Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment ›› 2020, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (11): 1410-1415.doi: 10.19741/j.issn.1673-4831.2020.0025

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Species Diversity of Wintering Waterbirds Along Yarlung Zangbo River and Its Three Branches in Tibet

ZHOU Sheng-ling1, LIU Shan-si2, LI Ji-rong3, YANG Le1   

  1. 1. Institute of Plateau Biology, Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa 850000, China;
    2. Museum of Natural Science of Tibet, Lhasa 850000, China;
    3. Institute of Agricultural Product Quality Standard and Testing Research, Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Lhasa 850000, China
  • Received:2020-01-14 Online:2020-11-25 Published:2020-11-18

Abstract: This study was carried out along the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River and its tributaries of Nianchu River, Lhasa River and the Niyang River during wintering seasons of 2014 to 2018, as in total, 37 species of waterbirds were recorded and they were belonging to 7 orders and 11 families, which accounted for 7.52% of total species of birds in Tibet. The avifauna was mainly conducted by the Palaearctic species and there were 28 species of birds in total (75.68%), 8 species of birds were belonging to the Cosmopolitan (21.62%), and there was Only the Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) attribute to the Oriental realm species. There were 25 species of winter visitors (67.57%), and only 12 species of resident birds (32.43%). Only 1 species, black necked crane (Grus nigricollis) was the classⅠnational key protected bird in this study. There were 4 species of class Ⅱnational protected birds species-common crane (Grus grus), demoiselle (Anthropoides virgo), northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) and great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus); The vulnerable species are the black necked crane (Grus nigricollis) and the common pochard (Aythya ferina). The endangered species include the ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) and eastern spot-billed duck (Anas poecilorhyncha). During the recent five years, the number of species was continuously increasing (F=9.818, P=0.048), especially with the order of Anseriformes (F=36.75, P=0.009); Population of wintering waterbirds showed a trend of decline in 2018 (F=2.959, P=0.184). The major existing threats could be preyed by stray animals, and human disturbance, changes in agricultural practices and the impact of tourism development. According to the existing threat factors and the current situation of wintering waterbird resources, so as some suggestions are put forward for bird protection in this area; to strengthen the systematic research on the habitat and foraging grounds of wintering waterbirds.

Key words: Yarlung Zangbo River and its three branches, overwintering waterbird, population, species diversity, protection measure

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