Author's note

A lotus field, not just a place for people's livelihood, also serves as an important ecological system that gives birth to a wide range of life. LI Zhenwen, a bird expert from CBCGDF, recently finds that a piece of lotus field can provide complicated biodiversity through his years of research. Mr. LI's research and investigation render new insights on how we look at biodiversity protection. Simple renovation and maintenance to the lotus fields can offer aquatic animals and plants a platform to breed and grow, especially for some aquatic birds. The protection of lotus fields explores new space for the conservation of aquatic creatures and creates alternative solutions for breeding specific species. Mr. LI, through his long-term investigation, finds that regulation and adjustment should be made on the agricultural production mode from social and academic experts to provide a haven for bio-development without bringing any damage to agriculture. For small wetlands with good original features, original ecological patches and original ecological corridors, rescue work should be carried out immediately.

This emerges as a typical example of biodiversity protection in areas with human activities. Initiated by CBCGDF, Biodiversity Conservation in Our Neighborhood (BCON) aims to usher in excellent and effective practices on biodiversity protection in populated areas and achieve sustainable livelihood and conservation. As traditionally, conservation of live creatures is usually made in deep mountains, natural reserves and wild fields, which is of great importance, it is yet far from reversing the global trend that many species are disappearing in a fast manner. Such being the case, new ways of bio-protection should come out. As humans seek new space to expand, biodiversity protection in densely populated areas is of great significance.

Written by sakura

Noted by Xiaoai

Reviewed by BCON

Protection of the aquatic birds in lotus fields

Although it's May May, Li Zhenwen and his father and son set out, as usual, driving more than 70 kilometers to the Zhangdu Lake area in Wuhan to start their five-year monitoring and investigation of the lotus' biodiversity field. A week ago, they just found two eggs in a bird's nest in the lotus field. So today, they continue to come to this place to monitor the hatching situation.

The vast wetlands in Hubei Province enrich the local biodiversity, which enables Li to launch his work. After his retirement in 2016, he has been engaged in wetland biodiversity protection for a long time. He devoted almost all his spare time to wetland ecological exploration and research. When talking about the reason, he said that hobbies mainly drove it, but later, he thought it was a sense of responsibility, not only a sense of responsibility for professional technology but also a sense of responsibility for participating in national ecological civilization. For many years, I have been very devoted to aquatic bird protection. Only Li Li, his son with biological knowledge, understands and supports him when he spends money, time, and energy. Whenever he's on vacation, his son finds time to join in.

This morning, a black-winged Sandpiper in the lotus field chirped rapidly, which attracted Li's attention. He immediately observed with a telephoto lens. Ah! A young bird from a nest broke its shell. 35 minutes later, a second egg broke and a second baby was born. 

Seeing this scene with his own eyes, Li was delighted because such research was not easy to acquire. He hoped to get continuous observations.

Since 2015, he and his son have recorded a certain number of aquatic birds breeding in the local area, which has refreshed the current knowledge of migration and reproduction. Meanwhile, through biodiversity investigation and research on the lotus field, they have gained many discoveries and insights.

Every lotus root field is full of opportunities for biodiversity, and there is a space for human beings to protect and act as unique ecological stories.

Through continuous field investigation from 2015 to 2021, they have made many discoveries in the Lotus field. First, lotus fields are an important place for aquatic birds to live and survive; second, a lotus field can be a refuge for aquatic animals and maintain a bunch of valuable species once they lose their natural wetland; third, the large-scale expansion of lotus fields brings a hydrological process with neighboring rivers and lakes, which poses positive influence to biodiversity.

The original article was published in the overseas edition of People's Daily (2008 edition, May 25, 2021)

Photo credit to: Li Zhenwen

Translator/Lee

Chinese original article: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/D_r-IWn2E-ZV4fLsblh30g 

Contribution

https://www.paypal.me/CBCGDFChina

http://www.cbcgdf.org/English/ConfirmDonaTion/0.html