Black-necked Cranes (Grus nigricollis) wintering in Yongshan County, Yunnan and their conservation

We used historical and our recent survey data of the Yongshan Black-necked Crane (Grus nigricollis) population to analyze its number dynamics and determine its distribution range. We analyzed the possible impact of maca (Lepidium meyenii) planting on the crane habitat use. We also reviewed literature to assess the potential impacts of human activities such as road construction, wind farm construction, mining, and tourism on Black-necked Cranes. Our results suggest that the Black-necked Crane population kept stable and the distribution range could provide required habitats for wintering Black-necked Cranes. However the wetlands were being destroyed by grazing and pit digging; cranes didn't use maca and maca planting reduced food resources of Black-necked Cranes; and construction of roads and wind farm, together with mining and tourism activities, created unfavorable situation for the Black-necked Cranes. We suggest that a nature reserve be established to administrate the wetland conservation, and out coming tourists management, on the other hand further study is needed to assess the effect of human activities such as maca planting, wind farm construction on Black-necked Crane.