

Chinese

Publisher

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences

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Recommended Citation

CAO, Lei; MENG, Fanjuan; and ZHAO, Qingshan (2021) "Understanding Effects of Large-scale Development on Bird Migration and Habitats Through Cutting Edge Avian Monitoring Techniques," Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version): Vol. 36 : Iss. 4 , Article 12.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.16418/j.issn.1000-3045.20210309002
Available at: https://bulletinofcas.researchcommons.org/journal/vol36/iss4/12