Spatial and Temporal Variations in Waterbird Communities and its Implications for Ecosystem Management in a Large Temperate Arid Wetland of Northwest P.R. China

Abstract

Wuliangsuhai Lake is one of the key wetlands in the vast arid region of northwest P.R. China, and provides critical breeding and staging habitats for waterbirds in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway and the Central Asian Flyway. It also provides livelihoods for local communities through fishing, reed harvesting and tourism. Balancing conservation and economic use of the lake requires a thorough understanding of the dynamics of waterbird communities. From April 2011 to March 2012, we conducted a monthly waterbird survey on the lake, and counted more than 165,900 individuals which belonged to 87 species, 14 families and six orders. There were significant temporal differences in species richness and abundance. The highest migration activities of the birds were recorded in May and August. Shallow water and open water areas were mostly used by waterbirds with over 50% of the species, and a population density of 1,000 individuals per km² recorded. Human use of the wetland mainly consists of fishing, tourism and reed harvesting, which may have a significant impact on waterbirds. The most intensive human activities occurred in July and August, in open water and shallow water. An adaptive management plan to reduce the negative impact of fishing and tourism activities in summer and autumn, to rationalise reed harvesting in winter and to control eutrophication are critical management measures in addressing threats to the ecological characters of the site.