Changes in Overwintering Population and Distribution of Scaly-sided Merganser(Mergus squamatus)in the Lower Reach of the Yuan River
Population and distribution dynamics of endangered waterbirds is essential for the conservation of wetland biodiversity and ecosystem maintenance.This study systematically monitored the wintering population and distribution dynamics of the Scaly-sided Merganser(Mergus squamatus)in the lower reach of Yuan River from 2011 to 2023.The results showed that from 2011/2012 to 2022/2023,the wintering population of Scaly-sided Merganser in the lower reach of the Yuan River increased from 66 to 119.Specifically,the maximum number in the main stream increased from 37 to 62,with the main habitat changing from the 38 km river section between the Lingjintan hydropower station dam and the Taoyuan hydropower station dam to the 9 km downstream river section of the Taoyuan hydropower station dam.The number of Scaly-sided Merganser in reservoirs in the lower reach of Yuan River increased from 29 in January 2012 to 59 in January 2023,with the most significant increase observed in the Zhuyuan Reservoir.Changes of the distribution of Scaly-sided Merganser in the main stream of the Yuan River may be related to the upstream water level rising due to the construction of the Taoyuan hydropower station,potentially leading to habitat loss.The increase in population may be attributed to the finalization of water project construction after 2014,the ten-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River,and easier observation due to a more concentrated distribution.The population increase of Scaly-sided Merganser in reservoirs in the lower reach of the Yuan River may be partially attributed to the depopulation and reduced human disturbance in towns where the reservoirs are located.
Scaly-sided Merganseroverwinteringlower reach of the Yuan Riverreservoirpopulation
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
