Abstract: The Chongming Dongtan wetlands are an important stopover site for migratory shorebirds along the East AsianAustralasian Flyway. We used remote sensing images to map and assess migratory shorebird habitats and monitor temporal changes of these habitats during 2000-2010. In order to assess the quality of shorebird habitats, FRAGSTATS metrics were calculated. The results showed that the shorebird suitable habitats (Scirpus mariqueter grassland and mudflat) were the second largest habitats (followed by the deepwater habitats). The S. mariqueter grassland and mudflat habitats slightly increased from 10448.2 hm² in 2000 to 10696.5 hm² in 2006 and sharply decreased from 2006 to 2010 (9784.6 hm²). The S. mariqueter and mudflat habitats were mainly transferred from the deepwater habitats, while significantly transferred to the Spartina alterniflora and Phragmites australis habitats. The S. mariqueter and mudflat habitats became more fragmented and complex in 2010 compared with that in 2000. Specifically, such habitats first increased from 2000 to 2006 and then decreased from 2006 to 2010. The landscape patterns of all habitats became more heterogeneous and fragmented from 2000 to 2006 and less heterogeneous and fragmented from 2006 to 2010. This suggests that the quality of shorebird habitats decreased from 2000 to 2006 and increased after 2006 in terms of composition/configuration, complexity, connectivity, and heterogeneity. The findings of this study are expected to motivate the local community to develop wetland restoration or creation strategy to protect migratory shorebirds in the Yangtze estuary.

Key words: main stand layer, regeneration layer, Haloxylon ammodendron plantation