Strategic analysis of avian conservation within key areas and key species - A case study of Baiyangdian, China

Global climate change and extensive human activities are causing rapid transformations in natural ecosystems, leading to the rapid loss of suitable habitats for wildlife, which urgently requires measures to protect global biodiversity. In the past decade, China has invested heavily in ecological restoration, but current projects often do not prioritize biodiversity conservation. Therefore, developing systematic conservation strategies and using quantitative methods to identify conservation key areas and key species within a regional scale is of great importance for current ecological restoration. In this study, we focused on avian species, using an Ensemble Species Distribution Model to identify bird distribution hotspots and accordingly proposed conservation key areas in Baiyangdian. Additionally, the AHP-EWM-TOPSIS method and ENMTools were utilized to select flagship bird species with strong umbrella effects and to determine conservation key species. The results indicate that the Fuhe wetland, southwest of ZaoZaDian, central and northern of ShaoCheDian, northwest of Beitian Village and Datian Village, northern of XiaoBaiYangDian, and the Xiaoyihe wetland should be designated as the bird- conservation key areas. The key birds should include Aythya baeri, Ardea alba, Phasianus colchicus, Falco tinnunculus, Upupa epops and Paradoxornis heudei, with higher priority given to A. baeri, A. alba, P. colchicus and F. tinnunculus. This study aims to provide a systematic framework for identifying conservation key areas and key species, facilitating the efficient use of public funding by local governments, and providing scientific guidance for conserving the bird diversity of Baiyangdian.