Bird distribution and conservation in the Ailao Mountains, Yunnan, China

Results from a long-term ecological study carried out by Chinese and Americ an researchers in the Xujiaba Ecological Reserve within the Ailao Shan Natu re Reserve show the importance of the Ailao Mountains as a sanctuary for nu merous bird species. Natural forest cover is decreasing throughout Southwes tern China and adjacent Southeast Asia leading to a diminished habitat for plants and animals throughout the region. Remnant primary and secondary for ests in the Ailao Mountains supply habitat for an abundance of bird species and other wildlife, many facing possible extinction. This study analyzes t he bird diversity of three different ecosystems: primary broad-leaved everg reen forest on the crest of the Ailao Mountains, and two secondary pine for ests, regenerating from clear-cut evergreen broad-leaved forest, on the eas tern and western slopes. The primary forest (30 ha plot) has the greatest d iversity of bird species with 169 species in the summer and 107 in the wint er compared to 98 and 75, respectively, for the western slopes (40 ha plot) and 72 and 49, respectively, for the eastern slopes (40 ha plot). The rese arch found a large local seasonal migration between the crest of the mounta in range and the slopes as well as increasing numbers of long-distance migr ants. The research also notes that the variety of ecosystems supports a lar ge variety of bird species including 218 within the Ecological Reserve and 365 in the greater Northern Ailao Mountains. Conservation efforts in the Re serve focus not only on resident birds, but also on migratory birds. Becaus e of a seasonal local migration, forest ecosystems outside of the Reserve n eed preservation as well as forests inside of the Reserve. To accomplish ef fective conservation, a combination of ecological research, conservation ed ucation and local economic development must be incorporated, (C) 1999 Elsev ier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.