This study analyzed potential breeding sites for black-faced spoonbills on 70 non-breeding, uninhabited islands in Incheon, Korea, in order to suggest potential breeding sites for black-faced spoonbills, whose breeding population has recently been inc...
This study analyzed potential breeding sites for black-faced spoonbills on 70 non-breeding, uninhabited islands in Incheon, Korea, in order to suggest potential breeding sites for black-faced spoonbills, whose breeding population has recently been increasing. By comparing the environmental characteristics of breeding and non-breeding areas identified through a literature search, we developed a discriminant to identify potential breeding areas for black-faced spoonbills. Among a total of eight environmental variables(Island area, distance from land, distance to mudflat, distance to rice field, distance to sea route, depth of water, mudflat area, rice field area), the variables that influenced the selection of breeding sites for black-faced spoonbills were average water depth, tidal flat area, and paddy field area. As a result of discriminant analysis of breeding islands using these variables, the accuracy was found to be quite high at 80%. As a result of applying the developed discriminant to non-breeding islands located in the Incheon region, a total of 9 islands(Yongrando, Goseokdo, Beolyeom, Joreumseom, Goeriseom, Hambakdo, Moido, Bigajido, Ahyeom) were identified as potential breeding grounds for spoonbills. The research results can be used as basic data for future management of black-faced spoonbill breeding sites and selection of alternative habitats.