Study on the Influence of Different Feeding Habitats on the Behavioral Habits of Siberian Cranes in the Songnen Plain

As a habitat for waterbirds, wetlands are key to their survival, reproduction and development. Waterbirds usually prefer breeding, wintering and resting in fixed locations. Siberian cranes (<i>Grus leucogeranus</i>), which are highly dependent on wetlands, have long fed on farmland at mi...

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Main Authors: Shiying Zhu, Guangyi Deng, Haibo Jiang, Jie Gao, Chunguang He, Yan Zhang, Yingyue Cao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Diversity
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/1/36
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author Shiying Zhu
Guangyi Deng
Haibo Jiang
Jie Gao
Chunguang He
Yan Zhang
Yingyue Cao
author_facet Shiying Zhu
Guangyi Deng
Haibo Jiang
Jie Gao
Chunguang He
Yan Zhang
Yingyue Cao
author_sort Shiying Zhu
collection DOAJ
description As a habitat for waterbirds, wetlands are key to their survival, reproduction and development. Waterbirds usually prefer breeding, wintering and resting in fixed locations. Siberian cranes (<i>Grus leucogeranus</i>), which are highly dependent on wetlands, have long fed on farmland at migratory stopover sites. To explore the reason for this phenomenon, the time budgets of Siberian crane populations stopping over on farmland or in wetland habitats were studied and compared in this study. The results showed that the farmlands visited by the Siberian cranes are rich in food resources and have experienced low levels of disturbance. The temporal distribution of feeding behavior on farmland (53.50%) was greater than that in wetland habitats (31.96%). The variations in warning, flying and walking behavior on farmland were less than those in wetlands. The feeding efficiency on farmland was significantly greater than that in wetlands. Therefore, Siberian cranes transiting the Songnen Plain leave wetland habitats and stop over on farmland, representing a behavior that occurs more than just occasionally. Instead, they change their foraging habitat choices based on the optimal foraging theory. As a transit feeding area for Siberian cranes, farmland poses a significant risk, and the restoration of wetland habitats and food resources is still needed. This study can provide theoretical support for the conservation of rare and endangered species (the Siberian crane) and the management of stopover sites.
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spelling doaj-art-3161f0fd5f374263809b6a0d9698ab182025-01-24T13:29:26ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182025-01-011713610.3390/d17010036Study on the Influence of Different Feeding Habitats on the Behavioral Habits of Siberian Cranes in the Songnen PlainShiying Zhu0Guangyi Deng1Haibo Jiang2Jie Gao3Chunguang He4Yan Zhang5Yingyue Cao6Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaKey Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaKey Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaKunming Center of Comprehensive Natural Resources Survey, China Geological Survey, Kunming 650100, ChinaKey Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Vegetation Restoration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, ChinaZhenlai County Water Resources Bureau, Zhenlai County People’s Government, Baicheng 137000, ChinaFaculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, JapanAs a habitat for waterbirds, wetlands are key to their survival, reproduction and development. Waterbirds usually prefer breeding, wintering and resting in fixed locations. Siberian cranes (<i>Grus leucogeranus</i>), which are highly dependent on wetlands, have long fed on farmland at migratory stopover sites. To explore the reason for this phenomenon, the time budgets of Siberian crane populations stopping over on farmland or in wetland habitats were studied and compared in this study. The results showed that the farmlands visited by the Siberian cranes are rich in food resources and have experienced low levels of disturbance. The temporal distribution of feeding behavior on farmland (53.50%) was greater than that in wetland habitats (31.96%). The variations in warning, flying and walking behavior on farmland were less than those in wetlands. The feeding efficiency on farmland was significantly greater than that in wetlands. Therefore, Siberian cranes transiting the Songnen Plain leave wetland habitats and stop over on farmland, representing a behavior that occurs more than just occasionally. Instead, they change their foraging habitat choices based on the optimal foraging theory. As a transit feeding area for Siberian cranes, farmland poses a significant risk, and the restoration of wetland habitats and food resources is still needed. This study can provide theoretical support for the conservation of rare and endangered species (the Siberian crane) and the management of stopover sites.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/1/36optimal foraging theorySongnen Plainhabitat preferencesbehavioral habitsfeeding behavior
spellingShingle Shiying Zhu
Guangyi Deng
Haibo Jiang
Jie Gao
Chunguang He
Yan Zhang
Yingyue Cao
Study on the Influence of Different Feeding Habitats on the Behavioral Habits of Siberian Cranes in the Songnen Plain
Diversity
optimal foraging theory
Songnen Plain
habitat preferences
behavioral habits
feeding behavior
title Study on the Influence of Different Feeding Habitats on the Behavioral Habits of Siberian Cranes in the Songnen Plain
title_full Study on the Influence of Different Feeding Habitats on the Behavioral Habits of Siberian Cranes in the Songnen Plain
title_fullStr Study on the Influence of Different Feeding Habitats on the Behavioral Habits of Siberian Cranes in the Songnen Plain
title_full_unstemmed Study on the Influence of Different Feeding Habitats on the Behavioral Habits of Siberian Cranes in the Songnen Plain
title_short Study on the Influence of Different Feeding Habitats on the Behavioral Habits of Siberian Cranes in the Songnen Plain
title_sort study on the influence of different feeding habitats on the behavioral habits of siberian cranes in the songnen plain
topic optimal foraging theory
Songnen Plain
habitat preferences
behavioral habits
feeding behavior
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/17/1/36
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