Monitoring population dynamics of the migratory Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis) at Shuangtaihekou National Nature Reserve,northeastern China,from 1991 to 2012

We studied migratory Red-crowned cranes from 1991-2012 in order to track population dynamics and trends for these cranes over time at Shuangtaihekou,northeastern China.Our results show that the earliest arrival date of the Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis) was usually around 1 March in the spring and the latest departure date of the cranes around 8 November.The peak period for the number of cranes observed in the spring was 10-20 March over these 22 years.The staging period in the spring is about 25 days.Comparing the highest number of Red-crowned cranes observed in the spring,the migratory population was around 400 birds in the 1990s,then,increased to over 800 birds in 2000.For a short while,the population maintained itself around 600-800 birds.After that,the population started to decline,until during the most recent years,we observed around 400 birds at peak times of each season.Our results match a similar population change pattern observed in the wintering area for a western population,which has been declining since 2000.There is an urgent need to reinforce protection and management,as well as to maintain and improve the quality of their habitats.

MICROSTRUCTURE OF FEATHER OF RED CROWNED CRANE (GRUS JAPONENSIS)

Through scanning electron microscope, various trpes of feathers in various parts of red-crown crane--a kind of rare and precious bird were observed micrographically. It was shown in the result that in different type of feather, the barbules show a great variation in their morphology and structure. This observation can be a basic reference for the taxonomy using the feather structure and the study of systematic relationship.

Status,threats and conservation needs for the continental population of the Red-crowned Crane

The Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis) is a globally endangered species.Although this species has received much attention by scientists,conservationists and the general public,the continental population of the Red-crowned Crane continues to face serious threats which affect not only its population dynamics but also its breeding and wintering habitats.Habitat loss and deterioration are the main causes of the decline of its population.With the massive loss of habitats in all parts of its range - breeding,stopover and wintering grounds - the cranes have been forced into crops and farmlands where cranes are more vulnerable to human activities,such as poisoning the cranes and conflicts with farmers.From our review of studies done over 30 years,the eastern flyway subpopulation has been stable or slightly increasing and the western flyway subpopulation of the Red-crowned Crane has sharply declined in recent years.The wintering population for the western flyway has declined from over 1100 to less than 500 birds.Not only is the size of the population reduced to less than 50％,but most recently the decline has occurred with frightening speed,by 50-150 birds per winter.The current wintering range for the west flyway is only about 8％ of its extent in the 1980s.Urgent actions for habitat protection,law enforcement and education need to stop the declining trend for this species.

ANALYSIS OF HABITAT PATTERN CHANGE OF RED-CROWNED CRANES IN THE LIAO HE DELTA USING SPATIAL DIVERSITY INDEX

Habitat pattern change of red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) in t he Liaohe Delta between 1988 and 1998 was analyzed with the help of Spatial Dive rsity Index based on remote sensing data and field investigation. The result sho wed that the influence from human activities on the wetland habitat of red-crow ned cranes was prominent with the development of oil and agricultural exploitati on, and the habitat pattern of red-crowned cranes had been obviously changed by the human disturbance during the ten years. The areas with high Spatial Diversi ty values (SD≥0.65) and that with mid-high values (0.5≤SD< 0.65), which const ituted the main part of suitable habitat of red-crowned cranes,had reduced to 9142ha and 5576ha respectively, with the shrinking of natural land cover, such a s reed and Suaeda community. The habitat pattern became more fragmented, which w as caused by roads and wells during oil exploration. It was indicated that the s uitability and quality of habitat for red-crowned cranes in the Liaohe Delta we re degraded in the last decade. The results also showed that diversity index cou ld reflect the habitat suitability of red-crowned cranes quantitatively and des cribe the spatial pattern of the habitat explicitly. This study will provide a s cientific basis for habitat protection of red-crowned cranes and other rare spe cies in wetlands.

Red-crowned Cranes on the Russian-Chinese Argun River and neighboring parts of the Daurian steppes

The Trans-Baikal geographical region is located in southeastern Siberia, Russia, east towards Lake Baikal and include the Daurian steppes. The steppes provide important habitats for several species of cranes, including the Red-crowned Crane (Grus japonensis). I have studied the cranes in the area since 1988. The Red-crowned Crane mainly occurs in the Torey Depression (Torey Lake) and the Argun River, which represent the far western edge of the breeding area for the continental population of the Red-crowned Crane. There are some scattering records of the cranes in the Torey Depression from before 1990. The birds appeared regularly and bred from 2002–2007 at Torey Lake. There have been no records since 2008 due to the fact that the wetlands have dried out during the regional climate cycle in the Torey Depression. Three or four individual Red-crowned Cranes have been sighted in Argun in the early 2000’s and then the numbers increased steadily until 2004. At the highest peak in 2004, there were at least 30 pairs of the cranes breeding in the wetlands of the river floodplain. Since then, with the reduced water flow in the Argun River and more and more wetlands drying out, the Red-crowned Crane population decreased dramatically to four or seven territories. The cranes are facing serious threats in the Argun River, such as frequent spring fires, poaching and water pollution. We need to unify efforts from both the Russian and Chinese sides to protect the cranes and their wetland habitat in the area.