Yangtze finless porpoises swim in the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River. [Photo/zhjjwx.jsjjw.cn]
A recent study on Yangtze finless porpoises in the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River has been published in Ecology and Evolution, highlighting conservation breakthroughs for this endangered species.
The paper, titled Two Strategies for Researching the Endangered Yangtze Finless Porpoises Suggest Data-poor Areas are Worthy of Greater Conservation Efforts, details the world's first systematic field study of the wild population in Jingjiang waters.
This work was supported by the Youth Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Qinglan project of Jiangsu province to Wang Zhengfei, and the National Key Research and Development Program of China, as well as the Jingjiang ecological environment bureau of Taizhou city.
The research team used two complementary methods to collect baseline data on the endangered Yangtze finless porpoise in the Jingjiang section of the Yangtze River.
First, they collected data about porpoises through a questionnaire survey of fishers. The findings show that porpoises have been sighted over the past several decades, indicating that this region has long served as their habitat.
Secondly, boat-based visual line transect surveys were conducted from September 2021 to August 2024. These surveys confirmed local fishers' ecological knowledge by showing a substantial population residing in the Jingjiang section.
The estimated abundance was around 39 individuals, surpassing earlier estimates. They also pinpoint the core area where Yangtze finless porpoises are distributed in the waters of Mucheng Park.
This study fills a knowledge gap regarding Yangtze finless porpoises in the region, providing a scientific basis for their management and conservation.