Habitat Suitability and Enhancement Strategies for Waterbirds in Fishing Withdrawal Zones: An Evidence-Based Assessment

Yiping Zuo, Yuxing Wei, Yufeng Li (), Jingjing Ding, Yixin Zhao, Zhenmei Zhao, Yanan Zhang, Zaifeng Wang () and Hai Cheng
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Yiping Zuo: School of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
Yuxing Wei: School of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
Yufeng Li: School of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
Jingjing Ding: Jiangsu Academy of Forestry, Nanjing 211153, China
Yixin Zhao: School of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
Zhenmei Zhao: School of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
Yanan Zhang: The Protection and Management Center of Wetland and World Natural Heritage in Yancheng City, Yancheng 224051, China
Zaifeng Wang: School of Marine Science and Engineering, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China
Hai Cheng: Jiangsu Yancheng National Rare Birds Nature Reserve, Yancheng 224333, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: The Yancheng coastal wetlands serve as a crucial stopover site along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. The rapid expansion of aquaculture has led to a significant decline in natural wetlands, impacting both the distribution and quality of waterbird habitats. Following the designation of the region as a World Natural Heritage site in 2019, the local government has prioritized the protection of waterbird habitats, leading to the large-scale withdrawal of aquaculture from the region. Nevertheless, the impact of the fishing withdrawal on waterbird habitat selection and the ecological benefits it brought remain unknown. In this study, based on the identification of fishing withdrawal zones in the Yancheng coastal area, six waterbird groups, Anatidae , Ardeidae , Charadriiformes , Laridae , Gruidae and Ciconiidae , were selected to construct an evaluation index system for habitat suitability. The Biomod2 ensemble model was employed to analyze the spatial differences of suitable habitats for waterbirds within the fishing withdrawal zones. The result revealed the following: (1) As of 2022, the area of fishing withdrawal zones had reached 2.23 × 10 4 ha, primarily distributed in Beihuan and Nanhuan. Among these, the area of fishing withdrawal zones in Nanhuan was the largest, reaching 6.78 × 10 3 ha. (2) Unsuitable area for waterbirds was largest in the fishing withdrawal zones, with a proportion of 60% and 58% for Gruidae and Ciconiidae , respectively. (3) The rich nutrients, high coverage and tall stature of emergent vegetation in the fishing withdrawal zones led to a reduction in water surface area, resulting in significant adverse effects on the suitable habitats for Charadriiformes and Gruidae . Therefore, the results suggest that most areas after fishing withdrawal were still not suitable habitats for waterbirds. The implementation of scientific fishing withdrawal practices, along with ecological restoration and management, is crucial for improving the habitat suitability in fishing withdrawal zones. This study provides valuable insights for more purposeful selection of fishing withdrawal sites, and more scientific management and restoration of these areas to enhance their ecological benefits.

Keywords: fishing withdrawal zone; waterbirds; habitat suitability; ensemble model; UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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