Response of different waterbird guilds to landscape changes along the yellow sea coast: A case study

Long-term landscape changes along China’s Yellow Sea coast have differentially impacted waterbird guilds, with shorebirds and herons benefiting from increases in mudflats, coastal wetlands, and artificial habitats like ponds and farmlands, while duck diversity declined. The study, conducted at the Tiaozini wetland (2010–2019), found that natural habitat loss—including reductions in mudflats and grasslands—coincided with a 5.161 km² increase in ponds and 13.257 km² in farmlands, reshaping bird diversity dynamics. Shorebird and heron populations thrived alongside human-modified landscapes, whereas ducks showed negative responses to forest expansion. These findings highlight the adaptive resilience of certain guilds to anthropogenic disturbance but underscore the need for targeted conservation strategies that balance waterbird needs with coastal development. The research provides critical insights for managing UNESCO-listed migratory bird sanctuaries amid rapid environmental transformation.

Li, N., Tang, N., Wang, Z., & Zhang, L. (2022). Response of different waterbird guilds to landscape changes along the yellow sea coast: A case study. Ecological Indicators, 142, 109298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2022.109298