Lu, Jane-Fuh; (2004) Factors affecting habitat selection by waterbirds at temporarily abandoned fish farms in the southwestern coast of Taiwan and their application in the restoration of wetlands for conservation. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

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Abstract

This study aims to identify the environmental factors affecting the habitat selection of waterbirds at temporarily abandoned fish farms in the southwestern coastal area of Taiwan. The results of this investigation are used to make management recommendations to enhance the value of these fish farms for the conservation of wetland birds. Data were collected on the annual pattern and chronosequence of characteristic environmental attributes of 179 sample wetlands. Simultaneously, the biological responses of waterbirds were recorded, including species richness, species composition and abundance. Guilds of waterbirds were identified and their distribution and abundance in sample wetlands, including actively managed aquaculture ponds, temporarily abandoned aquaculture ponds, saltpans and natural wetlands were analysed. Multivariate techniques were used to relate each guild to particular environmental attributes: these relationships are then utilized to recommend appropriate habitat management. Specifically, two types of recommendation are made. First, guidelines are provided to enable conservation site managers to evaluate the present status and potential of aquaculture ponds for the conservation of waterbirds. Second, a protocol is established for the enhancement of aquaculture ponds in terms of habitat use by waterbirds. A manipulation experiment was conducted in which the water level was modified in order to ascertain if guilds of waterbirds responded in the manner predicted by the multivariate analysis. This is one of very few investigations that have simultaneously utilized environmental and biological data for a range of sites and all wetland bird species in order to understand how environmental factors act to determine species distributions and abundance.

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