The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, China

The landscape of the Poyang Lake wetland is significantly influenced by changes in water levels, impacting the distribution of habitats for migratory birds. While long-term effects of water level variations have been extensively studied, short-term impacts on Siberian crane habitats and their ecolog...

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Main Authors: Xin Li, Bisong Hu, Shuhua Qi, Jin Luo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Remote Sensing
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/23/4431
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author Xin Li
Bisong Hu
Shuhua Qi
Jin Luo
author_facet Xin Li
Bisong Hu
Shuhua Qi
Jin Luo
author_sort Xin Li
collection DOAJ
description The landscape of the Poyang Lake wetland is significantly influenced by changes in water levels, impacting the distribution of habitats for migratory birds. While long-term effects of water level variations have been extensively studied, short-term impacts on Siberian crane habitats and their ecological vulnerability remain poorly understood. This study utilized 35 years (1987–2022) of Landsat remote sensing data and daily water level records from Poyang Lake to examine the effects of short-term water level fluctuations on the spatial distribution and ecological vulnerability of Siberian crane habitats. The geographic detector method was employed to quantify the explanatory power and interaction effects of factors, including short-term water level fluctuations, on ecological vulnerability. The findings reveal significant differences in the habitats of wintering Siberian cranes across various water level intervals and short-term fluctuation patterns. Short-term water level fluctuations can result in the largest suitable wintering habitat area for Siberian cranes, reaching 1856.41 km<sup>2</sup> in this study. These habitats are highly sensitive to short-term water level changes, with rising and falling trends potentially leading to habitat loss. Oscillating water levels in the short term create broader and more concentrated habitats. Notably, fluctuations at low water levels support the sustainability and stability of crane habitats. Furthermore, short-term water level trends and nature reserves play a critical role in maintaining habitat ecological vulnerability; well-managed and protected nature reserves exhibit significant explanatory power, both in single-factor analysis and in their interaction with other environmental factors. Specifically, these protected areas show explanatory power exceeding the 20% threshold for both water level fluctuations and ranges, highlighting the crucial role of anthropogenic management in mitigating ecological vulnerability. This study emphasizes the necessity of scientifically informed regulation of short-term water level fluctuations to protect Siberian crane habitats and provides a strong scientific basis for decision-making support.
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spelling doaj-art-e511dac492da4b509ed265adc378a30c2025-08-20T02:50:36ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922024-11-011623443110.3390/rs16234431The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, ChinaXin Li0Bisong Hu1Shuhua Qi2Jin Luo3School of Geography and Environment, Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Ministry of Education), Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, ChinaSchool of Geography and Environment, Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Ministry of Education), Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, ChinaSchool of Geography and Environment, Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Ministry of Education), Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, ChinaSchool of Geography and Environment, Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Wetland and Watershed Research (Ministry of Education), Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, ChinaThe landscape of the Poyang Lake wetland is significantly influenced by changes in water levels, impacting the distribution of habitats for migratory birds. While long-term effects of water level variations have been extensively studied, short-term impacts on Siberian crane habitats and their ecological vulnerability remain poorly understood. This study utilized 35 years (1987–2022) of Landsat remote sensing data and daily water level records from Poyang Lake to examine the effects of short-term water level fluctuations on the spatial distribution and ecological vulnerability of Siberian crane habitats. The geographic detector method was employed to quantify the explanatory power and interaction effects of factors, including short-term water level fluctuations, on ecological vulnerability. The findings reveal significant differences in the habitats of wintering Siberian cranes across various water level intervals and short-term fluctuation patterns. Short-term water level fluctuations can result in the largest suitable wintering habitat area for Siberian cranes, reaching 1856.41 km<sup>2</sup> in this study. These habitats are highly sensitive to short-term water level changes, with rising and falling trends potentially leading to habitat loss. Oscillating water levels in the short term create broader and more concentrated habitats. Notably, fluctuations at low water levels support the sustainability and stability of crane habitats. Furthermore, short-term water level trends and nature reserves play a critical role in maintaining habitat ecological vulnerability; well-managed and protected nature reserves exhibit significant explanatory power, both in single-factor analysis and in their interaction with other environmental factors. Specifically, these protected areas show explanatory power exceeding the 20% threshold for both water level fluctuations and ranges, highlighting the crucial role of anthropogenic management in mitigating ecological vulnerability. This study emphasizes the necessity of scientifically informed regulation of short-term water level fluctuations to protect Siberian crane habitats and provides a strong scientific basis for decision-making support.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/23/4431Poyang LakeSiberian crane habitatsshort-termwater level fluctuationsvulnerabilitygeographic detector
spellingShingle Xin Li
Bisong Hu
Shuhua Qi
Jin Luo
The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, China
Remote Sensing
Poyang Lake
Siberian crane habitats
short-term
water level fluctuations
vulnerability
geographic detector
title The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, China
title_full The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, China
title_fullStr The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, China
title_full_unstemmed The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, China
title_short The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, China
title_sort influence of short term water level fluctuations on the habitat response and ecological fragility of siberian cranes in poyang lake china
topic Poyang Lake
Siberian crane habitats
short-term
water level fluctuations
vulnerability
geographic detector
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/16/23/4431
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