Potential threats and effective protection for the Black-necked Crane(Grus nigricollis)in Yunnan Province

Through established nature reserve,reinforcement information, artificial feeding and habitat, the Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) is getting effective protection, and the population continues to increase. Black-necked Cranes use large areas of open water, marsh or meadow, and farmland, and these areas have little disturbance from humans. Recently, the wintering habitats of the Black-necked Crane in Yunnan have been changing. Reservoir expansion in some reserves have resulted in the disappearance of night roosting sites. Water in some reservoirs has been seriously polluted. Forestation in some reserves has reduced the feeding habitats of the Black-necked Crane. Cultivation Maca (Lepidium peruvianum) in vast areas in these wintering areas may be the cause of a shortage of food for the cranes. Changes in wintering habitat will bring potential threats to the Black-necked Crane. More attention should be paid in monitoring the population of the cranes and management measures could be adopted in time.