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

Abstract

Context: Poyang Lake (PYL) and Dongting Lake (DTL), as the two largest freshwater lakes in China, play crucial roles in biodiversity conservation and water resource allocation. However, due to the combined impacts of human activities and climate change, the timing of their early dry season (EDS) has significantly changed in recent years, leading to ecological and economic issues. It is essential to conduct priority identification of wetland restoration, because of the limitations of funds, policies, and manpower. Objectives: We determine 1) a priority identification framework based on habitat suitability changes and weight data of migratory birds; 2) priority areas for habitat restoration of PYL and DTL wetlands; and 3) habitat restoration efficiency in priority areas. Methods: We combined habitat suitability data for migratory birds with studies of early dry season to identify priority restoration areas. We use three landscape pattern indices and spatial autocorrelation analysis to investigate the distribution pattern of key areas and evaluate the efficiency of habitat restoration. Results: The area of PYL wetland of very high, high, low, and very low priorities for wetland restoration is 90.19, 463.48, 404.47, and 2498.42 km2, respectively. And that of DTL wetland is 109.61, 381.46, 331.68, and 1809.27 km2, respectively. The PYL wetland exhibits a high degree of fragmentation in low-priority areas. In contrast, the DTL wetland exhibits fragmentation in both high-priority and very high-priority areas. Conclusion: The high priority and very priority areas of these two wetlands should be the focus of restoration efforts as they are the most efficient for habitat restoration. The result is of great significance for the conservation of resources and biodiversity in wetlands.