Poyang Lake is one of the most important wintering places for migratory waterbirds in Asia. 98% of the world’s population of Siberian cranes (Grus leucogeranus), 60% of the White-naped cranes (Grus vipio), 50% of the swan geese Anser cygnoides and tens of thousands of other waterbirds spend the winter here. It is the largest freshwater lake in China, with an area of 3,955 km2 in flood season.

Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve (PNR) is located south of the Yangtze River, in northern Jiangxi Province. It covers six percent of the total area of the Poyang Lake basin. Unfortunately, nature reserve management is hampered by the lack of skilled technical personnel. Essential information on relationships linking wintering waterbirds with water levels and with the distribution of food plants is missing as well.

The Three Gorges Dam and other major water projects deeply affect the mid Yangtze Basin. This project aims to determine the relationship between cranes and aquatic plants, water levels and turbidity at Poyang Lake. Developing an approach for data collecting and analysing is another objective. The project also seeks to build capacity for the reserve project staff. To achieve these objectives, the project will focus on the following six main activities:

- vegetation sampling,
- tuber sampling,
- water level and water quality sampling,
- crane habitat-use sampling,
- establishment of a database and
- capacity building for project staff.

The International Crane Foundation (ICF) is co-ordinating the project. It is implemented with the participation of the Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve (PNR), the Jiangxi Forestry Department, and the Jiangxi Mountains, Rivers, and Lakes Information Center (MRL). Besides CMS funding, the project is receiving matching financial support from ICF and other sources.