Identifying seasonal differences in migration characteristics of Oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana) through satellite tracking and remote sensing

Migratory species interact with different ecosystems in different regions during migration, making them more environmentally sensitive and therefore more vulnerable to extinction. Long migration routes and limited con-servation resources desire clear identification of conservation priorities to improve the allocation efficiency of conservation resources. Clarifying the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of the utilization intensity during migration is an effective way to guide the conservation areas and priority. 12 Oriental White Storks (Ciconia boyciana), listed as an endangered species by the IUCN, were equipped with satellite-tracking loggers to record their hourly location throughout the year. Then, combined with remote sensing and dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Model (dBBMM), characteristics and differences between spring and autumn migration were iden-tified and compared. Our findings revealed that: (1) the Bohai Rim has always been the core stopover area for the Storks' spring and autumn migration, but the utilization intensity has spatial differences; (2) differences in habitat selection resulted in differences in the Storks' spatial distribution, thus affecting the efficiency of existing conservation systems; (3) the shift of habitat from natural wetlands to artificial surfaces calls for the development of eco-friendly land use mode; (4) the development of satellite tracking, remote sensing, and advanced data analysis methods have greatly facilitated movement ecology, even though they are still under development.

Automated summary

Migratory species are more vulnerable to extinction due to their interaction with different ecosystems in different regions during migration. Clarifying the utilization intensity during migration is crucial for identifying conservation priorities and improving resource allocation efficiency. This study used satellite-tracking loggers and remote sensing to analyze the migration patterns of Oriental White Storks, revealing spatial differences in habitat selection and the need for eco-friendly land use.