Abstract: Spatial distribution of patterns of a population is a key issue in population ecology and spatial ecology. Location data of the nests of the red-crown crane population in the Zhalong Wetlands during the period from 1981 to 2008 were collected for analysis of spatial distribution patterns of the red-crown crane population and its dynamics using the Mean Center Model and the Euclidean Nearest-Neighbour Distance Model and further for exploration of causes and mechanisms of the variation. Results show that in the past 30 years or so, spatial distribution of the red-crown crane population in the study area had its centroids moving from the central part of the studied area towards the southwest part and then towards the northeast part and dispersion degree of individual crane nests displayed a wavy curve, i.e. slowly rising→ gradually declining → rapidly rising →gradually falling. The spatial distribution patterns of the population were all aggregative ones, but varied significantly in intensity from year to year, which is mainly attributed to drastic changes in habitat environment, such as aggregated water shortage and artificial disturbance (large scale engineering projects in the wetlands), and to accidental disturbance, like wildfire , too.

Key words: spatial distribution pattern, dispersion degree, distribution pattern, aggregation intensity Zhalong Wetlands