Abstract: Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China. Four crane species annually overwinter in this lake, including Siberian crane (Grus leucogeranus), hooded crane (Grus monacha), white-naped crane (Grus vipio) and common crane (Grus grus). The population size and spatial distribution of the four wintering crane species between 2001 and 2019 were monitored. The results show that: (1) Over the 18-year period, the average yearly population of the four wintering crane species in the Poyang lakes were (3 058±797) for the Siberian crane, (322±192) for the hooded crane, (1 291±1 016) for the white-naped crane, and (3 594±3 721) for the common crane. Over the 18-year period, the population size of the Siberian crane was relatively stable, the population size of the hooded crane and white-naped crane decreased and the common crane population increased with extreme annual fluctuations; (2) The hotspots within the Poyang Lake for the distribution of the four wintering crane species clustered in the lakes of Banghu, Dachahu, Dahuchi, Nanhu, Hanchihu, Dalianzihu, Zhuhu, and Qihu; (3) After commencing the operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir, the population densities of the Siberian crane, hooded crane and white-naped crane decreased and concentrated into the Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve. Conversely, the common crane population increased. Our recent surveys indicate that Poyang Lake occupies an important position in crane resources and should remain protected for future crane populations.

Key words: Poyang Lake, crane, population dynamic, distribution