Method for restoring intermittent habitat of geranium wilfordii

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of waterfowl habitat recovery, in particular to a geranium wilfordii pause habitat recovery method. The method comprises the steps of selection of a suitable pause habitat, terrain transformation of the pause habitat, vegetation adjustment of the pause habitat, water body control of the pause habitat and specific food source supplementation: small fishes are regularly put and matched with benthic organisms such as shrimps and snails, so that smooth feeding of the geranium wilfordii is effectively ensured, the method is suitable for pause of the geranium wilfordii, and the health of geranium wilfordii populations is favorably improved; and a reference thought and practical reference significance are provided for geranium wilfordii population recovery.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ecological environment restoration, and in particular to a method for restoring the resting habitat of black storks. Background Art

[0002] The black stork (Ciconia nigra), also known as the black stork, old black stork, or pot stork, is a large wading bird of the genus Ciconia, family Ciconiidea, order Ciconiiformes. It is a long-distance migratory bird found across Eurasia and Africa. The black stork is highly sensitive to environmental changes and disturbances.

[0003] At present, there are only more than 3,000 black storks in the world, and about 1,000 in China. It is a first-class protected wild animal in my country and is listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the China Red List of Endangered Species (Bird Volume) (Zeng Yi Bo, 2021).

[0004] The black stork primarily feeds in shallow waters of rivers and reservoirs, its movements influenced to a certain extent by both natural conditions and human factors. Excessive water use and drought in the upper reaches of the Heihe River have led to a reduction in wetland area and ecosystem degradation. Overdevelopment and reclamation in the middle reaches have led to degraded water quality and habitat fragmentation, severely impacting the black stork's feeding activities and threatening its survival.

[0005] Therefore, the stability of the resting habitat is a key factor affecting the health of the black stork population. It is particularly important to protect and artificially restore the resting habitat based on the research and clarification of the characteristics of the black stork's suitable resting habitat. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides a method for restoring the resting habitat of black storks, which significantly increases the number of resting times of black storks, improves their feeding success rate, and significantly shortens the duration of a single resting time.

[0007] A method for restoring a black stork's resting habitat, comprising:

[0008] Select wetlands containing water bodies as resting habitats; plant native plants in the shallow areas of the water bodies; and stock the water bodies with small fish and benthic organisms;

[0009] The small fish include at least one of the wetland striped loach, robust plateau loach, wheatear fish, horsemouth fish, whitefish and crucian carp;

[0010] The benthic organisms include at least one of the following: Macrobrachium nipponense, Neomys denticulate shrimp, Dome-shaped toothless clam, Wandering Lymnaea snail and Chinese round field snail.

[0011] The native plants include dwarf shrubs and perennial herbs;

[0012] The dwarf shrubs include at least one of Salix caerulea, Salix lutea, and Buddleja lindleyana;

[0013] The perennial herbs include at least one of Phragmites communis, Salix parviflora, Salix viminalis, Typha angustifolia, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, and Ceratophyllum demersum.

[0014] The present application researches and finds that the number of resting and feeding behaviors of the black storks is affected by the structure of the food source. Experiments show that the food source composed of small fish and benthic organisms reasonably matched according to the present application is more beneficial to the resting and feeding of the black storks than the existing food source in the resting habitat, the number of resting of the black storks is significantly increased, and the success rate of feeding is significantly improved.

[0015] In some embodiments, the feeding amount of the small fish accounts for 90%-95% of the total feeding quality of the food source; in some specific embodiments, the feeding amount of the small fish accounts for 90%-95% of the total feeding quality of the food source, and the feeding amount of each small fish is 30-50 per mu.

[0016] In some specific embodiments, the feeding density of the small fish is: Parambassis ranga 50 per mu, Pseudolaubuca similis 30 per mu. The feeding amount of the benthic organisms is: Cipangopaludina chinensis 20 kg per mu, and Macrobrachium nipponense 5 kg per mu.

[0017] In the present application, the small fish and benthic organisms are fed twice a year. The feeding time is preferably April and September each year.

[0018] In the present application, the wetland includes a floodplain or an artificial pond wetland within 2 km along the river bank.

[0019] In the present application, the water body has an ice sealing period of less than or equal to 90 days in winter.

[0020] In the present application, the water depth of the shallow water area of the water body is less than or equal to 40 cm. The volume ratio of the shallow water area to the wetland is 30%-40%, and can be 30%, 35%, or 40%. In the present application, the slope of the shallow water area is maintained at 0.5%-2%. In the present application, the water depth of the deep water area is not uniform, and the slope should not exceed 5%.

[0021] In the present application, the transition from the shallow water area to the deep water area of the water body is a stepped transition with a slope of not more than 5%, that is, the shallow water area and the deep water area form a transition zone; the transition zone maintains a slope change of 5%.

[0022] In the present invention, the native plants include dwarf shrubs and / or perennial herbs. Preferably, the native plants have a plant height of 0.5 to 1.2 m, specifically 0.5 m, 0.8 m, 1 m, or 1.2 m.

[0023] In order to prevent eutrophication of water bodies, some submerged perennial herbaceous plants may be planted, such as water chestnuts, hornwort, etc. The proportion of the submerged plants in all native plants of the present invention is ≤20%.

[0024] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, reeds and cattails are planted in shallow water areas with a water depth of 10 to 40 cm, and submerged plants include water chestnuts and duckweed; purple willow and yellow willow are planted in the nearshore zone with a water depth of ≤10 cm, and small-flowered willow herb and water polygonum are intercropped. In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the cluster spacing of the reeds is 1 meter. In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the cluster spacing of the cattails is 1 meter. In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the proportion of the submerged plants in the native plants of the present invention is ≤20%. In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the spacing between the purple willow and yellow willow is 2 meters, and the cluster spacing between the intercropped small-flowered willow herb and water polygonum is 0.5 meters.

[0025] The present invention tested different native plants. It was found that different combinations of native plants also affected the number of stops and feeding success rates of black storks. Compared to traditional combinations of reeds and cattails and other plant combinations, the present invention's combination of dwarf shrubs, perennial herbs, and submerged plants achieved superior results.

[0026] The method for restoring a resting habitat provided by the present invention further comprises the step of adjusting the water level to 15-25 cm during the spring and autumn migration periods.

[0027] The method for restoring a restorative habitat provided by the present invention also includes constructing a 30-50 cm high earthen ridge around the planted area. In some embodiments, the top width of the ridge is 60 cm, and the slope ratio is 1:2. A water trough is also provided between the ridges to maintain a stable water level.

[0028] In the present invention, some drought-resistant and wind-resistant plants, such as Padung Buddhoo, can also be planted on the earth ridge. Specifically, the spacing of Padung Buddhoo can be set to 1.5m.

[0029] The method for restoring the resting habitat of black storks provided by the present invention includes the selection of suitable resting habitats, the transformation of the resting habitat terrain, the adjustment of the resting habitat vegetation, the control of the resting habitat water body and the supplementation of specific food sources: the regular release of small fish, combined with benthic organisms such as shrimp and snails. Experiments have shown that the use of the method provided by the present invention to restore the resting habitat is conducive to the resting and feeding of black storks. Among them, the number of black storks resting in the population increased from 10 to 30-40 per year; the single resting time was extended from 3-5 days to 10-14 days. The feeding success rate increased by 30%, and the feeding time was shortened by 20%. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present invention provides a method for restoring the habitat of black storks. Those skilled in the art can refer to the contents of this article and appropriately improve the process parameters to achieve the desired effect. It should be noted that all similar substitutions and modifications are obvious to those skilled in the art and are considered to be included in the present invention. The methods and applications of the present invention have been described through preferred embodiments, and relevant personnel can obviously modify or appropriately change and combine the methods and applications herein without departing from the content, spirit and scope of the present invention to implement and apply the technology of the present invention.

[0031] In the present invention, "including", "comprising", and "having" are used interchangeably to indicate the inclusiveness of the solution, meaning that the solution may contain other elements in addition to the listed elements. It should also be understood that the use of "including", "comprising", and "having" in this document also provides "consisting of" solutions.

[0032] In the present invention, "at least one" means one or more, and "plurality" means two or more. "At least one," "at least one item," or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items.

[0033] In the present invention, when used herein, "and / or" includes the meanings of "and", "or" and "all or any other combinations of elements linked by the corresponding terms".

[0034] In some specific embodiments, the present invention provides a method for restoring the resting habitat of a black stork, comprising the following steps 1 to 4:

[0035] Step 1: Selection of suitable resting habitats: Based on the black stork's preference for resting habitats, select suitable wetlands, ensuring that the target wetland for restoration includes a large water body and a certain amount of shallow nearshore water area.

[0036] Step 2: Renovation of resting habitat terrain: Build a 30-50cm high earthen ridge outside the vegetation area to prevent wind and stabilize the soil.

[0037] Step 3: Control of resting habitat water bodies: The water depth in the shallow nearshore area of ​​the main resting habitat should be within the range of 10-40cm, and the water quality should be clear and the water flow should be slow.

[0038] Step 4: Adjustment of vegetation in resting habitats: Plant a variety of low shrubs such as purple willow, yellow willow, Badong Buddhoo and perennial herbs such as reed, small-flowered willow herb, willow herb, cattail, water pepper, etc. in the shallow waters near the shore of large water bodies in the target resting habitats. These plants do not lose their leaves in winter, and their stems stand upright, still maintaining good shelter.

[0039] Step 5: Design of food sources for resting habitats: In wetlands where black storks feed in large concentrations, small fish such as spotted loach, robust plateau loach, wheatear fish, black carp, whitebait and crucian carp, as well as benthic organisms such as shrimp and snails are regularly released into the water.

[0040] The test materials used in the present invention are all common commercial products and can be purchased in the market.

[0041] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the embodiments:

[0042] Example 1

[0043] Located in the middle reaches of the Heihe River in Zhangye City, Gansu Province, the project involves three degraded reservoir wetlands (approximately 30 hectares in area) where black storks have a history of resting. The water depth during the dry season is ≥1m, ensuring the core water source. The shallow nearshore water area (accounting for ≥30% of the area, with a water depth of 10-40cm) has a mixed sand and mud bottom, which is convenient for black storks to forage. There are no industrial pollution sources in the surrounding area, and the water quality meets the requirements of Class III or above in the "Surface Water Environmental Quality Standards." The three selected wetlands were numbered Habitats 1, 2, and 3. Habitat 1 was restored according to the existing conventional plan, Habitat 2 was restored according to the restoration method of the present invention, and Habitat 3 was set as a blank control group. The implementation period is September 2024 to March 2025.

[0044] 1. Specific implementation steps

[0045] 1. Habitat Restoration Plan No. 1

[0046] Step 1: Hydrological Management

[0047] The reservoir water level is regulated by building dams or sluice gates to ensure a shallow water depth of 0.3-0.8m year-round. Silt and sediment (approximately 10% of the total area) are removed to improve the bottom soil, enhance water quality, and promote the reproduction of benthic organisms.

[0048] Step 2: Vegetation Reconstruction

[0049] Plant native wetland plants, such as reeds and cattails, in degraded areas (such as floodplains), with a cover rate of more than 50%. The vegetation provides shelter for black storks and supports their food chain (such as attracting insect larvae).

[0050] Step 3: Food resource multiplication

[0051] Based on local species data, seedlings were released in shallow waters and artificial breeding areas established. Key fish species were also protected through a fishing closure (April to August) and stocking enhancement to maintain population density (target: a 20% increase in fish biomass). Food chain optimization was achieved by introducing small fish favored by black storks, including the spotted loach, robust plateau loach, wheatear fish, blackmouth fish, whitebait, and crucian carp. Competition was reduced by controlling invasive species (such as common carp).

[0052] 2. Habitat Restoration Plan No. 2 (Restoration Method of the Present Invention)

[0053] Step 1: Terraforming the Resting Habitat

[0054] A stepped earthen ridge (30-50cm high, 1m wide at the top, and a slope of 1:2) was constructed along the periphery of the shallow water area, with gaps set up at 50m intervals for the passage of black storks. Drought-resistant shrubs such as Tamarix and Hippophae rhamnoides were planted on the surface of the ridge, whose roots consolidated the soil, and grass seeds (Suaeda salsa and Leymus oxyphylla) were sown on the top.

[0055] Step 2: Resting Habitat Water Control

[0056] The target wetland was divided into a deep water zone (1-2 meters) and a shallow water zone (10-40 cm). A gently sloping transition zone was created by excavation or piling up soil. Sedimentation basins and ecological filter dams (planted with cattails and reeds) were installed at the wetland entrance to slow water flow and intercept sediment. Adjustable sluice gates were installed to maintain a shallow water depth of ≥10 cm during the dry season and prevent inundation of vegetation areas during the rainy season.

[0057] Step 3: Rest habitat vegetation adjustment

[0058] In shallow waters (10-40 cm water depth), plant emergent plants such as reeds (1 m spacing) and cattails (0.8 m spacing). Combine with submerged plants such as waterweed and hornwort (≤ 20%) to prevent eutrophication. In nearshore areas (water depth ≤ 10 cm), plant purple willow and yellow willow (2 m spacing), intercropped with epilobium and water polygonum (0.5 m spacing). Plant Buddonia padongensis (drought-resistant and wind-resistant, 1.5 m spacing) in the outer embankments, ensuring plant heights of 0.5-1.2 m.

[0059] Step 4: Design of food sources for resting habitats

[0060] Food source enhancement: Small fish: Paralichthys zebrafish (density ≥ 50 / mu) and Gnatia striata (30 / mu); benthic organisms: Chinese round pond snails (20 kg / mu) and Macrobrachium nipponense (5 kg / mu). Stocking strategy: Stocking is conducted twice annually, in April and September, to avoid the peak migration period of black storks; artificial fish nests (bundled branches) are set up in shallow waters to provide spawning sites.

[0061] 3. Habitat restoration plan No. 3

[0062] No human intervention.

[0063] II. Actual results

[0064] Habitat No. 1

[0065] Habitat indicators: shallow water area expanded to more than 20%, water transparency improved to 60 cm; vegetation coverage ≥ 50%, winter litter cover retention ≥ 30%.

[0066] Black stork response: the number of stopover population increased from the current 10 per year to 25 per year; the single stopover time was extended from 3-5 days to 7-10 days. The success rate of foraging was increased by 10%.

[0067] Habitat No. 2

[0068] Habitat indicators: shallow water area expanded to more than 40%, water transparency improved to 60 cm; vegetation coverage ≥ 70%, winter litter cover retention ≥ 50%.

[0069] Black stork response: the number of stopover population increased to 30-40 per year; the single stopover time was extended from 3-5 days to 10-14 days. The success rate of foraging was increased by 30%, and the foraging time was shortened by 20%.

[0070] Habitat No. 3

[0071] Before the restoration of the three degraded pond wetlands, the water depth fluctuated greatly, the shallow water area was small in dry season, the overall water depth was too deep in wet season, the water quality was turbid, the transparency was less than 45 cm, which was not suitable for black storks to enter and forage, the nearshore vegetation species was single, only two kinds of reed and yellow flower willow could provide shelter for black storks, and the coverage rate was only about 50%, which could not achieve good shelter effect; food resources were scarce, only about 10 black storks per year stopped and foraged here. In the long run, the stopover of black storks will only maintain the status quo or decrease until they stop here.

[0072] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present application, and it should be noted that for ordinary skilled persons in the technical field, some improvements and refinements can be made without departing from the principles of the present application, and these improvements and refinements should also be considered as the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A method for restoring the resting habitat of black storks, characterized in that: include: Select wetlands containing water bodies as resting habitats; Planting native plants in shallow areas of water bodies; and stocking water bodies with small fish and benthic organisms; The small fish include at least one of the wetland striped loach, robust plateau loach, wheatear fish, horsemouth fish, whitefish and crucian carp; The benthic organisms include at least one of the following: Macrobrachium nipponense, Neomys denticulate shrimp, Dome-shaped toothless clam, Wandering Lymnaea snail and Chinese round field snail; Said native plants include dwarf shrubs and perennial herbs; The dwarf shrubs include: at least one of Salix purpurogena, Salix chrysantha, and Buddonia patungensis; The perennial herbaceous plants include at least one of: reed, epilobium parviflorum, epilobium, cattail, water polygonum, water chestnut, and hornwort.

2. The method for restoring a resting habitat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wetlands include: floodplains or artificial reservoirs and ponds within 2 km of the river bank; The water depth of the shallow water area of ​​the water body is ≤40cm; the volume ratio of the shallow water area to the wetland is 30%-40%, and the slope of the shallow water area is maintained at 0.5%-2%; the slope of the deep water area of ​​the water body is maintained at 5%; a transition zone needs to be formed between the shallow water area and the deep water area; the transition zone maintains a slope change of 5%.

3. The method for restoring a resting habitat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The native plants have a plant height of 0.5 to 1.2 m.

4. The method for restoring a resting habitat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The planting of native plants includes: planting reeds and cattails in shallow water areas with a water depth of 10~40cm, and matching them with water chestnuts and duckweed; planting purple willow and yellow willow in the nearshore zone with a water depth of ≤10cm, and intercropping small-flowered willow herb and water pepper.

5. The method for restoring a resting habitat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The small fish species include striped loach and wheatear fish in the wetland; the benthic organisms include Chinese round pond snail and Japanese swamp shrimp.

6. The method for restoring a resting habitat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The amount of small fish released accounts for 90%-95% of the total mass of the food released, and the amount of each small fish released is 30 / mu-50 / mu; the amount of benthic organisms released accounts for 5%-10% of the total mass of the food released, and the amount of each benthic organism released is 10kg / mu-30kg / mu.

7. The method for restoring a resting habitat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The delivery time is April and September every year.

8. The method for restoring a quiescent habitat according to claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting the water level to 15-25 cm during the spring and autumn migration periods.

9. The method for restoring a resting habitat according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The method also includes the step of constructing an earthen ridge with a height of 30-50 cm around the planting area.

10. The method for restoring a resting habitat according to claim 9, characterized in that: The top width of the earthen ridge is 60 cm, and the slope ratio is 1:2; a water trough for maintaining a stable water level is also provided between the earthen ridges.