Lei et al. , 2021) and exposing areas of mud (Sripanomyom et al. , 2011) tends to attract shorebirds. Water levels can be reduced by opening sluice gates (e.g. Rocha et al. , 2017). Reducing the water depth to 5 – 10 cm has shown to attract high densities of foraging birds (Velasquez, 1992; Yu et al. , 2019), or as low as 1 – 2 cm (Rocha et al. , 2017). Green et al. (2015) suggest that aquaculture ponds should be drained regularly to be used by shorebirds. Salinity: In practice it can be difficult to regulate salinity in ponds since it is affected daily by factors like evaporation. By using a mix of seawater and freshwater inputs managers may be able to maintain an optimal salinity probably in the range of 80 – 150 ppt that both encourages the persistence of shorebird prey items while discouraging vegetation growth (Micha Jackson, pers. obs.). Reduce disturbance: Signs can be erected to warn and encourage humans to avoid areas where there are shorebirds (Medeiros et al. , 2007). Areas can be closed off by installing fences: for example rope fences (Lafferty et al. , 2006) or temporary fences can be installed during the breeding season (Wilson & Colwell, 2010). Viewing platforms can be constructed so that tourists can view birds from a distance (Burger et al. , 2004). For more information see Cutts et al., 2024.
Case Study: Tiaozini wetland roost site, China
Tiaozini wetlands lie on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway in Jiangsu province, China. Tiaozini was declared as the first intertidal wetland World Heritage site in China in 2019 and has since been made into a protected area and developed for ecotourism (Liang et al. , 2023). A site of 48 ha was converted from aquaculture ponds to managed wetland. This was done specifically to create a high-tide roosting habitat for birds. Habitat was created to suit the needs of different species by managing and maintaining the water level, controlling the height of vegetation and restoring the micro-topography. Controlling the water level and altering the topography created areas with different water depths, while vegetation was managed to leave some areas of open mud. The roosting site is located near the intertidal zone within 0.3 – 0.9 km, meaning birds are close to their feeding area (Wu et al. , 2022). In 2020 and 2021, the site was used by birds for high-tide roosting, including endangered and vulnerable species such as the Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Before this, birds did not use the site.
Source: Liang et al. (2023)
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