Ecological Restoration of Habitats Based on Avian Diversity and Landscape Patterns—A Case Study of Haining Mining Pit Park in Zhejiang, China

Abstract

The development of the mining park has impacted the richness of bird diversity. Coordinating the harmonious coexistence of humans and birds is a core issue for the sustainable development of the mining park. This study aims to investigate the relationship between landscape patterns and bird diversity and propose ecological restoration strategies for the mining park. Through field surveys and fixed-transect methods, the existing dominant bird species in the mining park were surveyed. The Shannon index was used to analyze the level of bird diversity in the mining park. A site plan of the mining park was drawn, and ArcGIS 10.8 and Fragstats 4.2 software were used to statistically analyze the landscape patterns of the mining park. The results of the two data sets were compared and analyzed to determine the relationship between landscape patterns and bird diversity. A total of eight landscape types were identified, and diversity indices, including the H (Shannon diversity index), F (species richness index), G (genus richness index), and G-F indices, were calculated. Existing issues in the site include diverse aquatic landscape types but poor connectivity, heterogeneous rocky landscape, bird habitat degradation, and frequent human interference. Proposed solutions include building ecological floating islands (habitat-type floating islands, restoration-type floating islands) to connect patches; comprehensive restoration combining full and partial restoration to restore bird habitats and increase vegetation coverage of rocky patches; low human interference design through ecological protection control zones, landscape functional zones, and park road design to create an environment for bird habitats and a mining park landscape suitable for leisure recreation, creating a new home for cohabitation between humans and birds. The research results indicate that landscape pattern diversity, heterogeneity, fragmentation, and human interference affect the richness of bird diversity. Ecological restoration, plant cultivation, and zoning planning can transform the site, enhance the landscape, and provide theoretical support and practical guidance for the creation of habitats for similar bird species.