Population Dynamics of Two Platalea Species in Minjiang River Estuary Wetland,Fujian

Minjiang river estuary wetland in Fujian is an important stopover site on the East Asian-Australasian migratory bird flyway.To understand the population dynamic characteristics of two species of spoonbills(Platalea) in this wetland,a survey on the population sizes of Platalea minor and Platalea leucorodia was conducted from 2021 to 2024 using a combination of sampling points and transects.The results showed that the population of Platalea minor in Minjiang river estuary wetland has been increasing overall over the past four years,and it was distributed all year round,while the population size of Platalea leucorodia has remained relatively stable.The population sizes were larger during the migration and overwintering seasons,and the monthly average number of migratory birds in spring was higher than that in autumn.During the survey period,the numbers of Platalea minor and Platalea leucorodia recorded in the ponds converted from aquaculture to wetlands accounted for 68.55% and 87.19% of the total surveyed population,respectively,indicating that the ponds play an important role in the habitat of spoonbills.The results of this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the distribution range of the genus Spoonbill and provide important scientific basis for further habitat management and ecological protection and restoration work in Minjiang river estuary wetland.