Identifying priority wetlands for the conservation of waterbirds in Wuhan, China

Given the severe threats affecting waterbirds and the limited resources, it is crucial to identify priority wetlands to optimize conservation efforts for waterbirds. This study aims to prioritize wetlands in Wuhan City based on the diversity, rarity, and conservation costs of waterbirds. Firstly, 17 focal waterbird species were selected as con-servation targets based on the data availability and species rarity. The MaxEnt model was used to simulate the potential spatial distributions of the focal waterbirds, and corresponding weights were assigned based on their conservation status. Secondly, the Human Footprint Index (HFI) was employed to represent conservation costs. Finally, the Zonation 5 spatial prioritization software was used to identify cost-effective priority wetlands for waterbird conservation. The results show: (1) The species distribution model indicated that the distance to the wetland, land cover, and distance to the road were the primary environmental variables influencing the potential spatial distribution of focal waterbirds. (2) The top 10 %, top 20 %, and top 30 % priority wetlands identified by Zonation 5 had average coverage rates of 15.2 %, 28.0 %, and 39.6 % for focal waterbirds, respectively. (3) We identified major wetland conservation gaps in Wuhan, primarily including Caohu Lake, Luhu Lake, Futo Lake, and parts of Liangzi Lake. (4) Additionally, we recommend enhancing waterbird management in existing wetland protected areas, such as the Hougong Wetland Park and Donghu Wetland Park, to improve the effectiveness of waterbird conservation efforts. Our research provides scientific evidence to support the conservation of wetlands in Wuhan and the promotion of waterbird diversity. It also emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between conservation effectiveness and cost.