A micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites and its usage method

Abstract

This invention discloses a grass-pressing machine for improving the nesting habitat of Black-headed Gulls, comprising a frame on which a grass-pressing wheel and a grass-laying wheel are mounted, connected by a conveyor belt. The grass-pressing wheel is an octagonal prism, with steel bars installed along each ridge, the tops of which are designed with rounded arcs. Each face of the grass-pressing wheel has three spherical cones. The grass-laying wheel is cylindrical, made of high-strength aluminum alloy, and coated with a soft polyurethane layer. A synchronous pulley is installed on each side of both the grass-pressing and grass-laying wheels. The grass-laying wheel is located in the middle and rear of the frame and is connected to the grass-pressing wheel via the synchronous pulleys and the belt, achieving integrated grass pressing and laying. This technology saves time on manual grass laying, reduces labor usage, facilitates Black-headed Gulls building nests in place, and increases the number of breeding nests for Black-headed Gulls.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of environmental ecology, and in particular relates to a micro-disturbance device and its method of use for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites. Background Technology

[0002] The Black-headed Gull is a medium-sized waterbird belonging to the family Laridae in the order Charadriiformes. It inhabits wetlands such as coastal areas and mudflats. Black-headed Gulls mainly feed on small fish, crustaceans, worms, and insects. The breeding season is from May to June. Small groups nest in open coastal mudflats, with a clutch of 1-3 eggs, occasionally up to 6.

[0003] With the continuous development of ecological civilization, increasing the population of Black-headed Gulls is of paramount importance. To improve this population, the first step is to ensure an increase in the number of breeding nests and the birth rate of chicks. Therefore, improving the habitat surrounding Black-headed Gull breeding sites is crucial for ensuring the population's health.

[0004] The Shuangtai River Estuary, an internationally important wetland in Liaoning Province, is the world's largest breeding ground for Black-headed Gulls and one of the world's best-preserved wetland ecosystems, serving as a stopover point on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. However, activities such as oil extraction and aquaculture in the coastal wetlands of the Shuangtai River Estuary have severely damaged the mudflats, leading to the gradual degradation of the original Suaeda salsa community and continuous destruction of the Black-headed Gull's breeding and nesting habitats. Therefore, artificial assistance to improve the Black-headed Gull's nesting habitat and increase its population is of paramount importance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems of complex site selection and nest building during the breeding season of Black-headed Gulls, interference resistance of breeding nests, and small number of nests.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites, comprising a frame on which a grass-pressing wheel and a grass-laying wheel are mounted, and the grass-pressing wheel and the grass-laying wheel are connected by a conveyor belt; the grass-pressing wheel is an octagonal prism, and a steel bar is installed on each edge of the octagonal prism, with the top of the steel bar designed to be a rounded arc; three spherical cones are installed on each face of the grass-pressing wheel;

[0007] The grass-laying wheel is cylindrical; it is made of high-strength aluminum alloy with a soft polyurethane coating; a synchronous wheel is installed on each side of the grass-laying wheel and the grass-pressing wheel;

[0008] The vehicle is equipped with a suspension system, and shock absorbers are installed between the suspension system and the vehicle. An automated control system is installed on the side of the suspension system. The automated control system contains a speed control module, a pressure control module is installed on the side near the speed control module, a terrain parameter control module is installed at the bottom of the pressure control module, and a data transmission module is installed on the side of the pressure control module.

[0009] Furthermore, the frame is made of stainless steel and features a frame structure design.

[0010] Furthermore, the reinforcing bars are made of high-strength alloy steel and have undergone passivation treatment.

[0011] Furthermore, the turf-laying wheel is 10m long, 80cm in diameter, and 5cm above the ground.

[0012] Furthermore, the synchronous pulley has a gear pitch of 4mm and 20 teeth.

[0013] Furthermore, the belt width is 10mm.

[0014] The method for using a micro-disturbance device to improve the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites includes the following steps:

[0015] S1. Suspend the device behind the tractor and start the tractor; adjust the height of the grass-pressing wheel, grass-laying wheel and the frame through the automatic control system according to the actual conditions of the work area;

[0016] S2. The operator inputs the terrain parameters into the data transmission module, which then inputs them into the terrain parameter control module. The terrain parameter control module calculates the impact of the current terrain on the device's operation based on the collected information and provides this information to the pressure control module and the speed control module. The pressure control module adjusts the height and pressure of the compaction wheel in real time based on terrain changes; the speed control module adjusts the speed of the compaction wheel and the spreading wheel in real time based on terrain changes.

[0017] S3. The grass-pressing wheel rotates under the traction of the tractor to press down the Suaeda salsa in the saline land. At the same time, the spherical cone on the grass-pressing wheel presses the surface of the Suaeda salsa pile into the shape of basic nests during the rotation.

[0018] S4. The grass-laying wheel is linked with the grass-pressing wheel through the synchronous wheel and the conveyor belt to level the pressed grass surface, thus completing the micro-disturbance of the black-headed gull's nesting habitat.

[0019] Beneficial effects:

[0020] 1. Optimizing the Nesting Environment: The micro-interference device of this invention, through its unique design of pressing and spreading grass wheels, can precisely adjust the growth status and distribution pattern of Suaeda salsa, creating a suitable nesting environment for Black-headed Gulls. The structure of the pressing grass wheel ensures that the Suaeda salsa is of moderate height and has a natural shape, while the flattening effect of the spreading grass wheel further optimizes the surface of the nest site, reduces the risk of external interference to the nest, and increases the Black-headed Gulls' selection rate of nesting sites, thereby increasing the number and density of breeding nests.

[0021] 2. Enhanced breeding success rate: Suitable nesting sites provide favorable conditions for the breeding process of Black-headed Gulls, reducing the risk of nest damage or failure due to environmental factors. A stable nesting environment helps Black-headed Gulls to incubate eggs and raise chicks with peace of mind, thereby significantly improving the birth rate and survival rate of chicks, which has a positive effect on the growth of the Black-headed Gull population.

[0022] 3. Improved Operational Efficiency: The integrated design enables continuous operation of grass pressing and spreading, significantly saving time and labor costs compared to traditional step-by-step methods. The device has a reasonable structure and is easy to operate, enabling the completion of habitat improvement work over a large area in a short time, thus improving the efficiency of ecological restoration. The suspended device is equipped with an automated control system that monitors the device's operating status in real time, including parameters such as the rotational speed and pressure of the pressing and spreading wheels, the device's travel speed, and terrain changes in the work area, automatically adjusting the device's operating parameters according to a preset algorithm.

[0023] 4. Wide Applicability: The device of this invention has a relatively simple structure, is easy to manufacture and maintain, and can be flexibly adjusted according to different wetland environments and Suaeda salsa growth conditions. It is not only applicable to black-headed gull breeding grounds such as the Shuangtaihe Estuary International Important Wetland in Liaoning, but also has important reference and application value for other similar ecological environments facing Suaeda salsa community degradation and bird habitat destruction, helping to promote the widespread development of wetland ecological restoration and bird protection work. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is an overall structural diagram of the micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites provided by the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a rear view of the overall structure of the micro-disturbance device for improving the nesting habitat of Black-headed Gulls provided by the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the micro-disturbing device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites provided by the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is the invention described Figure 3 A partially enlarged schematic diagram of the synchronous pulley;

[0028] Figure 5 This is the invention described Figure 4 Synchronous pulley structure diagram;

[0029] Figure 6 This is the invention described Figure 3 A structural diagram of the rotating rod;

[0030] Figure 7 This is the invention described Figure 1A diagram of a spherical cone structure;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the shock absorber provided by the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 This is a structural diagram of the automation controller provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 This is a diagram of the internal structure of the automation controller provided by the present invention.

[0034] Reference numerals: 1-Frame, 2-Laying grass wheel, 3-Synchronizing wheel, 4-Conveyor belt, 5-Spherical cone, 6-Grazing grass wheel, 7-Reinforcing steel bar, 8-Suspension, 9-Shock absorber, 10-Mount, 11-Automation controller, 12-Speed ​​control module, 13-Pressure control module, 14-Terrain parameter control module, 15-Data transmission module. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0036] The application principle of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0037] Example 1:

[0038] like Figures 1 to 10 As shown, a micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites includes a frame 1 made of stainless steel. The frame 1 is designed as a frame structure to provide a supporting framework for the overall device. A grass-pressing wheel 6 and a grass-laying wheel 2 are mounted on the frame 1, with a distance of 2m between them.

[0039] The grass-pressing wheel 6 is an octagonal prism with regular octagonal sides. The prism is 10m long, with each side measuring 50cm. A 5cm high steel bar 7 is installed along each ridge of the octagonal prism to ensure that the Suaeda salsa plants are at least 5cm tall after pressing. The steel bar 7 is made of high-strength alloy steel with a passivated surface to prevent excessive damage to the Suaeda salsa. The top of the steel bar 7 is designed with a rounded arc, allowing for gentle pressing of the Suaeda salsa during the pressing process, maintaining a suitable height that provides adequate vegetation cover for black-headed gulls without hindering their activity and nesting. Each face of the grass-pressing wheel 6 is equipped with three spherical cones 5, spaced 3m apart. The spherical cones 5 are semi-ellipsoidal in shape, with a vertical radius of 4.5cm and a horizontal radius of 6cm. During the pressing process, the spherical cones 5 further moderately press the Suaeda salsa, simulating natural disturbance and making it more suitable for nesting.

[0040] The grass-laying wheel 2 is cylindrical, 10m long, 80cm in diameter, and 5cm above the ground. It is used to level the pressed Suaeda salsa plants, ensuring a uniform distribution and preventing branching that could scratch the black-headed gulls. The grass-laying wheel 2 is made of high-strength aluminum alloy with a soft polyurethane coating to prevent scratching damage to the Suaeda salsa during operation.

[0041] The synchronous pulley 3 has a gear pitch of 4mm and 20 teeth. One synchronous pulley 3 is installed on each side of the grass-laying wheel 2 and the grass-pressing wheel 6. The synchronous pulleys of the grass-laying wheel 2 and the grass-pressing wheel 6 are connected by a conveyor belt 4 to realize the integrated operation of grass pressing and grass laying, and ensure that the two work together.

[0042] The conveyor belt is 10mm wide to ensure the stability and effectiveness of the transmission.

[0043] The suspension 8 is mounted on the frame 1 and is used to suspend the entire device on the tractor or other traction equipment. A shock absorber 9 is installed between the suspension 8 and the frame 1 to absorb vibrations and impacts during travel and protect the frame 1 and its grass-pressing wheels 6 and grass-laying wheels 2 from damage.

[0044] An automated control system 11 is mounted on the side of the suspension 8. Inside the automated control system 11 is a speed control module 12. Near the speed control module 12 is a pressure control module 13. At the bottom of the pressure control module 13 is a terrain parameter control module 14. To one side of the pressure control module 13 is a data transmission module 15. Through the data transmission module 15 inside the automated controller, data can be transmitted to a personnel's mobile terminal, allowing personnel to control the speed of the grass compactor and spreading wheels, as well as adjust the height according to terrain changes.

[0045] A method for using a micro-disturbance device to improve the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites:

[0046] S1. Suspend the device behind the tractor, start the tractor, and move the device along the designated route. Adjust the height of the grass-pressing wheel 6, grass-laying wheel 2, and frame using the automated control system 11 according to the actual conditions of the work area to adapt to different terrain passability requirements; the ground clearance of the grass-pressing wheel and grass-laying wheel ensures optimal treatment of Suaeda salsa.

[0047] S2. The operator inputs the terrain parameters into the data transmission module, which then inputs them into the terrain parameter control module. The terrain parameter control module calculates the impact of the current terrain on the device's operation based on the collected information and provides this information to the pressure control module and the speed control module. The pressure control module adjusts the height and pressure of the grass compaction wheel in real time based on terrain changes; the speed control module adjusts the speed of the grass compaction wheel and the grass spreading wheel in real time based on terrain changes.

[0048] S3. The ballast wheel rotates under the tractor's pull, flattening the Suaeda salsa in the saline-alkali soil. Simultaneously, the spherical cone presses out basic nest shapes on the surface of the Suaeda salsa pile during rotation. Operators must closely monitor the ballast effect and adjust the device's speed and the pressure of the ballast wheel as needed based on the Suaeda salsa's actual reaction. For example, if the Suaeda salsa is found to be over-compressed, the speed can be reduced or the descent height of the ballast wheel adjusted; if the Suaeda salsa is under-compressed, the pressure can be increased or the speed increased.

[0049] S4. The spreading wheel, linked to the pressing wheel via a synchronous pulley and conveyor belt, smooths the pressed grass surface. The rotation speed and height of the spreading wheel can be adjusted according to actual conditions to ensure a smooth distribution of Suaeda salsa after processing and to prevent scratching the black-headed gulls. The device continues to advance along the predetermined work route to ensure comprehensive and uniform treatment of the Suaeda salsa in the entire work area. During the operation, repeated compaction of the same area should be avoided to prevent excessive damage to the Suaeda salsa.

[0050] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites, characterized in that, The vehicle includes a frame, on which are mounted grass-pressing and grass-laying wheels. The grass-pressing wheel is an octagonal prism with regular octagonal sides, a length of 10m, and each side being 50cm long. Each edge of the octagonal prism is reinforced with a 5cm high steel bar, the top of which is designed to be rounded. Each face of the grass-pressing wheel is equipped with three spherical cones, spaced 3m apart. The cones are semi-ellipsoidal in shape. The sludge-laying wheel is cylindrical; it is made of high-strength aluminum alloy with a soft polyurethane coating; the sludge-laying wheel is 10m long, 80cm in diameter, and 5cm above the ground; a synchronous wheel is installed on each side of the sludge-laying wheel and the compaction wheel; the synchronous wheels of the compaction wheel and the sludge-laying wheel are connected by a conveyor belt. The vehicle is equipped with a suspension system, and shock absorbers are installed between the suspension system and the vehicle. An automated control system is installed on the side of the suspension system. The automated control system contains a speed control module, a pressure control module is installed on the side near the speed control module, a terrain parameter control module is installed at the bottom of the pressure control module, and a data transmission module is installed on the side of the pressure control module.

2. The micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites according to claim 1, characterized in that, The frame is made of stainless steel and features a frame structure design.

3. The micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reinforcing bars are made of high-strength alloy steel and have been passivated.

4. The micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites according to claim 1, characterized in that, The synchronous pulley has a gear pitch of 4mm and 20 teeth.

5. The micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveyor belt is 10mm wide.

6. A method of using a micro-disturbance device for improving the habitat of Black-headed Gull nesting sites as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1. Suspend the device behind the tractor and start the tractor; adjust the height of the grass-pressing wheel, grass-laying wheel and the frame through the automatic control system according to the actual conditions of the work area; S2. The operator inputs the terrain parameters into the data transmission module, which then inputs them into the terrain parameter control module. The terrain parameter control module calculates the impact of the current terrain on the device's operation based on the collected information and provides this information to the pressure control module and the speed control module. The pressure control module adjusts the height and pressure of the compaction wheel in real time based on terrain changes; the speed control module adjusts the speed of the compaction wheel and the spreading wheel in real time based on terrain changes. S3. The grass-pressing wheel rotates under the traction of the tractor to press down the Suaeda salsa in the saline land. At the same time, the spherical cone on the grass-pressing wheel presses the surface of the Suaeda salsa pile into the shape of basic nests during the rotation. S4. The grass-laying wheel is linked with the grass-pressing wheel through the synchronous wheel and the conveyor belt to level the pressed grass surface, thus completing the micro-disturbance of the black-headed gull's nesting habitat.

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