재단법인 이에이에이에프피

관련뉴스

문헌 목록 (2024년 7월–12월)

1) 생물학 & 생태학

  • CONKLIN J R, VERKUIL Y I, LEFEBVRE M J M, et al., 2024. High dispersal ability versus migratory traditions: Fine-scale population structure and post-glacial colonisation in bar-tailed godwits[J/OL]. Molecular Ecology, 33(15): e17452. DOI:10.1111/mec.17452.
  • ROMAN L, MAYNE B, ANDERSON C, et al., 2024. A novel technique for estimating age and demography of long-lived seabirds (genus Pterodroma) using an epigenetic clock for Gould’s petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera)[J/OL]. Molecular Ecology Resources, 24(7): e14003. DOI:10.1111/1755-0998.14003.
  • LIU B, GAO H, WANG J, et al., 2024. Migratory Connectivity of Zhejiang, with a Critical Stopover in East Asian-Australasian Flyway, Based on Recovery Data[J/OL]. Animals, 14(16): 2404. DOI:10.3390/ani14162404.
  • WANG Y, PAN Z, SI Y, et al., 2024. Subadult movements contribute to population level migratory connectivity[J/OL]. Animal Behaviour, 215: 143-152. DOI:10.1016/j.anbehav.2024.07.007.
  • KIM J H, PARK S, HEPINSTALL-CYMERMAN J, et al., 2024. Predicting avian diversity based on land use and cover on a national scale[J/OL]. Scientific Data, 11(1): 874. DOI:10.1038/s41597-024-03714-1.
  • CHAMBON J, BÖRGER L, WEIMERSKIRCH H, et al., 2024. Migratory movements, distribution, habitat preference, and activity patterns of the endangered Abbott’s booby Papasula abbotti[J/OL]. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 743: 75-96. DOI:10.3354/meps14660.
  • XU F, WU W, WEI J, et al., 2024. Migratory herbivorous waterfowl track multiple resource waves during spring migration[J/OL]. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES, 291(2030): 20241448. DOI:10.1098/rspb.2024.1448.
  • WIJETHUNGE I K, ZHAO Q, LIU Y, et al., 2024. Tracking data demonstrate plasticity in migration behaviour of the East Asian Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta[J/OL]. EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY, 124(3-4): 276-282. DOI:10.1080/01584197.2024.2388519.
  • TAN Y Y, SOH B, NG E Y X, et al., 2025. Genome-wide DNA reveals decades-long genetic stability and intra-familial migratory site fidelity in an Asian population of Common Redshanks[J/OL]. JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY, 166(2): 339-347. DOI:10.1007/s10336-024-02227-3.
  • CANSSE T, LENS L, ORBEN R A, et al., 2024. Partial migration pays off in black-faced cormorants: insights from post-breeding GPS tracking[J/OL]. MARINE BIOLOGY, 171(11): 213. DOI:10.1007/s00227-024-04541-z.
  • EFFENDI M ros, AZMAN N munira, AZIZAN M nasir, et al., 2024. Assessing Shorebirds Passage and Wintering on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia[J]. WATERBIRDS, 47(3): 1-10.
  • MCGINNESS H M, JACKSON M V, LLOYD-JONES L, et al., 2024. Extensive Tracking of Nomadic Waterbird Movements Reveals an Inland Flyway[J/OL]. ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 14(12): e70668. DOI:10.1002/ece3.70668.
  • LEE J hyun, CHOI W suk, BING G chang, et al., 2024. Annual Patterns of Shorebird Migration and Habitat Use at the Gochang Tidal Flat: Insights from 10 Selected Shorebird Species[J/OL]. WATERBIRDS, 47(3): 311. DOI:10.1675/063.047.0311.
  • YU X, SONG G, WANG H, et al., 2024. Migratory flyways and connectivity of Brown Headed Gulls ( Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) revealed by GPS tracking[J/OL]. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION, 56: e03340. DOI:10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03340.
  • LI X, HU B, QI S, et al., 2024. The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, China[J/OL]. REMOTE SENSING, 16(23): 4431. DOI:10.3390/rs16234431.
  • LI D, LIU K, GAO Y, et al., 2024. Stopover habitat use of coastal Pied Avocet revealed by satellite tracking and remote sensing technology[J/OL]. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION, 56: e03290. DOI:10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03290.
  • ROSS T A, ZHANG J, SKAALVIK T G, et al., 2024. Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) do not accumulate with age or affect population survival in ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres).[J/OL]. The Science of the total environment, 955: 176790. DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176790.
  • YANG X, WEN R, ZHANG C, et al., 2024. Exploring the driving factors of bird diversity in mangrove natural protected areas in Guangdong Province, China[J/OL]. FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION, 12: 1421189. DOI:10.3389/fevo.2024.1421189.
  • GAO X, LIANG J, ZHU Z, et al., 2025. Unraveling the impact of drought on waterbird community assembly and conservation strategies[J/OL]. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 373: 123685. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123685.
  • WILLIAMS L A, DUPRE S, STAT M, et al., 2025. Do invasive predators pose a predation risk to roosting shorebirds? Fecal DNA and camera trap analysis[J/OL]. JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT, 89(2). DOI:10.1002/jwmg.22694.
  • LIU W, YUAN S, SHEN G, et al., 2025. Behavioral and functional responses of different bird clades to offshore windfarms in yellow sea, China[J/OL]. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 373: 123784. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.123784.

2) 보전 & 관리

  • LUO H, LI Q, YU Y, et al., 2024. Spatiotemporal Distribution and Habitat Characteristics of Shorebirds in the Coastal Wetlands of Dalian, Liaoning, China[J/OL]. SUSTAINABILITY, 16(18): 8133. DOI:10.3390/su16188133.
  • WANG C, XIA S, YU X, et al., 2024. Timing mowing for maximal energy gain – Managing foraging habitat of wintering geese under extreme drought conditions[J/OL]. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 370: 122360. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122360.
  • ZHU X, CHENG B, LI H, et al., 2024. Deteriorating wintertime habitat conditions for waterfowls in Caizi Lake, China: Drivers and adaptive measures[J/OL]. SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT, 953: 176020. DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176020.
  • LIN M M, FULLER R A, GIBSON L, et al., 2024. Conservation-oriented management benefits the Black-faced Spoonbill, an endangered migratory waterbird[J/OL]. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION, 54: e03077. DOI:10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03077.
  • LIU Y, SHI J, JIN R, et al., 2024. Evaluating waterbird migratory stopover habitat suitability in the Tumen River Estuary at the junction of China, North Korea and Russia using multi-source remote sensing imagery[J/OL]. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 370: 122999. DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122999.
  • WANG L, WEI Y, WANG B, et al., 2024. Co-exposure of microplastics with heavy metals increases environmental pressure in the endangered and rare wildlife reserve: A case study of the zhalong wetland red-crowned crane nature reserve, northeast China[J/OL]. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION, 363: 125287. DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125287.
  • LILLEYMAN A, CORRIVEAU A, GARNETT S T, et al., 2024. Variation in space use between sites, years and individuals for an endangered migratory shorebird has implications for coastal planning[J/OL]. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE, 6(12)[2025-06-04].https://www.proquest.com/docview/3143112173?pq-origsite=wos&accountid=42626. DOI:10.1111/csp2.13261.
  • VILKOV E V, 2024. Dynamics of the Number of Anatids (Anseriformes, Anatidae, Aves) in Model Regions in Dagestan[J/OL]. BIOLOGY BULLETIN, 51(8): 2473-2494. DOI:10.1134/S1062359024701152.
  • GAO H, WANG J, CHEN F, et al., 2024. Priority areas for wintering waterbirds and the need to remove Spartina along Zhejiang coast[J/OL]. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION, 56: e03279. DOI:10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03279.
  • XIONG Y, DAI Y, WU H, et al., 2024. Effects of extreme drought on landscape pattern of Dongting Lake wetland, China[J/OL]. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS, 169: 112974. DOI:10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112974.
  • LI Y, DONG X, HU C, 2024. The impact of ecological water level on wintering migratory birds in Poyang Lake – Focusing on phytophagous geese[J/OL]. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS, 169: 112946. DOI:10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112946.
  • LEE R H, KWONG I H Y, LI T C H, et al., 2025. Spatial scales matter in designing buffer zones for coastal protected areas along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway[J/OL]. GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION, 57: e03357. DOI:10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03357.
  • FANG T, JIN J, CHEN C, et al., 2025. Prediction of suitable habitat for tundra swans in the Nanji wetland Nature Reserve of Poyang Lake under different water level conditions[J/OL]. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS, 170: 113030. DOI:10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.113030.

3) 조류 인플루엔자 /

  • ZHANG S, XU N, LIU G, 2024. Altered Gut Archaeal Communities in Anser erythropus Populations Wintering at Shengjin and Caizi Lakes in China[J/OL]. Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 56(4). DOI:10.17582/journal.pjz/20221208061226.
  • LIU X, WANG Z, NIU X, et al., 2024. Methylmercury exposure and risk of wintering migratory birds in the Poyang Lake basin, China[J/OL]. Environmental Research, 261: 119641. DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2024.119641.
  • KOU N, LI Y, PU L, et al., 2024. Variations of gut microbiota in the wintering black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) at local and regional scales and its management implications[J/OL]. Global Ecology and Conservation, 52: e02982. DOI:10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e02982.
  • WANG H J, CHEN D, MA Z H, et al., 2024. Molecular detection, subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in migratory birds from nature reserves in northeastern China[J/OL]. Acta Tropica, 258: 107355. DOI:10.1016/j.actatropica.2024.107355.
  • XUE N Y, QIN S Y, QIN Y, et al., 2024. Existence of Blastocystis infection in bar–headed goose (Anser indicus)[J/OL]. Research in Veterinary Science, 178: 105380. DOI:10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105380.
  • CHEN H, XIAO X, CHEN C, et al., 2024. Digital twin-based virtual modeling of the Poyang Lake wetland landscapes[J/OL]. Environmental Modelling & Software, 181: 106168. DOI:10.1016/j.envsoft.2024.106168.
  • LI Y, YIN Z, WANG J, et al., 2024. Surveillance of avian influenza viruses in Hebei Province of China from 2021 to 2023: Identification of a novel reassortant H3N3[J/OL]. Journal of Infection, 89(4): 106240. DOI:10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106240.
  • WANG H, LEI D, XU B, et al., 2024. Continuous surveillance of pathogens detects excretion of avian orthoreovirus and parvovirus by several wild waterfowl: possible wild bird reservoirs[J/OL]. POULTRY SCIENCE, 103(8): 103940. DOI:10.1016/j.psj.2024.103940.
  • GUAN M, DELIBERTO T J, FENG A, et al., 2024. Neu5Gc binding loss of subtype H7 influenza A virus facilitates adaptation to gallinaceous poultry following transmission from waterbirds[J/OL]. JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY. DOI:10.1128/jvi.00119-24.
  • TAKADA K, NAKAGAWA S, KRYUKOV K, et al., 2024. Metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiota of hooded cranes (Grus monacha) on the Izumi plain in Japan[J/OL]. FEBS OPEN BIO, 14(12): 1972-1984. DOI:10.1002/2211-5463.13881.
  • ZHANG X, WU J, WANG Y, et al., 2024. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A Virus in Wild Migratory Birds, Qinghai Lake, China, 2022[J/OL]. EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 30(10): 2135-2139. DOI:10.3201/eid3010.240460.
  • BAYBAY Z, MONTECILLO A, PANTUA A, et al., 2024. Molecular Characterization of a Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus from a 2022 Outbreak in Layer Chickens in the Philippines[J/OL]. PATHOGENS, 13(10): 844. DOI:10.3390/pathogens13100844.
  • GAO J, LIU S, BANO S, et al., 2024. First Report of Complete Genome Analysis of Multiple Drug Resistance Proteus mirabilis KUST-1312 Isolate From Migratory Birds in China: A Public Health Threat[J/OL]. TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES, 2024: 8102506. DOI:10.1155/2024/8102506.
  • WANG S, LIU X, CHEN J, et al., 2024. First detection and biological characterization of an avian metaavulavirus 8 isolated from a migratory swan goose in Qinghai Lake, Northwest China[J/OL]. MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY, 68(12): 399-405. DOI:10.1111/1348-0421.13175.
  • KHATUN M N, TASNIM S, HOSSAIN M R, et al., 2024. Molecular epidemiology of avian influenza viruses and avian coronaviruses in environmental samples from migratory bird inhabitants in Bangladesh[J/OL]. FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE, 11: 1446577. DOI:10.3389/fvets.2024.1446577.
  • KLIM H, WILLIAM T, MELLORS J, et al., 2024. Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats[J/OL]. NATURE COMMUNICATIONS, 15(1): 8863. DOI:10.1038/s41467-024-53058-y.
  • KIM S W, PARK J Y, KIM K W, et al., 2024. Lack of Serological and Molecular Evidence of Duck Tembusu Virus Infection in Ducks from South Korea[J/OL]. VETERINARY SCIENCES, 11(11): 564. DOI:10.3390/vetsci11110564.
  • WANG C, ZHANG C, CAI H, et al., 2024. Extreme drought shapes the gut microbiota composition and function of common cranes (Grus grus) wintering in Poyang Lake[J/OL]. FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY, 15: 1489906. DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2024.1489906.
  • TRESHCHALINA A A, RODINA E F, GAMBARYAN A S, et al., 2024. Long-Term Dynamics of Different Avian Influenza Viruses in Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Population in Moscow City and Moscow Oblast: Dependence on the Migration Activity[J/OL]. BIOLOGY BULLETIN, 51(6): 1850-1862. DOI:10.1134/S1062359024609418.
  • SHEN J, ZHANG H, SUN X, et al., 2024. Evolution and biological characteristics of H11 avian influenza viruses isolated from migratory birds and pigeons[J/OL]. EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS, 13(1): 2398641. DOI:10.1080/22221751.2024.2398641.

1) 생물학 & 생태학

High dispersal ability versus migratory traditions: Fine-scale population structure and post-glacial colonisation in bar-tailed godwits

Jesse R. Conklin, Yvonne I. Verkuil, Margaux J. M. Lefebvre, Phil F. Battley, Roeland A. Bom, Robert E. Gill Jr, Chris J. Hassell, Job ten Horn, Daniel R. Ruthrauff, T. Lee Tibbitts, Pavel S. Tomkovich, Nils Warnock, Theunis Piersma, Michaël C. Fontaine

Abstract: In migratory animals, high mobility may reduce population structure through increased dispersal and enable adaptive responses to environmental change, whereas rigid migratory routines predict low dispersal, increased structure, and limited flexibility to respond to change. We explore the global population structure and phylogeographic history of the bar-tailed godwit, Limosa lapponica, a migratory shorebird known for making the longest non-stop flights of any landbird. Using nextRAD sequencing of 14,318 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and scenario-testing in an Approximate Bayesian Computation framework, we infer that bar-tailed godwits existed in two main lineages at the last glacial maximum, when much of their present-day breeding range persisted in a vast, unglaciated Siberian-Beringian refugium, followed by admixture of these lineages in the eastern Palearctic. Subsequently, population structure developed at both longitudinal extremes: in the east, a genetic cline exists across latitude in the Alaska breeding range of subspecies L. l. baueri; in the west, one lineage diversified into three extant subspecies L. l. lapponica, taymyrensis, and yamalensis, the former two of which migrate through previously glaciated western Europe. In the global range of this long-distance migrant, we found evidence of both (1) fidelity to rigid behavioural routines promoting fine-scale geographic population structure (in the east) and (2) flexibility to colonise recently available migratory flyways and non-breeding areas (in the west). Our results suggest that cultural traditions in highly mobile vertebrates can override the expected effects of high dispersal ability on population structure, and provide insights for the evolution and flexibility of some of the world’s longest migrations.

A novel technique for estimating age and demography of long-lived seabirds (genus Pterodroma) using an epigenetic clock for Gould’s petrel (Pterodroma leucoptera)

Lauren Roman, Benjamin Mayne, Chloe Anderson, Yuna Kim, Terence O’Dwyer, Nicholas Carlile

Abstract: Understanding the demography of wildlife populations is a key component for ecological research, and where necessary, supporting the conservation and management of long-lived animals. However, many animals lack phenological changes with which to determine individual age; therefore, gathering this fundamental information presents difficulties. More so for species that are rare, highly mobile, migratory and those that reside in inaccessible habitats. Until recently, the primary method to measure demography is through labour intensive mark-recapture approaches, necessitating decades of effort for long-lived species. Gadfly petrels (genus: Pterodroma) are one such taxa that are overrepresented with threatened and declining species, and for which numerous aspects of their ecology present challenges for research, monitoring and recovery efforts. To overcome some of these challenges, we developed the first DNA methylation (DNAm) demography technique to estimate the age of petrels, using the epigenetic clock of Gould’s petrels (Pterodroma leucoptera). We collected reference blood samples from known-aged Gould’s petrels at a long-term monitored population on Cabbage Tree Island, Australia. Epigenetic ages were successfully estimated for 121 individuals ranging in age from zero (fledgling) to 30 years of age, showing a mean error of 2.24 ± 0.17 years between the estimated and real age across the population. This is the first development of an epigenetic clock using multiplex PCR sequencing in a bird. This method enables demography to be measured with relative accuracy in a single sampling trip. This technique can provide information for emerging demographic risks that can mask declines in long-lived seabird populations and be applied to other Pterodroma populations.

Migratory Connectivity of Zhejiang, with a Critical Stopover in East Asian-Australasian Flyway, Based on Recovery Data

Baoquan Liu ,Hongdi Gao ,Jinhui Wang ,Jinhui Wang ,Zhenxian Zhu ,Cheng Qian ,Zhongyong Fan ,Ke He

Abstract: Understanding migratory routes is crucial for the conservation of birds and their habitats. Zhejiang is a crucial stopover and wintering area for birds in the East Asian–Australasian Flyway; however, detailed information on this area, and particularly on connections between coastal areas, is limited. By synthesizing ringed and recapture records from local bird-ringing projects and re-sighting community science data (208 records of 35 species), we established migratory connectivity between the Zhejiang coast and nine countries (i.e., Russia, Mongolia, the United States, Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Australia), as well as eleven sites within China, and established its crucial role in this flyway. Stopover fidelity was verified by some species with high recapture frequency (seven species exceeded 1%) and species with duplicated re-sighted records (seven Black-faced Spoonbill, one Dalmatian Pelican, and two Spoon-billed Sandpiper individuals). We identified six areas—Hangzhou Bay, Aiwan Bay, Xuanmen National Park, Wenzhou Bay, the reclaimed area between the Ou and Feiyun Rivers, and the Wenzhou Jiangnan Reclamation Area—as crucial stopovers and wintering refuges for waterbirds. Notably, in Xuanmen National Park and the coastal regions along Wenzhou, there were many recovery records for flagship species, such as the Black-faced Spoonbill and Spoon-billed Sandpiper. There were several cases of the recovery of the same individual studied across the years. These findings indicate that these unprotected wetlands require particular attention. Broadly, our findings highlight the feasibility of integrating comprehensive ringing projects with citizen science data to formulate effective conservation strategies and underscore the critical importance of the Zhejiang Coast for migratory waterbirds, particularly those with high conservation concerns, emphasizing the need to mitigate the threats faced by these vulnerable populations.

Subadult movements contribute to population level migratory connectivity

Yingjun Wang , Zhengwu Pan , Yali Si , Lijia Wen , Yumin Guo

Abstract: Migratory connectivity describes the degree to which migratory populations are mixed across space and time. Unlike adults, subadult birds often exhibit distinct migratory patterns and continually refine their migratory behaviour and destinations as they mature. Consequently, the influence of subadult movements on overall migratory connectivity might be different from that of adults. However, current studies on migratory connectivity often overlook population age structures, predominantly focusing on adults. In this study, we investigated the role of subadult movements in shaping population level connectivity by using satellite tracking data from 214 black-necked cranes, Grus nigricollis, in western China. We first assessed the variances in spatial separation in different age cohorts using the continuous temporal Mantel correlation coefficient with data from 17 juveniles tracked in the same year for 3 consecutive years. We then calculated the continuous temporal migratory connectivity for the entire population (comprising various age groups) from 15 September to 15 November and compared the result to that of the family group (consisting of juveniles and adults only). Our results revealed a positive correlation between temporal variation in spatial separation and age after the juveniles separated from the adults, suggesting that subadults may have fine-tuned their migration paths. Moreover, the migratory connectivity of the all-age cohort was moderate (below 0.6) in the winter season, and notably lower than that of the family group during the autumn period. Given the considerable impact of subadults on migratory connectivity, we recommend using data collected from birds across all age categories to improve the precision of population level migratory connectivity estimates.

Predicting avian diversity based on land use and cover on a national scale

Jae Hyun Kim, Shinyeong Park, Jeffrey Hepinstall-Cymerman & Dong Kun Lee

Abstract: This study explores the relationship between landscape features and avian diversity in South Korea, examining both taxonomic and functional diversity. The Korean Peninsula serves as a pivotal habitat for resident bird species and a migratory pathway in the East Asia-Pacific flyway. Using a national dataset with block sizes ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 kilometers per side, we found that less urbanized open plains exhibit higher taxonomic diversity, while coastal regions with diverse water bird populations show higher functional diversity. These findings underscore the significance of conserving the existing land types and qualities in specific regions to substantially impact bird distribution and regional biodiversity. Remarkably, closed forests display diversity patterns akin to urban/built-up areas, despite their disparate land use characteristics. The stability of bird diversity indices across different land use types enables us to predict bird diversity indices based on the particular land use and land cover configurations. This study emphasizes the complementary nature of functional biodiversity indices in comprehending bird distribution patterns alongside taxonomic diversity indices.

Migratory movements, distribution, habitat preference, and activity patterns of the endangered Abbott’s booby Papasula abbotti

Johannes Chambon , Luca Börger, Henri Weimerskirch, Janos C. Hennicke

Abstract: The Abbott’s booby Papasula abbotti is one of the most threatened seabirds in the world. The non-breeding behaviour and distribution of Abbott’s boobies are largely unknown but evidence suggests they migrate between breeding attempts. This lack of information impedes the identification and quantification of the threats the birds are exposed to outside of their breeding season. We studied the migratory movements of Abbott’s booby using geolocator-immersion loggers. A total of 22 adult birds were tracked between 2007 and 2014. Analysis of the 27 migratory trips revealed that birds migrated on average 2500 km east of Christmas Island to an area centred around the Banda Sea, Indonesia. The timing of Abbott’s booby migration (from November-December to April) coincides with the Indonesian-Australian monsoon, a period characterised by reversing prevailing winds and decreased regional oceanic primary productivity. The birds’ movements matched the pattern of reversal of the prevailing winds. No birds were recorded on migration between 17 May and 26 October, which suggests that the whole population of adult Abbott’s boobies is on Christmas Island during that period. Migrating Abbott’s boobies spent little time on the water during the day or at night (15%), and individuals preferred waters with a narrow range of sea surface salinity (32.5-34.5 PSU), rugged seafloor topography, and sea surface temperatures above ca. 28°C. Overall, these novel results identify the area within which potential threats, such as interactions with fisheries or effects of climate change on the species’ marine habitats, should be investigated.

Migratory herbivorous waterfowl track multiple resource waves during spring migration

Fei Xu, Wei Wu, Jie Wei, Qinchuan Xin, Ben Wielstra, Frank A. La Sorte, Zhijun Ma, Guangchun Lei, Jialin Lei, Wenzhao Wu, Yongchuan Yang, Peng Gong, Bing Xu and Yali Si

Abstract: East Asian herbivorous waterfowl intensively use farmland in spring, next to their natural habitat. Accordingly, they might have expanded their migration strategy from merely tracking the green wave of newly emerging vegetation to also incorporating the availability of post-harvest agricultural seeds (here dubbed the seed wave). However, if and how waterfowl use multiple food resources to time their seasonal migration is still unknown. We test this migration strategy using 167 spring migration tracks of five East Asian herbivorous waterfowl species and mixed-effect resource selection function models. We found that all study species arrived at their core stopover sites in the Northeast China Plain after agricultural seeds became available, extended their stay after spring vegetation emerged and arrived at their breeding sites around the emergence of vegetation. At the core stopover sites, all study species used snowmelt as a cue to track seed availability, although smaller-bodied species tended to arrive later. At the breeding sites, swans tracked the onset of vegetation emergence and geese tracked the mid- or end phases of snowmelt. Our findings suggest that waterfowl track multiple resource waves to fine-tune their migration, highlighting new opportunities for conservation.

Tracking data demonstrate plasticity in migration behaviour of the East Asian Pied Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

K Wijethunge, Q Zhao, Y Liu, Y Xie, W Cao, B Zheng, Z Xu, L Cao, AD Fox

Abstract: Avian populations showing a diversity of migration patterns are more likely resilient to environmental changes and less likely to decline in response to factors such as climate change and habitat loss, making knowledge of how migration behaviour varies spatially and temporally within and between individuals crucial for their successful conservation. We tracked 31 migratory episodes in six East Asian Pied Avocets, identifying migration behaviour and annual schedules over 5 consecutive years. The Pied Avocets spent means of 195 days on summering areas, 108 days on wintering areas, 24 days on autumn (9 November–3 December), and 27 days on spring (23 March–19 April), with considerable individual variation. Individuals also exhibited significant variability in migration distance (mean of 977 ± 347 km and 1,261 ± 507 km in autumn and spring, respectively), migration speed, stopover duration and site fidelity. Some birds showed consistent between-year migration patterns and site fidelity, others did not. Four individuals exhibited highly peripatetic summer schedules, implying sampling between inland arid and coastal wetlands for potential nesting sites. Our results supplement recent studies by providing new valuable insights into individual behavioural plasticity on migration with long-term tracking data and new knowledge about previously unknown summering areas in the Northern Yellow Sea, NE China, Inner Mongolia, and NW Hebei, also confirming the importance of known wintering areas in the Southern Yellow Sea, the Yangtze River and the Huai River floodplain. We urge prudence in concluding too much from our limited sample size and further tracking of more individuals.

Genome-wide DNA reveals decades-long genetic stability and intra-familial migratory site fidelity in an Asian population of Common Redshanks

Yen Yi Tan, Bryan Soh, Elize Y. X. Ng, David Zuowei Li & Frank E. Rheindt

Abstract: We investigated the population genetic trajectory and genetic diversity of a wintering population of Common Redshanks (Tringa totanus) in Southeast Asia. Using ~ 23,000 genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) harvested by double-digest restriction-site associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq) of Common Redshanks collected in Singapore across 28 years, we uncovered evidence for long-term genetic homogeneity that points to sustained migratory connectivity of individuals found in Singapore. Our population genetic analyses also revealed that Singapore’s Common Redshanks have harboured persistently low levels of genetic diversity throughout the temporal sampling regime. We further furnish, for the first time in shorebirds, genomic evidence for migratory site fidelity within closely related familial pairs across multiple seasons. Our findings are consistent with population genetic stability and support past results on the species’ exceptional site fidelity, with ramifications for the population’s conservation status and management strategy. Our work highlights the utility of genome-wide DNA techniques in combination with robust longitudinal sampling regimes for effective genetic monitoring programs targeted at highly mobile avian taxa, with broad applicability and relevance to highly dispersive taxa in general. We recommend that future studies expand the current sampling regime to achieve a comprehensive phylogeographic overview for insights into the genetic and migratory connectivity of the species.

Partial migration pays off in black-faced cormorants: insights from post-breeding GPS tracking

Thomas Cansse , Luc Lens , Rachael A. Orben , Grace J. Sutton , Jonathan A. Botha , John P.Y. Arnould

Abstract: Seasonal variation in food availability or adverse weather patterns can create challenging conditions for year-round survival. Birds experiencing such fluctuations may migrate to locations with better food availability in the non-breeding period. While some species are obligate migrants, others are facultative migrants where various post-breeding strategies exist within populations. Several cormorant and shag species are facultative migrants with a range of post-breeding movement strategies within populations. Currently, most of the information available on cormorant post-breeding strategies originates from banding studies and little is known about their movements, time budget or habitat use during the non-breeding period. In the present study, Australian endemic black-faced cormorants (Phalacrocorax fuscescens), breeding on Notch Island, Victoria, were tracked with GPS data loggers during the non-breeding period. Different post-breeding strategies were observed. Individuals were either resident (N = 36, 69%), remaining within a short distance of the colony (16.7 +/- 2.2 km) or migratory (N = 16, 31%), travelling greater distances (250.7 +/- 24.4 km) to establish a new central place foraging location. Data from individuals which covered the entire non-breeding period indicated that, across strategies, individual birds had one area of residency during the non-breeding period. Migratory individuals were found to have lower daily activity levels, spending less time flying and foraging, than resident individuals during the early non-breeding period, possibly indicating that they had access to greater prey resources. Regardless of the post-breeding strategy, individuals utilised foraging locations that were of similar seabed depths year-round suggesting individual specialisation in prey resources or foraging habitats.

Assessing Shorebirds Passage and Wintering on the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia

Mohd Ros Effendi, Nur Munira Azman, Mohd Nasir Azizan, Wan Juliana Wan Ahmad, Mohammad Saiful Mansor

Abstract: Malaysia lies within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), among the world’s most species-rich and threatened flyways, which provides stop-over sites for millions of passages and wintering birds. Although some mudflats along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia are classified as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA), no detailed studies have been conducted to compare shorebird composition and diversity between these locations. Hence, the species composition and diversity of shorebirds was assessed in established plots on mudflats of the North-central Selangor Coast (NCSC) and Teluk Air Tawar Kuala Muda Coast (TAT-KMC) between December 2022 and January 2023. A total of 31 species from three families, Charadriidae, Scolopacidae, and Laridae, were documented throughout the study. There was a significant difference in shorebird species composition between the two sites. TAT-KMC recorded more threatened species including the Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis and Nordmann’s Greenshank Tringa guttifer. Despite the presence of more threatened species at TAT-KMC, the results showed both stop-over sites are important for migratory shorebirds along EAAF. The data obtained are valuable for assessing the current species richness and abundance, highlighting the importance for these IBAs to be designated as another Flyway Site Network representing west coast Peninsular Malaysia in order to enhance their protection and conservation efforts.

Extensive Tracking of Nomadic Waterbird Movements Reveals an Inland Flyway

McGinness, Heather M; Jackson, Micha V; Lloyd‐Jones, Luke; Robinson, Freya; Langston, Art; O’Neill, Louis G; Rapley, Shoshana; Piper, Melissa; Davies, Micah; Hodgson, Jessica

Abstract: Waterbirds are highly mobile and have the ability to respond to environmental conditions opportunistically at multiple scales. Mobility is particularly crucial for aggregate‐nesting species dependent on breeding habitat in arid and semi‐arid wetlands, which can be ephemeral and unpredictable. We aimed to address knowledge gaps about movement routes for aggregate‐nesting nomadic waterbird species by tracking them in numbers sufficient to make robust assessment of their movement patterns. We hypothesised that analysis of long‐distance movements would identify common routes with consistent environmental features that would be useful as context for conservation management. We used GPS satellite telemetry to track the movements of 73 straw‐necked ibis (Threskiornis spinicollis) and 42 royal spoonbills (Platalea regia) over 7 years (2016‐2023). We used these data to identify long‐distance movements and to demarcate and characterise movement routes. We identified common routes used by both species, including a ‘flyway’ over 2000 km long, spanning Australia’s Murray–Darling Basin from the south‐west to the north‐east. This flyway connects important breeding sites and is characterised by flat, open/unforested areas with low elevations of < 350 m and mid to high rainfall. The flyway corresponds to an area west of Australia’s Great Dividing Range, which appears to act as a low‐permeability barrier to the movement of both species. Identification of an inland flyway for waterbirds in Australia provides important context for multi‐jurisdictional cooperation and strategic management. Where resources are limited, water and wetland management efforts (e.g., environmental watering) should be preferentially located within this route. Similarly, targeting threat mitigation within common movement routes may have disproportionate importance for long‐term population viability. Given the widespread distribution of similar species globally, there are likely to be other flyways worthy of scientific and conservation management attention that could be identified using our approach.

Annual Patterns of Shorebird Migration and Habitat Use at the Gochang Tidal Flat: Insights from 10 Selected Shorebird Species

Ju-Hyun Lee, Won-Suk Choi, Gi-Chang Bing, Jae-Ung Jang, Se-Yeong Kim, Jong-Ju Son, Dae-Han Cho, Eun-Byeol Choi, Jung-Moon Ha, Who-Seung Lee, Ha-Cheol Sung

Abstract: Gochang Tidal Flat plays a crucial role as a stopover site for migratory shorebirds within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). This study focuses on 10 shorebird species observed at Gochang to assess their migration patterns using standardized survey methods. From July 2022 to June 2023, we conducted 24 surveys across five designated sites and 25 survey points. The selected species-the Grey Plover (Pluvialis squatarola), Kentish Plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), Far Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), Whimbrel (Numenius phaeopus), Common Greenshank, (Tringa nebularia), Terek Sandpiper (Xenus cinereus), Dunlin (Calidris alpina), Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica), and Black-tailed Gull (Larus crassirostris)-showed distinct seasonal distributions in abundance. During southward migration in fall, Kentish Plovers and Common Greenshanks were most prevalent, while Whimbrels, Dunlins, and Bar-tailed Godwits dominated during northward migration in spring. Species like the Grey Plover, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Terek Sandpiper, and Far Eastern Curlew were consistently abundant in both seasons. Spatially, Grey Plovers and Dunlins were concentrated in the inner tidal areas, whereas Far Eastern Curlews, Whimbrels, and Terek Sandpipers favored central and outer regions. Large populations of Black-tailed Gulls and Eurasian Oystercatchers were observed along oceanfront. This study underscores the ecological significance by elucidating annual shorebird population dynamics.

Migratory flyways and connectivity of Brown Headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) revealed by GPS tracking

Xin Yu , Gang Song , Huan Wang , Qichao Wei , Chenxi Jia , Fumin Lei

Abstract: Brown-Headed Gull (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus) is the most common summer visitor on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and is a species that is susceptible to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), however, their detailed migratory movements remain unclear. In this study, we applied GPS/GSM transmitters to track the journeys of individuals (n = 32) that bred at the Qinghai Lake in Qinghai province, China. The results showed that the Brown-Headed Gulls (n = 15 bird-years) from the same breeding population employed different flyways during southbound migration: western (n = 4 bird-years), central (n = 4 bird-years), and eastern (n = 7 bird-years), which indicates rather weak migratory connectivity for the breeding population (the mean distance between two individuals during winter was 1040 ± 548 km (range = 81–2002 km), spanning 35 % of the maximum width of the QTP). Before the southbound migration, western migrants arrived at lakes (454 ± 319 km) farther from their breeding ground compared to central and eastern migrants to engage in nearly three months of post-breeding movement. Western migrants employed more detours and migrated longer distances crossing mountains with higher elevations (4535 ± 105 m) during southbound migration. In contrast, central and eastern migrants employed more direct routes and migrated shorter distances crossing relatively lower-altitude mountains during their southbound migration. The western and central migrants undertook a distinct counterclockwise loop migration pattern shifting from the central QTP route in southbound migration to the eastern QTP route in northbound migration. They performed similar behaviors of duration and distance during the southbound and northbound migration. Our study can be considered as a baseline for the migratory patterns of potentially infected waterfowl on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and it offers valuable insights into the migration movements of gulls in the region.

The Influence of Short-Term Water Level Fluctuations on the Habitat Response and Ecological Fragility of Siberian Cranes in Poyang Lake, China

Li, Xin; Hu, Bisong; Qi, Shuhua; Luo, Jin.  Remote Sensing

Abstract: The landscape of the Poyang Lake wetland is significantly influenced by changes in water levels, impacting the distribution of habitats for migratory birds. While long-term effects of water level variations have been extensively studied, short-term impacts on Siberian crane habitats and their ecological vulnerability remain poorly understood. This study utilized 35 years (1987-2022) of Landsat remote sensing data and daily water level records from Poyang Lake to examine the effects of short-term water level fluctuations on the spatial distribution and ecological vulnerability of Siberian crane habitats. The geographic detector method was employed to quantify the explanatory power and interaction effects of factors, including short-term water level fluctuations, on ecological vulnerability. The findings reveal significant differences in the habitats of wintering Siberian cranes across various water level intervals and short-term fluctuation patterns. Short-term water level fluctuations can result in the largest suitable wintering habitat area for Siberian cranes, reaching 1856.41 km2 in this study. These habitats are highly sensitive to short-term water level changes, with rising and falling trends potentially leading to habitat loss. Oscillating water levels in the short term create broader and more concentrated habitats. Notably, fluctuations at low water levels support the sustainability and stability of crane habitats. Furthermore, short-term water level trends and nature reserves play a critical role in maintaining habitat ecological vulnerability; well-managed and protected nature reserves exhibit significant explanatory power, both in single-factor analysis and in their interaction with other environmental factors. Specifically, these protected areas show explanatory power exceeding the 20% threshold for both water level fluctuations and ranges, highlighting the crucial role of anthropogenic management in mitigating ecological vulnerability. This study emphasizes the necessity of scientifically informed regulation of short-term water level fluctuations to protect Siberian crane habitats and provides a strong scientific basis for decision-making support.

Stopover habitat use of coastal Pied Avocet revealed by satellite tracking and remote sensing technology

Dong Li , Kai Liu , Yingxu Gao , Yang Wu , Xiyong Hou

Abstract: Stopover sites identification for migratory waterbirds is important in China’s coastal wetlands, which have experienced a massive loss of natural wetlands in recent decades. Taking the Pied Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), a common waterbird in China’s coastal zone as an example, our research focused on their stopover habitat use based on satellite tracking and remote sensing technology. Along the coast, a total of 6 critical stopover sites, duration of stay more than 14 days, were recognized during their 2022–2023 autumn and spring migrations of the 4 tagged individuals. The results showed that Pied Avocets used habitats close to the coastline and water source, at low elevation, and with sparse vegetation. They also had a certain tolerance for human interference. From the perspective of the land use and land cover type, the proportion (33.01 %) of artificial wetlands including paddy, salt pan, and mariculture has exceeded that (27.97 %) of natural wetlands such as bottomland, tidal flat, estuarine waters, and shallow water in the home ranges of the 6 stopover areas. The study emphasized that the habitat function of artificial wetland should be paid enough attention to while maintaining the natural wetland without further loss. In addition, habitat-oriented management suggestions were put forward for artificial wetlands. This study can provide data and technical support for the conservation and management of waterbirds stopovers, also having reference value for other species.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) do not accumulate with age or affect population survival in ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres).

Tobias A. Ross, Junjie Zhang, Tonje G. Skaalvik , Robyn Atkinson , Roz Jessop , Victorian Wader Study Group , Alexandros G. Asimakopoulos , Veerle L.B. Jaspers , Marcel Klaassen

Abstract: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may threaten wildlife due to their high environmental persistence, toxicity potential and potential to bioaccumulate. Bioaccumulation may be particularly profound in long-lived animals inhabiting higher trophic niches. To date, there is a paucity of data on PFAS bioaccumulation potential in individual wild birds over their lifetime. In this study, we analysed within-individual PFAS contamination in a declining long-distance migratory shorebird, the ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres), and the variation in PFAS contamination with age by repeatedly sampling 19 individuals throughout their lives between 2007 and 2022. We found blood-sampled turnstones on their non-breeding grounds in King Island, Tasmania, exhibited no variation of PFAS contamination with age, with low overall circulating PFAS concentrations (<0.015–25 ng/g, median: 0.78 ng/g). Moreover, irrespective of the increased PFAS usage along the East Asian Australasian Flyway over the past two decades, ruddy turnstone survival remained consistent throughout the 15-year sampling period, with no temporal trend in percentage of juveniles in the population. From a conservation perspective, low concentrations of PFAS found in this study are good news as they suggest PFAS alone do not seem to threaten turnstone survival. However, the unknown effects of exposure to mixtures of pollutants may yet threaten turnstones.

Exploring the driving factors of bird diversity in mangrove natural protected areas in Guangdong Province, China

Xitao Yang , Rushu Wen*, ChunXia , ZhangChunXia , Zhang Ming Qu , Jianing Luo , Jianing Luo , Ruijuan Yu , Yan Zhao , Guodong Hua , Kaiyuan Tan , Lu Yu , Sijia Ye

Abstract: Introduction Under the impacts of high intensity human activities, mangrove natural protected areas are pivotal strategies for biodiversity conservation and play a significant role in preserving bird diversity. Mangrove natural protected areas in Guangdong Province, China, lie along the migratory path of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, serving as breeding, feeding, and resting grounds for birds. Variations in bird responses to environmental factors are significant.Methods To comprehensively understand these variances, redundancy analysis was employed, focusing on bird diversity surveys conducted from March 2022 to February 2023 in natural protected areas of Guangdong to examine how driving factors such as mangrove habitat landscape, community structure, water quality, and soil sedimentation affected the diversity of avian species.Results The findings were as follows: (1) A total of 193 bird species spanning 17 orders and 53 families were documented, including 74 songbirds, 60 wading birds, 27 swimming birds, 17 climbing birds, 10 raptors, and 5 terrestrial birds. (2) Regarding the impact of simple effects on all bird species, aquaculture pond area, mangrove extent, and mudflat area emerged as significant factors driving bird diversity, with explanatory rates of 31.0%, 28.9%, and 20.3%, respectively. Notably, the aquaculture pond area was the main driver of bird diversity, with an explanatory rate of 31.0%. (3) Mangrove extent has emerged as a pivotal factor shaping the songbird diversity, climbing birds, raptors, and terrestrial birds, whereas the aquaculture pond area was pivotal for wading birds, swimming birds, and others.Discussion To enhance mangrove bird diversity protection, management agencies overseeing natural mangrove protected areas should adopt science-based approaches when managing mangrove, mudflats, and aquaculture pond areas in mangrove forest protection and restoration plans. This would prevent extensive mangrove planting, which encroaches on non-mangrove habitats. Additionally, the scientific management of aquaculture ponds should accommodate diverse bird habitats through measures, such as water level adjustments.

Unraveling the impact of drought on waterbird community assembly and conservation strategies

Xiang Gao , Jie Liang , Ziqian Zhu , Weixiang Li , Lan Lu , Xinyi Qiu , Shuai Li , Ning Tang , Xiaodong Li

Abstract: Drought-induced changes in lakes and wetlands, crucial habitats for migratory waterbirds, can greatly affect their foraging and habitat utilization. These changes lead to a decline in waterbird species richness and may cause shifts in community assembly from phylogenetic and functional trait perspectives. However, a gap remains between ecological mechanistic research about these changes and conservation applications. Here, we investigated the drought-induced phylogenetic and functional changes in waterbird community assembly over the past two decades in two lakes of the Yangtze River basin. Additionally, we explored conservation strategies to address the requirements of waterbirds during droughts. Results showed that drought modified the hydrological and phenological characteristics of waterbird habitats, leading to a decrease in waterbird species richness. As drought severity increased, species that were sensitive to drought exhibited higher degrees of similarity compared to the local species pool, leading to more divergent community assembly patterns. The mean values of body mass, tarsus length, bill length, and Evolutionary Distinctiveness (ED) of waterbirds in both lakes increased significantly under high drought stress conditions. Dabbling birds and small waders, which rely on habitats most susceptible to drought-induced changes, were the primary habitat preference groups affected. Additionally, the diversification of phylogenetic and functional community assembly in waterbirds and their associated conservation requirements indicated that effective conservation measures for waterbirds must be diversified and tailored to the specific requirements of different waterbird species, thereby preventing the loss of ecosystem functions and services. Conservation strategies should also be adaptive by incorporating periodic evaluations and adjustments to respond to environmental pressures and thus ensuring sustained effectiveness. In conclusion, as drought severity increased, functional and phylogenetic trait differences between species became more significant. Therefore, conservation measures must be diversified, tailored, and adaptive to effectively respond to the changes in waterbird community assembly.

Do invasive predators pose a predation risk to roosting shorebirds? Fecal DNA and camera trap analysis

Louise A. Williams, Samuel Dupré, Michael Stat, Matt W. Hayward, Christophe Tourenq, Andrea S. Griffin

Abstract: Shorebird populations have experienced dramatic population declines worldwide. Reasons for these declines are varied, but one largely understudied threat at migratory shorebird non-breeding grounds is predation by introduced predators. High-tide roosting shorebirds may be vulnerable to ground predation, as they roost in a spatially clumped and temporally predictable manner in areas easily accessible to ground predators. We measured predation risk by the introduced red fox (Vulpes vulpes) at high-tide roosts within 2 internationally important shorebird estuaries in New South Wales, Australia, during a time when non-breeding shorebird numbers were at their annual peak, using a combination of camera trapping and environmental DNA (eDNA). Foxes were present at all study sites and were seen most frequently at sites encompassing the 2 largest high-tide roosts within the study estuaries, and least frequently nearest the roosts. Metabarcoding identified a broad range of avian taxa in fox scats collected at roosts, including ground-dwelling birds, native waterbirds, and introduced pigeons and doves, but no shorebird species. Bird prevalence in fox scats reached levels that far exceeded those reported in prior studies. Future studies should examine whether red foxes present a non-lethal, rather than lethal, predation threat to high-tide roosting shorebirds when feeding on other co-occurring food sources, potentially inducing energetically costly predator avoidance.

Behavioral and functional responses of different bird clades to offshore windfarms in yellow sea, China

Wei Liu , Sijia Yuan , Gang Shen , Yanzhe Ding , Xiaoshou Liu, Chaochao Hu , Chentao Wei , Xiaoqiang Lu , Yan Liu

Abstract: Offshore windfarms (OWFs) constitute a rapidly expanding source of renewable energy that inevitably affects marine biodiversity, especially those built within critical areas for biodiversity conservation. To understand the potential effect of OWFs on bird communities, we systematically tracked bird communities and their behavior within OWFs near the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea in China from 2020 to 2022 using voyage investigations. The results indicated that bird diversity was greater within OWFs than in seawaters away from the OWFs. The composition of the bird community varied at different distance scales and the closer to the windfarm, the higher the number of birds from the Laridae and Anatidae. In addition, the flight heights of Laridae, Accipitridae, and Anatidae overlapped with the rotor-swept zones, and there were significant altitudinal variations in the OWFs and nearby waters. Based on 16 functional traits and the devised risk assessment function, we found that OWFs could have distinct impacts on different birds. Birds of the family Accipitridae, which have a larger body size, are likely to experience more stress from OWFs than other families. And, fish-eating birds, such as Laridae and Anatidae, have higher risk scores due to their closer proximity to the windfarm, medium body size and greater number of individuals. However, Passeriformes with smaller body size and fewer individuals have lower risk values. Our study revealed in detail the different strategies used by birds to cope with OWFs and provides a theoretical basis for rationalizing the conservation of bird diversity at these locations.

2) 보전 & 관리

Spatiotemporal Distribution and Habitat Characteristics of Shorebirds in the Coastal Wetlands of Dalian, Liaoning, China

Luo Hao, Li Qing, Yang Yu, Kang Jing, Wei Lei, Zhang Demin

Abstract: The coast of Dalian in Liaoning Province, China, is one of the most important habitats for migratory shorebirds along the East Asia–Australasian Flyway. However, the coastal areas of Dalian have been modified extensively by various projects, including reclamation and the construction of aquaculture and port facilities, embankment buildings, cross-sea passages, and wind farms, which have led to significant damage to the coastal habitats of shorebirds. Assessing the spatiotemporal distribution and habitat characteristics of shorebirds is of great importance to biodiversity conservation. The present study involved a 15-month-long survey of shorebirds in nine coastal wetlands of Dalian from August 2021 to October 2022. In total, 31 species of shorebirds, belonging to five families, were recorded. Migratory shorebirds were the most frequently observed, accounting for 77% of the recorded shorebirds. Dunlin (Calidris alpina), Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus), Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata), and Far Eastern curlew (Numenius madagascariensis) were the most abundant species. Both species richness and species abundance peaked in May and again in September. The Zhuanghe Estuary boasted the highest species diversity, while the Huli Estuary wetland exhibited the greatest species abundance. The type of habitat and the spatial extent of natural wetlands were the main variables influencing the spatial distribution of waterbirds. By identifying the population characteristics and habitat status of shorebirds in Dalian, the results provide support for shorebird conservation and habitat management.

Timing mowing for maximal energy gain – Managing foraging habitat of wintering geese under extreme drought conditions

Chenxi Wang , Shaoxia Xia , Xiubo Yu , Li Wen

Abstract: The availability of high-quality food resources is a critical determinant of wildlife fitness. Over the past two decades, phenological mismatch – the temporal misalignment between animals’ peak nutrient demand and optimal resource availability – has emerged as a significant conservation challenge. This issue is particularly worrisome for migratory birds, which must accumulate energy reserves to meet the elevated metabolic demands of migration between breeding and wintering grounds. In Poyang Lake, a crucial wintering ground along the East Asian-Australasian flyway, increasing asynchrony between vegetation growth and the migration of herbivorous waterbirds significantly impedes conservation efforts and presents a major management challenge for this Ramsar wetland. This study evaluates the efficacy of mowing, a grassland management measure, in regulating plant growth processes and restoring food resources for geese. In-situ mowing experiments were conducted with varying timings in Carex wet meadows, the primary foraging habitats of geese. Optimal mowing times were identified, and the maximum goose carrying capacity was assessed by comparing Carex growth and nutritional dynamics with goose dietary requirements. The results reveal that mowing effectively slows down the aging process of Carex, and protein content is identified as a critical limiting factor for geese foraging. Different mowing timings extend the suitable foraging period by 11–25 days. Estimates suggest varying carrying capacities with different mowing timings, supporting goose populations ranging from 133 to 2,046 in Changhuchi Lake during wintering. The optimal mowing window is early October, avoiding dates before late September and after late November. Moreover, multiple-stage mowing is recommended to accommodate different wintering stages. The study highlights mowing as a potential habitat restoration approach for goose conservation, effectively mitigating the challenges imposed by phenological mismatch directly and indirectly caused by anthropogenic activities.

Deteriorating wintertime habitat conditions for waterfowls in Caizi Lake, China: Drivers and adaptive measures

Xiudi Zhu , Bo Cheng , Hongqing Li , Lizhi Zhou , Fengling Yan , Xiaoyuan Wang , Qiang Zhang , Vijay P. Singh , Lijuan Cui , Bo Jiang

Abstract: China has made enormous strides to achieve high-quality development and biodiversity conservation, and the establishment of nature-protected areas is one of the essential initiatives. Caizi Lake involves a natural reserve and two national wetland parks, accommodating winter migratory waterfowl over the middle and lower Yangtze River basin in China. However, the water transfer from the Yangtze River to the Huai River (YR-HR water transfer) has modified the winter hydrological conditions of Caizi Lake, negatively affecting wintertime waterfowl habitats. Hence, conserving wintertime waterfowl habitats necessitates knowledge of the dynamical mechanisms behind the impacts of YR-HR water transfer on wintertime waterfowl habitats and adaptive measures. Here we developed a machine learning model, the normalized difference vegetation index, and on-spot observatory datasets such as the spatial distribution of waterfowl species and underwater topography of Caizi Lake. We found that the rising winter water level of Caizi Lake encroaches on winter waterfowl habitat with extremely high suitability. Meanwhile, rising water levels reduced waterfowl food sources. Thus, rising water levels due to YR-HR water transfer deteriorated waterfowl living conditions over Caizi Lake. Therefore, we proposed adaptive measures to alleviate these negative effects, such as water level regulation, artificial feeding of waterfowls, restoration and reconstruction of contiguous mudflats, grass flats. This study highlights human interferences with waterfowl habitats, necessitating biodiversity conservation at regional scales.

Conservation-oriented management benefits the Black-faced Spoonbill, an endangered migratory waterbird

Mu-Ming Lin , Richard A. Fuller , Luke Gibson , Ying Chen , Chi-Yeung Choi

Abstract: Active conservation management is crucial for maintaining and recovering populations of threatened species. Yet, there are remarkably few studies quantifying the benefits of conservation management and comparing ecological and anthropogenic influences on populations. We investigate these issues using the Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor as a case study. This species is an endangered migratory waterbird that garnered significant conservation attention along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Its global population has shown an upward trend recently, yet the speed of recovery has varied spatially. Understanding the species’ occurrence across wintering sites and the factors driving the geographical variation in recovery is vital for examining the benefits of management. In winter 2021–2022, we surveyed the occurrence and abundance of Black-faced Spoonbills and gathered data on environmental conditions across six important wintering sites in Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. Our results indicated a preference for larger wetlands with water depths of 10–20 cm. Birds were more likely to be present in wetlands receiving conservation management interventions. Wetlands with vegetated bunds and fewer artificial materials tended to attract larger flocks. The contribution of wetland size and conservation management aimed at increasing spoonbill abundance varied across regions, with a more significant positive effect of conservation management observed in Taiwan. Our results serve as a valuable reference for regional conservation planning and wetland management in wintering areas, aiding their long-term conservation. In line with this, we recommend increased conservation management efforts informed by our findings, particularly in regions with relatively slow recovery rates.

Evaluating waterbird migratory stopover habitat suitability in the Tumen River Estuary at the junction of China, North Korea and Russia using multi-source remote sensing imagery

Yang Liu , Jinhao Shi , Ri Jin , Weihong Zhu , Yue Guo , Baohua Guo , Xu Wang , Jingzhi Wang , Xiuxue Xia

Abstract: Over the past three decades, numerous waterbird habitats have experienced considerable degradation as a result of the persistent deterioration of wetland ecosystems. Habitat suitability evaluation is a critical tool for restoring and conserving waterbird habitats. However, few studies have specifically examined the effects of temporal land cover changes on the suitability of migratory stopover habitats for waterbirds in transboundary regions. Consequently, this study leverages multi-source remote sensing imagery, applies an object-oriented classification approach for precise land cover extraction, and integrates GIS technology to identify key parameters that directly influence migratory waterbird resting sites. Through the establishment of a habitat suitability evaluation framework, this study aims to reveal the spatial and temporal patterns of habitat suitability in the Tumen River Estuary (TRE) from 1992 to 2021. Results reveal significant recent conversions of forest and grassland areas in the study area of China and North Korea to drylands, while marsh wetlands have been transformed into both drylands and paddy fields. Compared to 1992, the configuration of grasslands, marsh wetlands, and built-up land showed increased complexity in 2021. Notably, North Korea’s landscape exhibited the most pronounced and loosely distributed fragmentation trends. The regions with the highest habitat suitability levels within the study area showed a clear declining trend, particularly in the most suitable zones across China and North Korea. This trend corresponds with an expansion of unsuitable areas, largely attributed to increased anthropogenic impacts as the primary driver of habitat suitability decline. The assessment of Moran’s I indices highlights a strong spatial autocorrelation in the habitat suitability index across the TRE. The framework model developed in this study is well-suited to assist governmental entities in assessing and protecting habitats vital for endangered waterbird conservation.

Co-exposure of microplastics with heavy metals increases environmental pressure in the endangered and rare wildlife reserve: A case study of the zhalong wetland red-crowned crane nature reserve, northeast China

Lei Wang , Yuchen Wei , Bing Wang , Jufang Hu , Chuntao Zhao , Dongmei Yu , Jianping Wang , Ze Liu

Abstract: Microplastics (MPs) exposure to remote areas, including endangered and rare wildlife reserves, has attracted increasing concern. Compared with previous research mostly draws attention to the single exposure of MPs to the environment, greater emphasis should be placed on understanding the complex environmental behaviors of MPs. Therefore, the potential risks of MPs to ecosystems need to be explored in combination with their coexistence with other contaminants, but this is not well-understood. The presented study, taking Zhalong National Nature Reserve (Zhalong wetland), the largest habitat and breeding site for migratory Red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) in China, as an example, reveals the possibility of the co-exposure of MPs with various heavy metals. The average abundance of MPs in surface water and sediments in Zhalong Wetland is 738 particles/L and 7332 particles/kg, respectively, which is at a high level of MP pollution worldwide. The obtained results figure out that MPs are also widely found in Red-crowned cranes’ feces and feathers. Notably, this study confirms that MP co-exposes to the wetland with Cr, Cd, and As via common sources, exposure routes, and the vector effect of MP. Importantly, we develop the methods of the environmental pressure for individual contaminants and achieve a comprehensive risk assessment of MPs co-exposure with other contaminants in the wetland ecosystem for the first time. It is found that co-exposure to heavy metal can increase the ecological risks of MPs. This is conducive to making a more standardized and reliable framework to estimate the environmental impacts of MP pollution and to formulate prevention and control policies.

Variation in space use between sites, years and individuals for an endangered migratory shorebird has implications for coastal planning

Lilleyman, Amanda; Corriveau, Amélie; Garnett, Stephen T; Bush, Robert; Coleman, Jon; Fuller, Richard; Jessop, Roz; Leiper, Ian; Maglio, Grace; O’Brien, Gavin

Abstract: Much of the annual cycle of threatened migratory shorebirds is spent in non-breeding areas, but there have been few studies on how that habitat is used at fine-scale. Tracking data from 13 endangered far eastern curlews at three Australian non-breeding locations revealed that home range size and maximum daily displacement varied substantially among study areas and between years. Home range overlap also varied with tidal cycle, generally being lower at low than high tide, though there was considerable variability across time and between sites. Variation in site fidelity may indicate behavioral flexibility but may also suggest that resources critical to survival vary between years. If the latter is the case, protection of what appears to be critical habitat in 1 year may not be adequate in subsequent years, necessitating a precautionary approach to the conservation of habitat extent over the long term. For species like the far eastern curlew, which are exceptionally hard to capture and highly threatened, tracking data should be analyzed from as many perspectives as possible to justify the cost to both researchers and birds. In this study, use of tracking data previously analyzed to reveal migration routes has yielded important insights into their ecology and optimal management.

Dynamics of the Number of Anatids (Anseriformes, Anatidae, Aves) in Model Regions in Dagestan

  1. V. Vilkov

Abstract: The decrease in the number of waterfowl and near-water birds on a global scale is largely associated with a reduction in the area of wetlands in the era of climate warming. On the example of transboundary populations of Anseriformes (Anatidae), data on long-term monitoring obtained in the period 1995-2020 in two Key Ornithological Territories of Russia of international importance (in Sulakskaya and Turalinskaya lagoons, Republic of Dagestan) are reflected. The model lagoons are located on one of the largest Western Caspian flyways in Russia, which is arranged as a “bottleneck,” where the flight routes of European and Asian migrants intersect. A model group Anseriformes, which includes 18 mainly background species, was selected based on the regularity of their encounters during migratory flight. Based on data on ring returns obtained from the Research Information Center for Bird Ringing of the Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, a conditional contour of the generalized range of Anseriformes was determined; their faunogenetic basis consists of widespread Arctic and Siberian representatives of the fauna types. According to ringing data and published sources, the geographical location of the anatid populations (regularly migrating through the study region) was determined. It was established that out of 18 species tested, the numbers of 12 species decreased significantly, those of two species increased, and those of four species remained stable. The obtained population trends were synchronized with data from literary sources for the same Anseriformes species, but in their nesting places. The coincidence of the trends indicated above with the population trends of the same species in their nesting places confirms the correctness of the estimation of the number of geographically distant populations of Anseriformes obtained along the their flight routes in the model lagoons. A correlation between the average monthly air temperatures in the autumn-winter period in the Primorskaya Lowland of Dagestan and fluctuations in the number of 12 model species was detected. It was proven that the number of migrating populations of anatids in cold years and the intensity of their flight in the study region increase, while in warm years there was a decrease as a result of delays of migrants on the flight routes and changes in their wintering places. Correlation analysis demonstrated a significant association between the increase in the number of Anseriformes wintering in the Caspian Sea and sea level regression, in which the shallow region of marine waters improved the access of anatids to food resources (benthos). Three key factors determining the dynamics of the number of Anseriformes populations are discussed: hydroclimatic cycles, anthropogenic effect, and foraging. It is recommended to introduce a temporary ban on hunting of eight vulnerable species (greylag goose, common teal, garganey, gadwall, Eurasian wigeon, northern pintail, northern shoveler, and common pochard) in Western Siberia, Kazakhstan, the Ural Federal District, Cis-Urals, Volga Region, and the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts until their populations are restored sustainably.

Priority areas for wintering waterbirds and the need to remove Spartina along Zhejiang coast

Hongdi Gao , Jinhui Wang , Feng Chen , Sheng Chen , Zhenxian Zhu , Ke He , Baoquan Liu

Abstract: The East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) is home to over 50 million migratory waterbirds, of which 32 are globally threatened and 19 are near-threatened. These migratory waterbirds rely on productive coastal wetlands to rest and feed, allowing them to replenish their energy reserves for their next leg of migration. The Zhejiang coast, an important wintering and stopover site for migratory waterbirds in the EAAF, has undergone marked changes in recent decades, including alterations to its habitat owing to reclamation activities. The temporal and spatial dynamics and community diversity of waterbirds in this coastal area as well as the places that require increased attention for protection remain poorly understood. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to elucidate the diversity and community structure of waterbirds in diverse coastal wetlands within Zhejiang. Based on synchronous survey data collected during the wintering period from 2022 to 2024 in Zhejiang, the taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of four groups of waterbirds (dabbling birds, diving birds, large waders, and small waders) across 10 main coastal wetlands in Zhejiang were assessed. The results showed an increased abundance of dabbling birds, and small waders experienced a significant decrease in recent years. As integral components of the EAAF, three regions (Hangzhou Bay, Wenzhou region, and Xuanmen-Yueqing Bay) within Zhejiang should be considered high priority because of the three criteria of critical international wetlands, the irreplaceability index, and the critical position within the community structure. An analysis of community structures revealed that environmental factors were crucial in shaping dabbling birds and large wader communities. These findings were supported by constrained principal coordinate analysis, which suggested that the percentage of the cordgrass Spartina alterniflora is a factor influencing these phenomena. The geographic location and percentage of S. alterniflora might have contributed to these differences. These results were consistent with the S. alterniflora removal work by the government. Overall, these findings have important implications for policy-making decisions regarding species conservation efforts along the East-South China coast. Effective measures should be implemented to restore vegetation in tidal wetlands along the coast to provide suitable habitats for different groups of waterbirds. Further development and utilization, including the economic exploitation and management of these crucial coastal wetlands, as well as the management of wetland vegetation, should be approached with greater caution.

Effects of extreme drought on landscape pattern of Dongting Lake wetland, China

Ying Xiong , Yuping Dai , Haipeng Wu , Yuanyuan Liu , Guiqiao Wang , Xiaoxi Cai , Lu Zhou , Ning Zhou

Abstract: With the change of global climate, extreme weather is happening more and more frequently. As a typical extreme weather, extreme drought seriously endangers the safety of wetland ecosystem. In this study, remote sensing technology was used to compare the landscape pattern of Dongting Lake (DL, the second largest freshwater lake in China) wetland in normal year, drought year and wet year, to reveal the influence of extreme drought/wetness on landscape pattern. The results showed that extreme drought caused the expanding of grass to mudflat. On landscape metrics, extreme drought caused significant changes in IJI, CONTAG, ED, SIDI, SHDI, SHEI, landscape diversity and landscape heterogeneity decreased significantly; on class metrics, extreme drought caused significant changes in CA, MPS, AI, the degree of fragmentation is reduced and the landscape connectivity is enhanced. These changes will affect various migratory birds living in the DL wetland. Additionally, we also discovered that, in contrast to extreme drought, extreme wetness has a relatively minor influence on the DL wetland, and their impacts on landscape fragmentation are contrary.

The impact of ecological water level on wintering migratory birds in Poyang Lake – Focusing on phytophagous geese

Yuxin Li , Xi Dong , Chunming Hu

Abstract: Poyang Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China and a globally important wintering habitat for migratory birds. The ecosystem health of Poyang Lake and the surrounding lakeshore wetlands is crucial for the wintering of birds. To better protect the health of bird wintering habitats, this study proposes an ecological water level calculation method that comprehensively considers zoning and phasing by establishing a coupled relationship between water level and ecosystem health. The results show that the ecosystem characteristics of the Poyang Lake lakeshore wetland are closely related to the water level. Based on the water level guarantee rate, the lake area can be divided into five sub-areas: 0%, 0–25%, 25–50%, 50–75%, and 75–100%, each with significant differences in vegetation characteristics. The average water levels in February, June, September, and November significantly impact the ecosystem health of the Poyang Lake lakeshore wetland and can serve as regulatory nodes for ecological water levels. Based on the life habits of geese and ducks, which are the dominant migratory bird species in Poyang Lake, the importance of ecological water level regulation is in the order of September, February, November and June, and the ecological water level in each month is recommended to be controlled as follows: the February average water level within the range of 6–8 m, ensure a minimum June average water level of 15 m, maintain the September average water level between 11–12 m, and stabilize the November average water level at 10 m. This thesis proposes a new way of studying the ecological water level of lakes, which can improve the existing research methods of ecological water level and better protect the ecosystem health of lakes and wetlands and fulfill their key ecological services.

Spatial scales matter in designing buffer zones for coastal protected areas along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway

Roger H. Lee , Ivan H.Y. Kwong , Tom C.H. Li , Paulina P.Y. Wong , Yik-Hei Sung , Yat-Tung Yu

Abstract: Coastal protected areas are increasingly threatened by urbanization, posing significant risks to wetland biodiversity. Consequently, the recognition of buffer zones as essential for reducing anthropogenic impacts on protected areas has grown. However, limited monitoring and research efforts have been directed towards areas beyond protected sites, despite their interconnectedness. In this study, we focused on waterbirds as ecologically important wetland species to provide evidence of the significance of monitoring and managing buffer zones. By integrating remotely sensed parameters and 3-year monthly waterbird surveys in and around the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site of Hong Kong, a key stopover of the East Asian Australasian Flyway, we mapped waterbird occurrences for all and different waterbird guilds during winter and summer using random forest models. We found that suitable habitats were predominantly found within protected areas, yet ardeids, large wading birds, ducks and grebes also relied on buffer zones. Waterbird occurrences were influenced by the spatial extent of suitable habitats, with variations observed across different guilds and seasons. In the study area, maintaining at least 40 % open water within an 800-meter radius of key habitats better supports diverse waterbird guilds and should inform the design of waterbird-friendly landscape profiles for protected areas and their buffer zones. Our findings reinforce the significant contribution of protected coastal wetlands to waterbird conservation and highlight the growing importance of spatially relevant buffer zones in facilitating a gradual transition between protected and urbanized areas in supporting waterbird diversity amidst coastal developments.

Prediction of suitable habitat for tundra swans in the Nanji wetland Nature Reserve of Poyang Lake under different water level conditions

Tianwei Fang , Jin Jin , Chao Chen , Li Zhang , Yankuo Li , Chaoyang Li

Abstract: It is important to predict the habitat of the migratory bird Cygnus columbianus (tundra swan) at different water levels when generating wetland conservation strategies. Poyang Lake is an important wintering habitat on the migration route of tundra swans. However, the relationship between water level and suitable habitat area is still largely unknown. Therefore, this study employed Maxent to model and predict the five leading environmental factors and their corresponding thresholds affecting the habitat selection of tundra swans. Based on this, the study assessed habitat suitability for tundra swans at different water levels and discussed how water level changes impacted the habitats. Results showed that: (1) Soil humidity, distance to settlements, elevation, wetland landscape type, and NDVI (Normalized difference vegetation index) played dominant roles in the habitat selection of tundra swans. (2) The southwestern lakelets were preferred habitats for tundra swans, whereas the lake branches in the northern region were potentially suitable at various water levels. The eastern area of the study area was more affected by water level changes than the western area. (3) There was a significant correlation between habitat area and water level change.

3) 조류 인플루엔자 /

Altered Gut Archaeal Communities in Anser erythropus Populations Wintering at Shengjin and Caizi Lakes in China

Shaofei Zhang, Na Xu and Gang Liu

Abstract: Archaea are an important component of the gut microbiomes of animals and play a key role in animal health. However, they have been neglected in previous microbial studies, particularly those involving migratory waterbirds. Here, we investigated the gut archaeal communities of Anser erythropus wintering at Shengjin and Caizi Lakes in China using metagenomic analysis of 20 fecal samples (ten samples per lake). The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the gut archaea of geese wintering in the two lakes represented 16 phyla, 16 classes, 24 orders, 27 families, and 45 genera, with Euryarchaeota, Thaumarchaeota, and Bathyarchaeota being the dominant gut archaeal phyla. The results of alpha diversity analysis showed a significant difference in composition between the Shengjin and Caizi Lake samples, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) analysis indicated that geese were well-matched with their lakes of origin. Stamp analysis revealed a difference of 27 gut archaeal species between A. erythropus wintering at Shengjin Lake and those at Caizi Lake. Archaeal network analysis results fell into four major modules, with Methanolobus psychrotolerans and Thaumarchaeota archaeon as the hub modules. The abundances of several bacterial and fungal genera were significantly correlated with abundances of archaeal genera in pairwise populations, and a positive correlation was observed between archaeal, bacterial, and fungal diversities in the guts of A. erythropus wintering at both Shengjin and Caizi Lakes (R=0.4, p=2.2×10-16; R=0.86, p=2.2×10-16, respectively). This suggests that fecal bacteria and fungi may cooperate with archaea to perform crucial roles in the gut. However, because of the small sample size in this study, further studies are needed to fully investigate the altered archaea in the guts of these geese.

Methylmercury exposure and risk of wintering migratory birds in the Poyang Lake basin, China

Xu Liu , Zhangwei Wang , Xiang Niu , Bing Wang , Chunjie Wang , Huabin Cao , Xiaoshan Zhang

Abstract: Mercury (Hg), especially methylmercury (MeHg), is a pervasive contaminant that poses significant risks to birds occupying high trophic levels. However, we have little knowledge about the mercury exposure and its risks for birds in Poyang Lake basin, China. Therefore, during 2020–2021, we investigated MeHg concentrations in breast feathers of wintering migratory birds (n = 430 from 43 species belonging to 9 orders) in Poyang Lake Nanji Wetland and Jiangxi Nanfengmian National Nature Reserve, China. MeHg concentrations in breast feathers varied greatly by species, foraging guilds and taxonomic orders, among which the highest concentration was detected in great egret (8849 ± 5975 ng g−1 dw). Comparing with studies worldwide, high MeHg concentrations in feathers of Ardeidae from Pelecaniformes were found in this area. Moreover, herons migrating between northern and southern China had lower MeHg concentration than residents in southern China related to habitat Hg. Considering the applicability and sensitivity of the equations for the transformation of MeHg concentrations in feathers to blood-equivalent total Hg (THg) values, method CJ that the equation based on songbirds was used for the transformation of the songbirds and the equation based on seabirds for the others performed better than other three for risk assessment of bird Hg in this study. 23.1% of birds from Poyang Lake were at risk of Hg exposure based on the method CJ. Carnivorous birds from Pelecaniformes had the highest risk levels, with 37.2% categorized as no risk (≤200 ng g−1 ww), 48.9% as low risk (200–1000 ng g−1 ww), 11.1% as moderate risk (1000–3000 ng g−1 ww), 1.1% as high risk (3000–4000 ng g−1 ww), and 1.7% as severe risk (>4000 ng g−1 ww). These risks suggest long-term monitoring and further advanced studies about freshwater waterbirds Hg exposure is necessary.

Variations of gut microbiota in the wintering black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) at local and regional scales and its management implications

Ningjing Kou , Yalong Li , Linjia Pu , Tongxiang Zou , Chuanyin Dai

Abstract: The composition of gut microbiota (and its dynamic) strongly influences the host organism’s health, and has been reported to be influenced by a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors in wild birds. However, most of the studies were carried out on a single geographical scale. A study incorporating comparison on multiple geographic scales should further improve our understanding of the contributing factors for avian gut microbiota. In this study, we compared the composition, diversity and function of gut microbiota among seven sub-divided populations of the black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) wintering in Caohai wetland, China. Sequences on the V3-V4 region of 16 S rRNA were analyzed and compared to those of birds from the same breeding area, but distant wintering area in Dashanbao wetland. We observed microbiota divergences both within the Caohai wetland and between the two wetlands. Interestingly, the divergences between the two wetlands were much more pronounced than those within the Caohai wetland, strongly suggesting the determining effect of the external factors in this species. Core gut microbial operational taxonomic units were from the phyla Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria, which may be closely related in terms of dietary intake. Most importantly, we detected abundant potentially pathogenic bacteria in the Caohai wetland, which require monitoring efforts to avoid cross-species transmission between the birds and local poultry, livestock and residents. We further speculated that the shrinking of foraging grounds, with the resultant shortage of plant foods, led to an increase in fish-eating frequency in this species. We suggested that encouraging farmers to return to the wetland to grow agricultural plants would likely be a good solution.

Molecular detection, subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in migratory birds from nature reserves in northeastern China

Hai-Jun Wang , Di Chen , Zhen-Hua Ma , Cun-Fa Liu , Wei-Dong Li , Yi Hao , Jing-Shuang Yang , Qing-Bao Lin , Da-Wei Zhang , Yang Li , Yang Yu , Wei Cong , Li-Wen Song

Abstract: Migratory birds play an important role in the cross-regional transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Assessing the presence of zoonotic pathogens carried by migratory birds is critical for disease control. However, information about Blastocystis infection in the migratory birds is very limited. Thus, we conducted this study with the aim to explore the occurrence, prevalence and subtyping of Blastocystis in four breeds of migratory birds in northeastern China. From October 2022 to April 2023, a total of 427 fresh fecal samples were obtained from four breeds of migratory birds in five nature reserves in northeastern China, and screened for Blastocystis by PCR amplification. Twenty-one (4.92 %) of the studied samples were confirmed Blastocystis-positive, and two known zoonotic subtypes ST6 and ST7 were founded, with ST7 being the major subtype. Until now, we firstly reported the infection status and subtyping of Blastocystis in the migratory Greater White-Fronted Goose, White Stork, Oriental White Stork and Bean Goose in China. More importantly, these findings present further data on the genetic diversity and transmission routes of Blastocystis and further arouse public health concerns about this organism.

Existence of Blastocystis infection in bar–headed goose (Anser indicus)

Nian-Yu Xue , Si-Yuan Qin , Ya Qin , Hai-Tao Wang , Qing-Yu Hou , Xing Yang , Jing Jiang , Hong-Bo Ni

Abstract: Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist in humans and animals. Currently, Blastocystis infection in bar-headed geese is unknown. To understand the prevalence and distribution of Blastocystis subtypes in bar–headed geese, fecal samples were collected from 358 bar–headed geese in three regions. The total infection rate of Blastocystis in bar–headed in China was 5.9% (21/358), with 5.0% (6/120) in Aba (Ngawa) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefect, Sichuan province, 11.8% (14/119) in Maqu county, Gansu province, and 0.8% (1/119) in Caohai, Wei ning county, Guizhou province. The differences in prevalence rates by region were statistically significant. Sequences analyses showed that one known subtype (ST7, n = 16) and one potentially novel ST (n = 5) in bar–headed geese were detected in this study. This is the first report on the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in bar–headed geese, which will improve our understanding of the epidemiology and public health implications of Blastocystis infection in wild migratory birds.

Digital twin-based virtual modeling of the Poyang Lake wetland landscapes

Hao Chen , Xin Xiao , Chao Chen , Min Chen , Chaoyang Li , Kai Lu , Hui Lin , Chaoyang Fang

Abstract: Virtual wetland landscapes of provide fundamental support for digital twin watershed constructions. However, most digital twin applications in natural environments have focused on static digital scenes and little consideration for wetlands. The Poyang Lake is characterized by seasonal hydrologic changes, with periodic plant community successions, making it necessary to capture dynamic changes in the Poyang Lake ecological landscapes through dynamic three-dimensional (3D) scenes. This study selected typical landscapes to establish digital twin scenarios, presenting the virtual landscapes, distribution characteristics of flora and fauna in the Poyang Lake wetland, and seasonal changes in the lake water levels. The results can be used to restore the virtual Poyang Lake landscapes, including seasonal changes in the water surface, vegetation growth, and migratory bird activities. This construction process can be applied to similar digital twin constructs for flood-prone wetland watersheds, providing insights into digital twin watersheds or nature-oriented digital twin development.

Surveillance of avian influenza viruses in Hebei Province of China from 2021 to 2023: Identification of a novel reassortant H3N3

Yanbai Li , Zhe Yin , Juan Wang , Yujuan Xu , Shanshan Huo , Yang Wu , Dou Dou , Qingan Han , Shibo Jiang , Feng Li , Peng Liu , Fei Yu

Abstract: Avian influenza remains a global public health concern for its well-known point mutation and genomic segment reassortment, through which plenty of serum serotypes are generated to escape existing immune protection in animal and human populations. Some occasional cases of human infection of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) since 2020 posed a potential pandemic risk through human-to-human transmission. Both east-west and north-south migratory birds fly through and linger in the Hebei Province of China as a stopover habitat, providing an opportunity for imported AIVs to infect the local poultry and for viral gene reassortment to generate novel stains. In this study, we collected more than 6000 environmental samples (mostly feces) in Hebei Province from 2021 to 2023. Samples were screened using real-time RT-PCR, and virus isolation was performed using the chick embryo culture method. We identified 10 AIV isolates, including a novel reassortant H3N3 isolate. Sequencing analysis revealed these AIVs are highly homologous to those isolated in the Yellow River Basin. Our findings supported that AIVs keep evolving to generate new isolates, necessitating a continuous risk assessment of local avian influenza in wild waterfowl in Hebei, China.

Continuous surveillance of pathogens detects excretion of avian orthoreovirus and parvovirus by several wild waterfowl: possible wild bird reservoirs

Hongzhi Wang*, Di Lei*, Boyi Xu*, Xuyong Li , Rendong Fang*, Yi Tang

Abstract: Migratory wild birds can carry various pathogens, such as influenza A virus, which can spread to globally and cause disease outbreaks and epidemics. Continuous epidemiological surveillance of migratory wild birds is of great significance for the early warning, prevention, and control of epidemics. To investigate the pathogen infection status of migratory wild birds in eastern China, fecal samples were collected from wetlands to conduct pathogen surveillance. The results showed that duck orthoreovirus (DRV) and goose parvovirus (GPV) nucleic acid were detected positive in the fecal samples collected from wild ducks, egrets, and swan. Phylogenetic analysis of the amplified viral genes reveals that the isolates were closely related to the prevalent strains in the regions involved in East Asian-Australasian (EAA) migratory flyway. Phylogenetic analysis of the amplified viral genes confirmed that they were closely related to circulating strains in the regions involved in the EAA migration pathway. The findings of this study have expanded the host range of the orthoreovirus and parvovirus, and revealed possible virus transmission between wild migratory birds and poultry.

Neu5Gc binding loss of subtype H7 influenza A virus facilitates adaptation to gallinaceous poultry following transmission from waterbirds

Minhui Guan, Thomas J. DeLiberto, Aijing Feng, Jieze Zhang, Tao Li, Shuaishuai Wang, Lei Li, Mary Lea Killian, Beatriz Praena, Emily Giri, Shelagh T. Deliberto, Jun Hang, Alicia Olivier, Mia Kim Torchetti, Yizhi Jane Tao, Colin Parrish, Xiu-Feng Wan

Abstract: Between 2013 and 2018, the novel A/Anhui/1/2013 (AH/13)-lineage H7N9 virus caused at least five waves of outbreaks in humans, totaling 1,567 confirmed human cases in China. Surveillance data indicated a disproportionate distribution of poultry infected with this AH/13-lineage virus, and laboratory experiments demonstrated that this virus can efficiently spread among chickens but not among Pekin ducks. The underlying mechanism of this selective transmission remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated the absence of Neu5Gc expression in chickens across all respiratory and gastrointestinal tissues. However, Neu5Gc expression varied among different duck species and even within the tissues of the same species. The AH/13-lineage viruses exclusively bind to acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), in contrast to wild waterbird H7 viruses that bind both Neu5Ac and N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc). The level of Neu5Gc expression influences H7 virus replication and facilitates adaptive mutations in these viruses. In summary, our findings highlight the critical role of Neu5Gc in affecting the host range and interspecies transmission dynamics of H7 viruses among avian species.

Metagenomic analysis of the gut microbiota of hooded cranes (Grus monacha) on the Izumi plain in Japan

Takada Kosuke, Nakagawa So, Kryukov Kirill, Ozawa Makoto, Watanabe Tokiko

Abstract:Recent advances in DNA sequencing technology have dramatically improved our understanding of the gut microbiota of various animal species. However, research on the gut microbiota of birds lags behind that of many other vertebrates, and information about the gut microbiota of wild birds such as migratory waterfowl is particularly lacking. Because the ecology of migratory waterfowl (e.g., lifestyle, diet, physiological characteristics) differs from that of other birds, the gut microbiota of migratory waterfowl likely also differs, but much is still unknown. The hooded crane (Grus monacha) is an important representative migratory waterbird species and is listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Red List of Threatened Species. In this study, we analyzed the bacterial and viral microbiota in the gut of hooded cranes by using deep sequencing data from fecal samples of hooded cranes that winter on the Izumi plain in Japan, and found that Cetobacterium, Clupeiformes, and Pbunavirus were clearly present in the fecal samples of hooded cranes. These findings advance our understanding of the ecology of hooded cranes.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A Virus in Wild Migratory Birds, Qinghai Lake, China, 2022

Xiaoqing Zhang, Jiaying Wu, Yanhai Wang, Mengchan Hao, Haizhou Liu, Sanling Fan, Juan Li, Jianqing Sun, Yubang He, Yuan Zhang, and Jianjun Chen

Abstract: In July 2022, an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) virus clade 2.3.4.4b occurred among migratory birds at Qinghai Lake in China. The virus circulated in June, and reassortants emerged after its introduction into the area. Surveillance in 2023 showed that the virus did not establish a stable presence in wild waterfowl.

Molecular Characterization of a Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus from a 2022 Outbreak in Layer Chickens in the Philippines

Baybay Zyne, Montecillo Andrew, Pantua Airish, Mananggit Milagros, RomoJr Generoso Rene, Esmeraldo San Pedro, Pantua Homer, Christina Lora Leyson

Abstract: H5 subtype high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses continue to devastate the poultry industry and threaten food security and public health. The first outbreak of H5 HPAI in the Philippines was reported in 2017. Since then, H5 HPAI outbreaks have been reported in 2020, 2022, and 2023. Here, we report the first publicly available complete whole-genome sequence of an H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza virus from a case in Central Luzon. Samples were collected from a flock of layer chickens exhibiting signs of lethargy, droopy wings, and ecchymotic hemorrhages in trachea with excessive mucus exudates. A high mortality rate of 96–100% was observed within the week. Days prior to the high mortality event, migratory birds were observed around the chicken farm. Lungs, spleen, cloacal swabs, and oropharyngeal–tracheal swabs were taken from two chickens from this flock. These samples were positive in quantitative RT-PCR assays for influenza matrix and H5 hemagglutinin (HA) genes. To further characterize the virus, the same samples were subjected to whole-virus-genome amplification and sequencing using the Oxford Nanopore method with mean coverages of 19,190 and 2984, respectively. A phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes revealed that the H5N1 HPAI virus from Central Luzon belongs to the Goose/Guangdong lineage clade 2.3.4.4b viruses. Other segments also have high sequence identity and the same genetic lineages as other clade 2.3.4.4b viruses from Asia. Collectively, these data indicate that wild migratory birds are the likely source of H5N1 viruses from the 2022 outbreaks in the Philippines. Thus, biosecurity practices and surveillance for HPAI viruses in both domestic and wild birds should be increased to prevent and mitigate HPAI outbreaks.

First Report of Complete Genome Analysis of Multiple Drug Resistance Proteus mirabilis KUST-1312 Isolate From Migratory Birds in China: A Public Health Threat

Gao Jiayu, Liu Shufa, Bano Sadia, Xia Xueshan, Baloch Zulqarnain

Abstract: Proteus mirabilis, a gram-negative bacterium, poses a significant public health threat due to its multidrug-resistant (MDR) characteristics. Here, for the first time, we report the isolation and comprehensive genome analysis of an MDR strain, P. mirabilis KUST-1312, obtained from migratory birds in Yunnan Province, China. A total of 65 samples, including migratory bird feces, soil, and water from Dianchi Lake, were collected. Standard microbiological techniques were employed to isolate the P. mirabilis KUST-1312 strain from these samples. Genomic sequencing was conducted using a hybrid assembly strategy, combining Illumina and Oxford nanopore sequencing technologies. Phenotypic testing revealed the MDR nature of P. mirabilis KUST-1312, displaying resistance to various antibiotics except gentamicin and Cefotaxime. Notably, 15 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), including aph(3′)-Ia, cat, tet(J), bleO, dfrA12, aadA2, AAC(3)-IId, bla-TEM-1B, erm(42),aph(6)-Id, blaPER-1, sul2, aph(3′’)-Ib(2copies), and aph(3′)-VIb, were identified on a single chromosome. These 15 ARGs were dispersed along three MDR regions, and the boundaries of these regions were consistently flanked by copies of insertion sequences and also contained other genetic elements. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the close relation of P. mirabilis KUST-1312 with environmental and clinical isolates reported from other continents rather than with Asian isolates. In conclusion, this study reports the first-ever isolation of an MDR P. mirabilis KUST-1312 strain from migratory birds globally, particularly in China. There is a need to explore further its prevalence in detail in various ecological niches, including migratory birds.

First detection and biological characterization of an avian metaavulavirus 8 isolated from a migratory swan goose in Qinghai Lake, Northwest China

Sijie Wang, Xinxin Liu, Jianjun Chen, Weiwen Yan, Hongjin Li, Weiwei Chi, Rui Luo, Xianwen Lin, Yue Yin, Chuanrong Dong, Huihui Wang, Bowen Zheng, Hongli Li, Yifei Liu, Tobias Stoeger, Abdul Wajid, Aleksandar Dodovski, Chao Gao, Claro N. Mingala, Dmitry B. Andreychuk, Renfu Yin

Abstract: Avian metaavulavirus 8 (AMAV-8), formerly known as avian paramyxovirus 8 (APMV-8), has been detected sporadically in wild birds worldwide since it was first identified in a Canadian goose in 1976. However, the presence of AMAV-8 in birds has never been reported in China. To understand the epidemiological situation of AMAV-8 and its ability to infect chickens, we conducted a surveillance study and in vivo analysis of the AMAV-8 isolate identified in total of 14,909 clinical samples collected from wild and domestic birds from 2014 to 2022 in China. However, in 2017, only one AMAV-8 virus (Y7) was successful isolated from the fresh droppings of a migratory swan goose in Qinghai Lake in Northwest China. Thereafter, we report the complete genome sequence of the Y7 strain with a genome length of 15,342 nucleotides and the Y7 isolate was genetically closely-related to wild bird-origin AMAV-8 viruses previously circulated in the United States, Japan, and Kazakhstan. Furthermore, AMAV-8 infections of one-day-old specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicks did not induce any clinical signs over the entire observation period but was associated with viral shedding for up to 8 days. Interestingly, although all birds infected with the Y7 strain seroconverted within the first week of infection, virus replication was only detected in the trachea but not in other tissues such as the brain, lung, or heart. Here, we report the complete genome, genetic and biological characterization, replication and pathogenicity analysis in vivo and first detection of AMAV-8 in China.

Molecular epidemiology of avian influenza viruses and avian coronaviruses in environmental samples from migratory bird inhabitants in Bangladesh

Khatun MN ,  Tasnim S , Hossain MR ,  Rahman MZ ,  Hossain MT , Chowdhury EH ,  Parvin R

Abstract: Migratory birds are a natural reservoir for major respiratory viruses such as the avian influenza virus (AIV) and the avian coronavirus (AvCoV). Transmission of these viruses from migratory birds to domestic birds increases the prevalence of those diseases that cause severe economic and public health concerns in Bangladesh. The study focused on active surveillance of major respiratory viral pathogens in migratory birds, molecular identification of the viruses, and their phylogenetic origin. To conduct this study, 850 environmental samples (830 fecal samples, 10 soil samples, and 10 water samples) were collected during three consecutive winter seasons from three divisions (Dhaka, Sylhet, and Mymensingh) and pooled according to the year of collection and locations, resulting in a total of 184 tested samples. Using gene-specific primers and probes in TaqMan-and SYBR Green-based RT-qPCR assays, the samples were screened for AIV and AvCoV, respectively. Out of the 184 pooled samples, 37 were found to be positive for these respiratory pathogens. Furthermore, out of the 37 (20.11%) positive respiratory pathogens, 11.96% were AIV (n = 22) and 8.15% were AvCoV (n = 15). For the first time in Bangladesh, AIV H4N2, H4N6, and AvCoVs have been found in fecal samples from migratory birds through surveillance. Phylogenetic analyses of the HA and NA genes of AIV and the polymerase gene (Orf 1) of AvCoV revealed that these strains share a close phylogenetic relationship with the isolates from wild birds in Europe and Asia. The Bangladeshi strains with Eurasian ancestry might pose a significant threat to migratory birds flying through the Asian flyways. They might also be a potential source of virus introduction and spread to poultry raised on land. These findings emphasize the significance of ongoing AIV and AvCoV surveillance in migratory birds in Bangladesh.

Serological analysis in humans in Malaysian Borneo suggests prior exposure to H5 avian influenza near migratory shorebird habitats

Klim Hannah William Timothy, Mellors Jack, Brady Caolann, Rajahram Giri S, Chua Tock H, Brazal Monzó Helena, John Jecelyn Leslie, da Costa Kelly, Jeffree Mohammad Saffree

Abstract: Cases of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAI) are on the rise. Although mammalian spillover events are rare, H5N1 viruses have an estimated mortality rate in humans of 60%. No human cases of H5 infection have been reported in Malaysian Borneo, but HPAI has circulated in poultry and migratory avian species transiting through the region. Recent deforestation in coastal habitats in Malaysian Borneo may increase the proximity between humans and migratory birds. We hypothesise that higher rates of human-animal contact, caused by this habitat destruction, will increase the likelihood of potential zoonotic spillover events. In 2015, an environmentally stratified cross-sectional survey was conducted collecting geolocated questionnaire data in 10,100 individuals. A serological survey of these individuals reveals evidence of H5 neutralisation that persisted following depletion of seasonal H1/H3 HA binding antibodies from the plasma. The presence of these antibodies suggests that some individuals living near migratory sites may have been exposed to H5 HA. There is a spatial and environmental overlap between individuals displaying high H5 HA binding and the distribution of migratory birds. We have developed a novel surveillance approach including both spatial and serological data to detect potential spillover events, highlighting the urgent need to study cross-species pathogen transmission in migratory zones.

Spillover of avian influenza H5N1 from birds to mammals have been increasingly detected, but reports of cases in humans remain limited. Here, the authors find serological evidence of human exposure to influenza H5N1 in Malaysian Borneo, an important stopover site for migratory shorebirds.

Lack of Serological and Molecular Evidence of Duck Tembusu Virus Infection in Ducks from South Korea

Sang-Won, Kim; Park, Jong-Yeol; Ki-Woong, Kim; Cheng-Dong, Yu; Hu, Feng; Jun-Feng, Lv; Yu-Feng, Li; Cha, Se-Yeoun; Hyung-Kwan Jang; Kang, Min

Abstract: The duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV), an emerging flavivirus, has led to severe neurological disorders and substantial economic losses in the duck industry throughout Asia. Considering South Korea’s increasing duck production and its strategic location along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, this study aimed to assess the presence of DTMUV in South Korea to evaluate potential risks to the poultry industry. We performed a comprehensive serological survey of 1796 serum samples from broiler and breeder ducks collected between 2011 and 2023, alongside molecular detection tests on 51 duck flocks exhibiting suspected clinical signs of DTMUV infection. The absence of serological and molecular evidence for DTMUV or other flavivirus infections suggests that these viruses have not yet affected South Korean duck populations. These findings underscore the critical need for ongoing surveillance, given the virus’s potential to disrupt agriculture and pose public health risks. The study also emphasizes the importance of maintaining stringent biosecurity measures and conducting further research to monitor and prevent DTMUV transmission, particularly due to the possible role of migratory birds and other vectors in spreading zoonotic diseases.

Extreme drought shapes the gut microbiota composition and function of common cranes (Grus grus) wintering in Poyang Lake

Wang CY ,  Zhang C ,  Cai H , Zhu YL

Abstract: Introduction Extreme weather events driven by climate change profoundly affect migratory birds by altering their habitats, food sources, and migration routes. While gut microbiota is believed to play a role in helping birds adapt to environmental changes, research on how extreme weather impacts their gut microbiota and how these microbial communities respond to such conditions has been limited.Methods 16S rRNA gene sequencing was utilized to investigate the gut microbiota of common cranes (Grus grus) wintering at Poyang Lake from 2020 to 2023, with a particular focus on their response to extreme drought conditions on both inter-annual and monthly timescales.Results The results revealed that extreme drought conditions substantially impact gut microbiota, with inter-annual water-level fluctuations exerting a more pronounced impact on microbial community structure than that of inter-monthly fluctuations. Notably, a significant decline in bacterial diversity within the gut microbiota of common cranes was observed in the extreme drought year of 2022 compared with other years. Monthly observations indicated a gradual increase in gut microbial diversity, coinciding with relatively minor water-level changes. Key taxa that responded to drought included the Enterobacteriaceae family and Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus species. Additionally, functional genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, the phosphotransferase system, and the two-component systems were significantly enriched during the extreme drought year. These functions may represent adaptive mechanisms by which the gut microbiota of common cranes respond to drought stress.Discussion This research provides novel insights into the temporal variability of gut microbiota in wintering waterbirds, underscoring the significant impact of climatic fluctuations on microbial communities. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the ecological and functional responses of gut microbiota to extreme weather events, which is crucial for the conservation and management of migratory bird populations in the face of climate change.

Long-Term Dynamics of Different Avian Influenza Viruses in Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) Population in Moscow City and Moscow Oblast: Dependence on the Migration Activity

  1. A. Treshchalina, E. F. Rodina, A. S. Gambaryan, E. Yu. Boravleva, K. V. Avilova, S. P. Kharitonov & K. E. Litvin

Abstract: The purpose of this study was the research of the avian influenza virus diversity at Moscow waterbodies and comparison of the virology changing pattern to the mallard’s migratory features and wintering capacities at Moscow waterbodies, as well as an attempt to explain shifting in the virus composition and diversity. Mallard droppings were collected in the autumn of 2008–2023 from shores of Moscow and Moscow oblast waterbodies. Avian influenza viruses were extracted from the feces using a standard extraction process with the virus breeding on the chicken embryos. After the breeding the extracted viruses were subtyped by PCR with specific primaries to give type A virus sequences. In 2008–2013 European strains of the virus were prevalent in the mallard samples, whereas in 2014–2019 the prevalence shifted to Asian strains. Correlation of these observations with the changes in mallard migration allowed the assumption that European strains were entered into the Moscow oblast mainly from the southern Europe. The Asian strains were entered from the Western Europe. During 2008–2019 in the mallard feces from the Moscow waterbodies we observed a reduction of the virus strains. The frequency and the diversity of the extracted viruses decreased sharply after 2014. There could be several causes for the decline in the strain diversity, in particular, changes in the ratio of ducks hunted during spring and autumn hunting, increased mallard numbers at winter grounds within the breeding range, as well as reduced numbers of black-headed gulls that are also carriers of the avian influenza viruses.

Evolution and biological characteristics of H11 avian influenza viruses isolated from migratory birds and pigeons

Shen Jinyan; Zhang Hong; Sun Xiaohong; Zhang Yaping; Wang Mengjing; Guan Mengdi; Liu Lili; Li Wenxi; Xu Hongke; Xie Yujiao

Abstract: The emergence of novel avian influenza reassortants in wild birds in recent years is a public health concern. However, the viruses that circulate in migratory birds are not fully understood. In this study, we summarized and categorized global H11 avian influenza viruses and reported that waterfowl and shorebirds are the major reservoirs of the identified H11 viruses. The surveillance data of the 35,749 faecal samples collected from wild bird habitats in eastern China over the past seven years revealed a low prevalence of H11 viruses in birds, with a positive rate of 0.067% (24 isolates). The phylogenetic analysis of the twenty viruses indicated that H11 viruses have undergone complex reassortment with viruses circulating in waterfowl and shorebirds. These tested viruses do not acquire mammalian adaptive mutations in their genomes and preferentially bind to avian-type receptors. Experimental infection studies demonstrated that the two tested H11N9 viruses of wild bird origin replicated and transmitted more efficiently in ducks than in chickens, whereas the pigeon H11N2 virus isolated from a live poultry market was more adapted to replicate in chickens than in ducks. In addition, some H11 isolates replicated efficiently in mice and caused body weight loss but were not lethal. Our study revealed the role of waterfowl and shorebirds in the ecology and evolution of H11 viruses and the potential risk of introducing circulating H11 viruses into ducks or chickens, further emphasizing the importance of avian influenza surveillance at the interface of migratory birds and poultry.

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