Effects of Human Activities on the Diversity of Waterbirds Wintering in a Shallow Lake of the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Floodplain, China

Abstract

Human activity is the major factor driving the wetland degradation in shallow lakes. Human exploitation of lake wetlands alters the habitats of wintering waterbirds, and, in turn, waterbird diversity in the shallow lakes. In the present study, we surveyed species composition, abundance, and habitat characteristics of waterbirds in three types of wetland habitats (natural lakeside wetlands, paddy fields, and aquaculture ponds) at Caizi Lake, a shallow lake in the middle and lower Yangtze River during the wintering period, and investigated the effects of habitat change driven by human activity on the diversity of wintering waterbirds. There were significant differences in species composition and abundance among the three wetland habitats (natural lakeside wetlands, aquaculture ponds, and artificial paddy fields); however, there were no significant differences among the habitats with respect to the number of waterbirds. The numbers of overwintering waterbird species and waterbird individuals in aquaculture ponds and lakeside wetlands were significantly higher than the numbers in the paddy fields, indicating that wintering waterbirds prefer natural lake wetlands and aquaculture ponds. Principal component analysis of the three wetland habitat types revealed that factors influencing waterbird diversity include wetland area, vegetation cover, water level, and degree of human interference. Therefore, minimizing human interference and ensuring suitable habitats at specific periods could facilitate the maintenance of waterbird diversity.

Evaluation of different wetland preferences of wintering waterbird species in Çanakkale, Turkey

“…Artificial wetlands can be a temporary substitute habitat for wintering waterbirds for relatively short periods of time (Wang et al, 2020). Artificial wetlands (rice fields, irrigation dams, etc.)…”

“…Wetlands contain different types of habitats (such as reeds, wetlands, saline meadows and sand dunes) and the diversity of habitats is likely to affect species diversity and abundance. Wang et al (2020) in their study, examined the effects of the wintering period and habitat change caused by human activity on the diversity of wintering waterbirds. Significant differences were found between the three wetland habitats (natural lake, artificial aquaculture ponds, and artificial paddy fields) in terms of species composition and abundance, but there was no significant difference between habitats in terms of the number of waterbirds (Wang et al, 2020).…”

“…Wang et al (2020) in their study, examined the effects of the wintering period and habitat change caused by human activity on the diversity of wintering waterbirds. Significant differences were found between the three wetland habitats (natural lake, artificial aquaculture ponds, and artificial paddy fields) in terms of species composition and abundance, but there was no significant difference between habitats in terms of the number of waterbirds (Wang et al, 2020). Some studies have shown that artificial wetlands gradually become waterbirds habitats as natural wetlands decline (Bellio et al, 2009;Chen & Zhou, 2011).…”

Intestinal Microbes of Hooded Cranes (Grus monacha) Wintering in Three Lakes of the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Floodplain

“…Caizi Lake has been faced with human disturbance since 1950s, including reclaiming land from lake and crab culture in purse seine. This has led to natural habitat degradation, owing to the relatively lower degree of management and protection [ 19 ]. The two lake groups have relative different environmental characteristics.…”

To Assess the Diversity and Abundance of Seasonal Migratory Waterbirds at Chashma Lake, Pakistan

“…These wetlands are vital habitats for birds for various purposes like foraging, roosting and courtship behaviour (Wang et al, 2020). Wetlands support the highest number of waterbirds during the winter (Mishra et al, 2020).…”