Winter coexistence in herbivorous waterbirds: Niche differentiation in a floodplain, Poyang Lake, China.

ABSTRACT: The classical niche theory supports the idea that stable coexistence requires ecological differences between closely related species. However, information on waterbirds coexistence in the entirely landlocked freshwater system of Poyang Lake is not well understood, especially when the available biomass of their food in the area decreases. In this study, we tested the ecological segregation mechanisms in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 wintering periods among eight herbivorous waterbirds (including the Siberian crane Grus leucogeranus, hooded crane Grus monacha, white-naped crane Grus vipio, common crane Grus grus, greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons, bean goose Anser fabalis, swan goose Anser cygnoides, and tundra swan Cygnus columbian

SUBMITTER: Bai J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8668764 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature