Academic Journal of Environment & Earth Science, 2025, 7(5); doi: 10.25236/AJEE.2025.070505.
Dong Haoyan1, Wang Hao1, Wu Mengmeng1, He Qingming1, Yang Xiaojun2
1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of China Pharmaceuticals Biosynthesis, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, China
2State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan, China
This study aims to evaluate the population size of Black-necked cranes in Dashanbao National Nature Reserve through food availability assessment. Monitoring of crane populations from 2012 to 2015 revealed that although population numbers fluctuated during migration seasons, they generally remained below 1,200 individuals, with a duration of 120 to 127 days. A daily food intake model was further applied to assess the environmental carrying capacity for Black-necked cranes in Dashanbao. The results indicate consistent carrying capacity from 2012 to 2014, with a slight decline from 2014 to 2015. The carrying capacity based on available food energy is 4.3 to 5.1 times the current level, potentially supporting approximately 6,000 individuals. A comparison of energy availability in two foraging habitats from November to March between 2012 and 2015 showed that agricultural habitats provided the highest total energy in March, exceeding the cranes' requirements by 2.2–3.0 times. Conversely, grassland habitats offered the highest total energy in November. The total energy available in grassland habitats during November was 2.5–4.3 times the energy requirement of Black-necked cranes. This study assessed the population size of Black-necked cranes in Dashanbao, evaluating their energy acquisition status across different seasons and habitats. This provides crucial evidence for future conservation and management efforts.
Population, Foraging Habitat, Food Availability, Food Threshold
Dong Haoyan, Wang Hao, Wu Mengmeng, He Qingming, Yang Xiaojun. Study on Assessing the Population Size of Black-necked Cranes in Dashanbao. Academic Journal of Environment & Earth Science (2025), Vol. 7, Issue 5: 31-37. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJEE.2025.070505.
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