BIODIVERSITY OF WINTER WATERBIRDS IN HUBEI,CHINA

During the investigation on winter water birds in Hubei from January to April 2004, 66 birds species and 59 613 waterbird individuals of 15 families 8 orders were recorded. In which 4 species (115 in- dividuals) were in the first-class of National Protected bird and 7 species (2 968 individuals) were second- class of National Protected bird. Based on the results, the authors analyzed waterbirds community struc- ture, distribution, population fluctuations. Compared and evaluated bird communities at twelve lakes by three index (Species Richness, Biomass, Diversity Index), the authors believe that communities in Chen- hu, Liangzihu, Longganhu, Wanghu lakes are relatively steady. Furthermore, the population dynamics of Oriental White Stork(Ciconia boyciana )at Lake Chenhu and Hooded crane( Grus monacha )at Lake Longganhu, as well as the alteration of Anseriformes waterbirds at Lake Honghu during the past two dec- ades reflect a serious decline trend of waterbirds population in Hubei wetlands. At the same time, it indi- cates that shrinkage, filling up and human disturbance are the major problems to wetlands. Conservation countermeasure was accordingly suggested.