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Nest-site selection pattern of Grus japonensis in Zhalong Nature Reserve of northeast China

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Abstract

Nest-site selection patterns of Red-crowned cranes (Grus japonensis) and the effects of environmental variables were studied during the years of 2002–2008 in Zhalong Nature Reserve, Qiqihar city, northeast China. The nest-site selection pattern of Red-crowned cranes included two orders and three choices: the choice of nest-site habitat type within the macro-habitat order, nest zone selection and nest-site microhabitat selection within the micro-habitat order. Various habitats (such as Carex swamps and reed fire districts) can be selected as the nest sites for Red-crowned cranes, of which reed swamps (93.15%) are given a preference. Factor Analysis reveals that the micro-habitat selection are affected by four main factors: fire, security (concealment / disturbance), incubation (conditions, nest-material), and food. Further analysis reveals that Red-crowned cranes have certain adaptability to the changes of nesting habitat quality in the Zhalong wetlands. In conclusion, fire, reeds, and water were the most important variables for nest-site habitat selection of Red-crowned Cranes in Zhalong Nature Reserve.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Wildlife Resource, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, 150040, P.R. China

    Qing-ming Wu & Hong-fei Zou

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  1. Qing-ming Wu
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  2. Hong-fei Zou
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Correspondence to Hong-fei Zou.

Additional information

Foundation project: The project was financially supported by the 11th Five-Year National Science and Technology plans to support key project (No. 2008BADB0B01), the Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Universities, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30670350 and 31070345).

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Wu, Qm., Zou, Hf. Nest-site selection pattern of Grus japonensis in Zhalong Nature Reserve of northeast China. Journal of Forestry Research 22, 281–288 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-011-0163-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-011-0163-y

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