Seasonal change and habitat selection of shorebird community at the South Yangtze River Mouth and North Hangzhou Bay, China

摘要: Abstract Coastal regions are important habitats for migratory shorebirds. The aim of the study is to understand habitat use by shorebirds and develop a conservation strategy in sustainable wetlands. From March 2004 January 2005, we conducted seasonal census ten coastal along South Yangtze River mouth North Hangzhou Bay, simultaneously examining relative abundance their spatial distribution. A total 25 species were identified, dominant Great Knot ( Calidris tenuirostris ), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper alpine ) Red-necked Stint ruficollis spring; Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus Common Greenshank( Tringa nebularia Lesser Sand mongolus summer; Plover, Greenshank autumn; Dunlin( Marsh stagnatilis winter. These accounted more than 85% numbers counted was highest spring then autumn, winter summer respectively. Among four seasons, there few significant differences number bird between sites outside seawall (intertidal mudflat) inside (artificial wetland), but average density obviously different. habitat-selection analysis environmental factors (outside seawall) impacting on shorebird community made 10 with Canonical Correspondence Analysis. results indicated that: (1) Outside seawall, widths intertidal mudflat bare key affecting shorebirds; proportion bulrush Scirpus×mariquete covering supertidal width had positive correlation birds, while human disturbance both reed Phragmites communis smooth cord-grass Spartina alterniflora surveyed areas negative impacts numbers; (2) Inside proportions shallow water mudflats occupying area influencing birds; size should have impact appearance Habitats heavy disturbance, dense or high level not conducive be inhabited