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Chi Yeung Choi

Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Duke Kunshan University
DKU Faculty

Overview


Chi-Yeung (Jimmy) Choi is an applied ecologist with expertise in animal ecology, conservation biology, wetland ecology and environmental management. He studies the relationship between animals and their environment. Current study systems include the ecology of migratory birds, with a focus on their foraging and movement ecology within and between coastal intertidal wetlands. This requires extensive fieldwork in many places ranging from Alaska and East Asia to Australia and New Zealand. The work has led to investigations of diet, habitat use, local movement, population dynamics as well as migration phenology and strategies, often using the latest technology in wildlife tracking and remote sensing. Based on the findings from these studies, long-term habitat quality monitoring, protected area boundary adjustment and integrated natural and artificial management are proposed to improve the habitats for migratory waterbirds. These efforts not only contribute to nature conservation, but also to the restoration of wetland ecosystems on which humans depend.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at Duke Kunshan University · 2022 - Present DKU Faculty
Assistant Professor of the Practice of DKU Studies at Duke University · 2024 - Present DKU Studies

In the News


Published October 11, 2023
Three scientists on the front line of climate and conservation research
Published May 29, 2023
China is using satellites to police the protection of nature — but will it work?
Published November 24, 2022
Ecological redlines triple China’s protected waterbird sites

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Recent Publications


Downlisting and recovery of species assessed by the IUCN.

Journal Article Conservation biology : the journal of the Society for Conservation Biology · July 2025 Despite the increasing number of species assessed for extinction risk by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (163,040 species as of 2024), only about 1 in 1,000 have been downlisted due to genuine population improvement. Although this ... Full text Cite

Conservation-oriented management benefits the Black-faced Spoonbill, an endangered migratory waterbird

Journal Article Global Ecology and Conservation · October 1, 2024 Active conservation management is crucial for maintaining and recovering populations of threatened species. Yet, there are remarkably few studies quantifying the benefits of conservation management and comparing ecological and anthropogenic influences on p ... Full text Cite
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Education, Training & Certifications


Massey University (New Zealand) · 2014 Ph.D.

External Links


Recent publications