Identifying Priority Bird Habitats Through Seasonal Dynamics: An Integrated Habitat Suitability–Risk–Quality Framework

Junqing Wei (), Yasi Tian, Chun Li, Yan Zhang, Hongzhou Yuan and Yanfang Liu
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Junqing Wei: Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200050, China
Yasi Tian: Department of Urban and Rural Planning, School of Architecture, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
Chun Li: School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650500, China
Yan Zhang: Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Center, Ministry of Natural Resources, Beijing 100035, China
Hongzhou Yuan: Shanghai Investigation, Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd., Shanghai 200050, China
Yanfang Liu: School of Resource and Environmental Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 13, 1-28

Abstract: A key challenge is how to effectively conserve habitats and biodiversity amid widespread habitat fragmentation and loss caused by global urbanization. Despite growing attention to this issue, knowledge of the seasonal dynamics of habitats remains limited, and conservation gaps are still inadequately identified. This study proposes a novel integrated framework, “Habitat Suitability–Risk–Quality”, to improve the assessment of the seasonal bird habitat quality and to identify priority conservation habitats in urban landscapes. The framework was implemented in Wuhan, China, a critical stopover site along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. It combines the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model to predict the seasonal habitat suitability, the Habitat Risk Assessment (HRA) model to quantify habitat sensitivity to multiple anthropogenic threats, and a refined Habitat Quality (HQ) model to evaluate the seasonal habitat quality. K-means clustering was then applied to group habitats based on seasonal quality dynamics, enabling the identification of priority areas and the development of differentiated conservation strategies. The results show significant seasonal variation in habitat suitability and quality. Wetlands provided the highest-quality habitats in autumn and winter, grasslands exhibited moderate seasonal quality, and forests showed the least seasonal fluctuation. The spatial analysis revealed that high-quality wetland habitats form an ecological belt along the urban–suburban fringe. Four habitat clusters with distinct seasonal characteristics were then identified. However, spatial mismatches were found between existing protected areas and habitats of high ecological value. Notably, Cluster 1 maintained high habitat quality year round, spanning 99.38 km 2 , yet only 46.51% of its area is currently protected. The remaining 53.16 km 2 , mostly situated in urban–suburban transitional zones, remain unprotected. This study provides valuable insights for identifying priority habitats and developing season-specific conservation strategies in rapidly urbanizing regions, thereby supporting the sustainable management of urban biodiversity and the development of resilient ecological systems.

Keywords: bird habitat; seasonal dynamics; habitat quality; urbanization; sustainability; conservation planning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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