Mai Po

Research and Monitoring

Species Targets

In order to assess the success of WWF's management work at the Mai Po Nature Reserve, targets are set for key species or groups. In the 2006-2010 Mai Po Marshes Management Plan, Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor, Anatidae (Ducks) and Shorebirds are selected to represent WWF's work. Two other species – Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra and the Four-spot Midget damselfly Mortonagrion hirosei – are considered important, but further research and study is needed before appropriate targets can be set.

© Fion Tse

The species targets are:

Black-faced Spoonbill

• To provide roosting habitat in gei wai #3, #4, #6 and #7 (Biodiversity Management Zone 4) for an average of 50% or more of the Black-faced Spoonbill wintering in Deep Bay.
• To provide feeding habitat for 20% of the Deep Bay population in the gei wai during winter drain-down.

Anatidae (Ducks)

• To provide roosting habitat in gei wai #15a-b, #16/17, Pond #20 and #24 for an average of 20% of the Anatidae wintering in Deep Bay.

Shorebirds

• To provide roosting habitat in BMZ9 and gei wai #6, #8 and #11 for an average of 60% of the shorebirds in Deep Bay during spring and autumn passage.

These targets are purposely designed to allow for a rapid assessment of the management work affecting each target (i.e. waterlevel, height of vegetation, etc.), so that remedial action can be taken if necessary. Assessment results are published in the Research and Monitoring Work Annual Reports.