Assessing habitat suitability and conservation priorities for flagship crane species across critical wetlands in northeast China

Protected areas are considered to be essential shelters for wildlife species and their habitats. At present, approximately 17 % of the world's land areas are under protection, but large conservation gaps still exist. Moreover, to fulfil the global commitment of protecting 30 % of land areas by 2030, identifying potential habitats and conservation priorities for threatened species are urgently required. Therefore, this study aims to assess the habitat suitability of five species of cranes, which are internationally recognized flagship species across critical wetlands in northeast China, and to identify gaps in the current PAs network using a combination of field- based investigation and a species distribution modelling approach. Line transects were repeatedly conducted at monthly intervals to cover the entire migratory and breeding seasons, with a total length of 4622 km. Information on crane occurrences and habitat conditions were recorded during the fieldwork. Results showed that distance from lakes predominantly determined the distribution of the cranes. Winter precipitation affected stopover determination of migratory cranes, and temperature affected the distribution of breeding cranes. The analysis showed that the current PA network could not cover the entire suitable habitat for all crane species, with >50 % of suitable migratory crane habitat and approximately 20 % of suitable breeding crane habitat remaining outside of the PAs. Correspondingly, two conservation priority areas were identified that require effective conservation measures. This study provides critical information on the habitat requirements of five crane species and identifies conservation priorities so that flagship species and critical wetlands can be effectively protected.