江苏盐城黑嘴鸥(Larus saundersi)繁殖微生境的选择

1999～2001年春夏对江苏盐城国家级自然保护区黑嘴鸥的繁殖微生境进行了调查。黑嘴鸥的繁殖生境包括碱蓬群落(Suaeda glauca)、獐毛群落(Aeluropus littoralis)和大米草群落(Spartina anglica)。通过生境可获得性与可利用性分析,得知黑嘴鸥营巢对碱蓬生境具有正选择性,对獐毛和大米草生境具有负选择性。对繁殖微生境选择研究的结果表明, 黑嘴鸥繁殖微生境具有以下特征：植被高度5～25 cm,植被盖度20％～60％,底栖生物量大于300 g/m²,距水源距离500～1000 m,距人类活动干扰距离大于500 m。滩涂开发和人为活动是影响盐城地区黑嘴鸥繁殖微生境选择的重要因素。本文对黑嘴鸥繁殖栖息地的保护和管理提出了一些建议。     

江苏盐城黑紫鸥（Larus saundersi）繁殖微生境的选择

1999～2001年春夏对江苏盐城国家级自然保护区黑嘴鸥的繁殖微生境进行了调查,黑嘴鸥的繁殖生境包括碱蓬群落（Suaeda glauca）、獐毛群落（Aeluropus littoralis）和大米草群落（Spartina anglica）,通过生境可获得性与可利用性分析,得知黑嘴鸥营巢对碱蓬生境具有正选择性,对獐毛和大米草生境具有负选择性。对繁殖微生境选择研究的结果表明,黑嘴鸥繁殖微生境具有以下特征：植被高度5～25cm,植被盖度20%～60%,底栖生物量大于300g/m^2,距水源距离500～1000m,距人类活动干扰距离大于500m,滩涂开发和人为活动是影响盐城地区黑嘴鸥繁殖微生境选择的重要因素。本文对黑嘴鸥繁殖栖息地的保护和管理提出了一些建议。     

黑嘴鸥繁殖栖息地动态遥感监测

以江苏盐城国家级自然保护区核心区为研究区,结合黑嘴鸥巢址GPS点,利用1992、2002和2007年Landsat TM遥感影像作为主要信息源,借助地理信息空间分析技术,在获取栖息地植被类型信息的基础上,采用非等密度亚像元模型反演碱蓬植被覆盖度信息,提取研究区黑嘴鸥适宜繁殖栖息地动态变化情况,并进一步对其进行预测.结果表明,15a间,在自然和人为的双重干扰下,研究区内碱蓬滩面积由4772.3 hm2减少到4062.2hm2,年变化率为-47.34 hm2/a.碱蓬植被覆盖度均值由1992年的(27.6±3.8)%增长到2002年的(35.4±2.0)%,至2007年达到(53.1±4.5)%.同时,利用2002、2007年黑嘴鸥巢址GPS位点,提取对应年份黑嘴鸥繁殖栖息地碱蓬群落覆盖度,其均值分别为(35.08±4.8)%和(37.58±7.6)%,无差异显著性(P=0.066).结合黑嘴鸥繁殖栖息地选择的水源和干扰距离等因子,叠加分析表明核心区黑嘴鸥适宜繁殖栖息地面积由1992年的2063.1 hm2小幅增加到2002年的2158.0 hm2(4.6%),到2007年间大幅减少到1723.1 hm2(-20.2%),年降幅高达86.97 hm2/a.按照2002～2007年碱蓬覆盖度变化率水平计算,盐城保护区核心区黑嘴鸥适宜繁殖栖息地将在19.8a后全部消失.有关研究成果,可为保护区黑嘴鸥及其繁殖栖息地的保护、管理与恢复提供科学依据,同时也为特定栖息地的监测方法提供参考.     

黑嘴鸥巢址的时空变化

利用Arcview GIS对江苏盐城国家级自然保护区1999-2007年黑嘴鸥的巢址时空变化研究结果表明:区域尺度上,江苏盐城沿海黑嘴鸥种群数量维持在1000只左右,多年平均为954只±161.26只,但由于滩涂围垦和开发,其营巢地主要集中在核心区,种群数量占整个种群数量的85.24%±7.00%。地点尺度上,中路港巢区的多年平均面积为153.19hm2±112.09hm2,三里闸巢区的多年平均面积为62.60hm2±66.41hm2;两个巢区的质心总体上均向东南方向偏移,中路港巢区与潮沟大泗洋子距离以及三里闸巢区与潮沟大流水距离均呈现减小趋势;但同一巢区不同年份的重叠面积、密度和质心均不尽相同。影响黑嘴鸥巢区时空变化的因素包括年际间降雨量、潮水的入侵、植被演替等自然因素,同时还包括无序开发利用滩涂生物资源、拾捡鸟蛋、人为改变滩涂水动力等人为因素。鉴于此,提出了江苏盐城沿海黑嘴鸥及其栖息地的保护管理建议。     

双台河口保护区开展“黑嘴鸥生物学特性与保护对策”科研课题

1996年,辽宁双台河口国家级自然保护区承担了林业部的重点科研课题“黑嘴鸥生物学特性与保护对策的研究”,该课题研究的主要内容包括:(1)对黑嘴鸥生态学进行研究,即研究黑嘴鸥的繁殖分布与繁殖生态、巢址选择、食性和种群结构、种内、种间关系、成幼比例、维持其种群正     

红隼的生态和繁殖生物学观察

１９８９－１９９１年的４－８月，在山西庞泉沟自然保护区，对红隼生态和繁殖生物学进行了观察。已知该鸟的栖息地有三种：营巢地、觅食地和短暂停息地，利用率分别为３９．４２％、４０．３７％和２０．１９％。该鸟的种群密度在繁殖前４月为２．０６，繁殖后的８月为２．８９，繁殖后比繁殖前的种群密度增加４０．２９％。该鸟营巢于悬崖峭壁的洞穴或石缝；产卵多在５月，产卵与孵卵同步；窝产卵３－６枚，孵化期２９－３０天。其食物组成为小型啮齿动物、小型鸟类和昆虫，分别占６４．２６％、３１．５０％和４．２６％。     

盐城滨海海堤林中黑尾蜡嘴雀和黑卷尾的巢址选择与生态位

繁殖期鸟类的巢址选择受到很多因素的影响。许多雀形目鸟类选择在树上营巢,但开阔的沿海地区通常缺乏成片的自然林地,人工种植的廊道状海堤林则成为多种雀形目鸟类的营巢地。2018年4-8月在江苏省大丰麋鹿国家级自然保护区境内的海堤林中,对繁殖鸟类巢的分布及两种优势繁殖鸟类---黑尾蜡嘴雀(Eophona migratoria)和黑卷尾(Dicrurus macrocercus)的巢址选择进行了研究,分析了两种鸟类的生态位重叠情况。结果表明:海堤林生境中共发现10种繁殖鸟的127个巢,鸟巢多数位于5 m以上的空间;影响黑尾蜡嘴雀巢址选择的主要因素是巢树和灌木等,巢位置、乔木和安全等因素是次要因素(前5主分量累计贡献率为71.9%);影响黑卷尾巢址选择的主要是巢树因素和灌木因素,巢向、乔木因子是次要因素(前5主分量累计贡献率78.0%);在巢址生态位分化上:两种鸟类的巢向(Utest,Z=-3.013,P<0.01)、巢高(Utest,Z=-6.718,P<0.01)、巢位置(Utest,Z=-5.402,P<0.01)、隐蔽性(Utest,Z=-4.081,P<0.01)选择上存在极显著的差异,两者在这些因子存在生态位分化;两种鸟类在12个巢址因子选择上的生态位重叠值都较大(最小值为0.500,最大值为0.998),存在激烈的种间竞争;在滨海地区,海堤林是依赖树木筑巢繁殖鸟类的重要栖息地,需要加强保护与管理。     

河南董寨自然保护区野外朱鹮繁殖影响因子

通采用人工调查, 测量的方法, 记录了董寨自然保护区内2016—2019年共计49个朱鹮巢穴各项数据, 通过分析获得朱鹮巢穴所在位置的气象因子、海拔、郁闭度、巢-觅距、干扰因素等因素与朱鹮窝卵数和繁殖成功率相互关系。结果表明: 董寨自然保护区自2016年野化放飞朱鹮到2019年止, 野外巢穴数量逐渐增加, 营巢区域不断扩大, 但营巢地点相对集中; 朱鹮选择筑巢树种多为马尾松, 选择频次显著高于黄山松(P < 0.05)。气象因子(温度和降水量)、朱鹮营巢地海拔、筑巢树种、营巢地林间郁闭度、巢—觅距及人为干扰因素并不影响朱鹮的窝卵数, 但营巢地海拔(P < 0.001)、巢—觅距(P = 0.001)显著影响朱鹮的繁殖成功率, 营巢地海拔越高, 巢—觅距越短, 朱鹮的繁殖成功率越高; 干扰因素中人为干扰对朱鹮繁殖成功率的影响比种间竞争和天敌大, 人为干扰强度越大, 朱鹮的繁殖成功率越低。朱鹮繁殖影响因子的研究为提高董寨自然保护区朱鹮野外繁殖成功率, 当地保护部门更好的保护野外朱鹮提供科学依据。     

芜湖市及附近地区三种鹭鸟巢址特征

2005年,对芜湖市及附近地区4个营巢地的3种主要营巢鹭鸟--白鹭(Egretta garzetta)、夜鹭(Nycticorax nycticorax)和池鹭(Ardeola bacchus)的巢址特征进行了抽样调查,选取了11个巢址变量,即营巢树种、巢高、巢树高、巢上方郁闭度、巢周围1m半径内植被郁闭度、巢树胸径、巢离树干距离、巢下最大支撑枝直径、巢离巢区边缘的距离、坡位、巢位海拔,运用单因素方差分析和主成分分析方法研究3种鹭乌的巢址特征.结果表明,巢位因子、巢树因子、保护因子、坡位因子等4个主成分描述了3种鹭鸟的巢址特征,其贡献率分别为25.51%、24.42%、13.19%和12.32%.影响鹭鸟巢址选择的最主要因素是微栖息地适合度和巢捕食压力.     

四川南充农田区乌鸫的巢址选择

2007年3～5月在四川省南充市近郊农田区域对乌鸫Turdus merula sowerbyi的巢址选择进行了研究.共调查57个巢址样方,通过主成分分析(PCA)提取到影响乌鸫巢址选择的6个主要因子,其累积贡献率达74.44%, 其中乔木因子的贡献率最高,达26.58%.农田区中,乌鸫在4月中旬开始营巢,营巢树平均高度为16.02±2.29 m,主要巢树种类是白杨.     

DIET OF HARTLAUB'S GULL LARUS HARTLAUBU AND THE KELP GULL L. DOMINICANUS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN CAPE PROVINCE,SOUTH AFRICA

Steele, W.K. 1992. Diet of Hartlaub's Gull Larus hartlaubii and the Kelp Gull L. dominicanus in the southwestern Cape Province, South Africa. Ostrich 63:68-82.

Hartlaub's Larus hartlaubii and Kelp Gulls L. dominicanus in the southwestern Cape feed on a wide range of prey species. On average, Kelp Gulls feed on larger-sized prey than do the smaller Hartlaub's Gulls. In an undisturbed environment the preferred foraging habitats of Hartlaub's and Kelp Gulls are rocky shores and open, sandy beaches (where sand mussels Donax serra are common) respectively. However, as a result of man's activities, several new foraging habitats have become available including croplands, fishing harbours and refuse dumps. The provision of supplementary food at these new foraging habitats is likely to be the cause of a recent population increase. Kelp Gull chicks are fed predominantly “natural” prey which indicates that the population increase may not be due to enhanced reproductive success, but to improved post-fledging survival of juveniles, which are known to aggregate at sites where supplementary food is provided.     

The maintenance of shore-level size gradients in an intertidal snail (Littorina sitkana)

Summary The size of many intertidal animals varies with tidal height. These size gradients could be produced by growth or survival varying with tidal height, or by animals moving to a preferred tidal level. The body size of the snail, Littorina sitkana, increases steadily with tidal height in rocky high intertidal habitats of British Columbia. To determine how size gradients were maintained in L. sitkana, I quantified how growth, survival, and snail movement varied with tidal height. I studied populations of L. sitkana found on sheltered pebble beach and exposed basaltic shelf habitats. Mark-recapture studies and experimental transplants showed that growth could not have produced the size gradients because snail growth rates in both habitats were as fast or faster at low tidal levels (where the snails were the smallest) than at high tidal levels. However, survival rates were lowest at low tidal levels. On pebble beaches, this was due to size selective predation on large snails by the pile perch, Rhacochilus vacca. On basaltic shelves, heavy wave action at low tidal levels may have caused the poor survival rates. Transplanted snails moved homeward on pebble beaches, but not on basaltic shelves. Reduced survival rates at low tidal levels cause size gradients in both habitats, and snail movement helps to maintain size gradients on pebble beaches.     

Modeling foraging behavior of piping plovers to evaluate habitat restoration success

Habitat restoration projects are often deemed successful based on the presence of the target species within the habitat; however, in some cases the restored habitat acts as an ecological trap and does not help to improve the reproductive success of the target species. Understanding wildlife–habitat relationships through precise measurements of animal behavior can identify critical resources that contribute to high quality habitat and improve habitat restoration practice. We evaluated the success of a restored piping plover (Charadrius melodus) breeding habitat in New Jersey, USA. We identified the major factors influencing foraging rates, compared foraging activity budgets over 3 yr at restored and natural habitats, and explored the potential of artificial tidal ponds as a viable restoration alternative. Adult foraging rates were higher in artificial pond and ephemeral pool habitats, during low tide, and after breeding activity ended. Adult foraging rates were impeded by the presence of people and vehicles within 50 m. Chick foraging rates were highest at artificial ponds and bay shores and lowest in dunes and on sand flats. Chick foraging rates were strongly hindered by the presence of corvids and the number of people within 50 m. In addition, at artificial tidal ponds, piping plovers spent more time foraging and less time engaged in defensive behaviors (vigilance, crouching, and fleeing) compared to other potential habitats. Our findings support the hypothesis that artificial tidal ponds are a valuable, perhaps superior, foraging habitat. Future beach restoration projects should include this feature to maximize habitat quality and restoration success. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

Habitat use and selection by Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis in winter in Yancheng Biosphere Reserve, China

We report the distribution and habitat selection by the Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis in winter in the Yancheng Biosphere Reserve, China. Including original wetlands and artificial habitats, six types of habitat are used by the species: saltworks (salinas), fish ponds, reed beds, Wormwood Artemisia halodendron beaches, tidal grasslands and wheat fields. We compared the habitat availability with habitat use in each type. In winter, Red-crowned Crane preferentially used tidal grasslands and fish ponds. Saltworks, Wormwood beaches and wheat fields were avoided. The distribution of Red-crowned Crane in different types of habitat changed with the distribution of freshwater and with human activities.     

Foraging habitat selection by Little Terns Sternula albifrons in an estuarine lagoon system of southern Portugal

We assessed the effects of environmental variables on the distribution and feeding behaviour of adult Little Terns Sternula albifrons in Ria Formosa Natural Park, Algarve, southern Portugal, in different foraging habitats (main lagoon, salinas and sea) during the breeding seasons, April–July, of 2003–05. Foraging density was higher in the lagoon than in the sea, and at low tide. The number of foraging individuals at sea was independent of tide. Individual Little Terns foraged further from the nearest breeding colony in April and May (courtship feeding and incubation) than in June and July (chick-rearing). During intermediate tidal phases, individuals foraged further from the nearest colony, and followed main lagoon channels, perhaps because stronger currents increased prey availability. Diving activity and foraging success were higher in 2003 than 2004 or 2005, perhaps because of greater availability of marine prey in 2003. Diving rate was higher in July (when independent juveniles began learning how to forage) but diving success was higher in June (chick-rearing) than in other months. The variables selected by the final logistic models reflected four basic needs for the selection of feeding habitats by Little Terns: (1) association between foraging individuals, (2) areas with abundant feeding resources, (3) entrance channels and main lagoon channels with strong currents, and (4) the proximity to areas with alternative feeding resources, the salinas. Areas subjected to strong human pressure were avoided by foraging Little Terns.     

Effects of predation-risk on habitat use by Himalayan Snowcocks

Summary When given a choice, animals often prefer foraging habitats where predation risk is low, even if such habitats provide reduced foraging opportunities. We evaluated foraging rates of tame but free-ranging Himalayan Snowcocks (Tetraogallus himalayensis) in 16 types of alpine habitats. Foraging rate was highest on level or slightly-sloping terrain and where grasses were relatively abundant. We also observed 102 wild snowcocks and found they were most nervous about raptorial predators when on level or slightly-sloping terrain and in small coveys. Snowcocks face a dilemma: they are most vulnerable to raptors in areas where they can forage most efficiently. During summer snowcocks trade off higher foraging efficiency on level terrain for lower predation risk on steeper terrain. During winter, when raptor numbers are lower, snowcocks apparently revert to using level or slightly-sloping, high-efficiency foraging habitats. Risk of predation plays an important role in habitat selection and resource utilization by snowcocks.     

Movement and habitat use of juvenile Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens,Rafinesque, 1817) in a large hydroelectric reservoir (Nelson River,Canada)

Movement and habitat utilization of juvenile Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) were examined in Stephens Lake, a large hydroelectric reservoir on the Nelson River, Manitoba, Canada, between 21 June 2011, and 15 October 2012. Stephens Lake is defined by a sharp hydraulic gradient at the upstream end (Gull Rapids) and a pronounced reservoir transition zone (RTZ), characterized by a change in substrate composition from coarse to fine. Twenty juvenile Lake Sturgeon <600 mm fork length were captured in the RTZ, implanted with acoustic transmitters, and tracked using stationary receivers. Our primary hypothesis considered that, if foraging behaviour was contingent on sand substrate, these fish would spend the majority of the open‐water season foraging in the relatively small area where hydraulic gradients dictate sand deposition. Data indicated that tracked individuals were highly bottom oriented, and utilized deeper thalweg habitats exclusively during the first open‐water season. On average, juveniles spent only 22% of their open‐water time in the RTZ (river kilometer [rkm] 4.5–7.0). Most fish spent more time upstream as opposed to downstream, but a few individuals did utilize backwatered thalweg areas, suggesting that silt‐overlay habitats may be suitable for foraging. A seasonal spatial shift in distribution was also observed. Juveniles vacated the RTZ as winter progressed, moving further downstream and occasionally laterally into backwatered shallows, potentially avoiding extreme ice conditions and a large hanging ice dam that develops downstream of Gull Rapids. After ice break‐up, most individuals with active tags returned to the upstream end of Stephens Lake. The results add to the growing body of evidence that suggests factors other than habitat suitability influence Lake Sturgeon movement and utilization patterns, raising questions about the mechanisms for core‐area affinity in this species.     

Opportunistic feeding responses of the Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis to accessibility of refuse dumps

Capsule The gulls adjust their diet composition and diversity according to refuse dump accessibility.

Aims To examine the influence of the accessibility of open-air refuse dumps on the pre-laying diet of the adult Yellow-legged Gull.

Methods We studied six colonies settled on six rocky islands off the southeastern coast of France. A comparative study of the diet of breeding adults from the six colonies was made through pellet analysis (a total of 848 pellets). We determined the main foraging habitat used (refuse dumps, terrestrial habitats, marine habitat) and the number of foraging habitats used simultaneously (one, two or three), from which we deduced the mean diet diversity.

Results Refuse dumps were consistently the main foraging habitat (evidence in 53–74% of pellets) for the six colonies, even when refuse dump accessibility was low. The majority of pellets contained materials from two simultaneous foraging habitats (evidence in 50–64% of pellets). We demonstrated the influence of a gradient of refuse dump accessibility in terms of adjustment of the pre-laying adult's diet. Indeed, high refuse dump accessibility leads to a poorly diversified diet dominated by refuse. In contrast, when refuse dump accessibility is low, Yellow-legged Gulls broaden their trophic niche, with an increased exploitation of alternative foraging habitats, such as terrestrial habitats.

Conclusion These results show the species' opportunistic feeding and high adaptability, two parameters which need to be known to foresee the consequences on population dynamics, feeding and predatory behaviour of a sudden and severe food shortage, for example due to closure of open-air refuse dumps.     

崇明东滩越冬白头鹤觅食地特征的初步研究

对崇明东滩越冬白头鹤 (Grusmonacha)觅食地的特征进行了研究。结果表明 :①在潮沟边缘和平滩 2种微地貌之间 ,白头鹤的取食强度具极显著差异 (P <0 0 1) ,食物埋藏深度和食物重量具显著差异 (P <0 0 5 )。②在由北向南 3条样线之间 ,白头鹤的取食强度、食物埋藏深度、食物数量和食物重量差异极显著 (P<0 0 0 1)。③在内带、中带和外带 3条植被带之间 ,食物的埋藏深度和食物重量差异极显著 (P <0 0 0 1) ;由于潮水的影响 ,白头鹤在 3条植被带之间的取食强度无显著差异。白头鹤通过食物埋藏深度、食物重量和食物数量 3个特征来选择最佳的觅食场所。其中 ,食物的埋藏深度对白头鹤觅食地的选择具有最重要的作用 ,白头鹤倾向取食埋藏浅的食物 ;而潮水的冲刷作用是造成食物埋藏深度不同的主要原因。通过食物的平均埋藏深度与白头鹤平均取食深度的比较 ,可以较准确地预测白头鹤的取食地点