Abstract:

Aims: The conservation of species diversity must be based on a full understanding of species distribution across different regions. Scientific monitoring is a traditional and effective way of data acquisition, but most studies are concentrated in nature reserves. Public birding records have expanded the spatio-temporal range of species data collection and is a useful supplement to scientific monitoring. However, the range and intensity of birding activities are affected by the economy, exhibiting spatial heterogeneity. In order to clarify the impact of conservation area distribution patterns and regional economic levels on bird species diversity records, this study utilized the Guangdong Province as a case study, and compared the regional differences of bird species distribution recorded by scientific monitoring and public birding.

Methods: We collected data of public birding records and scientific monitoring through literature review and birding record centers and used multiple linear regression analysis to calculate the relationship among species richness and economy and conservation area. We then analyzed the contribution of different parameters through hierarchical partitioning. Finally, cluster analysis was utilized to classify cities with similar trends in species richness, economic level and environmental conditions.

Results: The results indicated that from 2016 to 2020, public birding found 17 new distribution records and 10 reconfirmation records of bird species in Guangdong Province, but 100 bird species recorded by historical scientific monitoring did not appear in public records. The results of the linear regression analysis demonstrated that the regional gross domestic product (GDP) of Guangdong had the highest explanatory rate (adjusted R² = 0.582) for the bird species richness recorded by public birding, and the area of nature reserves was the main explanatory factor for the bird species richness recorded by scientific monitoring. For overall species richness, the explanatory rate of GDP was 4.2 times that of the conservation area. The results reflected the strong support of economic development for public birding activities and facilitating new record discoveries in the Guangdong Province, but also indicated that there is a certain deviation in the regional distribution information of species diversity in the region.

Conclusion: It is recommended that appropriate species diversity protection measures should be formulated according to the differences in economic development level and natural environment in different cities, and that biodiversity investigation and monitoring should be strengthened in areas where species diversity is underestimated by combining the advantages of scientific research and citizen science.

Key words: new bird record, regional gross domestic product, protected natural areas, citizen science, scientific monitoring, species diversity