The Spatial-Temporal Dynamics and Niche Separation of Overwintering Shorebirds in Nanji Wetland National Nature Reserve of Poyang Lake, China
The Spatial-Temporal Dynamics and Niche Separation of Overwintering Shorebirds in Nanji Wetland National Nature Reserve of Poyang Lake, China
Zeng Jianhui, Shao Mingqin*, Zhi Yijin and Yang Fucheng
ABSTRACT
In January of each year from 2015 to 2020, a survey of shorebirds in 13 sampled areas of Nanji Wetland National Nature Reserve of Poyang Lake was conducted to study the spatial–temporal distribution and niche separation of shorebirds over 6 years. Three families and 11 species were recorded. Scolopacidae had the highest number of species (7), which accounted for 63.64% of all species of shorebirds surveyed. From 2015 to 2020, the number of species (5–7) showed little variation, indicating that the reserve could provide a stable wintering environment for a variety of shorebirds. The number of dominant shorebird species showed large variation over spatial and temporal scales, indicating that the birds would change their spatial distribution according to changes in micro-habitat. Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus was distributed across 13 sampled areas with relatively large population sizes, and the temporal niche (0.880) and spatial niche (0.798) were wide. Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus was distributed in 12 sampled areas with small but relatively stable population sizes, and the temporal niche (0.972) and spatial niche (0.830) were the widest. The results showed that the adaptability of Northern Lapwing and Spotted Redshank in Poyang Lake was stronger and they were more widely distributed than other shorebirds. The niche overlap in spatial and temporal dimensions of these two species was the highest. They had niche separation to decrease competition and improve coexistence, mainly through differences in food composition, foraging mode, and micro-habitat. The foraging habits of Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta are similar to those of Spotted Redshank, and the spatial and temporal niche overlap with Spotted Redshank was relatively high. These species had spatial niche separation to decrease competition and improve coexistence, mainly through differences in foraging mode and micro-habitat. The results indicate that the diversity of micro-habitat types can provide habitat for more shorebirds and decrease competition. Therefore, protection of diverse micro-habitats can maintain a high diversity of shorebirds.
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