Analysis on the Variation of Waterbird Communities in Different Habitats of Khanka Lake in China

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the community composition of waterbirds, especially endangered birds such as cranes and storks, in different habitats of Khanka Lake and to provide a scientific basis for their conservation and management. Method: We investigated the characteristic parameters of the waterbird community systematically from May 2014 to April 2015, and in December 2017 at six habitats in four regions of Hugang wetland, Longwang Temple, Dongbeipaozi Wetland and Qingshan Reservoir in Khanka Lake. Result: In Khanka Lake, a total of 364 063 individuals from 85 species, 11 families and 7 orders were recorded; the wetland had the largest area, and hence the greatest number of bird species, and the highest diversity index of birds, dominated by Anseriformes and Charadriiformes. The woodland and shrubland had the fewest number of species because of the smallest area, whereas the shrubland had the lowest diversity index, and the composition of waterbirds was dominated by herons. Among the four regions, the diversity of waterbirds in Hugang was the highest, followed by Longwang Temple, and Dongbeipaozi Wetland, and Qingshan Reservoir was the lowest. There was a significant difference in the waterbird population sizes for the different regions due to the different habitats. Conclusion: The population sizes of ducks and cranes in Khanka Lake decreased due to expanding habitat conversion and due to anthropogenic influences, especially the expansion of farmland and the shrinkage of wetlands and meadows in Longwang Temple and Dongbeipaozi Wetland, which were the main breeding sites for red-crowned cranes, white-naped cranes and oriental storks. We suggest that a habitat-based management strategy should be formulated for the conservation of waterbird communities in Khanka Lake. © 2019, Editorial Department of Scientia Silvae Sinicae. All right reserved.