摘要: Migratory divides,where individuals from distinct breeding populations within a species exhibit divergent migratory routes and strategies,play a critical role in shaping avian ecology and evolution.These divides can drive intraspecific genetic divergence and promote reproductive isolation,potentially leading to population differentiation and speciation.Understanding the migration strategies of populations utilizing distinct flyways is essential not only for elucidating the mechanisms underlying migration patterns but also for informing effective species conservation efforts.From 2014 to 2023,we used satellite tracking to monitor the migration patterns of 87 White-naped Cranes(Antigone vipio) from the species' two breeding populations—western(Mongolia) and eastern(Songnen Plain,China).We delineated their migratory routes,quantified key migration parameters,and identified their population-and season-specific differences in migratory strategies.Our results indicate that the Greater Khingan Mountains and the Bohai-Yellow Sea formed a distinct migratory barrier separating the eastern and western populations.Significant differences in migration strategies were observed between populations and seasons.The western population adopts a "longer-distance,slower-speed,more-stopover" strategy,while the eastern population employs a "shorter-distance,higher-speed,fewer-stopover" strategy.Our study identifies the migratory divides between the two populations of White-naped Cranes and highlights the importance of migratory divides in shaping distinct migration strategies.These findings enhance our understanding of the factors driving population-specific migration strategies and provide a foundation for tailored conservation efforts for these populations.

摘要: Artificial light at night(ALAN),as an emerging pollutant,disrupts wild animals' nocturnal behaviours and physiological processes.Recent evidence indicates that ALAN can also impair diurnal cognition,especially in highly developed vertebrates.However,previous research has rendered mixed results across taxa and task types,with the parameters of the light source also scattered.That limits conclusion generalizability.Here we examined cognitive impacts of ALAN in housed Java Sparrows(Lonchura oryzivora),focusing on two questions:(1) whether ALAN uniformly impairs diverse cognitive traits and(2) how correlated colour temperatures(CCTs) modulate these effects.Sparrows were exposed to amber light(low CCT),neutral-white light(medium CCT),blue light(high CCT),or a no-light control.We then compared individual performance in three cognitive paradigms which were used to assess the animals' capacities of discrimination learning,reversal learning,and inhibitory control.Results showed no significant effects of ALAN on discrimination learning,but ALAN-exposed birds required fewer trials in reversal learning.Lower CCT(amber light) led to more failures in detour-reaching.These findings indicate that cognitive impacts of ALAN are not uniformly negative but depend on cognitive function and CCT.Our study highlights context-dependent effects of ALAN,providing insights for optimizing urban lighting policies to balance ecological and human needs.

摘要: Urbanization destroys wildlife habitats,fragmenting them into small patches with poor connectivity,leading to population declines in species sensitive to such chan ges.Escape is the most common anti-predator strategy adopted by birds,refuges in habitats reduce or eliminate predation risk.Therefore,creating habitats with suitable refuges for birds has significant implications for their conservation.However,there have been few studies on refuge selection in birds.This study examined the Eurasian Tree Sparrow(Passer montanus) and Oriental Magpie(Pica serica) in urban and rural areas of Chengde City,northern China by measuring their alert distance(AD),flight initiation distance(FID),an d distance fled(DF) and analyzed their refuge selection characteristics after escaping.The FID/AD ratio was employed to assess the behavioral differences of birds in the risk trade-off.The results showed that the FID and FID/AD of both species were lower in urban areas than in rural areas and were negatively correlated with immediate human density.Sparrow FID was significantly affected by group size and landing substrate type.The FID of sparrows was positively correlated with the group size.The sparrows that fled to bushes escaped earlier.In urban and rural areas,sparrows exhibited significantly lower FID,DF,and FID/AD than magpies.The species adopted different refuge selection strategies,with magpies preferentially selecting trees with greater vertical height and sparrows selecting both trees and bushes.Further analysis indicated that the horizontal and vertical distances fled of both species were lower when fleeing to bushes.Urban planning and conservation areas construction should incorporate the ecological needs of local bird species to rationally configure their habitat structure,thereby optimizing the effect of avian conservation.

摘要: Reconciling biodiversity conservation with economic advancement represents a defining challenge of the Anthropocene epoch.Although ecotourism is widely promoted as a strategy capable of delivering both environmental and developmental benefits,empirical evidence regarding its ecological and socioeconomic impacts remains limited.This study critically examined the Hide-in-Bird Pond(HIBP) model,a rapidly expanding,community-based avitourism framework in China that integrates targeted wildlife provisioning with concealed infrastructure for bird observation,simultaneously establishing a novel income source for economically marginalized rural regions through ecotourism.Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 98 HIBP operators,and thematic analysis was applied to evaluate current developmental patterns,spatial distribution,and conservation outcomes.A total of 251 HIBP sites were identified across China,predominantly located in biodiversity-rich but economically marginalized regions.These sites collectively supported 524 bird species—36% of China's avifauna—including 148 species classified as nationally protected or threatened(38% of nationally listed bird taxa).These findings suggest that HIBP can serve as an integrative socio-ecological platform that aligns conservation objectives with sustainable rural development.However,the absence of standardized governance frameworks and ecological safeguards poses significant risks to biodiversity an d long-term sustainability.Implementation of science-based adaptive management systems,incorporating systematic biodiversity monitoring,inclusive stakeholder coordination,and certified sustainable tourism protocols,is critical to ensure ecological integrity and sectoral resilience.These findings offer novel insights into aligning conservation objectives with economic development across regions characterized by high biodiversity and persistent economic disadvantage.

摘要: Grasslands are among the world's most threatened ecosystems, and steppe birds face increasing risks from human activities. This study investigates how human impacts affect the distribution and community structure of breeding steppe birds in Inner Mongolia, a biodiversity hotspot in Asia. We conducted standardized point-count surveys across a gradient from intact grasslands to urbanized areas, integrating species occurrence data, functional traits and the Human Footprint Index(HFI). Using Generalized Linear Models(GLMs) and Conditional Random Fields(CRFs), we assessed trait-environment interactions and shifts in species associations. Our results indicate that the HFI significantly affects bird communities. Habitat specialists, such as Mongolian Lark(Melanocorypha mongolica), showed negative responses, whereas generalists like Eurasian Tree Sparrow(Passer montanus) thrived in disturbed areas. Trait-based analysis showed that species with larger body mass and specialized diets were negatively associated with HFI, whereas those linked to human-modified habitats exhibiting strong positive associations. In areas with high human footprint, co-occurrence networks grew more polarized: specialists faced intensified competition, while species with positive HFI responses formed stronger positive associations. CRF models indicated that human activities restructure species interactions, favoring generalists and simplifying community dynamics. These findings highlight the dual role of human impact in supporting some species while threatening specialists, potentially driving biotic homogenization. Our study emphasizes the need for conservation strategies that protect vulnerable species and manage those that thrive in human-altered environments. By linking traits and interactions to human impacts, this study provides a framework for identifying at-risk species and guiding conservation in the Anthropocene.

摘要: Poyang Lake（PYL） and the Yellow River Delta（YRD） are two critical wintering areas for the Siberian Crane（Leucogeranus leucogeranus） along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway in China. Based on nearly two decades of remote sensing and environmental data, this study used the Max Ent model to assess wintering habitat suitability in Poyang Lake（PYL） and the Yellow River Delta（YRD）. Landscape pattern and ecological network（EN） analyses were integrated to examine habitat changes and their impact on Siberian Crane distribution. In PYL, land use/land cover（LULC） change was driven primarily by water level fluctuations, leading to transitions among natural habitat types. In contrast, LULC change in YRD was dominated by anthropogenic activities, with widespread conversion of natural habitats into artificial habitats. In both regions, Siberian Cranes favored wetlands that are food-rich, flat, and minimally disturbed. In PYL, ecological sources were mainly found in sub-lakes of nature reserves and nearby moist areas, averaging 87.42 km². In the YRD, sources were distributed across tidal flats, paddy land, and grasslands, with a larger mean area of 198.37 km². Mann–Kendall tests showed significant trends in PYL, including increased patch density and decreased EN cumulative resilience. The maximum habitat suitability in the YRD significantly declined. Comparative analysis revealed that PYL had significantly higher habitat suitability and EN cumulative resilience, whereas the YRD had larger but more fragmented habitats. By introducing key stepping-stone nodes to optimize the ENs, the connectivity and resilience of PYL's EN were notably enhanced. Although improvements in the YRD were less marked, the optimization scheme still improved the security of the crane migration network. Based on the findings, it is recommended to implement refined water level management in PYL to maintain the stability of sub-lakes and adjacent wetlands, and to strengthen the protection of natural wetlands in the YRD by limiting the expansion of artificial land use, in order to mitigate habitat fragmentation.

摘要: Understanding the fundamental drivers of large-scale species co-occurrence is a critical issue in ecology and conservation research. Here, we assessed foraging guilds, habitat type and disturbances as drivers of bird species co-occurrence in Ghana's Central Region over six months. Birds were sampled in 120 points across six different habitat types(farmland, forest reserve, urban area, coastal savannah, wetland, and mangrove), using the pointcentred count technique. In total, 4060 individuals belonging to 216 species were recorded across all six habitat types. We found that co-occurring species were more similar in their foraging behaviour and habitat association. About 60% of the birds were found to co-occur randomly, 15% co-occurred negatively, and 25% co-occurred positively. Carnivores like the Black Heron(Egretta ardesiaca) and Spur-winged Lapwing(Vanellus spinosus) randomly co-occurred with other guild groups and were dominant in the mangroves and wetlands. Frugivores from forest reserves had only a 25% chance of randomly co-occurring with other birds and about a 60% chance of positively co-occurring with other birds. Our findings suggest that foraging guilds and habitat type are major factors driving bird co-occurrence and community assemblages in this West African suburban region.

摘要: Food abundance and availability constitute fundamental determinants of foraging habitat quality for waterbirds, with high-quality foraging habitats playing a crucial role in supporting the survival and annual life cycle of wintering populations. The ongoing degradation and loss of optimal habitats have forced wintering waterbirds to increasingly rely on alternative foraging sites and modify their behavioral adaptation strategies to cope with food scarcity. The Siberian Crane(Leucogeranus leucogeranus), a large-bodied endangered waterbird species characterized by specialized dietary preferences, demonstrates particular sensitivity to environmental alterations. Faced with diminishing suitable habitats and declining natural food resources, this species has progressively adapted to utilizing artificial habitats, including agricultural landscapes such as paddy fields and lotus ponds, as supplementary wintering foraging grounds to fulfill their energetic requirements. This study examines the hypothesis that Siberian Cranes adapt their foraging behavior through plastic behavioral strategies in artificial habitats under conditions of limited food availability, thereby enhancing population fitness. A comparative analysis of crane foraging behaviors was conducted between mudflats and lotus ponds throughout the 2023–2024 wintering period. This investigation focused on three critical environmental factors: food abundance, food burial depth, and sediment penetrability, examining their influence on foraging patterns across these distinct habitats. The results revealed significant inter-habitat differences: foraging success rates were substantially higher(p < 0.05) and food handling times markedly longer in lotus ponds compared to mudflats, whereas foraging effort and attempt frequency were significantly elevated in mudflat habitats. The superior food availability in lotus ponds facilitated enhanced foraging success rates, enabling cranes to accumulate essential energy reserves for winter survival. However, the deeper burial depth of lotus roots in these habitats required more intensive processing behaviors, including prolonged digging, breaking, and swallowing activities, which consequently increased handling time by approximately 40% and reduced foraging attempts by 25–30% compared to mudflat conditions. These behavioral trade-offs suggest that while lotus ponds provide adequate food resources, their structural characteristics may impose physiological constraints that limit their effectiveness as optimal foraging grounds for Siberian Cranes. These findings offer valuable insights into the behavioral plasticity of wintering Siberian Cranes response to spatial variations in food resource distribution, while contributing to our understanding of the ecological value of lotus roots as alternative winter food sources in artificial wetland ecosystems.

摘要: Bergmann's rule predicts that the larger of two homeotherm species differing only in size would occur at higher latitudes,or in cooler climates than the smaller,because of relative thermoregulatory costs in relation to body mass/surface area ratio.Individual tracking data from two congeneric long-distance migratory northern nesting swan species,Tundra Cygnus columbianus(TS,n=99) and Whooper Swans C.cygnus(WS,61-71% larger mass than TS,n=47) were used to determine their summering and wintering latitudes along similar migration routes and common staging areas along the same flyway.We hypothesised that throughout Arctic and Boreal breeding areas(10℃ in July),summer ambient temperatures mainly exceed the Lower Critical Temperatures(LCT,c.1℃) for both swan species,so the duration of the snow-free summer period will favour smaller body size at highest latitudes,since this constrains the time available to lay,incubate eggs and raise cygnets to fledging.We hypothesised that in contrast,in winter,both species occur in temperatures near to freezing(-3℃ in January),below their respective LCT,so differential thermoregulation demands would constrain TS to winter south of WS.Tracking of individuals showed for the first time that while smaller TS summered significantly north of WS,WS wintered significantly north of TS,with limited overlap in both seasons.We conclude that differences in relative summer distribution of these two closely related migratory herbivores are not to do with latitude per se but are constrained by the time both species require to raise their young to fledging during the short northern summer,when thermoregulation costs are unlikely limiting.In winter,both swan species occur within a climate envelop at or below their respective LCT and smaller TS occurred consistently south of the range of the tracked WS,as predicted by Bergmann's rule.

摘要: Ecological barriers present significant challenges to bird migration by limiting the availability of stopover sites and shelters. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a major migratory barrier located in higher latitude Central Asia, exerts a substantial influence on avian migration patterns. Species traversing such ecological barriers may adopt multiple optimal routes, which can contribute to the formation of migratory divides. From 2018 to 2021, the migration routes of 13 adult Common Cuckoos(Cuculus canorus) breeding in the north of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were tracked using satellite transmitters. We found Common Cuckoos have two primary migration routes: western and eastern, respectively following western and eastern edges of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. The eastern and western routes are likely the optimal routes for the Central Asian Common Cuckoos population to navigate the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Furthermore, two individuals exhibited intermediate migration routes, suggesting attempted traverses of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, although neither completed the migration. These intermediate routes may indicate migratory behavior influenced by hybridization between eastern and western populations or migratory flexibility. Common Cuckoos exhibit significantly faster migration speed, flight speed, and shorter stopover durations during spring compared to autumn. The observed seasonal differences in migration behavior support birds following time-minimization strategies during spring migration. These results revealed the diverse migration routes of Common Cuckoos shaped by the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and seasonal variation in migration patterns.