Fecal DNA metabarcoding reveals the dietary composition of wintering Red-crowned Cranes(Grus japonensis)

Understanding the diet of threatened wildlife is vital for species-specific conservation and habitat management measures.The Red-crowned Crane(Grus japonensis)is a vulnerable bird distributed in Northeast Asia.Previous dietary studies of this bird focused mainly on its plant food composition based on field observations and microhistological identification.Herein,a total of 45 fecal samples were collected in November,December and January(15 fecal samples each month)from wintering cranes,and then subjected to a high throughput sequencing meta-barcoding approach to determine the primary plant(rbcL)and animal(COI)food items in their diet.A total of 230 operational taxonomic units(OTUs)of plant foods and 371 OTUs of animal foods were obtained.The main plant foods in the wintering period were Miscanthus,Zea,and Hordeum genera,which were similar to those in the breeding and the migration periods.Both agricultural and natural plants were detected,indicating a relatively broad dietary niche for this crane species.However,the main animal foods were representatives of Theridiidae,Megascolecidae,and Agelenidae,in sharp contrast to previous studies.The higher number of small terrestrial arthropods in animal foods might be due to the indirect intake of plants.The composition of both plant and animal foods in the diet showed the highest diversity in December,while it was homogeneous in January.The plant of Zea genus became the main source of nutrition in late winter,as supplementary feeding was performed in the reserve,which could help Red-crowned Cranes to get through the cold season.The results obtained in this work would contribute to the development of effective conservation strategies for the Red-crowned Crane.

Habitat utilization and resource partitioning of wintering Hooded Cranes and three goose species at Shengjin Lake

The loss and degradation of wetlands have adversely affected waterbirds, which depend on wetland habitats. Interspecific competition has an important effect on habitat utilization of wintering waterbirds. Resource utilization, including partitioning, in degraded wetlands has become a hot issue in ecological studies of wintering waterbirds. In order to have an insight into the habitat utilization and resource partitioning between a Hooded Crane(Grus monacha) population and the guild of three goose species, i.e., Anser fabalis, A. albifrons and A. erythropus wintering in lake wetlands, we carried out a study at Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve from November 2011 to April 2012. We surveyed the Hooded Cranes and goose guild foraging in various habitats during the wintering periods with a combined method of fixed route searching and fixed site observations. Resource partitioning was studied by means of calculating habitat utilization rates and the width and overlap of spatial niches. The results showed that the habitat utilization rate and the width of spatial niches of the Hooded Crane population and goose guild shifted with the season. The habitat utilization rates of the cranes in grasslands were high at all three wintering stages. The habitat utilization rates were 0.454, 0.435 and 0.959 respectively for the Hooded Cranes and 0.627, 0.491 and 0.616 for the goose guild. This suggests that the overlap in grasslands was higher between cranes and goose guild. Most habitats were accessible at the middle stage, so the width of the spatial niche of the cranes(1.099) and goose guild(1.133) both reached their peak at this stage. The greatest niche overlap was 0.914 for these two groups at the late stage, followed by 0.906 at the middle stage and the smallest was 0.854 at the early stage. Ecological response to the changes in habitats of wintering waterbirds was clearly shown in the dynamic variations of the niche of both the Hooded Cranes and the three goose species. Coexistence among waterbirds was achieved by regulation of niche width to reduce niche overlap and relieve interspecific resource partitioning.

A global overview of cranes: status, threats and conservation priorities

This paper reviews the population trends and threats for the 15 species of cranes, and comments on conservation priorities for the family as a whole. Cranes occur on ifve continents, with greatest diversity in East Asia (nine species) and Sub-Saharan Africa (six species). Eleven crane species are threatened with extinction according to the IUCN Red List, including one species Critically En-dangered, three species Endangered, and seven species Vulnerable. Of the four species of Least Con-cern, population sizes for the Demoiselle (Anthropoides virgo) and Brolga (Grus rubicunda) are not well known but these species are declining in some areas. The Sandhill (G. canadensis) and Eurasian Cranes (G. grus) are the most abundant cranes and have rapidly increased in part due to their lfexible selection of foraging habitats and use of agriculture lands and waste grain as a food source. Status for six species-Grey Crowned (Balearica regulorum), Blue (Anthropoides paradise), Black-necked (G. nigricollis), Red-crowned (G. japonensis), Sandhill, and Siberian (G. leucogeranus)-are summarized in more detail to illustrate the diversity of population shifts and threats within the crane family. A crane threat matrix lists the major threats, rates each threat for each species, and scores each threat for the crane family as a whole. Four of the ifve greatest threats are to the ecosystems that cranes depend upon, while only one of the top threats (human disturbance) relates to human action directly impact-ing on cranes. Four major threats are discussed:dams and water diversions, agriculture development, crane trade, and climate change. Conservation efforts should be strongly science-based, reduce direct threats to the birds, safeguard or restore habitat, and strengthen awareness among decision makers and local communities for how to safeguard cranes and wetlands. Especially for the most severely threatened species, signiifcantly stronger efforts will be needed to incorporate our understanding of the needs of cranes and the ecosystems they inhabit into decisions about agriculture, water manage-ment, energy development and other human activities.

Impact of marsh changes on breeding cranes in Sanjiang Plain,northeastern China

In order to measure the impact of changes in the marsh on breeding Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis) and White-naped Cranes (G.vipio) in the Sanjiang Plain,we conducted a complete crane súrvey in each of the summers of 2007 and 2008,and obtained information on the changes in its marsh through interpretation of satellite images in 1986,1995,2000 and 2005.A comparison between the 1984 and 2008 census shows that:1) the number of Red-crowned Cranes remained stable at about 300 birds,while the number of White-naped Cranes increased markedly; 2) the estimates of nests of Red-crowned cranes are close to the numbers of 1984,while approximately 90％ of the nests of these two crane species were distributed over five national nature reserves (NNRs); 3) the two crane species became more concentrated in three regions,i.e.,the Fuyuan Delta,the middle reaches of the Naoli and Qixing rivers,and the Xingkai Lake wetlands,rather as formerly in six regions.The area of the marsh decreased by 45％ within the 20-year period from 1986 to 2005.The major loss of the marsh area was in the form of a conversion to paddy fields and dry land,which can be primarily attributed to direct human activity under various economic and policy drivers.The disappearance of cranes in the Dulu and Abuqin rivers was induced by large-scale agricultural development.The fragmentation into and isolation of small areas of the marsh became increasingly more serious,which resulted in unsuitable condtions for crane breeding in small patches of the marsh.The number of cranes declined from 1984-1995 but had recovered remarkably by 2008,which may be due to theestablishment of a system of nature reserves,in place since 2000.The land ownership of the reserve plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of the wetland ecosystem,especially in Sanjiang,Honghe,Naolihe and Qixinghe NNRs,which together accommodated approximately 80％ of the population of cranes.However,we did not discover any nests at all in the provincial and municipal reserves,which may be attributed to high human disturbances in these areas.In the end,we propose some recommendations on reserve management.

Annual spatio-temporal migration patterns of Hooded Cranes wintering in Izumi based on satellite tracking and their implications for conservation

Background: The Hooded Crane(Grus monacha) is listed as a vulnerable species by IUCN. Knowledge about the migration of the Hooded Crane is still limited. Here we reported the spatio-temporal migration patterns of Hooded Cranes wintering in Izumi, Japan, as well as important stopover areas for their conservation.Methods: Four adult and five subadult cranes, all wintering in Izumi, Japan, were fitted with satellite transmitters(GPS–GSM system) at their stopover sites in northeastern China in 2014 and 2015. We analyzed the time and duration of adults and subadults in spring and autumn migration, as well as the time and duration they stayed in breeding and wintering ground. In addition, we analyzed the land use of the cranes in stopover areas.Results: Adult cranes took much longer time to migrate both north in spring(mean days) compared with subadult cranes(15.3 and 5.2 days, respectively). H= 44.3 days) and south in fall(mean = 54.0 owever, the subadults had longer wintering(mean = 149.8 days) and nomadic(breeding season for adults) seasons(mean d with adults(133.8 and 122.3 days, respectively). Three important stopover areas have been= 196.8 days) compare identified: the region around Muraviovka Park in Russia, the Songnen Plain in China, and the west coast of South Korea, where cranes spent most of their migration time(62.2 and 85.7% in spring and autumn, respectively). During migration, nomadic period and winter, Hooded Cranes usually stay in croplands for resting and feeding. In non-wintering season, less than 6% of stopover sites were located within protected areas.Conclusion: Overall, our results contribute to understanding the annual spatio-temporal migration patterns of Hooded Cranes in the eastern flyway, and planning conservation measures for this species.

Suitable distance to observe Red-crowned Cranes:a note on the observer effect

In order to assess the effect of the observer distance on the behavior of Red-crowned Cranes (Grus japonensis),we studied their time budgets with a gradient of observer distances in Yancheng,China from December 2008 to March 2009.Observer distance was classified into four levels,i.e.,＜ 200 m,200-300 m,300-400 m and ＞ 400 m.The results indicated that cranes increased their vigilance when the observer was less than 300 m away.A safe distance for the observer was often as far as or more than 300 m.Cranes increased scan frequency when observers were within 200 m,whereas they prolonged the duration of their scan when observers were between 200 m and 300 m away,indicating two distinct vigilant strategies,given the observer distance.We suggest an observer distance of at least 300 m,in order to minimize the observer effect.

An Intelligent System for Real-Time Condition Monitoring of Tower Cranes

Reliability and safety are major issues in tower crane applications. A new adaptive neurofuzzy system is developed in this work for real-time health condition monitoring of tower cranes, especially for hoist gearboxes. Vibration signals are measured using a wireless smart sensor system. Fault detection is performed gear-by-gear in the gearbox. A new diagnostic classifier is proposed to integrate strengths of several signal processing techniques for fault detection. A hybrid machine learning method is proposed to facilitate implementation and improve training convergence. The effectiveness of the developed monitoring system is verified by experimental tests.

Long-term monitoring data reveal effects of age,population density,and environmental aspects on hatching success of Common Cranes(Grus grus)

Facing climate and land use change,a species’ability to successfully adapt to changing environments is crucial for its survival.Extensive drainage and intensification of agriculture and forestry set wetlands and associated species at risk of population declines.The population of Common Cranes(Grus grus)has experienced considerable fluctuations over the last century.Despite increasing population numbers,hatching success seemed to have decreased over the last years.The aim of this study was to identify factors influencing hatching success and nest survival of Common Cranes based on analyses of long-term individual-based monitoring data from northeastern Germany and evaluate the species ability to adapt to changing environments.Hatching success decreased over the course of the study period from 0.75 to 0.55.Surprisingly,nest survival and hatching success did not vary across different nesting habitats,whereas factors such as female age,timing of nest initiation and breeding pair density were found to have significant effects on hatching success.Older females showed higher hatching success,even though the proportion of unhatched eggs was highest in females aged 20 years or older.Early nest initiation had a positive effect on hatching success.Water levels are more favorable early in the nesting season,whereas increasing evaporation with time causes water levels to decrease,granting easier access for predators.Independently of female age,hatching success decreased with increasing numbers of breeding pairs within a 2-km radius around a nesting site.High population densities intensify competition for resources and promote intraspecific interactions,affecting reproductive outcome negatively.This study gives first insights into mechanisms behind population regulation in Common Cranes,highlighting the importance of population dynamics and individual features.We suggest to further investigate density dependent effects including landscape and habitat features as well as reproductive success in terms of chick survival,since successfully raising juveniles is crucial for a species survival.

Distribution of cranes in Hulunber Grassland and Daxing'an Mountains Forest Region in Inner Mongolia

The Daxing’an Mountains and Hulunber Grassland are located in the nor-theastern border area of China. This region covers a large area of rich biodiversity. The natural environment here is well protected because of Iow pressure of human activity. There are 5 species of cranes here. They are Red-crowned crane (Grus japonensis), White-napped crane (Grus vipio), Siberian White crane (Grus leucogeranus), Grey crane (Grus lifordi) and Demoiselle crane (Anthropoides Virgo). Red-crowned crane is a breeding species that is widely distributed in this area. The main breeding population of this species is in Heilongjiang Province. They migrate to the south of China in winter. White-napped crane, Grey crane, Demoiselle crane are also summer birds. It remains unknown if Siberian White crane breeds here. Since the population of Red-crowned crane, White-napped crane, Siberian White crane in China are at the edge of endangering, so they are listed in the namelist of national protected species. But Grey crane, Demoiselle crane have a larger population. and are widely distributed.

Sequential vigilance is unpredictable in reproductive Black-necked Cranes

Background:Vigilance refers to the behavior of animals scanning their surroundings with a main purpose of antipredation.Whether vigilance can serve the function of anti-predation depends on its unpredictability,meaning instantaneous randomness,sequential randomness,and independence,the three assumptions from Pulliam model(J Theor Biol 38:419,1973).Here we tested two of these three assumptions in reproductive Black-necked Cranes(Grus nigricollis) in Tibetan Plateau:instantaneous randomness and sequential randomness.Methods:Observations were carried out in July and September of 2014,July and August in 2017 in Selincuo National Nature Reserve,Tibet,with the help of focal sampling method.For instantaneous randomness,we used Kolmogorov–Smirnov test for its negative exponential distribution;for sequential randomness,we used Run test,correlation analysis,and generalized linear model to see if an inter-scan and its previous scan were correlated.Results:Not similar to some recent studies,we did not find a significant predictable vigilance in this crane.Most inter-scan intervals(86/100,86.0%) passed negative exponential distribution test,meaning vigilance sequences with instantaneous randomness;most inter-scan intervals(91/100,91.0%) passed sequential random test,showing vigilance sequences were random organized.Conclusion:Our results suggest that keeping a vigilance pattern with unpredictability is beneficial to the survival of the Black-necked Cranes,which are facing with both cruel natural environments and high predation risks.

Partnerships between the Managements of Cranes (<i>Grus grus</i>) and Kinneret Water Quality Protection in the Hula Valley, Israel

The historical habitat of swamps and a lake in the Hula Valley was modified during the early 1950’s. The Swamps and the old Hula Lake were drained and the land was converted to an agricultural development. As a result of inappropriate cultivation, it was necessary to once more implement management improvement. It was done within the Hula Project. Part of the Hula Project was a modified usage of 10% of the area previously used for agriculture for eco-tourism. Independently, thousands of migratory Cranes attracted by peanut crop leftover started wintering in the valley. These bird flocks significantly improved the management objective to ensure prevention of nutrient flux into Lake Kinneret. Consequently, the partnerships between Kinneret water quality protection, nature conservation and agricultural utilization of the peat land is presently operated. Migratory wintered Cranes is a factor of management stability accompanied by costly artificial feeding for bird in a dedicated land block to prevent damage to adjacent crops.

Study on Integration Management and Control System of Port Cranes

This paper proposes the design scheme of Integration Management and Control System (IMCS) using the integration and optimization design theory of port cranes’ management and control system based on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and Process Control System (PCS). The functions, interface and software design of the three sub-modules of IMCS are presented. Outcomes of this research are being employed to practical port cranes’ operation and management, which eliminates the island phenomenon of cranes’ storage and application conditions between the management and control department. Hence, IMCS makes the integrated automatic port cranes system come true and it significantly improves the core competitiveness of the port.

A Home for Cranes

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Variational analysis of mid-span deflection of gantry cranes

In practical application, it is very important to master the influence of structure parameters on the mid-span deflection quantificationally. For large-span and heavy-duty gantry cranes, the influence of the rigid leg and the soft leg on mid-span deflection has not been considered in the past. In the paper, the mathematical model is established for universal large-span and heavy-duty gantry cranes. The analytical solution for the mid-span deflection of gantry-frame structure girder is derived and obtained based on the variation principle by considering the coupling effect of the bending moments of girder and legs, the axial force and the secondary bending moments. The relation between the load and the deflection on the mid-span of the gantry-frame structure girder is known. Then, the experimental model is designed according to dimensional analysis method. And experiments were performed on the WEW-600 B type testing machine. Hackling experimental data, the regular of the load and deflection on the girder mid-span is obtained, namely, the deformation of the gantry-frame structure resists the external load to do work. The validity of the nonlinear analytical solution of the girder deflection is verified. Experimental results show that the analytical solution of the gantry-frame structure deflection has much higher calculation accuracy than previous calculation method. This work provides a theoretical basis for the design and inspection of gantry-frame structures.

Load Reduction Test Method of Similarity Theory and BP Neural Networks of Large Cranes

Static load tests are an important means of supervising and detecting a crane＇s lift capacity. Due to space restrictions, however, there are difficulties and potential danger when testing large bridge cranes. To solve the loading problems of large-tonnage cranes during testing, an equivalency test is proposed based on the similarity theory and BP neural networks. The maximum stress and displacement of a large bridge crane is tested in small loads, combined with the training neural network of a similar structure crane through stress and displacement data which is collected by a physics simulation progressively loaded to a static load test load within the material scope of work. The maximum stress and displacement of a crane under a static load test load can be predicted through the relationship of stress, displacement, and load. By measuring the stress and displacement of small tonnage weights, the stress and displacement of large loads can be predicted, such as the maximum load capacity, which is 1.25 times the rated capacity. Experimental study shows that the load reduction test method can reflect the lift capacity of large bridge cranes. The load shedding predictive analysis for Sanxia 1200 t bridge crane test data indicates that when the load is 1.25 times the rated lifting capacity, the predicted displacement and actual displacement error is zero. The method solves the problem that lifting capacities are difficult to obtain and testing accidents are easily possible when 1.25 times related weight loads are tested for large tonnage cranes.

Effects of variation in food resources on foraging habitat use by wintering Hooded Cranes(Grus monacha)

Background:The ideal habitat use of waterbirds can be considered to be fixed,but current habitat use depends on environmental conditions,especially those of food characteristics,considered crucial to their use of habitats.Understanding how waterbirds respond to variation in food availability at degraded wetland sites and change their habitat use patterns over spatial and temporal scales should direct future conservation planning.The objectives of this study were to identify these spatial-temporal foraging habitat use patterns of Hooded Cranes(Grus monacha)and their relationship with food characteristics in the severely degraded wetlands of the Shengjin and Caizi lakes along with the Yangtze River floodplain.Methods:We investigated the changes in food characteristics,relative abundance and density of Hooded Cranes in various habitat types across three winter periods from November 2012 to April 2013.We examined the effect of these winter periods and habitat types on the pattern of use by the cranes and explored the relationship between these patterns and food characteristics using linear regression.Results:The food characteristics and habitat use clearly changed over spatial-temporal scales.In the early and mid-winter periods,the most abundant,accessible and frequented food resources were found in paddy fields,while in the late period the more abundant food were available in meadows,which then replaced the paddy fields.There were fewer effects of winter periods,habitat types and their interactions on habitat use patterns except for the effect of habitat types on the relative abundance,determined as a function of food abundance,but independent of food depth and sediment permeability.Conclusions:In response to the degradation and loss of lake wetlands,the cranes shifted their habitat use patterns by making tradeoffs between food abundance and accessibility over spatial-temporal scales that facilitated their survival in the mosaic of these lake wetlands.

Number and distribution of cranes wintering at Poyang Lake,China during 2011-2012

Poyang Lake is a very important wintering place for cranes in China and East Asia.Two crane surveys were conducted at Poyang Lake during the 2011/2012 winter,the first on 18-19 December 2011 and the second on 18-19 February 2012.The survey covered the entire Poyang Lake basin,as well as two main lakes in Jiujiang (Saicheng Hu and Chi Hu),i.e.,a total of 85 sub-lakes were surveyed.Both surveys recorded four species of cranes.The first survey on 18-19 December 2011 recorded 4577 Siberian Cranes (Grus leucogeranus),mostly in Bang Hu,Sha Hu and Dahu Chi,302 Hooded Cranes (G.monacha),885 White-naped Cranes (G.vipio) and 8408 Eurasian Cranes (G.grus),for the most part in the center of the lake basin.The second survey on 18-19 February 2012 recorded 3335 Siberian Cranes (mostly in Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve (PLNR) and its surrounding areas),110 Hooded Cranes (largely in PLNR and its surrounding areas),283 White-naped Cranes (86％ in Bang Hu) and 2205 Eurasian Cranes (particularly in Duchang and Nanjishan NNR).The number of Siberian Cranes enumerated in December was 1000 more than the second count in February 2012.It is not possible to rule out double counting due to the close proximity of the main sites of the Siberian Cranes.During winters from 1998 to 2009,the average of the highest counts each winter was 3091,ranging from 2345 in 1996 to 4004 in 2002.By comparison with counts taken at other times,we therefore estimate a wintering population of Siberian Cranes of ～3800-4000 at Poyang Lake.Additional evidence will be needed to raise the world population estimate.Our more recent surveys indicate a continuing decline in the number of White-naped Cranes and an increase in Eurasian Cranes.

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.