Tian'e launches survey to protect Chinese mergansers

On Jan 10, a national synchronized waterbird survey kicked off in the Hongshui River section of Tian'e county, Hechi, focusing on winter monitoring of the Chinese merganser, often referred to as the "living fossil of birds".

A four-member team equipped with professional devices adopted the line-transect method, combining hiking and boat travel to carry out systematic monitoring along the core wetland waters of the Longtan Nature Reserve.

Their work centered on recording the population size, activity trajectories and habitat conditions of the endangered species.

Four flocks, totaling 46 Chinese mergansers, were observed in the area, with the population showing a steady increase compared to previous years.

Chinese mergansers glide across the surface of the Hongshui River section in Tian'e. [Photo/Hechi Daily]

Regarded as a "natural litmus test" for freshwater ecosystems, the Chinese merganser has extremely high requirements for habitat quality, water purity and minimal human disturbance.

Benefiting from years of ecological governance in Tian'e, the Hongshui River maintains stable Class II water quality, while the 3,861-hectare wetland in Longtan Nature Reserve provides a safe habitat with abundant fish resources, making it a key wintering ground for the species.

Survey data will be integrated into the bird monitoring database of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

It will provide scientific support for understanding the wintering population dynamics of Chinese mergansers and formulating targeted conservation strategies, while also serving as critical evidence in evaluating the health of the Hongshui River's aquatic ecosystem.