Factor-analysis on Habitat-selection of the Avian Community at the Artificial Wetlands Behind the Chongming Dongtan Seawall During Winter and Spring

From December 2004 to May 2005, an avian study was undertaken in the artificial wetlands of 200-ha area behind the 1998's seawall in Chongming Dongtan, Shanghai. A total of 56 bird species of 8 orders and 15 families were counted in the winter of 2004, and the dominant species were waterbirds and shorebirds; 55 species of 10 orders and 19 families were counted in the spring of 2005, which were dominated by shorebirds. Meanwhile, the environmental factors including water level, water area, vegetation coverage, macrobenthos density, fishing status and human disturbance were measured quantitatively. Based on multi-regression analysis between bird community and environmental variables, the results indicated that in winter, the vegetation coverage positively correlated with bird species abundance; the water level, water area and fishing status impacted on the bird number and diversity of species, genus and family; and the macrobenthos density affected the number and evenness of birds. In spring, the water area had positive relationship with bird species abundance, but the water level became a negative factor on the bird species abundance and number; the birds species diversity and evenness were affected by water level, water area and vegetation coverage; macrobenthos density correlated with bird diversity positively. The research could not prove that the fishing activities produced a significant impact on the bird community.

Keywords
Chongming Dongtan; Artificial wetlands; Avian community; Habitat selection