Vulnerability of Siberian crane habitat to water level in Poyang Lake wetland, China

Assessment of habitat quality for wetland-obligate wildlife and endangered species of waterfowl is essential particularly in the changing environment. In this study, the areas of potential suitable habitat for Siberian cranes in Poyang Lake natural wetland were evaluated using 11 scenes of Landsat TM/ETM+ images. Habitat quality was assessed against six landscape indices. Results indicate that the optimum water level for habitats of Siberian cranes in Poyang Lake wetland would be about 12 m. Potential suitable habitat areas would be reduced from about 2300 km2 at 5 m lake level to 530 km2 at 15.6 m lake level. Landscape indices revealed that a higher water level would not be suitable for conservation of Siberian cranes. The proposed Poyang Lake Dam should be operated to control water levels for providing a favorable habitat condition for wintering migratory birds. It would create an unfavorable condition to the wintering habitats for Siberian cranes in Poyang Lake wetland if the dam would maintain the lake level higher than 12 m in autumn and winter.