Filling knowledge gaps in a threatened shorebird flyway through satellite tracking

Satellite-based technologies that track individual animal movements enable the mapping of their spatial and temporal patterns of occurrence. This is particularly useful in poorly studied or remote regions where there is a need for the rapid gathering of relevant ecological knowledge to inform management actions. One such region is East Asia, where many intertidal habitats are being degraded at unprecedented rates and shorebird populations relying on these habitats show rapid declines. We examine the utility of satellite tracking to accelerate the identification of coastal sites of conservation importance in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. In 2015-2017, we used solar-powered satellite transmitters to track the migration of 32 great knots (Calidris tenuirostris), an Endangered shorebird species widely distributed in the Flyway and fully dependent on intertidal habitats for foraging during the non-breeding season. From the great knot tracks, a total of 92 stopping sites along the Flyway were identified. Surprisingly, 63% of these sites were not known as important shorebird sites before our study; in fact, every one of the tracked individuals used sites that were previously unrecognized. Site knowledge from on-ground studies in the Flyway is most complete for the Yellow Sea and generally lacking for Southeast Asia, Southern China and Eastern Russia. Synthesis and applications. Satellite tracking highlighted coastal habitats that are potentially important for shorebirds but lack ecological information and conservation recognition, such as those in Southern China and Southeast Asia. At the same time, the distributional data of tracked individuals can direct on-ground surveys at the lesser known sites to collect information on bird numbers and habitat characteristics. To recognize and subsequently protect valuable coastal habitats, filling knowledge gaps by integrating bird tracking with ground-based methods should be prioritized.