Status and behavior of the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) in the Altun Mountain Reserve,Xinjiang

The Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) is an endemic species of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau,with its population in Xinjiang largely found in the Kunlun and Altun mountain regions.A survey of the distribution,population dynamics,flock size and behavior was conducted in Altun Mountain National Natural Reserve from September to November 2011.We investigated the size and distribution of its population in this area with a sample spot survey and by direct counting.We found Black-necked Cranes on the wetlands of Wuzunxiaoer,Yusup Aleksei,Yaziquan,Qimantag,Tula Ranch and elsewhere,where we recorded 126 individual birds of the species in Yixiekepati (37° 15′-37°23′N,90°11′-90°20′E,elevation 3903 m),the largest population we have observed in this area.In the reserve,the population consists of about 180-200 birds.Combined with previous records,we conclude that more than 260 Black-necked Cranes live in Xinjiang.Cranes gathered conspicuously in the middle of October where the highest number of birds appeared on 29 October.All of the cranes had migrated out of this area by 6 November.Time budgets and diurnal behavior rhythms of Blacknecked Cranes were observed in the Yixiekepati wetland at daylight (from 06:00 to 18:00).Foraging was the most prevalent type of behavior during the autumn period,accounting for 58.9％ of the diurnal time budget,followed by preening (13.2％),vigilance (9.5％),walking (8.2％),flying (3.5％),resting (3.4％),chirping (2.7％) and other types of behavior (0.6％).

Power line strikes by Black-necked Cranes and Bar-headed Geese in Tibet Autonomous Region

We investigated collisions with power lines by Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) and Barheaded Geese (Anser indicus) along the Yarlung Tsangpo River in the Tibet Autonomous Region during two winters.Three segments of a 35 kV transmission line were surveyed each winter for injured and dead birds.Injured birds disappeared within five days of their initial detection; most dead birds encountered had been scavenged.We recorded two dead geese on transects and two injured geese and two dead cranes adjacent to transects.We found a higher incidence of bird strikes along power line segments close to roosting and foraging areas.We recommend that power lines,new or old,located in the flight path from nocturnal roosts,near important foraging areas or crossing the mouths of important agricultural valleys should be marked with colored and/or reflecting devices that have been proven to reduce crane and goose collisions.

Number and distribution of Black-necked Cranes wintering in Zhigatse Prefecture,Tibet

We surveyed all known wintering areas of the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) in Zhigatse Prefecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region during three winters.Our surveys confirm that Zhigatse Prefecture is the most important wintering area for the species,accounting in some years for as much as 39％ of the estimated world population.Counts ranged from a high of 4240 cranes in January 2007 to a low of 2636 in February 2009.Chick recruitment (chicks/100 cranes) ranged from 8.2 (January 2010) to 11.3 (January 2007).The highest concentration of cranes during all three surveys occurred on the 60 km stretch of the Yarlung Tsangpo (River) between Lhaze and Phuntsoling.To evaluate potential impacts of the Xietongmen Copper Mine,we monitored wintering crane numbers prior to mine installation in an intensive study area located between the Shab Chu Valley and the city of Zhigatse.Our surveys recorded on average 820 ± 83 cranes (SE; n =8) in this area.With the installation of the mine at a location ～50 km west of Zhigatse,increased traffic and development on the north side of the Yarlung River will likely result in a shift in crane distribution away from the north side,to nearby suitable habitats.Based on our survey results,we recommend three areas hosting high numbers of cranes in the vicinity of the mine be added to the Yarlung Tsangpo Middle Reaches Black- necked Crane Nature Reserve.These areas are Nierixiong and Jiaqingze Villages in Nierixiong Xiang and the Shab Chu Valley.

Consideration of climate change impacts will improve the efficiency of protected areas on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

The protection of migratory birds and their habitats is important to the ecological stability of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(QTP).Currently protected areas(PAs)were designed in accordance with species distribution patterns under current climatic conditions,thus ignoring climate change will lead to a decrease in the protection efficiency of PAs.In this study,using the flagship species Grus nigricollis,as an example,we used the maximum entropy(MaxEnt)model to simulate the distributions and conservation status of G.nigricollis and optimized the existing PA boundaries.The results showed that(1)suitable habitat-for G.nigricollis accounts for 12.48%of the QTP area,and the PAs established under current climatic conditions cover 17.84%of this suitable habitat area;(2)future climate changes will influence the distribution and quality of G.nigricollis habitats,and the average protection efficiency of the current PAs in four climatic scenarios will decrease from 17.84%to 15.31%;and(3)through optimization,the efficiency of existing PAs can be increased by 0.75 times and reach 28.37%,indicating PA planning must consider not only current climate conditions but also the effects of climate changes.Our results aim to address shortcomings in the conservation efficiency of PAs and provide an example for resolving mismatched PA boundaries and habitat changes for species.