LEI CAO
CURRICULUM VITAE
PERSONAL DETAILS:
DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: 27 December 1969,
Changsha, Hunan, China
NATIONALITY: Chinese
HIGHER EDUCATION:
FIRST DEGREE: Bachelor of Biology, awarded in 1991; Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
HIGHER DEGREE: PhD awarded in 2005; Thesis: Breeding Biology of the Red-footed Booby on the Xisha Archipelago, South China Sea; Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
EMPLOYMENT RECORD:
PROFESSOR IN Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese
WATERBIRD ECOLOGY Academy of Sciences. Beijing, China.
Dec 2013-present
PROFESSOR IN School of Life Sciences, University of Science and
WATERBIRD ECOLOGY Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Dec 2010-2013
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR IN School of Life Sciences, University of Science and
WATERBIRD ECOLOGY Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Dec 2005 – Nov 2010
TECHNICIAN School of Life Sciences, University of Science and
March 1995 – Nov 2005 Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China.
BIOLOGY TEACHER Zhuzhou First Railway High School, Zhuzhou, Hunan, China.
July 1991- February 1994.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Initially I continued the research I started on the Red-footed Booby during my PhD studies, with the assistance of four MSc students. This continued actively until 2010 when the final student graduated.
Since 2004 I have developed a great interest in the serious environmental problems occurring in the Yangtze River floodplain wetlands and my research work is now focused on understanding the causes of these and their impact on waterbirds.
The Yangtze River is globally unique for its extensive ephemeral floodplain wetlands, recharged by summer monsoonal rains laden with nutrients and sediment. Autumn and winter water level recession creates one of the largest concentrations of marshland, shallow and seasonally flooded lakes in the world, wetland ecosystems of dramatic diversity and productivity. The cycle of flooding and drying provides ecosystem services of enormous economic value to hundreds of millions of people in the form of flood alleviation, water supply and storage, food supply (especially fisheries and aquaculture), transport, aggregate and other mineral resources. The wetlands support globally significant numbers of millions of wintering waterbirds, including several species unique to the area, many of which are suffering serious declines in number in the face of rapid environmental change. Waterbird community and composition reflect the structure and function of the wetlands upon which they depend, making them vital indicators of wetland ecological health. Monitoring is beginning to establish the status, abundance and distribution of Yangtze waterbirds, and now my current research focuses on understanding the feeding ecology and habitat use of flagship and key common species which appear to have experienced changes in distribution or abundance due to environmental changes in the floodplain (such as the Swan Goose, Tundra Swan, Lesser and Greater White-fronted Geese, both races of Bean Geese, Falcated Duck and Baikal Teal), to better understand their conservation management requirements. Innovative use of satellite imagery is being used to measure major expansion in the distribution and abundance of key macrophyte species, such as Zizania latifolia and Trapa maximowiczii, which may reflect recent changes in water quality and hydrology. Such studies have been supplemented with microcosm experiments which are being used to better understand the trophic effects of the spread and current distribution of macrophytes on the functioning of Yangtze wetlands. Such insights into ecosystem function and processes are vital if the ecosystem services so essential to the human population of the area are to be safeguarded for the future.
PUBLICATIONS LIST
Published papers
1. Fox, A. D., F. Meng, J. Liu, W. Yang, K. Shan, L. Cao. Effects of the Length of Inundation Period on Investment in Tuber Biomass and Sexual Reproduction by Vallisneria spinulosa S.Z. Yan Ramets. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems. Accepted.
2. Wang, X., A. D. Fox, X. Zhuang, L. Cao, F. meng, and P. Cong. Shifting to an energy-poor diet for nitrogen? Not the case for wintering herbivorous Lesser White-fronted Geese in China. Journal of Ornithology. Accepted.
3. Barter, M., L. Cao, X. Wang, Y. Lu, J. Lei, D. Solovyeva, and A. D. Fox. 2013. Abundance and distribution of wintering Scaly-sided Mergansers Mergus squamatus in China: where are the missing birds? Bird Conservation International 0:1-10.DOI: 10.1017/S0959270913000622.
4. Wang, X., A. D. Fox, P. Cong, and L. Cao. 2013. Food constraints explain distribution of wintering Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus in China. Ibis 155:576-592.
5. Wang, X., Y. Zhang, M. Zhao, L. Cao, and A. D. Fox. 2013. The benefits of being big: effects of body size on energy budgets of three wintering goose species grazing Carex beds in the Yangtze River floodplain, China. Journal of Ornithology DOI: 10.1007/s10336-013-0979-7.
6. Fox, A. D., F. Meng, X. Shen, X. Yang, W. Yang, and L. Cao. 2013. Effects of shading on Vallisneria natans (Lour.) H. Hara growth. Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems DOI: 10.1051/kmae/2013062.
7. Cong, P., X. Wang, L. Cao, and A. D. Fox. 2012. Within-winter shifts in Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus distribution at East Dongting Lake, China. Ardea 100:5-11.
8. Zhao, M., P. Cong, M. Barter, A. D. Fox, and L. Cao. 2012. The changing abundance and distribution of Greater White-fronted Geese Anser albifrons in the Yangtze River floodplain: impacts of recent hydrological changes. Bird Conservation International 22:135-143.
9. Wang, X., M. Barter, L. Cao, J. Lei, and A. D. Fox. 2012. Serious contractions in wintering distribution and decline in abundance of Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri. Bird Conservation International 22:121-127.
10. Wang, X., A. D. Fox, P. Cong, M. Barter, and L. Cao. 2012. Changes in the distribution and abundance of wintering Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus in eastern China. Bird Conservation International 22:128-134.
11. Zhang, Y., L. Cao, M. Barter, A. D. Fox, M. Zhao, F. Meng, H. Shi, Y. Jiang, and W. Zhu. 2011. Changing distribution and abundance of Swan Goose Anser cygnoides in the Yangtze River floodplain: the likely loss of a very important wintering site. Bird Conservation International 21:36-48.
12. Cao, L., M. Barter, M. Zhao, H. Meng, and Y. Zhang. 2011. A systematic scheme for monitoring waterbird populations at Shengjin Lake, China: methodology and preliminary results. Chinese Birds 2:1-17.
13. Cao, L., F. Meng, W. Yang, K. Shan, J. Liu, and A. D. Fox. 2011. Effects of length of growing season on biomass accumulation and reproductive investment of Vallisneria natans (Lour.) H. Hara. Fundamental and Applied Limnology 179:115-120.
14. Cong, P., L. Cao, A. D. Fox, M. Barter, E. C. Rees, Y. Jiang, W. Ji, W. Zhu, and G. Song. 2011. Changes in Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus bewickii distribution and abundance in the Yangtze River floodplain. Bird Conservation International 21:260-265.
15. Cong, P., E. C. Rees, M. Sun, M. Zhao, L. Cao, M. Barter, and A. D. Fox. 2011. A comparison of the behaviour and habitat use by Bewick’s Swans Cygnus columbianus bewickii at wintering sites in China and Europe: preliminary observations. Wildfowl 61:52-73.
16. de Boer, W., L. Cao, M. Barter, X. Wang, M. Sun, H. van Oeveren, J. de Leeuw, J. Barzen, and H. Prins. 2010. Comparing the community composition of european and eastern chinese waterbirds and the influence of human factors on the china waterbird community. Ambio 40:68-77.
17. Fox, A. D., L. Cao, Y. Zhang, M. Barter, M. Zhao, F. Meng, and S. Wang. 2010. Declines in the tuber-feeding waterbird guild at Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve, China – a barometer of submerged macrophyte collapse. Aquatic Conservation 21:82-91.
18. Guo, H., L. Cao, L. Peng, G. Zhao, and S. Tang. 2010. Parental care, development of foraging skills, and transition to independence in the Red-footed Booby. Condor 112:38-47.
19. Dou, S., L. Cao, Y. Cheng, and A. D. Fox. 2010. Functional use of Shengjin Hu National Nature Reserve, China, by three species of dabbling ducks – preliminary observations. Wildfowl 60:124-135.
20. Cao, L., Y. Zhang, M. Barter, and G. Lei. 2010. Anatidae in eastern China during the non-breeding season: geographical distributions and protection status. Biological Conservation 143:650-659.
21. Cao, L., G. Zhao, S. Tang, and H. Guo. 2010. The first reported case of cooperative polyandry in the Red-footed Booby: trio relationships and benefits. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 122:361-365.
22. Zhao, M., L. Cao, and A. D. Fox. 2010. Distribution and diet of wintering Tundra Bean Geese Anser fabalis serrirostris at Shengjin Lake, Yangtze River floodplain, China. Wildfowl 60:52-63.
23. Cao, L. and A. D. Fox. 2009. Birds and people both depend on China's wetlands. Nature 460:173-173.
24. Cao, L., S. Tang, X. Wang, and M. Barter. 2009. The importance of eastern China for shorebirds during the non-breeding season. Emu 109:170-178.
25. Cao, L., X. Wang, Q. Wang, and M. Barter. 2008. Wintering anatidae in China: a preliminary analysis. Casarca 11:161-180.
26. Fox, A. D., L. Cao, M. Barter, E. C. Rees, R. D. Hearn, P. Cong, X. Wang, Y. Zhang, S. Dou, and X. Shao. 2008. The functional use of East Dongting Lake, China, by wintering geese. Wildfowl 58:3-19.
27. Fox, A. D., R. D. Hearn, L. Cao, P. Cong, X. Wang, Y. Zhang, S. Dou, X. Shao, M. Barter, and E. C. Rees. 2008. Preliminary observations of diurnal feeding patterns of Swan Geese Anser cygnoides using two different habitats at Shengjin Lake, Anhui Province, China. Wildfowl 58:20-30.
28. Shi, H., L. Cao, M. Barter, and N. Liu. 2008. Status of the East Asian population of the Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus: the need for urgent conservation action. Bird Conservation International 18:181-193.
29. Cao, L., M. Barter, and G. Lei. 2008. New Anatidae population estimates for eastern China: Implications for current flyway estimates. Biological Conservation 141:2301-2309.
30. Cao, L., M. Barter, G. Lei, and Q. Yang. 2008. Anatidae in the Yangtze floodplain in winter 2004 and 2005. Casarca 11:146-160.
31. Cao, L., M. Barter, and R. Lewthwaite. 2008. The declining importance of the Fujian Coast, China, for wintering waterbirds. Waterbirds 31:645-650.
32. Cao, L., M. Barter, and X. Wang. 2008. Saunders's Gull: a new population estimate. Bird Conservation International 18:301-306.
33. Cao, L., Y. Pan, and N. Liu. 2007. Waterbirds of the Xisha Archipelago, South China Sea. Waterbirds 30:296-300.
34. Cao, L., Y. Pang, and N. Liu. 2005. Status of the Red-footed Booby on the Xisha Archipelago, South China Sea. Waterbirds 28:411-419.
35. Barter, M., K. Gosbell, L. Cao, and Q. Xu. 2005. Northward shorebird migration surveys in 2005 at four new yellow sea sites in Jiangsu and Liaoning Provinces. Stilt 48:13-17.
36. Barter, M., L. Cao, L. Chen, and G. Lei. 2005. Results of a survey for waterbirds in the lower Yangtze floodplain, China, in January-February 2004. Forktail 21:1-7.
Reports
1. Cao, L. 2011. Recent changes in wintering waterbird at the key wetlands in the Yangtze River Floodplain, China. Pp. 110-122. In: Chen J. (Ed.) Environmental Flows Research and Practice in China. China Hydropower Publishing Company, Beijing, China.
2. Cheng, Y., L. Cao, M. Barter, W. Xu, Y. Zhang and M. Zhao. 2009. Wintering Waterbird Survey at the Anhui Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve, China 2008/9. University of Science and Technology of China Press, Hefei, China.
3. Barter, M., Y. Xi, L. Cao et al. 2007. Wintering waterbird survey of the coastline of Fujian Province, China. China Forestry Publishing House, Beijing, China.
4. Barter M., G. Lei and L. Cao. 2006. Waterbird Survey of the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Floodplain (February 2005). China Forest Bureau Publishing Company, Beijing, China.
5. Barter, M., L. Chen, L. Cao and G. Lei. 2004. Waterbird Survey of the Middle and Lower Yangtze River Floodplain in Late January and Early February 2004. China Forestry Publishing House, Beijing, China.
6. Cao, L. and J. Yang. 2003. Birdwatching on Campus. University of Science and Technology of China Press, Hefei, China.
7. Cao, L. 2010. The potential impact of building a dam at the entry between Poyang Lake and the Yangtze on wintering Tundra Swan. Report to Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
8. Cao, L. and M. Barter. 2008. Non-breeding season survey for Scaly-sided Mergansers in Fujian, Guangdong and Jiangxi Provinces. Report to Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.
9. Cao, L. and M. Barter. 2007. The abundance and distribution of Dunlin in eastern China and the potential for them to come into contact with carriers of avian influenza. Report to US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Talks at international meetings
1. Cao, L., M. Barter and A. D. Fox. Waterbird and Wetlands Study in the Yangtze River Floodplain. The 3rd International Workshop on Community-based Data Synthesis, Analysis and Modeling of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in Asia. Beijing, China, 14-15 November, 2011.
2. Fox, A. D. and L. Cao. Using Wintering Geese as Indicators of Trophic Collapse of Submerged Macrophyte Communities in Yangtze River Floodplain Wetlands. North American Arctic Goose Conference. Portland, Oregon, USA, 10-15 January, 2011.
3. Cao, L. Changes in Status and Distribution of Wintering Geese in China. North American Arctic Goose Conference. Portland, Oregon, USA, 10-15 January, 2011.
4. Cao, L. Systematic waterbird surveying at Shengjin Lake National Nature Reserve, China. Monitoring Workshop, East - Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership Migratory Waterbird Partnership. Songdo, South Korea, 28-30 October 2010.
5. Cao, L. Environmental management and land use conflicts in wetlands systems – a case study at Shengjin Lake, Anhui. Sino-Norwegian Cooperation to meet Global Challenges. Workshop on Polar, Environmental and Climate Change Research. Shanghai Expo, 9-10 September, 2010.
6. Cao, L. and M. Barter. Distribution and status of the Scaly-sided Merganser in eastern China during the non-breeding season. Scaly-sided Merganser Workshop, Vladivostok, Russia, 27 April-3 May 2010.
7. Cao, L., M. Barter, X. Wang and H. Guo. Status of geese wintering in eastern China. Goose Specialist Group 12th Meeting, Hollviken, Sweden, 9-13 Oct. 2009 (Keynote talk).
8. Cao, L., X. Wang, P. Cong and A.D. Fox. Feeding behavior and habitat use of Lesser White-fronted Geese at East Dongting Lake, China. Goose Specialist Group 12th Meeting, Hollviken, Sweden, 9-13 Oct. 2009.