Effects of landscape pattern change on waterbird diversity in Xianghai Nature Reserve

Abstract In order to study the change of landscape pattern and its impact on waterbird diversity in Xianghai Nature Reserve, this article analyzes the changing landscape pattern of the reserve from 2014 to 2017 at the landscape and type level. Pearson correlation coefficient and grey correlation analysis were used to determine the relationship between landscape pattern change and waterbird diversity. The results showed that the landscape pattern changed significantly, and marsh wetland (39.03%) replaced cultivated land (30.09%) as the dominant landscape type. At the landscape level, waterbird diversity was negatively correlated with landscape fragmentation and shape complexity (coefficients were −0.993, −0.993, −0.968, and −0.986, respectively; p value <0.05) and positively correlated with landscape connectivity and diversity (coefficients 0.727 and 0.882, respectively; p value <0.05). At the type level, the diversity of waterbirds is mainly affected by landscape fragmentation and patch shape complexity. As marshes and watersheds are major landscapes, waterbird diversity can be enhanced by increasing their area, fragmentation, and shape complexity appropriately.