Effects of Poplar Ecological Retreat on Habitat Suitability for Migratory Birds in China’s Dongting Lake Wetland

Abstract

The Poplar Ecological Retreat (PER) project in Dongting Lake wetland is an important measure in response to China’s ecological civilization construction policy, it aims to remove eastern cottonwoods (Populus deltoides) that artificial large-scale planted in this area and restore the natural state of the wetland, and has got a lot of attention by society and scholars. However, as one of the most important wintering place for migratory birds in the world, the impact of PER on migratory bird habitats in Dongting Lake wetland has not been evaluated. In this paper, we used the habitat suitability index model based on remote sensing to explore the impact of PER on the four mainly migratory bird guilds (Anatidae, Charadriidae, Ardeidae and Laridae) in Dongting Lake wetland. The suitability included four grades: poorly (0–25), generally (25–50), moderately (50–75), and highly (75–100). The results showed that the area of poplars in Dongting Lake wetland decreased significantly after PER was implemented. There was a negative correlation between poplar area and moderate grade habitat area of Anatidae and Ardeidae, and a positive correlation between poplar area and general grade habitat area. However, there was no significant change in different grades of habitat area of Charadriidae and Laridae after PER. Thus, PER improved the habitat suitability of Anatidae and Ardeidae, but had no significant effect on the suitability of habitat for Charadriidae and Laridae. These conclusions could provide reference for understanding the living conditions of Dongting Lake wetland waterbirds, determining the priority protection areas and maintaining wetland biodiversity.

Effect of poplar ecological retreat project on soil bacterial community structure in Dongting Lake wetland

“…Previous studies have reported that wildlife can also affect the properties of soil ( Elhottová et al, 2012 ). Poplar blocked the landing of migratory birds, crowding out the habitat of wintering migratory birds ( Qu et al, 2022 ). The poplar planting method of digging trenches and lifting ridges made the ground ravine crisscross, which leads to the destruction of fish spawning and migration channels ( Li et al, 2020 ).…”

“…He et al (2020) also reported that water deficiency would lead to a decrease in microbial abundance. After the implementation of the PER project, the restoration of wildlife populations and plant diversity injected more organic matter into the soil, resulting in an increase in the diversity of microbial community structures, as the SOM is an essential substrate for microbial survival (Marshman and Marshall, 1981;Yu et al, 2022). These soil characteristics can regulate nutrients and anaerobic or aerobic processes in the soil to affect microbial metabolism, and then change the community structure of microorganisms (Gutknecht et al, 2006;Card and Quideau, 2010).…”

“…( Li et al, 2014a ; Sun et al, 2017 ; Lu et al, 2020 ). Coupled with the planting method of digging trenches and raising ridges, the service function of the wetland ecosystem was further destroyed ( Du et al, 2011 ; Qu et al, 2022 ). These problems have caused the government to pay attention to the ecological restoration of the DL wetland ( Jing et al, 2016 ).…”

“…Several studies have been conducted on the PER project in the DL area. For example, Hu et al (2020) founded that PER project improved the wetland water yield by changing landscape pattern; Qu et al (2022) reported that habitat suitability of Anatidae and Ardeidae migratory birds could be significantly improved by PER project; The implementation of the PER project, the density of soil seed banks and the number of species increased significantly, and above-ground plant diversity gradually recovered ( Deng et al, 2022 ). The PER project has considerably optimized the landscape pattern of DL wetland and promoted the improvement of the ecological environment in this area ( Lu et al, 2020 ).…”

Priorities identification of habitat restoration for migratory birds under the early dry season: A case study of Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake wetlands, China

“…The list of protected species can be continuously updated in the future based on the list of threatened species identi ed by the study. Moreover, the assessment of priority areas for restoring habitats for migratory birds is not static, and the impact of the EDS on the importance of migratory birds needs adjustment (Qu et al, 2022;Tang et al, 2016). Limited by the acquisition of geospatial data and species survey data, this study considered only habitat restoration of migratory birds in PYL and DTL wetlands under the EDS.…”