世联翻译公司完成迁徙路线监测英文翻译

Introduction to Series

Foreword

Abstract

Chapter I: Project overview

According to uniform requirements of Monitoring Scheme for Siberian Cranes and Other Waterbirds of International Importance on Siberian Crane’s Flyway in China (“Monitoring Scheme”) developed by Siberian Crane GEF China Project Office, from 2004 autumn -2009 spring, survey teams conducted the migration monitoring of Siberian cranes and other waterbirds of international importance in Northeast China Hulunbeier Grassland, Northeast China Songliao Plain, Bohai Rim plain, and Yangtze River middle and lower floodplains in autumn and spring each year when cranes and storks migrate and settle.

The entire monitoring project lasted 5 years, with 210 survey days annually and surveyed a total of 82 stopover wetlands for cranes and storks on Siberian cranes’ flyway, with 396 monitoring points built. More than 250 persons, including leaders and employees of forestry bureaus, wildlife protection stations and nature reserves and other units in counties/cities concerned, participated in some of monitoring work in different years. Survey area involves 10 provinces (autonomous regions) and 82 counties (cities).

In the autumns of 2004-2008, a total of 125 waterbird species were recorded, which belong to 8 orders and 19 families. The number of waterbird species recorded in those years vary from 75-96, with total quantity of waterbirds ranging between 289916-689856; in the springs of 2005-2009, a total of 110 waterbird species were recorded, which belong to 8 orders and 16 families (see Table  ). A total of 69-81 waterbird species were recorded in those years, with total quantity of waterbirds ranging between 105371-292601.

Among waterbirds recorded, Siberian cranes, flagship species defined in Monitoring Scheme, were recorded in each season of all monitoring years. A total of key monitoring species including Grus grus, Grus japonensis, Grus monacha, Grus vipio, Anthropoides virgo, Ciconia boyciana, Ciconia nigra, Otis tarda, Larus relicts were identified, and a total of 28 important monitoring species such as Podiceps grisegena, Egretta alba, Platalea leucorodia, Anser cygnoides, Anser albifrons, Cygnus cygnus, Cygnus columbianus, Anas acuta, Anas crecca, Anas formosa, Anas poecilorhyncha, Anas Penelope, Anas querquedula, Aythya baeri, Aix galericulata, Haematopus ostralegus, Limosa limosa and Larus saundersi were also detected.

There are a total of 46 monitoring points which recorded Grus leucogeranus stopping over in the course of migration. Jilin Momoge, Baolawendu, Liaoning Wolong Lake and Huanzidong are relatively stable stopover sites for Grus leucogeranus in these 5 years, and they are also stopover sites with the largest number of Grus leucogeranus recorded in Northeast China over recent 2-3 years. On 13 October 2008, 1829 Grus leucogeranus were observed in Jilin Momoge; on 30 April 2009, 2616 Grus leucogeranus were found resting in Momoge. The said two figures are the maximum number of Grus leucogeranus recorded on Songliao Plain in autumn and spring over recent 5 years.

In the course of monitoring, a total of 23 waterbird species including Grus leucogeranus, Grus japonensis, Ciconia boyciana, Anser cygnoides, Anser fabalis, Anas formosa, Anas falcata, Aythya ferina, Aythya baeri, Tringa erythropus, Numenius madagascariensis, Larus saundersi were found with their population size accounting for more than 1% of global total, and 43 wetlands of international importance were identified.

Under the promotion and influence of project activities, some of countermeasures and suggestions on waterbird habitat preservation have been accepted by competent wildlife administration departments; the preservation and restoration projects of Jilin Momoge, Xianghai, Liaoning Shuangtaihekou, Inner Mongolia Keerqin and other national nature reserves and cranes & storks stopover sites, and waterbirds gathering wetlands have been established at relevant provincial or national departments, and been funded by various levels of financial budgets; during the promotion of Liaoning Wolong Lake and Jilin Boluo Lake nature reserves from provincial level to national level, the results of waterbird monitoring projects become a major technical support; the establishment of nature reserves and preservation zones like Jilin Da’an alongshore wetland, Tongyu Shuanggang, Liaoning Huanzidong are direct outcome of monitoring activities. In addition, along with project activities, survey teams conducted public education on waterbirds and wetland preservation at survey areas, which has received good response.

Without strong support and coordination from provincial and local governments, competent departments and nature reserves, the monitoring activities would not have been so successful.

Section 1: Division of survey area

The entire survey area is located in the east of China, and includes Hulunbeier Plateau, Songnen Plain, Lower Liaohe River Plain, Bohai Rim Alluvial Plain, and Middle and Lower Yangtze Valley Plain from north to south. It involves 11 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions including Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin, Shandong, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei and Hunan. With geographic coordinate of 110017/—128017/E, 29012/—51011/N, it crosses 18 degrees of longitude and stretches 1800Km from east to west; it crosses 21 degrees of latitude and stretches 2600Km from south to north. The whole area is an important flyway for waterbirds in East Asia.

 

Section 2: Physical geography

1) Songliao Plain

This region is a large sag basin developed since late Mesozoic Era, and Songliao depression area, located at the northern section of the second huge zone of subsidence in Xinhua system in terms of geologic structure. Its major geomorphological type is fluvial facies and alluvial facies in plain terrain, and the land is generally low-lying and flat. The mean sea level is 100—180m, and there are hilly areas and dunes scattered at some places. The sea level is less than 10m around Shuangtaihekou in the south of the region, and the sea level is even lower at offshore areas.

It has rich water resources with permanent rivers like Songhua River, Nenjiang River and Liaohe River, and some inland rivers without estuaries such as Wuyuer River and Huolin River in the north of this region. With smooth topography and small gradient, the region is home to many scattered lakes and marshes. The maximum water depth of marsh is 75cm. The average pH value is 7, and the water is slightly alkaline. At low-lying places, seasonal marshes are formed due to natural precipitation, and those are main stopover sites for migratory East Asian cranes.

With distinct continental monsoon climate, the annual active accumulated temperature (≥10℃) is 2100—2800℃. With little snow in cold winter and much rain in warm summer, the annual precipitation is 350—500mm. There is sharp temperature difference and little precipitation in spring and autumn. Subject to cyclone, heavy winds and hot spells often occur. Soil evaporation is high, generally 2—3 times precipitation and sometimes 9—10 times precipitation. However, Liaodong Bay in the south of Songliao Plain has a warm climate and is humid climate transitional zone. The annual active accumulated temperature (≥10℃) is about 3200—3500℃, and the average precipitation is 500—750mm.

The soil falls into six types, namely, chernozem, meadow soil, alkali soil, saline soil, bog soil and sand soil, and chernozem, meadow soil and bog soil make up the bulk.

The zonal vegetation is deciduous broadleaved forest, but woody plants are scarce owing to topography, climate and especially long-term human activities. The leading vegetation type is intrazonal reed marshes, mainly distributed at Zhalong and Lindian in Heilongjiang, Zhenlai, Tongyu and Da’an counties in Jilin and Panjin in Liaoning. Leymus chinensis meadow steppes appear at high topography. At the transitional zones between reed marshes and Leymus chinensis meadow steppes, discontinuous alkaline meadows are often found due to changes in topography, soil and moisture.

2) Bohai Rim

Bohai Rim is a representative region with an almost complete set of coastal wetland types, with low topography and little undulation, and it is home to compound coastal wetlands composed of rivers, shallows, ditches, marshes, waterlogged depressions and salt fields formed under the combined influence of dynamic forces of rivers and seas and human activities. Hengshui Lake, located at the central south of North China Plain, is a stretch of depressions formed in 602 BC, when the Yellow River burst and changed its course; Yellow River Delta wetland is a plain of deposition formed through continuous sedimentation of Yellow River mud and sand filling Bohai depressions, and the geomorphology mainly includes terrestrial, tidal-flat and subtidal geomorphology.

Cangzhou-Tianjin coastal rivers belong to Haihe River water system, and relatively large rivers include Duliu, Jianhe, Ziyaxin river, Beipaishui river, Jiedijian river and Nanpaishui river. Large fresh lakes including Beidagang Reservoir, Nandagang Reservoir, and Yangcheng Reservoir in Haixing county, were formerly lagoons formed through river scouring and sea tide forcing, and then people built dams for floor control and water conservation. Besides Yellow River, Yellow River Delta wetland receives water from rivers like Xiaoqinghe River, rainfall and snowfall. The wetland is home to many reservoirs and lakes and numerous rivulets and channels as well as reed marshes and freshwater marshes in large areas.

This region has a warm temperate semi-humid monsoon climate, and enjoys marine climatic characteristics for its proximity to Bohai Sea. It boasts four distinctive seasons: dry & windy spring, hot & rainy summer, temperate & clement autumn, and cold and little-snow winter. The annual mean temperature is 12.1℃, and the annual mean precipitation is 642.5mm.

The vegetation is mostly halophyte and marsh herbaceous plants, and the dominant plant species include reed, Suaeda salsa Pall., Puccinellia, Setaria viridis (Linn.) Beauv., Myriophyllum verticillatum, Form potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pusillus Linn. L, etc.

3) Yangtze River middle and lower reaches

Middle and Lower Yangtze Valley Plain includes Dongting Lake, Poyang Lake and lakes in Wuhan in middle reaches, lakes along Yangtze River in Anhui in lower reaches, as well as Hongze Lake, Gaoyou Lake, Taihu Lake in southern Jiangsu. With low topography, less than 50m sea level at most places and interwoven networks of rivers & lakes, it is a major fresh lake district in China.

Most lakes in the district are regulating and inflowing lakes, with aggregate water area of over 280,000 ha. The water level difference between a high flow period and a low water period is generally 8—18m. In summer or high flow period, the shallow water area of Dongting Lake is 12,400 ha. and the deep water area is 53,000 ha.; in winter or low water period, the shallow water area is 646,000 ha. and the deep water area is 19,400 ha.. The combined water area of all lakes under survey in Wuhan, including Chenhu Lake, Wanghu Lake and Liangzi Lake, is 70,000 ha., while the total area of lakes along Yangtze River in Anhui, such as Shengyu Lake, Wabu Lake, Longgan Lake and Caizi Lake is nearly 150,000 ha. The aggregate area of Hongze Lake and other lakes in southern Jiangsu exceeds 20,000 ha.

This region enjoys subtropical humid monsoon climate and is characterized by plenty of heat and rain, long frost-free period and four distinctive seasons. The annual mean temperature is around 17℃, and the annual active accumulated temperature (≥10℃) is 5360¬—6234℃. The frost-free period is 266—273 days, and the annual rainfall is 1300—1400mm.

Local soil comes from sedimentary deposits carried by Yangtze River and its branch rivers. Soil in lake basin and shallows falls into tidal soil, bog soil, swamp meadow soil and sandy soil according to different elevations. The soil is neutral and slightly acidic.

Vegetation at and around lakes chiefly includes grass family, compositae, cyperaceae, polygonaceae, waterlily family, cattail family and salicaceae, and can be divided into lake vegetation and beach vegetation according to flooding status.

 

Section 3: Monitoring points

From 2004 autumn - 2009 spring, all monitoring regions established a total of 396 monitoring points in all 82 wetlands, including 73 points in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches monitoring region, 59 ones in North China monitoring region, 3483 in Liaoning & Jilin monitoring region, and 151 in Inner Mongolia & Heilongjiang monitoring region. Current deployment of monitoring points basically covers all known stopover sites for Siberian cranes’ flyway in eastern China.

For more information on location and quantity of monitoring points in monitoring regions, refer to Appendix 1: monitoring point deployment and numbering.

 

Figure: Schematic map for distribution of monitoring points and wetlands

Provincial administration center

Beijing

Provincial boundary

Water area

Monitoring point

 

Chapter III Monitoring Network and Method

Section 1: Monitoring network

I. Organization structure

Establishing a Grus leucogeranus monitoring network is organizational guarantee for project implementation. This monitoring network project involves National Project Office, national experts, coordinators for monitoring regions and survey teams of known and potential habitats.

In accordance with relevant provisions of Siberian Crane GEF Project, National Project Office is responsible to review monitoring scheme, organize project implementation, supervise and manage the projects, inspect phased monitoring reports and prepare annual reports;

National experts are fully responsible for guidance and coordination of monitoring project, quarterly reports on migration monitoring of Grus leucogeranus in China and writing annual reports;

The project designates 1 region-specific coordinator for each monitoring region. The coordinator is responsible to organize and coordinate survey personnel to carry out their work, timely learn about and report problems existing in project implementation, summarize regional monitoring data and information on a quarterly basis, and submit phased monitoring reports to national experts and National Project Office;

Survey team members consist of relevant personnel with nature reserves, competent wildlife, wetland and environmental authorities, colleges/universities, research institutes, local volunteers and villagers on Siberian cranes’ flyway, and such teams are responsible for specific tasks of monitoring points.

 

II. Network composition

To facilitate the implementation of monitoring work, the entire survey area is divided into 4 regions, namely middle and lower Yangtze River stopover region, North China stopover region, Northeast China Liaoning & Jilin stopover region, Northeast China Heilongjiang & Inner Mongolia stopover region. The five project points of China Siberian Crane GEF Project belong to relevant monitoring regions separately: Poyang Lake district is put under middle and lower Yangtze River region; Zhalong belongs to Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region; Xianghai, Momoge and Keerqin is managed by Liaoning-Jilin region.

 

Section 2 Monitoring method

1) Selection and establishment of monitoring points

At a wetland designated in Monitoring Scheme, choose 1 or more positions with high elevation, a shortest possible distance from the species under survey, and with broad view as monitoring points, using GPS.

2) Monitoring survey

Fixed-point statistics

Habitat survey: observe wetland type, dominant vegetation, human activities, weather conditions and other aspects of survey site with naked eye or 8x telescope.

Species statistics: identify population structure and stopover behavior of and directly count the population size of key monitoring species in the range of vision with 40—60x telescope; for anatidae and shorebirds with a large population size, the grid counting method is adopted, where those birds are counted in the unit of 10, 50 or 100. The result of quantity statistics is the average value of statistical quantities by different persons or in different cases. The statistical time of each monitoring point shall meet the needs of species identification and counting, generally no less than 30 minutes.

Monitoring record: on the date of survey completion, the Record Sheet for Fixed Point Survey of Cranes and Other Important Waterbirds shall be filled up according to unified reporting notes and requirements set out in the Monitoring Scheme, subject to discussion and agreement by all survey personnel.

Interview survey

For information that cannot be obtained directly from fixed point statistics, the survey is conducted through interviewing relevant personnel. The survey results are filled into a uniform Interview Survey Record Sheet.

Migration rules monitoring

At 4 Northeast China points under Siberian Crane GEF Project, which are major stopover sites for Grus leucogeranus, strengthen migration monitoring frequency and intensity, and accurately obtain the date of first appearance, peak period and date of last appearance for Grus leucogeranus migration at all project points; during the unified monitoring period stipulated for the project, a comprehensive waterbirds synchronous survey shall be carried out.

Location monitoring:

At Mount Lianfeng in Beidaihe, observe and record migrating cranes and storks and other birds non-stop every day for 30 working days in spring and autumn each.

3) Data statistics

(1) The addition of direct-counting results of one or more monitoring points at the same wetland (water body, river, marsh, etc.) over the same period of time is the quantity of waterbirds in the wetland;

(2) Generally speaking, take the maximum value of several direct-counting results for one monitoring point at the same wetland (water body, river, marsh, etc.);

(3) For the same wetland (water body, river, marsh, etc.) with both wintering and migrating population, the migrating data for North China region is included in the statistics, while the wintering data is stated in the “remarks” part of the report; the migrating data for middle and lower Yangtze River region is included in the statistics, and the wintering data is stated in the report;

(4) Data from interview surveys is not included in statistics, but shall be explained in the remarks.

(5) Monitoring data for Mount Lianfeng at Beidaihe is not included in region-specific statistics, but shall be contained in a separate report.

4) Information summary and report

Relevant data and information shall be summarized and reported in the ascending order of monitoring point responsible person, survey area coordinator and chief technology responsible person. The format and content of phased result reports is stipulated in the Monitoring Scheme.

 

Section 3: Monitoring content and time

 

I. Monitoring species

Division of monitoring species

Monitoring species fall into three types, i.e., flagship and key monitoring species, important monitoring species, and other monitoring species.

Flagship species: Grus leucogeranus (1 species);

Key monitoring species include 10 species living on the same habitat as Grus leucogeranus, namely, Grus japonensis, Grus vipio, Grus grus, Grus monacha, Anthropoides virgo, Grus canadensis, Ciconia boyciana, Ciconia nigra, Larus relicts, and Otis tarda;

Important monitoring species refer to 37 migratory waterbirds of international importance, mainly including “waterbirds” defined in Conventions on Wetlands, Appendixes I-III to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), China’s Catalogue of Wild Animals under Key National Protection as well as Catalogue of Waterbirds Wintering in Asia.

Other monitoring species refer to other waterbird species identified in surveys.

II. Monitoring content

(I) Flagship and key monitoring species

(1) Distribution, quantity and population structure, including population size, subfamily quantity, adult-young ratio, etc.;

(2) Stopover conditions, including landform, water level, wetland vegetation types, etc.;

(3) Main threats to cranes & storks migration destinations and protection measures taken;

(4) For 5 Siberian Crane GEF Project points, monitor the time of inbound migration (first appearance), time of outbound migration (last appearance), migration peak, wintering peak and settlement period of cranes and storks, especially Grus leucogeranus.

(II) Important monitoring species

Record the types, distribution and quantity of important monitoring species, and give necessary attention to population trends (especially habitats for cranes and storks).

(III) Other monitoring species

Observe types, distribution and quantity status.

(IV) Waterbirds with more than 1% of global population size and wetlands of international importance

Adopt the latest standard of waterbirds accounting for 1% of global population size released in 2006, record and make statistics on the species of waterbirds whose quantity exceeds 1% of global population size and their habitats (including habitats for waterbirds with population size of more than 20,000), and highlight wetlands of international importance where 1 or more waterbird species with more than 1% of global population size (waterbirds with population size of more than 20,000) gather.

III. Monitoring time

Annual arrangement:

Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia, Liaoning-Jilin, North China regions: 2004 autumn—2009 spring

Middle and lower Yangtze River region: 2004 autumn—2006 spring

Seasonal arrangement: conduct one survey at stopover region in autumn and spring each;

Date arrangement: choose the period when Grus leucogeranus migrate steadily.

Northeast China stopover region: autumn: mid-to-last ten days of September-last ten days of October

Spring: last ten days of March -mid-to-last ten days of May

North China stopover region: autumn: last ten days of October -first ten days of November

Spring: first-to-mid ten days of March

Middle and lower Yangtze River stopover region: winter: last ten days of December－first ten days of January. 

Scheduling

According to Grus leucogeranus migration sequence, choose the periods when stopover Grus leucogeranus population remains stable and determine the best monitoring time for all monitoring regions.

During monitoring periods, adopt different methods such as continuous observation, intermittent observation, each monitoring with a hiatus of 5 days and 24-hour monitoring for a certain period according to Grus leucogeranus migration calendar and monitoring tasks for different regions.

The monitoring progress of survey teams at different monitoring regions shall be basically well connected according to Grus leucogeranus migration sequence without noticeable hiatus.

 

Chapter III Monitoring Results

Section 1 Autumn monitoring

1.1 Overview of migratory waterbirds

Species and quantity

In the autumns of 2004-2008, a total of 125 waterbird species are monitored, which belong to 8 orders and 19 families. A total of 75-96 waterbird species and 289916-689856 waterbirds are recorded annually, including 49-84 species and 78711-259157 waterbirds in Heilongjiang - Inner Mongolia monitoring region; 40-61 species and 32164-285069 waterbirds in Liaoning - Jilin monitoring region; 58-73 species and 53778-107181 waterbirds in North China monitoring region; 47-57 species and 110697-133092 waterbirds in middle and lower Yangtze River monitoring region.

For waterbird species and quantity recorded in monitoring regions in different years, refer to the following table:

 

Statistics of waterbird species and quantity in 2004-2008 autumns

Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Yangtze River

2004

waterbird quantity 179219 78711 32164 68344 110697

number of species 75 49 40 65 57

2005 　

waterbird quantity 550474 278526 196305 75643 133092

number of species 96 75 60 61 47

2006 　

waterbird quantity 598004 259157 285069 53778 　

number of species 96 84 61 64 　

2007 　

waterbird quantity 513971 240817 190080 83074 　

number of species 95 79 58 73 　

2008 　

waterbird quantity 689856 358672 224003 107181 　

number of species 86 68 56 58 　

 

Compare the quantity of waterbirds recorded 3 regions (i.e., Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia, Liaoning-Jilin and North China) in autumns of 2004-2008, and we find the quantities are generally on the rise. Especially during 2004-2005 autumns, waterbird quantity triples from 179219 to 550474. In the autumns of the following 3 years, the quantity of waterbirds on eastern China Siberian cranes’ flyway remains approximately 600,000.

 

Composition of migratory populations

Most of migratory waterbirds are anatidae and shorebirds, totaling 59 species, making up 47.2%, almost half of all waterbird species identified. There are 33 species of anatidae, making up 26.4% of all species recorded; 26 species of shorebirds (20.8%); followed by 15 species of gulls and 12 species of herons, which account for 12.0% and 9.6% of all waterbird species monitored respectively. The families with the fewest number of species include Pelecanidae, Threskiorothidae, Jacanidae, Haematopodidae, Phalaropodidae, Glareolidae and Alcedinidae, each of which has only 1 species. The composition characteristic of the migratory group differs little in different monitoring regions.

Dominant species and rare species

In the autumns of the consecutive 5 years, the total number of top 10 waterbird species with largest size of migratory population size is 1408935, accounting for 50.8% of 2775313, total number of migratory waterbirds recorded. These are dominant species of migratory waterbirds in autumn. They are:

1 Anser fabalis               387605

2 Anas platyrhynchos           234100

3 Anas strepera              168315

4 Anas poecilorhyncha         135976

5 Anser albifrons             101112

6 Aythya ferina               83416

7 Larus ridibundus            78462

8 Anas crecca                76741

9 Anser anser                  76317

10 Fulico atra                 66891

 

The migratory species with smallest population size and the quantity of waterbirds recorded being 1-3 are shown below:

 

1 Limnodromus semipalmatus  3

2 Gallinago hardwickii  3

3 Calidris canutus 3

4 Egretta eulophotes  2

5 Hydrophasianus chirurgus  2 

6 Butorides striatus             1 

7 Anser indicus                 1 

8 Rallus aquaticus             1 

9 Amaurornis akool          1 

10 Charadrius placidus          1 

11 Arenaria interpres             1 

1.2 Flagship species

1) Distribution

Distribution characteristics

In autumn, Grus leucogeranus migrate from breeding places in Russia to China, chiefly during the trip to Jiangxi Poyang Lake wintering places, and choose some wetlands in Northeast China Songnen Plain, North China Bohai Rim shores, and Yangtze River middle and lower reaches as stopover sites during their migration journey. In the autumns of 2004-2008, Grus leucogeranus are found in 43 stopover sites (see Table --), including 6 ones in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia monitoring region; 20 ones in Liaoning-Jilin monitoring region; 10 ones in North China monitoring region; 7 ones in middle and lower Yangtze River monitoring region.

 

Beijing

Provincial administration center 

Provincial boundary

Water area

Figure 4 Schematic map for Grus leucogeranus stopover sites

As shown in distribution pattern of Grus leucogeranus stopover sites, the north of Northeast China Songnen Plain, a centralized area involving eastern Inner Mongolia, southwestern Heilongjiang, and western Jilin with many autumn stopover sites, is home to 24 stopover sites, making up 55.8% of total number of Grus leucogeranus autumn stopover sites in eastern China. The total area of this centralized part is about 234,000km2.

Although there are 43 Grus leucogeranus stopover sites in eastern China, only 15-27 sites are utilized annually. In 2007 autumn, 17 stopover sites are visited by Grus leucogeranus, which is the lowest utilization rate in autumns of the 5 years. In any of the other years, there are more than 20 stopover sites. There are 27 stopover sites in 2004 and 2006 each, and they are the years with the biggest number of autumn stopover sites in recent 5 years.

 

Annual statistics of Grus leucogeranus stopover sites (2004-2008 autumns)

 

Year Total Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Jilin Liaoning Hebei Tianjin Shandong Anhui Jiangsu Hunan Hubei

2004 27 2 4 12 1 1 　 1 3 1 1 1

2005 24 4 5 8 1 　 　 2 2 　 　 2

2006 27 5 3 11 1 5 　 2 　 　 　 　

2007 15 1 　 9 2 1 　 2 　 　 　 　

2008 22 3 2 10 3 3 　 1 　 　 　 　

 

 

Habitat

In their autumn migration, Grus leucogeranus select Leymus chinensis meadow, alkaline meadow, reed marsh, coastal shoals, lake beaches, grass islands and other wetlands as stopover sites. Due to natural and geographic conditions in southern and northern China, there are different foods available for Grus leucogeranus and the most suitable living conditions for their stopover sites also differ.

There are  19 wetlands for Grus leucogeranus stopover on Northeast China Songliao Plain and North China coastal alluvial plain, including 10 alkaline meadow wetlands and 9 reed marsh wetlands, and alkaline meadow wetlands are slightly dominant. Except the fact that water log at alkaline meadows almost dries up due to recent years’ consecutive drought, Northeast China, the characteristic of Grus leucogeranus choosing alkaline meadows as the most suitable habitat will become more distinct. Alkaline meadows are widely distributed in alkaline lowlands, dales, lake rims and river shoals in northern China. Due to rigorous habitat conditions, vegetation types are scarce, and dominant vegetations include Suaeda glauca, S.heteroptera and S.corniculata. Some plants like Scirpus planiculmis have deep root systems which develop into thick tubers, providing major foods for Grus leucogeranus on Northeast China stopover sites.

Compared with Grus japonensis and Grus vipio, even if Grus leucogeranus select reed marshes for their stopovers, they only stay on the edges of reed marshes, where there are sparse plants and shallow water log, usually distributed with alkaline meadows and Leymus chinensis meadows nearby.

Along Yangtze River middle and lower reaches, 5 stopover sites for Grus leucogeranus are all grass islands along lakes. In summer, submerged plants in lakes feature Form potamogeton malainus) community, Form potamogeton crispus, Vallisneris gigantean, Najas spp communities. With simple species combination, the plant communities are sometimes single-species community and sometimes associated plant communities. With broad distribution and large area, Form potamogeton malainus community contains rich aquatic plant resources, and usually becomes habitats for various kinds of shrimps and breeding grounds for fishes laying adhesive eggs. In autumn and winter, lake water recedes and shallows or lake beaches emerge, thus becoming the most suitable habitat for Grus leucogeranus to stay and winter. The tubers of Form potamogeton malainus and Vallisneris gigantean, fish and shrimps provide food for Grus leucogeranus.

Apart from basic natural and geographic conditions, stopover selection of Grus leucogeranus is also related to interference intensity. Compared with other wetlands, at 31 migration stopover sites recorded in the autumn of 2004, human activities like fishing, grazing and farming are relatively infrequent, which brings little direct disturbance to Grus leucogeranus and forms a relatively quiet environment. For chosen stopover sites, without major change to habitat, Grus leucogeranus tend to choose the same site as their “post” during their migration journey year by year, or we may call it “tradition” of stopover site selection. For instance, Halata alkaline meadow in Momoge Nature Reserve has been chosen for Grus leucogeranus stopover site in spring and autumn migration for 15 straight years. Caizi Lake wetland in Anhui along Yangtze River has been visited by Grus leucogeranus for recent 3 years. At “traditional” stopover sites, Grus leucogeranus have much higher resistance to human interference than temporary stopover sites. Over recent years, due to water shortage in some Northeast China wetlands, water log in meadows dries up and many traditional stopover sites are discarded, including Tongfa grazing land along Huolin River in Jilin Tongyu, Baomin in the northwest of Zhenlai, Chatai in the center of Zhenlai, and Sanmianchuan in Liaoning.

 

Utilization of stopover sites

Evaluate Grus leucogeranus autumn stopover sites with annual utilization frequency of stopover site as stability index, and we get the following result:

 

Grus leucogeranus stopover sites and utilization frequency over 04-08 autumns

 

　 province wetland 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 frequency

1 Inner Mongolia Wulannuoer 　 √ 　 　 　 20%

2 Inner Mongolia Argun River 　 　 　 　 √ 20%

3 Inner Mongolia Tumuji Nature Reserve 　 √ √ √ 　 60%

4 Heilongjiang Zhalong Nature Reserve √ √ √ 　 　 60%

5 Heilongjiang Daqing wetland 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

6 Heilongjiang Tailai wetland √ √ 　 　 　 40%

7 Jilin Zhenlai Baiyintaohai 　 　 √ √ √ 60%

8 Jilin Zhenlai Xiaowulantu √ √ 　 　 　 40%

9 Jilin Zhenlai Chuangye √ 　 　 　 　 20%

10 Jilin Zhenlai Red Flag horse farm 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

11 Jilin Momoge √ 　 √ √ √ 80%

12 Jilin Taonan Erlong √ 　 　 　 　 20%

13 Jilin Xianghai √ 　 √ 　 √ 60%

14 Jilin Baolawendu √ √ √ √ √ 100%

15 Jilin Tongyu Shihuadao 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

16 Jilin Da’an Dagan √ 　 　 　 　 20%

17 Jilin Qian’an Shuzi √ 　 　 　 　 20%

18 Jilin Changling Santuan √ 　 　 　 　 20%

19 Jilin Changling No. 3 √ 　 　 　 　 20%

20 Jilin Qianguo Wulan’aodu 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

21 Jilin Chagan Lake √ 　 　 　 　 20%

22 Jilin Boluo Lake √ √ 　 √ 　 60%

23 Jilin Shuangliao Sanhetun 　 　 √ √ √ 60%

24 Liaoning Wolong Lake  √ 　 　 √ √ 60%

25 Liaoning Huanzidong 　 　 √ √ √ 60%

26 Liaoning Dalinghe River 　 √ 　 　 　 20%

27 Hebei Beidaihe Xinkaihekou 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

28 Hebei Funing County Yanghekou √ 　 　 　 　 20%

29 Hebei Changli Tuanlin Qilihai 　 　 √ √ √ 60%

30 Hebei Changli Tuanlin Xinlizhuang 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

31 Hebei Changli Luanhekou Dongtan 　 　 　 　 √ 20%

32 Hebei Nandagang wetland 　 　 √ 　 √ 40%

33 Hebei Haixing Qingxian salt field 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

34 Shandong Yellow River Estuary wetland 　 √ √ 　 　 40%

35 Shandong No.121 coastal shoal 　 　 　 √ √ 40%

36 Shandong Dawenliu √ √ √ √ 　 80%

37 Jiangsu Douhu Lake √ 　 　 　 　 　

38 Anhui Shengjin Lake (3,000mu/combined) √ 　 　 　 　 　

39 Anhui Caizi Lake (Dongfeng Wei) √ √ 　 　 　 　

40 Anhui Shimen Lake 　 √ 　 　 　 　

41 Hubei Yidu (Wangjiafan) √ 　 　 　 　 　

42 Hubei Wanghu Lake (Xiayang Lake/500mu)  　 √ 　 　 　 　

43 Hunan East Dongting Lake Chunfengyuan √ 　 　 　 　 　

 

 

In the autumns of 5 years, the wetland used by Grus leucogeranus as their stopover is Jilin Baolawendu, with 100% utilization frequency, and it is the most stable stopover site for Grus leucogeranus in autumn; Jilin Momoge and Shandong Yellow River Delta Dawenliu are selected by Grus leucogeranus as their stopover sites with 80% utilization frequency, and they are used in autumn of 4 years; there are 9 stopover sites with 60% utilization frequency, namely, Inner Mongolia Tumuji, Heilongjiang Zhalong, Jilin Xianghai, Chagan Lake, Boluo Lake, Shuangliao Sanhetun, Liaoning Wolong Lake, Huanzidong, and Hebei Changli Tuanlin Qilihai; there are a great number of other stopover sites, but they are visited Grus leucogeranus in 1 or 2 years over 5-year survey. They are just randomly chosen. The habitats are relatively fragile and easily discarded due to strong outside interference.

 

2) Quantity

 

Quantity status

In autumns of 2004-2008, the number of Grus leucogeranus recorded annually is 761-3032, including 146-447 in Inner Mongolia - Heilongjiang monitoring region, 211-2808 in Liaoning - Jilin monitoring region, 45-480 in North China monitoring region, and 38-39 in middle and lower Yangtze River monitoring region. Liaoning-Jilin region is home to the largest number of Grus leucogeranus. In 2008 autumn, its highest quantity accounts for 92.6% of the highest quantity in eastern China. North China, and especially middle and lower Yangtze River regions are rarely visited by Grus leucogeranus. The recorded quantity makes up about 5.0% of annual total quantity (2005 autumn).

 

Population size of Grus leucogeranus over autumns of 2004-2008

 

year Subtotal Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Yangtze River middle and lower reaches

region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang  region Jilin Liaoning  region Hebei Shandong  region Anhui Jiangsu Hunan Hubei

2004 761 447 360 87 211 116 95 65 2 63 38 31 3 3 1

2005 599 363 125 238 152 148 4 45 　 45 39 6 　 　 33

2006 2006 299 191 108 1227 1047 180 480 394 86 　 　 　 　 　

2007 2000 1 1 　 1922 1726 196 77 31 46 　 　 　 　 　

2008 3032 146 98 48 2808 2145 663 78 53 25 　 　 　 　 　

Total 8398 1256 775 481 6320 5182 1138 745 480 265 77 37 3 3 34

 

 

In autumns of 5 years, the quantity of Grus leucogeranus recorded is on the rise, and the number increases sharply in autumn of 2006 and 2008 respectively. The number recorded in 2005 autumn rises significantly (about 3.3 times) from 599 in 2005 autumn to 2006 in the autumn of 2006; the number recorded in 2008 autumn is 3032, more than 1.5 times that in 2007 autumn.

 

Maximum stopover population

The annual maximum stopover populations are recorded in Inner Mongolia Tumuji, Heilongjiang Zhalong, Jilin Baiyintaohai and Jilin Momoge respectively. The quantity of Grus leucogeranus recorded in Momoge Reserve in the autumns of 2007 and 2008 exceeds 1500, accounting for over 50% of global population size.

 

Site and quantity of maximum stopover population in autumns of 2004-2008

 

year maximum stopover population

site quantity

2004 Inner Mongolia Tumuji  320

2005 Heilongjiang Zhalong 140

2006 Jilin Baiyintaohai 850

2007 Jilin Momoge 1503

2008 Jilin Momoge 1829

 

Consistent with the change trend of stopover quantity over autumns of 5 years in eastern China, the quantity of annual maximum stopover population is also on the rise. In 2006 autumn, Grus leucogeranus gather in big numbers. 850 are identified in Jilin Zhenlai Baiyintaohai; in the following 2 years, this gathering phenomenon becomes more noticeable and they stop over in Jilin Momoge.

 

3) Population structure

Through population statistics of identifiable young cranes, the quantity of young cranes and the ratio of young cranes to the whole group recorded in autumns of different years are shown in Table 5.1-8.

 

Table 7: Population structure of Grus leucogeranus in autumn

 

year Liaoning-Jilin North China Yangtze River middle and lower reaches

population

quantity young-crane

quantity young-crane

ratio population

quantity young-crane

quantity young-crane

ratio population

quantity young-crane

quantity young-crane

ratio

2004 204 29 0.14  65 21 0.32  35 6 0.17 

2005 52 11 0.21  45 14 0.31  39 4 0.10 

2006 377 40 0.11  480 31 0.06  　 　 　

2007 223 33 0.15  　 　 　 　 　 　

2008 2145 240 0.11  78 2 0.03  　 　 　

 

In autumn, the ratio of young cranes to the entire population is 10-30%, with 14.4% for Liaoning-Jilin region, 18.0% for North China, and 14.0% for middle and lower Yangtze River region. The bigger population size, the closer adult-young ratio is to actual data. The number of group quantity recorded in Liaoning-Jilin in 2005 autumn is only 52, and adult-young ratio is 21.2%, much higher than actual value. This is also the case with the statistics of North China in 2004, 2005 autumns. The quantity of group size is 45-65, and the ratio of young cranes to entire group is 31-33%. In other years, the number of population size recorded is more than 200 and the statistical result of young crane ratio is 10-14%, which shows the actual population structure to some degree. In 2008 autumn, the number of stopover Grus leucogeranus in Momoge is 1829 and it is the ideal place for statistics on Grus leucogeranus population structure. Among 1747 cranes, 195 young ones are identified, and the ratio of young cranes to the entire population is 11.2%, which shall be the value closest to actual data.

 

4) Migration trends

According to limited information on Grus leucogeranus migration trends, 迁到Grus leucogeranus first appear in Northeast China Songnen Plain generally in mid-to-last ten days of September in autumn; from then to mid-to-last ten days of October, the stopover quantity reaches the peak, and keeps a high level to last ten days of October with slight change; by the end of October, some cranes leave and the stopover population size fall. With several quantity fluctuations, no Grus leucogeranus stays at first-to-mid ten days of November. The Grus leucogeranus autumn migration lasts 50-60 days;

In Bohai Rim wetland, the duration of Grus leucogeranus autumn stopover is remarkably shortened. According to the result of Yellow River Delta Dawenliu wetland monitoring, the date of first appearance of Grus leucogeranus falls within mid-to-last ten days of October and the number reaches the peak at the beginning of November. They start to leave at the middle ten days of November, and the migration lasts about 20 days;

For Yangtze River middle and lower reaches (excluding Jiangxi Poyang Lake), inbound migrating Grus leucogeranus are observed on October 28, and Grus leucogeranus are first found at other sites mostly during November 1—5. To be precise, migration stopover sites are mostly Hubei Wanghu Lake, Anhui wetlands along Yangtze River and Shengjin Lake. The quantity recorded in those areas in autumn is noticeably different from wintering quantity, and a small proportion of the species shall winter there. The majority of them continue to migrate southward, and such migration lasts about 20 days in Hubei.

Momoge Reserve is strategically important for Grus leucogeranus migration in Northeast China Songnen Plain. In autumns of 2006-2008, the stopover period of migrating Grus leucogeranus lasts 50-60 days, and stopover quantity of 860-2035. It offers ideal conditions for observing Grus leucogeranus migration trends, and the monitoring results are quite typical and representative.

The changes on stopover quantity of Grus leucogeranus during migration in Momoge in 2006-2008 autumn display the three dynamic change periods, namely, rising quantity, relatively stable and falling quantity. Although Grus leucogeranus migrate there very early in 2008 autumn, the population size maintains a low level of 18-43 until the end of September. By September 30, just like in 2006 and 2007 autumn, the quantity of stopover Grus leucogeranus in the Reserve rises sharply and keeps the momentum until the middle ten days of October. This period lasts about 15 days. The following 10 days is a period of relative stability with high quantity of stopover Grus leucogeranus. During this period, the annual peak value of inbound migrating Grus leucogeranus often appears. Generally speaking, the period of declining stopover quantity starts from October 25 until the date when all Grus leucogeranus leave. Like rising quantity period, the falling quantity period also lasts about 15 days. During this falling quantity period, stopover quantity of Grus leucogeranus fluctuates 2-3 times at the end of October and each fluctuation will cause a big decrease in the stopover quantity. In the end, Grus leucogeranus leave thoroughly. Hundreds of them tend to fly away in no time.

Table 5.1-8: Date and quantity of stopover Grus leucogeranus in Momoge in 2006-2008 autumns

2006 Date 10.1  10.2  10.3  10.8  10.14  10.16  10.23  11.1  11.2  　 　 　 　

　 Qty. 0 6 5 76 860 51 172 166 0 　 　 　 　

2007 Date 9.30 10.1 10.9 10.12 10.14 10.17 10.19 10.21 10.23 10.25 10.27 10.29 10.31

　 Qty. 0 7 482 956 1035 1382 1327 1305 1485 1111 1282 857 517

2008 Date 9.2 9.3  9.5  9.8  9.11  9.16  9.19  9.25  9.30  10.5  10.6  10.8  10.9 

　 Qty. 0 18 30 26 29 21 40 43 85 173 678 439 877

2007 Date 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

　 Qty. 521 262 644 0 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

2008 Date 10.11  10.12  10.13  10.15  10.17  10.19  10.23  10.24  10.25  10.26  10.28  10.29  10.30 

　 Qty. 1410 1451 1856 2035 1753 1743 1582 1724 1659 6 745 1496 1447

2008 Date 11.1  11.3  11.6  11.7  11.8  　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

　 Qty. 360 352 332 36 0 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

 

1.3 Key species - other cranes and storks

1) Grus grus

Distribution

On eastern China Siberian cranes’ flyway, the range of Grus grus distribution is limited. During the surveys in autumns of 5 years, a total of 39 stopover sites are recorded, including 21 ones in North China monitoring region, accounting for 53.8% of all stopover sites; 9 located in Liaoning-Jilin region, or 23.1%; 3 ones in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia, only 7.7%.

Refer to Table 5 for annual quantity statistics of Grus grus stopover sites.

Quantity of Grus grus stopover sites in 2004-2008 autumns

 

　 　 　Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia 　Liaoning-Jilin 　North China 　Yangtze River middle and lower reaches

year total region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang region Jilin Liaoning region Hebei Tianjin Shandong region Anhui Jiangsu Hunan Hubei

2004 14 　 　 　 　 1 0 7 5 1 1 6 3 　 3 　

2005 15 2 1 1 4 4 　 9 7 2 　 　 　 　 　

2006 17 3 3 　 3 3 　 10 7 1 2 1 　 1 　 　

2007 19 2 2 　 6 5 1 11 4 1 6 　 　 　 　 　

2008 14 2 2 　 4 3 1 8 6 　 2 　 　 　 　 　

Grus grus (bird)

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

Figure 3: schematic map for distribution of Grus grus in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Quantity

In autumn, the annual stopover quantity is 531-870, mostly found in North China and Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia regions. In North China, the total recorded quantity in autumns of 5 years is 1328 and annual average value is 265; the total quantity of the species recorded in 4 years in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region is 914, with annual average value of 228. The total number of stopover Grus grus recorded in Liaoning-Jilin region over 5 years is 869, with annual average value of 174. Grus grus are rarely seen in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches. 20-30 of them are generally recorded, but hundreds of them are observed once in a while. In 2004 autumn, a stopover population of more than 150 is seen at several points of Hubei Chenhu Lake.

 

 

Population size of stopover Grus grus in 2004-2008 autumns

 

year total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Yangtze River middle and lower reaches

region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang region Jilin Liaoning region Hebei Tianjin Shandong region Anhui Jiangsu Hunan Hubei

2004 531 　 　 　 4 4 　 37 29 4 4 490 　 21 469

2005 693 66 62 4 180 180 　 447 130 　 317 　 　 　 　 　

2006 870 475 475 　 245 245 　 117 94 5 18 33 　 33 　 　

2007 780 59 59 　 278 274 4 443 112 20 311 　 　 　 　 　

2008 760 314 314 　 162 160 2 284 206 　 78 　 　 　 　 　

Total 914 910 4 869 863 6 1328 571 29 728 523 469 33 21

 

In different monitoring years, the largest population of stopover Grus grus is recorded in Hebei Changli Xinlizhuang, Shandong coastal shoals, Jilin Xianghai and Inner Mongolia Tumuji respectively. In 2006 and 2008, Tumuji is the site of maximum population size of stopover Grus grus on eastern China Siberian cranes’ flyway. The number of Grus grus recorded in Tumuji in 2006 is 460, which is the highest value of stopover Grus grus in the autumns of 5 years.

Site and quantity of largest stopover Grus grus populations in 2004-2008 autumns

 

year site quantity

2004 Hebei Changli Xinlizhuang 17

2005 Shandong coastal shoals 170

2006 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 460

2007 Jilin Xianghai 200

2008 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 312

 

 

2) Grus japonensis

 

Distribution

In those 5 autumns, a total of 43 stopover sites are recorded, including 19 ones in North China region, accounting for 44.2% of all stopover sites; 13 ones in Liaoning-Jilin and 11 ones in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region, each accounting for about 28%; during monitoring, Yangtze River middle and lower reaches record no stopover Grus japonensis.

 Based on overall situation of regions and provinces under survey, the quantity of autumn stopover sites for Grus japonensis falls, especially in Heilongjiang province. There are only 5 stopover sites in 2008 autumn, 58.3% down from 12 ones in 2005 autumn.

For annual statistics on Grus japonensis stopover sites and quantity, refer to the table below:

 

 

Quantity of Grus japonensis stopover sites in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong

2004 28 15 6 9 7 4 3 6 2 　 4

2005 34 20 8 12 7 5 2 7 2 　 5

2006 34 17 10 7 7 5 2 10 4 1 5

2007 23 8 3 5 6 5 1 9 2 　 7

2008 20 11 6 5 4 2 2 5 1 　 4

 

 

Grus japonensis (bird)

 

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

Figure 4: schematic map for distribution of Grus japonensis over 2004-2008 autumns

 

Quantity

 

In autumn, the annual stopover quantity is 285-449, with the majority of such birds recorded at Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia and North China regions. The number of those birds recorded in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region over the 5 years is 646, with annual average value of 129; 619 ones recorded in North China, with annual average value of 124; 486 recorded in Liaoning-Jilin region over 5 years, with annual average of 97.

 

Population size of stopover Grus japonensis in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong

2004 285 108 52 56 69 23 46 108 21 　 87

2005 351 141 63 78 73 52 21 137 29 　 108

2006 381 121 82 39 97 47 50 163 85 3 75

2007 285 33 22 11 105 15 90 147 75 　 72

2008 449 243 49 194 142 15 127 64 23 　 41

Total 1751 646 268 378 486 152 334 619 233 3 383

 

 

In those monitoring years, Heilongjiang Zhalong, Liaoning Shuangtaihekou, Hebei Changli Luanhekou, and Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone records the annual largest population of stopoverGrus japonensis. Heilongjiang Zhalong records 142 in 2008 autumn, the maximum value of stopoverGrus japonensis quantity over 5 autumns; Liaoning Shuangtaihekou records 90 in 2007 autumn; Shandong Yellow River Delta wetland is a major stopover site in North China for Grus japonensis in autumn, with 60-80 such birds resting there annually.

Largest stopover Grus japonensis populations in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Site Qty.

2004 Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone 68

2005 Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone 77

2006 Hebei Changli Luanhekou 72

2007 Liaoning Shuangtaihekou 90

2008 Heilongjiang Zhalong 142

 

 

3) Grus monacha

 

Distribution

Grus monacha is one of cranes rarely seen on Siberian cranes’ flyway in eastern China. During survey, a total of 21 wetlands record Grus monacha, including 8 sites in Liaoning-Jilin region, accounting for 38% of all autumn stopover sites; 5 ones in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia and North China region each, accounting for 23.8%; 3 ones in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches, accounting for 14.3%.

For annual statistics on quantity of Grus monacha stopover sites, refer to the table below:

 

Quantity of Grus monacha stopover sites in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Total Heilong-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Shandong Region Anhui Jiangsu Hunan

2004 4 　 　 　 　 1 　 1 　 1 2 1 　 1

2005 9 3 1 2 1 1 　 3 　 3 2 2 　 　

2006 8 4 1 3 3 3 　 1 1 　 　 　 　 　

2007 9 5 3 2 3 2 1 1 　 1 　 　 　 　

2008 7 3 2 1 3 2 1 1 　 1 　 　 　 　

 

 

Grus monacha (bird)

 

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

Quantity

In autumn, year stopover quantity is 70-543, with the biggest number of birds found in 以Yangtze River middle and lower reaches, which records 467 in 2004 autumn, the maximum value over 5 years; followed by Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region, which records a total of 264 in 5 years, with annual average of 52; North China and Liaoning-Jilin record 20-30 birds annually.

Population size of Grus monacha in 2004-2008 autumn

 

Year Total Heilong-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Shandong Region Anhui Hunan

2004 543 　 　 　 　 33 　 43 　 43 467 465 2

2005 150 49 1 48 29 29 　 18 　 18 54 54 　

2006 225 170 25 145 54 54 　 1 1 　 　 　 　

2007 70 13 9 4 43 39 4 14 　 14 　 　 　

2008 152 32 31 1 50 49 1 70 　 70 　 　 　

Total 1140 264 66 198 176 204 5 146 1 145 521 519 2

 

In those 5 autumns, Heilongjiang Zhalong, Daqing wetland, Jilin Xianghai Reserve and Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone record the maximum stopover population. In 2006, Heilongjiang Daqing wetland records the 5-year high of 89.

Largest Grus monacha stopover populations in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Site Qty.

2004 Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone 43

2005 Heilongjiang Zhalong 36

2006 Heilongjiang Daqing Weland 89

2007 Xianghai Reserve 32

2008 Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone 70

 

4) Grus vipio

 

Distribution

It is also one of cranes rarely seen on Siberian cranes’ flyway in eastern China. In those 5 autumns, a total of 26 stopover sites are recorded, including 10 in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region; 7-8 in Liaoning-Jilin and North China region each; only 1 in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches.

The annual quantity of Grus vipio stopover sites remains at a low level. There is at least 1 province in each monitoring region that records stopover Grus vipio. Most of the years Heilongjiang has 5 stopover sites and the figure rises to 9 in 2005. Other provinces including Inner Mongolia, Jilin, Liaoning, Hebei, Tianjin and Anhui have 1-3 stopover sites. For specific quantity of stopover sites, see the following table:

Quantity of Grus vipio stopover sites in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Total Heilong-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong Region Anhui

2004 9 5 　 5 1 1 　 2 　 　 2 1 1

2005 15 11 2 9 1 1 　 3 2 　 1 　 　

2006 13 7 2 5 3 2 1 3 2 1 　 　 　

2007 12 8 3 5 3 3 　 1 1 　 　 　 　

2008 12 8 5 3 3 1 2 1 1 　 　 　 　

 

 

Grus vipio (bird)

 

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

Quantity

The quantity maintains a low level. In the autumns of 2004-2008, the annual recorded stopover quantity is 73-544. North China region records the highest, with a total of 911 in those 5 autumns. The birds are mainly distributed in Yellow River Delta. The year of 2004 records the largest stopover population (524); followed by Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region, recording a total of 215 in 5 autumns; Liaoning-Jilin region records a total of 71; middle and lower Yangtze River region records only 1 in Anhui in 2004.

Population size of Grus vipio in 2004-2008 autumns 

 

Year Total Heilong-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong Region Anui

2004 544 17 　 17 2 2 　 524 　 　 524 1 1

2005 180 88 5 83 5 5 　 87 27 　 60 　 　

2006 129 28 7 21 9 8 1 92 85 7 　 　 　

2007 73 27 14 13 8 8 　 38 38 　 　 　 　

2008 272 55 43 12 47 2 45 170 170 　 　 　 　

Total 1198 215 69 146 71 25 46 911 320 7 584 1 1

 

The sites with annual largest stopover population  are all in North China region. Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone records the 5-year high of 520 in 2004. In 2008, Hebei Haixing Yangcheng Reservoir records 170. The said 2 places are important stopover sites in autumn for Grus vipio in China.

Largest Grus vipio stopover populations in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Site Qty.

2004 Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone 520

2005 Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone 60

2006 Hebei Haixing Yangcheng Rreservoir 81

2007 Hebei Huanghua City Luqiao Town 38

2008 Hebei Haixing Yangcheng Rreservoir 170

 

5) Anthropoides virgo

 

Anthropoides virgo is the least recorded crane during survey. The birds are seen in certain places in certain years only. In autumn, only 5 Anthropoides virgo stopover sites are recorded. The annual highest number of such birds is 33, and the stopover sites with the largest population are Tumuji and Dalai Lake in Inner Mongolia. However, stopover quantity is very limited, generally 2-7 recorded each year.

For distribution of Anthropoides virgo stopover sites over 2004-2008 autumns, refer to distribution map 6.

Anthropoides virgo stopover sites and quantity in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Quantity of stopover sites Population size Largest stopover populations

Total Inner Mongolia Jilin Hebei Total Inner Mongolia Jilin Hebei Site Qty.

2004 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

2005 5 2 1 2 33 11 4 18 Inner Mongolia Dalai Lake 7

2006 2 1 　 1 3 2 　 1 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 2

2007 1 1 　 　 6 6 　 　 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 6

2008 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

 

6) Ciconia boyciana

 

Distribution

Ciconia boyciana is a species frequently seen during survey. In those 5 autumns, a total of 39 wetlands record stopover population, including 15 ones in Liaoning-Jilin, North China regions each; 4 ones in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia and middle and lower Yangtze River region each.

For annual statistics on quantity of Ciconia boyciana stopover sites, refer to the following table:

Quantity of Ciconia boyciana stopover sites in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Total Heilong-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong Region Anhui Hunan Hubei

2004 13 1 　 1 2 1 1 4 1 　 3 6 4 2 　

2005 19 2 　 2 7 5 2 8 2 　 6 2 2 　 　

2006 22 7 3 4 7 4 3 8 3 1 4 　 　 　 　

2007 15 3 1 2 4 2 2 8 2 　 6 　 　 　 　

2008 19 2 1 1 7 5 2 10 4 1 5 　 　 　 　

 

 

Ciconia boyciana (bird)

 

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

Quantity

It is a species with large population size among key species. In autumn, annual stopover quantity is 437-850. Liaoning-Jilin region records 300-500 birds annually. In 2007 autumn, this region records 561, a 5-year high; followed by North China region, with stopover quantity of 100-300; middle and lower Yangtze River region records 10-50 annually.

Population size of Ciconia boyciana in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Total Heilong-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong Region Anhui Hunan

2004 662 2 　 2 512 6 506 99 2 　 97 49 46 3

2005 437 5 　 5 264 255 9 158 46 　 112 10 10 　

2006 704 97 87 10 304 68 236 303 170 2 131 　 　 　

2007 676 5 3 2 561 552 9 110 68 　 42 　 　 　

2008 850 29 27 2 480 377 103 341 177 　 164 　 　 　

Total 3329 138 117 21 2121 1258 863 1011 463 2 546 59 56 3

 

Before southward migration in autumn, Ciconia boyciana gather in large numbers in Songnen Plain. Their population observed during survey is generally large. In 2007, Jilin Boluo Lake records a stopover population of 550. In 2004, Liaoning Linghai records a group of 506 birds. These two wetlands witness two largest stopover populations over 5 years. In the 1980-90s, Momoge Reserve used to be the biggest gathering place for Ciconia boyciana before southward migration in autumn in East Asia. It once recorded a stopover population of 300-800. Due to large influence to the gathering environment over recent 10 years, Ciconia boyciana gathering place no longer exists and they have to choose another place. This might be the reason for frequent change of stopover sites with the largest population of Ciconia boyciana recorded during survey.

Site and size of largest Ciconia boyciana stopover populations in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Site Qty.

2004 Liaoning Linghai Dayou Farm 506

2005 Momoge Reserve 200

2006 Liaoning Linghekou Reserve　 236

2007 Jilin Boluo Lake Reserve 550

2008 Xianghai Reserve 210

 

7) Ciconia nigra

 

Distribution

It is a species rarely found during survey. A total of 11 autumn stopover sites are recorded. Except one site in Liaoning-Jilin region, any other region has 3-4 sites. Each province where the species is found has 1-2 stopover sites.

For annual statistics on quantity of Ciconia nigra stopover sites, refer to the following table:

Quantity of Ciconia nigra stopover sites in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Total Inner Mongolia Jilin Hebei Shandong Anhui Hunan Hubei

2004 5 　 　 　 1 1 1 2

2005 2 1 　 　 1 　 　 　

2006 3 1 　 2 　 　 　 　

2007 4 2 　 　 2 　 　 　

2008 2 　 1 　 1 　 　 　

 

Ciconia nigra (bird)

Larus relicts (bird)

Anthropoides virgo

 

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

Quantity

In 2004 autumn, a total of 76 birds are recorded, with the largest stopover population (37) found in Shandong Dawenliu restoration zone, and 23 observed in Hunan and 11 detected in Hubei; in other years, any other province records only 1-3 such birds.

Quantity of stopover Ciconia nigra in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Population size Largest population size

Total Inner Mongolia Jilin Hebei Shandong Anhui Hunan Hubei Site Qty.

2004 76 　 　 　 37 5 23 11 Shandong Dawenliu restoration zone 37

2005 7 1 　 　 6 　 　 　 Shandong Dawenliu restoration zone 6

2006 4 1 　 3 　 　 　 　 Hebei Haixing Qingxian Salt Field 2

2007 5 2 　 　 3 　 　 　 Shandong Dawenliu restoration zone 2

2008 2 　 1 　 1 　 　 　 Jilin Xianghai 1

 

8) Larus relicts

 

It is a bird species seldom seen in autumn. In 2007, Hebei records 66, including the largest stopover population of 36 at the estuary of Zhangweixin River.

For distribution of Larus relicts stopover sites, see the map below:

 

 

9) Otis tarda

 

There are a total of 8 stopover sites for this species distributed in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia, Liaoning-Jilin and North China, including 4 in Liaoning-Jilin region and 2 in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia and North China each. In Northeast China, stopover sites are centralized at the rim of Keerqin Grassland where Jilin meets Inner Mongolia, and major stopover sites include Inner Mongolia Tumuji and Keerqin Reserve. Xianghai and Zhenlai Shuangmiao nearby Tumuji also record some of those birds in certain years.

Annual recorded stopover quantity is 50-167. The year of 2006 records 167, the maximum value in 5 years; 2008 records only 6 birds. The stopover quantity changes largely from year to year, with unsteady stopover population. The site with the maximum stopover population is Inner Mongolia Tumuji, which records the highest value of 74 in 2007 autumn. In some years, the largest population appears in Keerqin Reserve.

For annual statistics on Otis tarda stopover sites and quantity, refer to the table below

Otis tarda stopover sites and population size in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Year Quantity of stopover sites Population size Largest stopover population

　 Inner Mongolia Jilin Hebei Tianjin 　 Inner Mongolia Jilin Hebei Tianjin Site Qty.

2004 2 1 　 1 　 68 65 　 3 　 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 65

2005 6 2 3 1 　 49 24 24 1 　 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 17

2006 8 5 2 1 　 167 81 85 1 　 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 49

2007 6 5 　 　 1 100 98 　 　 2 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 74

2008 2 1 1 　 　 6 1 5 　 　 Inner Mongolia Keerqin 1

 

 

Otis tarda (bird)

 

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

1.4 Important species

 

In 2004-2008 autumns, a total of 28 important species are recorded, accounting for 75.7% of 37 important waterbird species involved in Monitoring Scheme (for distribution and quantity of important species, refer to the table below);

Dominant species

Important species are recorded. The following 4 species are seen in any monitoring region in any monitoring year: Egretta alba, Platalea leucorodia, Cygnus cygnus, and Anas poecilorhyncha;

The following 4 species appear in all monitoring regions but are not recorded in 1-2 monitoring years: Anser cygnoides, Anas acuta, Anas crecca, Anas penelope;

The said 8 species are dominant species in both temporal and spatial distribution during survey.

The top 5 species in quantity statistics in 5 autumns:

Anas poecilorhyncha         135976 

Anser albifrons             101112 

Anas crecca                76741 

Anas penelope              50665 

Anser cygnoides             42421 

 

Rare species

The following 4 species that appear in only one monitoring region and are recorded in only  1-2 monitoring years: Phalacrocorax pelagicus, Egretta eulophotes, Aix galericulata  Aix galericulata, Larus minutus. They are rare species recorded in temporal and spatial distribution.

The bottom 5 species in quantity statistics in 5 autumns are:

Pelecanus crispus              52 

Bubulcus ibis                14 

Aix galericulata            12 

Limnodromus semipalmatus     3 

Egretta eulophotes            2 

 

Statistics on important waterbird species in eastern China in 2004-2008 autumns

 

　 Region 　 Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Jilin-Liaoning North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

　 Year  　 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2004 2005

　 Waterbird quantity 　 16237 43646 41580 53952 33152 20284 54296 70160 30286 9493 16729 30407 8940 16464 10811 43407 11255

　 Number of species Total 15 16 21 17 19 10 11 16 15 13 17 16 13 15 13 16 8

　 Name of species

Latin name          　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

1 Podiceps auritus             244 1 　 4 　 　 　 　 197 　 　 26 16 　 　 　 　 　

2 Podiceps grisegena           1853 1 1812 11 　 　 　 　 8 　 　 21 　 　 　 　 　 　

3 Pelecanus crispus              52 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 1 25 19 3 4 　

4 Phalacrocorax pelagicus       124 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 124 　 　 　 　 　 　

5 Egretta eulophotes            2 　 　 　 　 2 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

6 Bubulcus ibis                14 　 　 6 　 8 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

7 Egretta alba                 4365 18 69 67 214 183 14 15 56 85 4 141 416 139 237 191 2131 385

8 Platalea leucorodia            11729 260 953 993 950 679 61 429 314 281 35 32 47 212 151 153 5895 284

9 Anser cygnoides             42421 6563 6794 5158 1974 335 546 3754 5286 4088 1587 5 　 7 6 34 4803 1481

10 Anser albifrons             101112 600 20626 6066 16742 6736 1830 3159 26468 12604 1111 　 　 　 　 　 5160 10

11 Cygnus cygnus               7148 98 199 857 257 393 416 140 167 139 86 541 959 260 1656 972 1 7

12 Cygnus columbianus           1654 12 　 37 5 6 　 　 　 47 46 　 37 3 353 5 958 145

13 Cygnus olor  173 8 　 51 23 9 　 　 　 　 　 5 7 　 70 　 　 　

14 Anas acuta                  35676 22 55 585 3819 2069 　 21150 4079 312 13 440 418 108 1639 953 14 　

15 Anas crecca                76741 7086 6576 10329 18380 10310 　 50 1045 46 1021 4124 6969 1715 4537 3417 1136 　

16 Anas formosa                4307 　 　 1 　 892 　 　 3032 257 80 　 8 　 36 　 1 　

17 Anas poecilorhyncha         135976 139 1977 701 1514 6902 562 23651 25146 3804 5239 7632 20289 4823 2535 4097 23025 3940

18 Anas penelope              50665 1376 3899 16160 8967 3378 160 254 1060 354 　 3000 902 688 5153 296 15 5003

19 Anas querquedula           766 　 417 24 137 5 113 19 2 　 　 　 　 　 2 　 47 　

20 Aythya baeri                5446 6 96 48 2 2 500 1675 2681 233 92 100 　 　 　 　 11 　

21 Aythya nyroca              958 　 21 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 4 25 902 　 　 6 　

22 Aix galericulata            12 　 　 10 2 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

23 Haematopus ostralegus      3658 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 3510 　 7 133 　 2 6 　 　

24 Numenius minutus         285 　 67 147 35 36 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

25 Limosa limosa             9200 47 44 262 928 1187 　 　 505 4506 143 500 171 37 　 670 200 　

26 Limnodromus semipalmatus     3 　 　 　 3 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

27 Larus saundersi              433 　 41 63 　 20 　 　 114 20 36 27 9 21 68 14 　 　

28 Larus minutus              16082 　 　 　 　 　 16082 　 　 　 　

Section 2 Spring monitoring

2 .1 Overview of migratory waterbirds

1) Species and quantity

In 2005-2009 springs, a total of 110 waterbird species, which belong to 8 orders and 16 families (refer to table  ).

The number of waterbird species recorded annually is 69-81 with waterbird quantity of 105371-292601, including 18-46 species and 2265-52759 waterbirds in Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia monitoring region; 56-70 species and 61609-246240 waterbirds in Liaoning, Jilin monitoring region; 48-67 species and 22399-80835 waterbirds in North China monitoring region; 43-62 species and 76872-172190 waterbirds in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches monitoring region. 

For species and quantity of waterbirds recorded in monitoring regions in different years, refer to the table below: 【table adjustment】

Statistics of waterbird species and quantity in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year 2005

Region Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China

Waterbird quantity 105371 21363 61609 22399

Number of species 69 18 62 54

Year 2006

Region Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China

Waterbird quantity 248372 52759 169103 26510

Number of species 76 29 70 48

Year 2007 

Region Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China

Waterbird quantity 292610 2265 246240 44105

Number of species 81 46 61 59

Year 2008

Region Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China

Waterbird quantity 150891 28631 66993 55267

Number of species 81 44 56 67

Year 2009 

Region Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China

Waterbird quantity 270694 12429 177430 80835

Number of species 69 40 59 51

 

Compare the quantity of waterbirds recorded in 3 monitoring regions (i.e., Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia, Liaoning-Jilin, North China) in 2005-2009 springs. The quantity of waterbirds is on the rise from 2005 spring - 2007 spring. But in 2008 spring, waterbird quantity falls 48.4% from 292610 in 2007 spring to 150891.

This change might be related to rain and snow disaster that hit Yangtze River middle and lower reaches in 2007 winter. In the spring of 2009, the quantity of waterbirds returned to a high level over 5 springs. Over 3 springs, the quantity of waterbirds on Siberian cranes’ flyway in eastern China remains around 250,000, well below the quantity of 600,000 recorded in autumn.

 

 

2) Composition of migration populations

Migratory waterbirds feature anatidae and shorebirds, totaling 58 species or accounting for 52.7% of total number of waterbird species recorded. There are 31 anatidae species and  27 shorebird species. There are 14 species of gulls and 10 species of herons, accounting for 12.7% and 9.1% of all waterbird species surveyed. The following families with only one species recorded each: Pelecanidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Otididae, Haematopodidae, Recurvirostridae, Glareolidae and Alcedinidae. This composition characteristic of migration populations varies little in different monitoring regions. It is also consistent with composition of waterbird population in autumn.

3) Dominant species and rare species

In 5 springs, the total number of top 10 waterbird species in terms of population size is 743699. They are dominant species in spring migration, accounting for 56.5% of 1317000, total number of migratory waterbirds. They are:

Anser fabalis               239540 

Anser cygnoides             99555 

Anas platyrhynchos           99028 

Aythya ferina               68095 

Larus ridibundus            52518 

Anser albifrons             44888 

Anas crecca                39781 

Anas poecilorhyncha         37097 

Anas acuta                  32411 

Chlidonias leucoptera       30786 

 

The bottom 10 waterbird species in terms of population size and only 1-2 recorded in 5 springs are:

Pelecanus crispus              2 

Butorides striatus             2 

Anser caerulescens           2 

Calidris ruficollis             2 

Alcedo atthis                 2 

Larus  ichthyaetus 2 

Ixobrychus eurhythmus          1 

Melanitta fusca            1 

Rallus aquaticus             1 

Porzana exquisita         1 

Amaurornis phoenicurus     1 

Gallicrex cinerea           1 

 

2.2. Flagship species - Grus leucogeranus

 

1) Distribution

Location and quantity of stopover sites

In 2005-2009 springs, a total of 28 stopover sites record Grus leucogeranus (refer to table --), including 5 ones in Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang monitoring region; 14 in Liaoning, Jilin monitoring region; 7 in North China monitoring region; 2 in middle and lower Yangtze River monitoring region.

The number of Grus leucogeranus stopover sites used annually is 15-23. The spring of 2009 records only 15 Grus leucogeranus stopover sites, the lowest utilization rate in 5 autumns. In any other year, the number of stopover sites is about 20. There are 23 stopover sites in 2006, the highest utilization rate over 5 springs.

For annual statistics on Grus leucogeranus stopover sites and quantity in spring, refer to the table below:

Statistics on Grus leucogeranus stopover sites in 2005-2009 springs

 

　 　 Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Shandong Region Anhui

2005 20 12 4 8 6 3 3 1 　 1 1 1

2006 23 7 2 5 14 11 3 1 　 1 1 1

2007 19 5 3 2 10 5 5 4 3 1 　 　

2008 19 5 3 2 13 10 3 1 　 1 　 　

2009 15 4 2 2 9 5 4 2 1 1 　 　

 

 

Grus leucogeranus

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

Figure 4: Schematic map for Grus leucogeranus stopover sites

2) Stopover habitats

Like in autumn, Grus leucogeranus choose Leymus chinensis meadow, reed marsh, coastal shoals, lake beach, grass islands and other wetlands as their stopover sites in spring migration. However, due to winter transpiration, water log in alkaline meadows on Northeast China Songnen Plain almost dries up in spring. As a result, Grus leucogeranus cannot use those places, but chooses to stop over at the rims of reed marshes instead. There are sparse plants and shallow waters, which are mixed with nearby alkaline meadows and Leymus chinensis meadows.

Over recent 2-3 springs, Grus leucogeranus gather in large groups at 3 wetlands including Liaoning Wolong Lake, Huanzidong and Jilin Momoge. Wolong Lake and Huanzidong have limited wetland area, and there are surrounding interferences from human production and living operations. Those places are not the best stopover habitats for Grus leucogeranus; at Etoupao in Momoge where those birds gather in large numbers, the surface water comes from returned water from paddy fields, which contains a large quantity of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. If the birds stay there long and get foods nearby, pollutants will be enriched in the bodies of Grus leucogeranus, thus jeopardizing the health of this species.

The 4 autumn stopover sites in Hunan, Hubei and Anhui in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches are not reused in spring, and it is probable that Grus leucogeranus will not stop over there in spring Migration.

3) Stopover site stability evaluation

Grus leucogeranus stopover site utilization frequency in 05-09 springs

 

　 Province Wetland 2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  frequency

1 Anhui Baidang Lake Wujindu  √ 　 　 　 　 　

2 Anhui　 Caizi Lake (Dongfengwei) 　 √ 　 　 　 　

3 Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone √ √ √ 　 　 60%

4 Shandong 121 coastal shoals 　 　 　 √ 　 20%

5 Shandong Yellow River estuary wetland 　 　 　 　 √ 20%

6 Hebei Changzhou City suburb 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

7 Hebei Huanghua City Huanandian Wetland 　 　 　 　 √ 20%

8 Hebei Tangshan Leting Wangtan Town Xinhai 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

9 Hebei Changli Tuanlin Xinlizhuang Wetland 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

10 Liaoning Shuangtaihekou √ 　 √ 　 √ 60%

11 Liaoning Huanzidong 　 √ √ √ √ 80%

12 Liaoning Santaizi Reservoir 　 　 　 　 √ 20%

13 Liaoning Huagu Reservoir 　 √ 　 　 　 20%

14 Liaoning Wolong Lake √ √ √ √ √ 100%

15 Jilin Shuangliao Sanhetun 　 √ √ √ 　 60%

16 Jilin Baolawendu √ √ 　 √ 　 60%

17 Jilin Xianghai 　 　 　 　 √ 20%

18 Jilin Tongyu Shihuadao 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

19 Jilin Boluo Lake 　 √ 　 √ √ 60%

20 Jilin Momoge 　 √ √ √ √ 80%

21 Jilin Zhenlai Red Flag Horse Farm 　 　 √ 　 　 20%

22 Jilin Zhenlai Baiyintaohai 　 √ √ √ √ 80%

23 Jilin Zhenlai Chuangye 　 √ 　 　 √ 40%

24 Heilongjiang Tailai Wetland √ √ 　 √ 　 60%

25 Heilongjiang Zhalong Nature Reserve √ √ 　 √ √ 80%

26 Heilongjiang Xingkai Lake Nature Reserve √ 　 　 　 　 20%

27 Inner Mongolia Tumuji Nature Reserve √ √ √ √ √ 100%

28 Inner Mongolia Dalai Lake Nature Reserve √ 　 　 　 　 20%

 

The wetlands used by Grus leucogeranus as stopover sites in each of 5 springs are Inner Mongolia Tumuji and Liaoning Wolong Lake, with utilization frequency of 100%. Those places are the most reliable stopover sites for Grus leucogeranus in autumn; followed by 4 sites with 80% utilization frequency, namely Liaoning Huanzidong, Jilin Momoge, Zhenlai Baiyintouhai, and Heilongjiang Zhalong; stopover sites with 60% utilization frequency include Shandong Yellow River Delta, Jilin Baolawendu, Boluo Lake, Shuangliao Sanhetun, Liaoning Shuangtaizi Hekou, and Heilongjiang Tailai; other stopover sites are only used by Grus leucogeranus in 1 or 2 years over the 5-year period, with a poor utilization rate of 20-40%. They are just randomly used as stopover sites, or they may be discarded by the species due to fragile habitat conditions and outside interference. The number of those stopover sites is 13, accounting for 46.4% of spring stopover sites, and they are mainly located in North China region.

2) Quantity

 

Quantity and trends

In 2005-2009 springs, the number of Grus leucogeranus recorded annually is 972-4890, including 72-723 in Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang monitoring region; 243-4701 in Liaoning, Jilin monitoring region; 3-43 in North China monitoring region; 3-11 in middle and lower Yangtze River monitoring region. Obviously, Liaoning-Jilin region is home to the highest number of those birds. The highest number of the species recorded in 2009 autumn makes up 96.1% of the maximum quantity in eastern China. North China and especially Yangtze River middle and lower reaches record a small number of this species. The number recorded in 2009 spring accounts for only 0.5% of total quantity.

Population size of Grus leucogeranus in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Shandong Region Anhui

2005 972 723 436 287 243 136 107 3 　 3 3 3

2006 1838 433 44 389 1391 960 431 3 　 3 11 11

2007 1749 72 26 46 1634 1330 304 43 36 7 　 　

2008 3752 600 404 196 3144 2096 1048 8 　 8 　 　

2009 4890 163 123 40 4701 2644 2057 26 5 21 　 　

Total 13201 1991 1033 958 11113 7166 3947 83 41 42 14 14

 

Over 5 springs, the quantity of Grus leucogeranus recorded are on the rise. In 2006, 2008 and 2009 springs, the stopover population size recorded increases by the degree of 1000 annually.

 

Maximum stopover population

Annual maximum stopover populations are recorded in Inner Mongolia Tumuji, Liaoning Huanzidong and Jilin Momoge separately. Momoge Reserve records the largest population of stopover Grus leucogeranus in eastern China for three consecutive springs (2007-2009). The spring of 2009 records 2616 Grus leucogeranus, accounting for 87.2% of global population size.

Largest stopover population of Grus leucogeranus in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Site Qty.

2005 Inner MongoliaTumuji 330

2006 LiaoningHuanzidong 427

2007 JilinMomoge 1156

2008 JilinMomoge 2080

2009 JilinMomoge 2616

 

 

Sites with and quantity of annual largest stopover population

Quantity

Inner Mongolia Tumuji   Liaoning Huanzidong    Jilin Momoge

Years and sites

 

3) Population structure

In spring, the number of stopover populations recorded in regions with identifiable adult and young Grus leucogeranus is 34. For recorded population size, quantity of young cranes and ratio of young cranes to group size recorded in different years, refer to the table below

Population structure of Grus leucogeranus in spring

 

Year Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Population size Qty. of young birds Ratio of young birds to group Population size Qty. of young birds Ratio of young birds to group Population size Qty. of young birds Ratio of young birds to group

 

2005 　 　 　 3 1 0.33  3 1 0.33 

2006 748 57 0.08  3 1 0.33  11 3 0.27 

2007 461 70 0.15  11 2 0.18  　 　 　

2008 2091 329 0.16  　 　 　 　 　 　

2009 5133 462 0.09  5 1 0.20  　 　 　

 

 

In spring, the ratio of young cranes to the group is generally 8.0-33.3%, with annual average ratio of 12.0-30.0%. The high ratio occurs in North China and Yangtze River middle and lower reaches. Since the quantity of stopover population does not exceed 11 and most of them are family groups, the ratio of young birds to adult ones is undoubtedly high. This ratio is not representative for spring migration species. The number of stopover Grus leucogeranus in Momoge in 2009 spring is 2616, of which 195 young cranes are recorded. Young cranes account for 7.5% of population size. Though this figure is below the statistical value on Songliao Plain, it shall be closest to actual situation.

In terms of ratio of young cranes to the group, the ratio in spring is 2.5% less than the ratio in autumn on Songliao Plain; in Momoge, the ratio in spring is 3.7% below the ratio in autumn. All this reflects the population loss after Grus leucogeranus return from their southward migration.

4) Migration

    Based on years’ study of Grus leucogeranus in Jiangxi Poyang Lake, from the first ten days of each March wintering Grus leucogeranus begin to “gather” and fly north about one week later or from the middle ten days of March. In Yellow River Delta, Grus leucogeranus are first observed in the middle ten days of March, and stay there for about 7 days before flying away; Liaoning Shuangtaihekou first records Grus leucogeranus in the last ten days of March; Jilin Baolawendu Reserve first witnesses Grus leucogeranus in the mid-to-last ten days of March, while Momoge Reserve generally records Grus leucogeranus flying back in the last ten days of March. After arriving at Northeast China Songnen Plain, Grus leucogeranus usually stop over for 30-40 days, and some of Grus leucogeranus populations continue to fly north at the end of April. By the first ten days of May, all Grus leucogeranus fly away.

For 3 springs (2007-2009), most of Grus leucogeranus fly back to Momoge Reserve in the mid-to-last ten days of every March and leave in the first-to-mid ten days of May. The stopover there lasts 65 days. In 2007-2009 springs, the stopover quantity of Grus leucogeranus at Momoge differs:

The dynamic change in stopover quantity of Grus leucogeranus in 2008 spring meets the previously observed rule, namely three stage of rising quantity, relative stability and falling quantity.

In 2007 spring, the quantity of migrating Grus leucogeranus at Momoge rises gradually. Grus leucogeranus first appear on March 24 and it takes 41 days for the figure to reach the annual peak of 1273 birds until May 3; later no relative stability period at high quantity level comes up. Instead the quantity falls sharply after May 5 and all cranes fly north within less than 5 days.

In 2009 spring, Grus leucogeranus are first observed on March 14, followed by a lengthy migration period. The stopover quantity reaches similar peaks on April 13 and April 30 separately. The value of each peak is about 2600. Following a 15-day period after April 30, the quantity of Grus leucogeranus continues to fall and all cranes leave by May 15. This complies with the Grus leucogeranus stopover rule in this site to some extent.

 

Migration trend of Grus leucogeranus in Momoge in 2007-2009 springs

Qty. (bird)

Date (Month/day)

 

 

2.3 Key species - other cranes and storks

 

1) Grus grus

Distribution

Over 5 springs, a total of 37 Grus grus stopover sites are recorded, including 20 ones in North China, accounting for over 50% of all stopover sites; 9 in Liaoning-Jilin region; 2 in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches.

For annual statistics on quantity of Grus grus stopover sites, refer to the table below:

Quantity of Grus grus stopover sites in2005-2009 springs

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong Region Hunan

2005 14 2 2 　 3 2 1 7 4 1 2 2 2

2006 19 4 4 　 4 4 　 10 8 1 1 1 1

2007 18 8 8 　 1 　 1 9 5 1 3 　 　

2008 18 10 9 1 　 　 　 8 5 　 3 　 　

2009 23 11 11 　 3 2 1 9 6 　 3 　 　

 

 

Grus grus (bird)

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

Quantity

In spring, the annual number of stopover quantity is 272-2689. Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region record a total of 2706 birds in 5 years; North China and Liaoning-Jilin regions record almost the same quantity, about 2000; middle and lower Yangtze River records the lowest value.

For annual quantity statistics of Grus grus, refer to the table below:

Population size of Grus grus in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong Region Hunan

2005 272 15 15 　 15 9 29 107 94 6 7 135 135

2006 856 297 297 　 297 23 　 259 178 6 75 3 3

2007 2689 1092 1092 　 1092 　 2 505 472 3 30 　 　

2008 1187 710 699 11 　 　 　 477 348 　 129 　 　

2009 1974 592 592 　 592 4 13 790 297 　 493 　 　

Total 6978 2706 2695 11 1996 36 44 2138 1389 15 734 138 138

 

Annual maximum stopover populations are recorded at 3 wetlands, namely, Hunan East Dongting Lake Dingzi Dam, Inner Mongolia Tumuji, and Shandong Dawenliu wetland restoration zone. In 2007 spring, Inner Mongolia Tumuji records the maximum value of 888.

Largest stopover population of Grus grus in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Site Qty.

2005 Hunan East Dongting Lake Dingzi Dam 124

2006 Inner MongoliaTumuji 268

2007 Inner MongoliaTumuji 888

2008 Inner MongoliaTumuji 310

2009 ShandongDawenliu wetland restoration zone 450

 

2) Grus japonensis

 

Distribution

Over 5 springs, a total of 29 Grus grus stopover sites are recorded, including 12 ones in North China, 10 in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia; 7 in Liaoning-Jilin region; no stopover population is found at Yangtze River middle and lower reaches.

For annual statistics on Grus japonensis stopover sites and quantity, refer to the table below:

Quantity of Grus japonensis stopover sites in 2005-2009 springs

 

Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Shandong

27 18 7 11 2 　 2 7 3 4

21 14 4 10 3 2 1 4 1 3

29 16 10 6 4 1 3 9 3 6

25 17 8 9 2 　 2 6 2 4

27 18 11 7 5 1 4 4 　 4

 

 

Grus japonensis

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

Quantity

In spring, the annual recorded stopover quantity is 495-774, with relatively stable quantity. Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia, North China and Liaoning-Jilin each record approximately 1000 birds. Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia records a total of 1275 in 5 years; followed by Liaoning-Jilin region with total quantity of 1096; North China records the lowest quantity of 969.

Annual maximum stopover populations are recorded at Liaoning Shuangtaizi Hekou and Heilongjiang Zhalong, each with annual quantity of more than 100 birds. In 2005 spring, Liaoning Shuangtaizi Hekou records 373, a 5-year high in population size.

For annual quantity statistics of Grus japonensis, refer to the table below

Population size of Grus japonensis in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Largest stopover population

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Shandong Site Qty.

2005 774 193 64 129 405 　 405 176 110 66 Liaoning Shuangtaizi Hekou 373

2006 744 292 29 263 209 8 201 243 27 216 Liaoning Shuangtaizi Hekou 201

2007 665 213 195 18 312 3 309 140 28 112 Liaoning Shuangtaizi Hekou 301

2008 495 308 41 267 33 　 33 154 22 132 Heilongjiang Zhalong 130

2009 662 269 71 198 137 2 135 256 　 256 Heilongjiang Zhalong 168

Total 3340 1275 400 875 1096 13 1083 969 187 782 　 　

 

3) Grus monacha

 

Distribution

In 5 springs, a total of 22 Grus monacha stopover sites are recorded, including 9-13 in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia and Liaoning-Jilin regions; 2-4 sites in North China and middle and lower Yangtze River region.

For annual quantity statistics of Grus monacha stopover sites, refer to the table below:

Quantity of Grus monacha stopover sites in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Shandong Region Anhui Hunan

2005 13 9 4 5 　 　 　 　 　 　 4 3 1

2006 17 10 4 6 5 4 1 　 　 　 2 2 　

2007 7 6 4 2 1 　 1 　 　 　 　 　 　

2008 13 10 7 3 2 1 1 1 　 1 　 　 　

2009 18 13 12 1 4 1 3 1 1 　 　 　 　

 

 

Grus monacha

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

Quantity

 

In spring, the annual recorded stopover quantity is 173-2623, with quite large quantity change. Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region records the highest quantity. The number of birds recorded there in 2009 spring reaches 2586, accounting for 98.6% of total quantity recorded in eastern China that year; followed by middle and lower Yangtze River region, with annual recorded quantity of 559 (2005 spring); Liaoning-Jilin region records a low quantity with the annual highest quantity of about 100; North China records the lowest number with only 1-2 birds found in some years.

For annual quantity statistics of Grus monacha, refer to the table below:

Population size of Grus monacha in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Shandong Region Anhui Hunan

2005 1579 1020 445 575 　 　 　 　 　 　 559 549 10

2006 1152 770 40 730 106 93 13 　 　 　 276 276 　

2007 173 154 138 16 19 　 19 　 　 　 　 　 　

2008 889 871 532 339 16 2 14 2 　 2 　 　 　

2009 2623 2586 2573 13 36 　 36 1 1 　 　 　 　

Total 6416 5401 3728 1673 177 95 82 3 1 2 835 825 10

 

Annual maximum stopover populations are recorded at Heilongjiang Zhalong and Inner Mongolia Tumuji. In 2009 spring, Inner Mongolia Tumuji records 1465, a 5-year high in spring surveys.

Largest stopover population ofGrus monacha in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Site Qty.

2005 HeilongjiangZhalong 350

2006 HeilongjiangZhalong 600

2007 Inner MongoliaTumuji 132

2008 Inner MongoliaTumuji 350

2009 Inner MongoliaTumuji 1465

 

4) Grus vipio

Distribution

In 5 springs, a total of 23 Grus vipio stopover sites are recorded, including 9-10 ones in Liaoning-Jilin and Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia regions each; 1-3 sites in North China and middle and lower Yangtze River regions each.

For annual quantity statistics of Grus vipio stopover sites, refer to the table below:

Quantity statistics of Grus vipio stopover sites over 2005-2009 springs

 

Quantity of Grus vipio stopover sites in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Region Jiangsu

2005 22 19 9 10 1 1 　 1 1 　 1

2006 17 11 3 8 4 3 1 2 2 　 　

2007 19 15 10 5 2 1 1 2 2 　 　

2008 17 15 7 8 1 　 1 1 1 　 　

2009 20 14 11 3 4 1 3 2 2 　 　

 

 

Grus vipio

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

Quantity

In spring, the number of stopover population recorded annually is 119-402 and the overall quantity is not high. Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region records the highest quantity. In 2006 spring, this region finds 290 birds, mainly distributed at Heilongjiang Zhalong; followed by North China, which records 153 in 2005 spring; Liaoning-Jilin region records a low quantity with the annual highest quantity of around 50; middle and lower Yangtze River region records the lowest quantity with 30 detected in a particular year.

Annual maximum stopover populations are observed at Hebei Nandagang, Huanghua Huanandian Wetland, Heilongjiang Zhalong and Jilin Nong’an Boluo Lake. In 2006 spring, Heilongjiang Zhalong records a population of 200, which is a 5-year high in spring stopover population.

For annual quantity statistics of Grus vipio, refer to the table below:

 

Population size of Grus vipio in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Yangtze River Largest stopover population

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Region Jiangsu Site Qty.

2005 349 148 58 90 18 18 　 153 153 30 30 Hebei Nandagang Wetland 153

2006 402 290 8 282 34 25 9 78 78 　 　 Heilongjiang Zhalong 200

2007 142 96 83 13 5 4 1 41 41 　 　 Hebei Huanghua Huanandian Wetland 29

2008 119 115 61 54 2 　 2 2 2 　 　 Heilongjiang Zhalong 20

2009 127 67 51 16 52 31 21 8 8 　 　 Jilin Nong’anBoluo Lake 31

Total 1139 716 261 455 111 78 33 282 282 30 30 　 　

 

5) Anthropoides virgo

It is a species least recorded during survey. Its stopover sites are found in Inner Mongolia and Jilin provinces. Annual maximum quantity does not exceed 32, and annual maximum stopover populations are recorded at Inner Mongolia Hulunbeier,Wulannuoer and Tumuji in Keerqin Grassland. The stopover population of 19 birds recorded at Inner Mongolia Wulannuoer in 2005 spring is a 5-year high in spring migration survey.

For annual statistics on Anthropoides virgo stopover sites and quantity, refer to the table below

Quantity of Anthropoides virgo stopover sites in 2005-2009 springs

 

　 Qty. of stopover sites Population size Largest stopover population

Year Total Inner Mongolia Jilin Total Inner Mongolia Jilin Site Qty.

2005 8 7 1 34 32 2 Inner Mongolia Wulannuoer 19

2006 7 6 1 30 23 7 Inner Mongolia Beirhu 5

2007 2 2 　 7 7 　 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 7

2008 3 3 　 6 6 　 Inner Mongolia Tumuji 2

2009 4 4 　 12 12 　 Inner Mongolia Huihe River 4

 

Larus relicts

Anthropoides virgo

Ciconia nigra

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

6) Ciconia boyciana

 

Distribution

In 5 springs, a total of 36 Ciconia boyciana stopover sites are recorded, including 12-15 ones in Liaoning-Jilin, North China regions each; 6 ones in Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region; 3 sites in middle and lower Yangtze River region.

For annual statistics on quantity of Ciconia boyciana stopover sites, refer to the table below

Quantity of Ciconia boyciana stopover sites in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year 　 Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong Region Anhui Hubei

2005 19 3 　 3 3 2 1 10 4 1 5 3 2 1

2006 22 2 　 2 5 2 3 8 3 1 4 7 3 4

2007 18 3 1 2 6 3 3 9 3 1 5 　 　 　

2008 12 2 1 1 1 　 1 9 4 1 4 　 　 　

2009 21 7 3 4 7 1 6 7 2 1 4 　 　 　

 

 

Ciconia boyciana

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

Quantity

It is a key species with large population size recorded during survey. The annual number of birds recorded is 444-783, including 525 (highest quantity) in North China, which once accounted for 67% of annual total; followed by Liaoning-Jilin region with annual highest record quantity of 428 in 2007 spring; Yangtze River middle and lower reaches and Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia region record a low quantity. In particular, Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia records no more than 50 annually.

For annual quantity statistics of Ciconia boyciana, refer to the table below:

Population size of Ciconia boyciana in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Total Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

Region Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Region Jilin Liaoning Region Hebei Tianjin Shandong Region Anhui Hubei

2005 783 10 　 10 118 112 6 525 471 5 49 130 119 11

2006 666 10 　 10 359 13 346 198 103 7 88 99 89 10

2007 764 18 15 3 428 42 386 318 65 129 124 　 　 　

2008 444 25 6 19 8 　 8 411 308 4 99 　 　 　

2009 661 42 10 32 424 5 419 195 58 9 128 　 　 　

Total 3318 105 31 74 1337 172 1165 1647 1005 154 488 229 208 21

 

 

Hebei Nandagang, Liaoning Shuangtaihekou and Kangping Wolong Lake record annual maximum stopover populations. The population of 347 birds recorded at Liaoning Shuangtaihekou in 2007 spring is a 5-year high.

Largest stopover population of Ciconia boyciana in 2005-2009 springs

　

Year Site Qty.

2005 Hebei Nandagang 277

2006 Liaoning Shuangtaihekou 241

2007 Liaoning Shuangtaihekou 347

2008 Hebei Nandagang 205

2009 Liaoning Kangping Wolong Lake 252

 

7) Ciconia nigra

It is a species rarely recorded during survey. There are only 5 stopover sites over 2005-2007 springs, with 4 ones in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches and 1 site in North China. Annual maximum quantity recorded in 2005 spring is 23, and the maximum stopover populations are observed at Anhui Shengjin Lake and Hebei Haixing Yangcheng Reservoir. the size of the maximum population is merely 6-7.

Refer to the map for distribution of Ciconia nigra stopover sites.

For annual statistics on Ciconia nigra stopover sites and quantity, refer to the table below

Population size of Ciconia nigra in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Quantity of stopover sites Population size 　 　 Largest stopover population

Total Hebei Anhui Hubei Total Hebei Anhui Hubei Site Qty.

2005 5 　 2 3 23 　 8 15 Anhui Shengjin Lake 6

2006 1 　 1 　 1 　 1 　 Anhui Shengjin Lake 1

2007 1 1 　 　 7 7 　 　 Hebei Haixing Yangcheng Reservoir 7

 

9) Larus relicts

It is a species whose distribution and quantity continually increase during survey. Stopover sites are distributed in 3 provinces, i.e., Inner Mongolia, Liaoning and Hebei. The annual number of stopover sites rises from 2 to 5; record quantity increases from 2005 spring to 79 in 2009 spring. The maximum stopover population is seen at Hebei Huanghua Port Langtuozi Beach, which records 45 in 2009 spring.

For annual statistics on Larus relicts stopover sites and quantity, refer to the table below. Refer to the schematic distribution map.

 

 

 

Larus relicts stopover sites and quantity in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Quantity of stopover sites Population size Largest stopover population

Total Inner Mongolia Liaoning Hebei Total Inner Mongolia Liaoning Hebei Site Qty.

2006 2 2 　 　 5 5 　 　 Inner MongoliaTumuji 4

2007 3 3 　 　 32 32 　 　 Inner MongoliaDalai Lake 25

2008 1 　 　 1 21 　 　 21 Hebei Huanghua Port Langtuozi Beach 21

2009 5 3 1 1 79 7 27 45 Hebei Huanghua Port Langtuozi Beach 45

 

 

8) Otis tarda

Stopover sites are distributed in 4 provinces, namely, Inner Mongolia, Heilongjiang, Jilin and Hebei. There are 11 spring stopover sites altogether, including 6 in Inner Mongolia, 3 in Jilin, and 1 in Heilongjiang and Hebei each. The annual stopover quantity is 44-184, and Inner Mongolia records the highest quantity. In the springs of 2007 and 2009, it records more than 100 birds. Annual maximum populations are observed at Hebei Chang County Wulongtang, Haixing Zhaomaotao and Inner Mongolia Tumuji. The maximum population is 74 recorded in Inner Mongolia Tumuji in 2007 spring.

For annual statistics on Otis tarda stopover sites and quantity, refer to the table below.

Otis tarda stopover sites and quantity in 2005-2009 springs

 

Year Quantity of stopover sites Population size Largest stopover population

Total Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Jilin Hebei Total Inner Mongolia Heilongjiang Jilin Hebei Site Qty.

2005 4 1 　 1 2 91 25 　 16 50 Hebei Chang County Wulongtang 43

2006 7 3 1 2 1 98 45 8 12 33 Hebei Haixing County Zhaomaotao 33

2007 8 7 　 　 1 184 169 　 　 15 Inner MongoliaTumuji 74

2008 4 4 　 　 　 44 44 　 　 　 Inner MongoliaTumuji 36

2009 14 11 　 3 　 156 129 　 27 　 Inner MongoliaTumuji 40

 

 

Otis tarda

Beijing 

Provincial administration center

Provincial boundary

Water area

 

 

2.4 Important species – global endangered waterbirds and waterbirds under China’s key protection

In 2005-2009 springs, 23 important species are recorded, accounting for 62.2% of 37 important waterbird species involved in Monitoring Scheme (for distribution and quantity of important species, refer to table  );

Dominant species

Important species are recorded. There are 2 species detected in all monitoring regions in all monitoring years, namely Anas creccaAnas crecca and Anas poecilorhyncha Anas poecilorhyncha;

The following 4 species are recorded in all monitoring regions but not found in 1-2 monitoring years: Egretta alba, Platalea leucorodia, Anas acuta, and Anas querquedula;

The said 6 species are dominant in monitoring temporal and spatial distribution.

The top 5 species in quantity statistics of spring survey are:

Anser cygnoides             99555 

Anser albifrons             4488 

Anas crecca                39781 

Anas poecilorhyncha         37097 

Anas acuta                  32411 

 

Rare species

The following 4 species are recorded in only one monitoring region in only 1-2 monitoring years: Podiceps grisegena Podiceps grisegena, Pelecanus crispus, Bubulcus ibis, Cygnus olor, and Porzana exquisita. They are rare species in monitoring temporal and spatial distribution.

The bottom 5 species in quantity statistics of spring survey are shown below:

Cygnus olor  43 

Aix galericulata            27 

Podiceps grisegena           8 

Pelecanus crispus              2

orzana exquisita         1 

Statistics on important waterbird species in eastern China in 2005-2009 springs 

　 Region 　 Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Liaoning-Jilin North China Middle and lower Yangtze River

　 Year 　 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2005 2006

　 Waterbird quantity 　 105 422 194 17269 536 21525 24032 59890 8266 51999 4919 5796 8274 8889 11094 100415 31881

　 Number of species 　 5 6 9 9 9 16 17 16 15 17 13 10 14 16 13 12 10

1 Podiceps grisegena           8 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 8 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

2 Pelecanus crispus              2 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 2

3 Bubulcus ibis                562 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 562 　

4 Egretta alba                 1691 　 6 33 72 67 7 7 17 4 45 22 7 192 246 119 489 358

5 Platalea leucorodia            6359 　 　 14 3 34 24 35 81 16 48 27 14 227 149 98 3756 1833

6 Anser cygnoides             99555 49 67 25 27 45 19474 2723 704 704 5701 　 　 　 4 　 50433 19599

7 Anser albifrons             44888 　 　 　 17000 2 102 5125 5386 241 4259 　 　 1 　 　 12772 　

8 Cygnus cygnus               6915 13 7 　 　 　 379 404 480 629 536 1478 536 1102 531 820 　 　

9 Cygnus columbianus           16578 　 　 　 　 　 　 2 10 　 69 1089 378 134 23 7 12207 2659

10 Cygnus olor  43 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 8 35 　 　 　

11 Anas acuta                  32411 　 　 6 1 33 231 3251 13181 3907 276 391 552 1780 342 1762 5328 1370

12 Anas crecca                39781 4 87 37 115 326 371 5171 4029 543 12635 562 573 1727 717 187 9002 3695

13 Anas formosa                23600 　 　 　 　 　 38 67 2006 386 21048 　 　 　 　 55 　 　

14 Anas poecilorhyncha         37097 30 247 39 31 6 275 3426 5028 465 3485 819 2668 2441 3206 6996 5807 2128

15 Anas penelope              6013 　 　 　 　 　 34 1372 799 1022 1103 39 560 　 709 108 31 236

16 Anas querquedula           908 9 8 36 18 19 120 534 34 37 38 19 　 2 2 4 27 1

17 Aythya baeri                28150 　 　 2 　 　 86 298 27553 　 26 　 　 30 31 124 　 　

18 Aythya nyroca              72 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 4 　 10 51 7 　 　

19 Aix galericulata            27 　 　 2 2 4 4 5 　 4 6 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

20 Porzana exquisita         1 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　 1 　

21 Haematopus ostralegus      118 　 　 　 　 　 30 19 9 15 14 27 　 　 4 　 　 　

22 Limosa limosa             6539 　 　 　 　 　 79 810 565 169 2513 366 258 380 1399 　 　 　

23 Larus saundersi              4188 　 　 　 　 　 271 783 　 124 197 76 250 240 1440 807 　 　

 

Section 3 Important wetlands and current status

 

Number of wetlands of international importance based on >1% species in 2005-2008 autumns

 

>1% species Qty. of wetlands >1% species Qty. of wetlands

Grus leucogeranus 10 Anser erythropus          2

Grus japonensis                 12 Anas falcata          2

Grus monacha             4 Anas poecilorhyncha 1

Grus vipio             2 Tadorna ferruginea                       1

Ciconia boyciana            14 Aythya baeri                  4

Platalea leucorodia 4 Charadrius alexandrinus 1

Anser cygnoides                     10 Numenius madagascariensis 2

Anser fabalis                      7 Tringa erythropus                1

Anser anser 1 Larus saundersi 1

 

Map for distribution of important wetlands

 

Number of species >1% in wetlands of international importance in 2004-2008 autumns

 

Region Province Site Number of species Region Province Site Number of species

Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Inner Mongolia  Huihe River 2 Liaoning-Jilin Liaoning Shuangtaihekou Reserve 4

Inner Mongolia Argun River 1 　 Liaoning Shenyang Kangping Wolong Lake 2

Inner Mongolia Tumuji 7 　 Liaoning Faku Huanzidong Reservoir 2

Inner Mongolia Keerqin Reserve 4 　 Liaoning Jinzhou Daling River estuary 2

Heilongjiang Zhalong 4 North China Shandong Yellor River Delta 5

Heilongjiang Daqing 2 　 Tianjin Beidagang 1

Heilongjiang Xingkai Lake 1 　 Hebei Hebei Funing Yanghekou 1

Liaoning-Jilin Jilin Shuangliao Maolin Sanhetun 1 　 Hebei Luanhekou 4

Jilin Da’an Lianhuapao 2 　 Hebei  Nandagang 1

Jilin Da’an Niuxintaobao 1 　 Hebei Haixing coastal area  2

Jilin Changling Qiaojiaweizi 2 Yangtze River Anhui Shengjin Lake Lianhe 6

Jilin Qian’an Jinzipao 1 　 Anhui Caizi Lake 4

Jilin Baolawendu Reserve 2 　 Hubei Chenghu Lake 1

Jilin Momoge Reserve  3 　 Hunan East Dongting Lake 3

Jilin Xianghai Reserve 4 　 　 　 　

　 Jilin Boluo Lake Reserve 3 　 　 　 　

 

Number of wetlands of international importance based on >1% species in 2005-2009 springs

 

〉1% species Qty. of wetlands 〉1% species Qty. of wetlands

Grus leucogeranus     10 Cygnus columbianus 2

Grus japonensis                 9 Anas formosa                      1

Grus monacha                           5 Anas falcata             4

Grus vipio                              3 Aythya ferina               1

Ciconia boyciana            10 Aythya baeri                  3

Platalea leucorodia 1 Numenius madagascariensis 2

Anser cygnoides                    11 Limnodromus semipalmatus 1

Anser fabalis                      4 Larus saundersi 4

Anser erythropus 2 Chlidonias leucoptera                 1

 

Number of species >1% in wetlands of international importance in 2005-2009 springs

　 　 　 　 　 　 　 　

Region Province Site Number of species Region Province Site Number of species

Heilongjiang-Inner Mongolia Inner Mongolia  Wulannuoer 1 North China Hebei Hebei Funng Yanghekou 1

Dalai Lake 2 　 Luanhekou 2

Huihe River 3 　  Nandagang 2

Tumuji 7 　 Huanghua City Huanandian 1

Heilongjiang Zhalong 5 　 Haixing coastal area 1

　 Tailai (Erlongtao Reserve) 2 　 Tianjin Tianjin Beidagang 1

Liaoning-Jilin Jilin Zhenlai Dandai Xiaowulantu 1 　 Yellor River Delta 3

Zhenlai Baiyintaohai 1 Yangtze River Anhui Fengsha Lake 1

Momoge 1 　 Baidang Lake 2

Qianguo Kulipao 1 　 Caizi Lake 1

Da’an Niuxintaobao 1 　 Shengjin Lake Lianhe 6

Xianghai 3 　 　 Sanqianmu 2

Baolawendu 1 　 Hunan Greater West Lake 1

ShuangliaoMaolin Sanhetun 1 　 Lesser West Lake 1

Liaoning Huagu Reservoir 2 　 East Dongting Lake 1

Huanzidong 6 　

Shuangtaihekou 7 　

　 　 Daling River 2 　 　 　 　

 

Chapter IV Main threats to wetland waterbirds and corresponding protection measures

Section 1 Threats to stopover sites for Grus leucogeranus and other waterbirds of international importance

On Siberian cranes’ flyway, cranes, storks and other waterbirds of international importance and their habitats are threatened in the following aspects:

1. Persistent droughts worsen water shortage facing wetlands in North China and Northeast China, which reduces wetland area, degrades ecological quality and destroys many migration stopover sites for cranes and storks. Traditional Grus leucogeranus spring stopover sites like Liaoning Faku Sanmianchuan, Erbaifang core zone of Jilin Xianghai Reserve, and Jilin Zhenlai Sanmenwangjia now record no Grus leucogeranus;

2. Declining water level of lakes and marsh wetlands aggravates land reclamation by farmers living around wetlands. This operation goes from bad to worse despite prohibitions. Even within nature reserves, this act cannot be effectively contained. During 2005 spring survey in Momoge Reserve, tractors were found plowing and cultivating in Harnao Dam along Nenjiang River. The majority of reed marshes along Taoer River are contracted and exploited. This phenomenon is prevalent in Northeast China and North China;

3. The density and intensity of aquaculture in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches and Bohai Rim increase with each passing day. Excavation at lake beaches and coastal shoals for fish ponds destroys original vegetation; excessive human activities make it hard for waterbirds to find a peaceful habitat; the introduction of new aquatic product species jeopardizes ecological safety of local aquatic species;

4. Unreasonable wetland utilization modes are still underway. Out of concern for official performance or economic growth, some local governments or departments propose and implement projects like “10000-mu afforestation”, “land reclamation from sea” and “creation of cash forests”, thus changing the previous purposes of many wetlands. This problem is prevalent in Yangtze River middle and lower reaches.

5. Water pollution, poaching, poisoning, oil development, port construction, tourism development and similar problems are also threatening the survival of waterbirds. Those adverse factors cannot be thoroughly solved in a short time.

5.2 Adopted protection & management measures and result evaluation

During surveys in 2004-2009, relevant provinces (autonomous regions), city governments and competent departments on Siberian cranes’ flyway have taken the following protection & administrative measures:

1) Wetland water replenishment activities for 4 Siberian Crane GEF project points, namely Zhalong, Momoge, Xianghai and Keerqin, have been conducted according to project arrangement. The work of Nenjiang River water diversion into Momoge Reserve, implemented along with the project, has been started with initial effect already achieved;

2) The work of diverting Songhua River water into Jilin Nong’an Boluo Lake Wetland has been conducted for 2 years. In 2005, the proposal was submitted to Changchun People’s Congress for deliberation and then the fund for water diversion was put in place. Relevant units were coordinated and the long-term effective water diversion mechanism was realized. Through wetland water engineering, Boluo Lake’s ecological environment has turned for the better, and now it becomes an important habitat for waterbirds including Grus leucogeranus;

3) A wetland waterbird preservation zone is being proposed where Jilin Songhua River, Second Songhua River and Nenjiang River converge. So far relevant applications have been completed; relevant departments are preparing to build nature reserves at coastal area of Liaoning Jinzhou and Liugu Hekou in Huludao;

4) Under suggestion of monitoring survey teams, relevant units are applying for the construction of 3 preservation zones in the west of Jilin aimed at protecting wetlands and waterbirds;

5) With existing two national nature reserves namely Yellow River Delta and Hengshui Lake, North China monitoring region has developed Cangzhou Nandagang Wetland, Tianjin Beidagang Wetland and Tuanpowa Reservoir into provincial /municipal reserves;

6) For Hebei Cangzhou Haixing Wetland, the provincial reserve application work has been initiated, and the project has passed expert demonstration and now awaited approval from provincial government;

7) Hebei wetland management authorities at various levels have taken advantage of incoming river water last winter and this spring to proactively accumulate water for wetlands, thus improving wetland ecological environment and reversing the degrading trend. As a result, aquatic plants grow rapidly and attract more waterbirds in species and quantity this spring.

5.3 Suggestions on protection and administration

1) Government and People’s Congress at various levels shall draft laws and regulations on wetland protection as soon as possible and provide legal guarantee for wetland protection and administration;

2) The nation shall strengthen the construction of wetland reserves in funds, policies and other aspects to help boost the capability and level of reserve wetland and waterbird protection & administration;

3) The State Forestry Administration shall give attention and support to significant wetlands on Siberian cranes’ flyway in distributing nationwide wetland preservation engineering expenses;

4) Continue to build a batch of wetland reserves at the earliest time possible. At places where has no enough conditions for reserve construction but are important habitats for Grus leucogeranus, preservation zones in different systems shall be set up, such as Haixing Yangcheng Reservoir, Huanghua Guangyangchang Reservoir, Huanandian, Qinhuangdao Qilihai, Air Forces Range, Tangshan Leting Wangtan Xinhai and other zones proposed by North China monitoring region;

5) Develop popular science education on wetlands and waterbirds to enhance public awareness of wetland & waterbird protection.