Scientific Expedition Diary: A Day “Going to Sea” in the Inland

Qinghai Lake is located in Qinghai Province, at an altitude of 3205m. It is the largest inland lake in China. August of each year is the time when the scenery of Qinghai Lake is the most beautiful and the weather is the best.

From August 2 to August 12, 2022, a group of three of us came to the beautiful Qinghai Lake. In cooperation with the Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve Administration, we started the annual comprehensive survey of biodiversity in the Qinghai Lake National Nature Reserve. We participated in the survey of the population of Procapra przewalskii .

Part 1

First impression of Qinghai Lake

Entrance to Qinghai Lake Scenic Area

(Image source: author)

Qinghai Lake in August is absolutely beautiful. As the car gradually approached the direction of Qinghai Lake, what appeared before our eyes was: the azure blue lake and the sky seemed to be connected into one, the golden rapeseed flowers bloomed, and the colorful wild flowers grew wantonly, which was beautiful beyond words. We seemed to be in the world of oil paintings, and every shot we took was a beautiful blockbuster.

Qinghai Lake and golden rapeseed flowers in August

(Image source: author)

Visitors feel like they are in an oil painting

(Image source: author)

Part 2

Counting and packing the "baba"

After taking pictures of the beautiful Qinghai Lake, we immediately started our investigation.

Przewalski's gazelle is a species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is also known as the beach yellow sheep and is a national first-class protected wild animal. It is listed as critically endangered (CR) on the China Red List of Diversity [1]. Przewalski's gazelle was once widely distributed in western Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, Gansu and Ningxia. Since then, due to population growth and rapid economic development, its distribution area has continued to shrink and its number has continued to decline. According to the latest survey results at the end of 2021, there are only about 3,000 Przewalski's gazelles left.

Przewalski's gazelles are large and prefer to live around lakes or in open, flat grasslands and on the edge of deserts. The vegetation in their distribution areas is low, and they leave clear chains of footprints on the sand, making them easy to be spotted by observers. In addition, their range of activities is relatively fixed, and they do not make long-distance seasonal migrations . With human activities, the habitats of animals are divided by roads, farmlands, etc., becoming more and more patchy. Even within such patches, Przewalski's gazelles do not migrate frequently [3].

August is the late breeding period (raising period) of Przewalski's gazelles. This survey of the Przewalski's gazelle population covers 15 observation sample areas and 80 observation sample points in 6 distribution areas, including all habitats of Przewalski's gazelles around Qinghai Lake. This survey also combines drone monitoring technology to further determine the area of ​​all Przewalski's gazelle distribution areas in the Qinghai Lake basin.

In the survey, we used the line sampling method to ensure the accuracy and comparability of the survey data.

The so-called transect method means that the vehicle will first take us to the observation site where we can observe Przewalski's gazelles or find Przewalski's gazelles according to the observation route we planned in advance, and then observe them using Olympus binoculars. Once we see a group of Przewalski's gazelles, we will record the observation date, time, group size, GPS location of the location and vegetation type.

Since Przewalski's gazelles may migrate between adjacent distribution points, which may cause statistical errors, we will complete each distribution point within 1 to 2 days. In order to avoid counting the same Przewalski's gazelle repeatedly, we will try our best to avoid disturbing them during the observation and counting process; and for Przewalski's gazelles that escape due to fright, we will record their number, gender composition and escape direction separately to avoid repeated counting in subsequent surveys.

Photo of Przewalski's gazelle taken south of the Hargai Railway in Qinghai Lake

(Image source: author)

Photo of Przewalski's gazelle taken north of the Hargai Railway in Qinghai Lake

(Image source: author)

While investigating the population, we also want to study the intestinal microbes and diet of Przewalski's gazelles, so we try to collect fresh feces, hair, bone and other tissue samples . Once we find the samples, we put them into centrifuge tubes or ziplock bags, label them, and store them in liquid nitrogen tanks at low temperatures [2].

Put the collected Przewalski's gazelle feces into a centrifuge tube

(Image source: author)

Put the collected Przewalski's gazelle hair and other tissue samples into a ziplock bag

(Image source: author)

Part 3

"Going to sea" inland

Our main purpose of coming to Qinghai Lake was to investigate Przewalski's gazelles, but after a few days of investigation, the staff of the Qinghai Lake Nature Reserve told us that we could go to Haixin Mountain in Qinghai Lake to take a look.

Although this is not within the scope of our work, it is also very important for us to understand the ecosystem in which Przewalski's gazelle lives, so we naturally did not waste this rare opportunity.

The next morning, we set off for the dock. Soon after the boat left the dock, we found that Qinghai Lake was so big that we couldn't see the land from the boat. Although we were inland, it really felt like we were "out to sea". It was around 7 o'clock in the morning, and the sun rose in the east. We were very excited and took a lot of photos in the gorgeous morning sun.

Sunrise at Qinghai Lake

(Image source: author)

I am taking pictures of the sunrise on the boat

(Image source: author)

The boat went farther and farther, and the land slowly disappeared from our sight. After about 3 hours of sailing, we finally saw the island in the middle of the lake in the distance - Haixin Mountain. If Qinghai Lake is a gem on the Chinese mainland, then Haixin Mountain is the brightest spot on this gem. We felt like we had seen a "new world" and were very excited. We couldn't wait to land on that mysterious land.

Haixin Mountain is located in the south of the center of Qinghai Lake (36°51′N, 100°08′E), with an altitude of about 3,300 meters. It is shaped like a conch and is a major tourist attraction in Qinghai Lake. The island is very small, only about 1 square kilometer, and about 70 meters above the lake surface, but it also has rich vegetation, such as Achnatherum splendens, Needle grass, wild onion, and a small amount of shrubs [4]. The ancients once praised it in a poem: "A piece of green waves floating on white snow, no one knows it is Haixin Mountain."

Haixin Mountain in the distance

(Image source: author)

There are many water birds on Haixin Mountain, mainly common cormorants (Phalacrocorax carbo) and brown-headed gulls (Larus brunnicephalus Jerdon). Wild flowers are lush, and we even photographed a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) while walking along the shore. We were very surprised that there are carnivorous animals like red foxes on such a small island, which shows that a relatively complete island ecosystem is quietly forming.

Common cormorants resting on Haixin Mountain

(Image source: author)

Red fox running on Haixin Mountain

(Image source: author)

Due to the tight schedule, we stayed on Haixin Mountain for about an hour before leaving for the next place - "Sankuaishi". As its name literally means, this place is mainly composed of three large stones, but these three seemingly simple stones are the homes of many water birds. There are many species and numbers of water birds here, mainly common cormorants and brown-headed gulls. Sankuaishi is also one of the main habitats of Qinghai Lake water birds.

Three rocks in the distance photographed from the boat

(Image source: author)

Common Cormorant resting at Three Rocks

(Image source: author)

After our boat sailed around the Three Stones, we started our return journey. It took us about 3 hours to return, and it was already 6pm when we arrived at the pier. Whether we saw Haixin Mountain or the pier, we would feel excited. Maybe Haixin Mountain represents the destination, while the pier represents the starting point. The land always gives people a sense of solidity and reassurance.

pier

(Image source: author)

Part 4

Conclusion

The rarity of Przewalski's gazelles, the magic of Haixin Mountain, the simplicity of Sankuashi, and the excitement of "going to sea" inland all left us with endless aftertastes. On the way back, we kept talking about all kinds of new and interesting things "at sea", and we were still not satisfied.

The beautiful scenery of Qinghai hides a unique "plateau-island ecosystem". As scientific researchers, we are fortunate to appreciate the unique beauty here and feel the magical touch of nature in nurturing the ecosystem. We hope that this beauty can be undisturbed and enjoy peace forever.

We took a photo with Haixin Mountain on the boat

(Image source: author)

References:

[1] Jiang Zhigang, Jiang Jianping, Wang Yuezhao, et al. Red List of Chinese Vertebrates[J]. Biodiversity Science, 2016, 24(05): 501-551+615.

[2] Ping Xiaoge, Li Chunwang, Li Chunlin, et al. Distribution, population and conservation status of Przewalski's gazelle[J]. Biodiversity Science, 2018, 26(02): 177–184.

[3] Yang J, Jiang Z. Genetic diversity, population genetic structure and demographic history of Przewalski's gazelle (Procapra przewalskii): implications for conservation[J]. Conservation Genetics, 2011, 12(6): 1457–1468.

[4] Haixinshan Climate Investigation Team. Climate Investigation of Haixinshan Mountain in Qinghai Lake[J]. Meteorology, 1985(10): 23–25.

Produced by: Science Popularization China

Author: Jia Wei

Producer: China Science Expo

The article only represents the author's views and does not represent the position of China Science Expo

This article was first published in China Science Expo (kepubolan)

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