Year-round multi-scale habitat selection by Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) in lowland mixed forests (northern Italy) DOI Creative Commons
Alessandro Berlusconi, Alessio Martinoli, Lucas A. Wauters

et al.

Avian Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13, P. 100058 - 100058

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Determining how animals respond to resource availability across spatial and temporal extents is crucial understand ecological processes underpinning habitat selection. Here, we used a multi-scale approach study the year-round selection of Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) in semi-natural lowland woodland northern Italy, analysing different features at each scale. We performed censuses three scales. At macrohabitat scale, geolocalized observations individuals compute Manly's index, based on detailed land-use map area. microhabitat trees were compared between presence absence locations. foraging individual birds their specific position recorded using focal animal sampling. Censuses during both breeding (March May) wintering (December January) seasons. Tits significantly selected pure mixed pine forests avoided woods alien plant species, farmlands urban areas. old with dense cover selected, no significant difference tree two phenological phases. species was observed spending more time canopies than understorey, mostly portion Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) closer trunk winter, while period, whole canopy visited. Overall, habitats largely overlapped Tit. Based our findings, can be well defined as true specialists: they are strictly related some coniferous features. Noteworthily, other tit which normally show generalist habits behaves specialist also out season. Our stressed importance considering (both phenological) birds.

Language: Английский

Evolutionarily distinct lineages of a migratory bird of prey show divergent responses to climate change DOI Creative Commons
Joan Ferrer, Anastasios Bounas, Mattia Brambilla

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: April 13, 2025

Accurately predicting species' responses to anthropogenic climate change is hampered by limited knowledge of their spatiotemporal ecological and evolutionary dynamics. We combine landscape genomics, demographic reconstructions, species distribution models assess the eco-evolutionary past fluctuations future an Afro-Palaearctic migratory raptor, lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni). uncover two evolutionarily ecologically distinct lineages (European Asian), whose history, divergence, historical range were profoundly shaped climatic fluctuations. Using projections, we find that Asian lineage at higher risk contraction, increased migration distance, maladaptation, consequently greater extinction than European lineage. Our results emphasise importance providing context as a baseline for understanding contemporary change, illustrate how incorporating intraspecific genetic variation improves realism vulnerability assessments.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
The past, present, and future of predator–prey interactions in a warming world: Using species distribution modeling to forecast ectotherm–endotherm niche overlap DOI Creative Commons
Jessica L. Hill, Matthew Grisnik, Ryan J. Hanscom

et al.

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

Climate change has the potential to disrupt species interactions across global ecosystems. Ectotherm-endotherm may be especially prone this risk due possible mismatch between in physiological response and performance. However, few studies have examined how changing temperatures might differentially impact species' niches or available suitable habitat when they very different modes of thermoregulation. An ideal system for studying interaction is predator-prey system. In study, we used ecological niche modeling characterize overlap examine biogeography past future climate conditions prairie rattlesnakes (

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Long-term population trends of bird communities in artificially-protected wetlands of Northern Italy DOI Creative Commons
Stefano Borghi,

Carlo Giannella,

Andrea Ravagnani

et al.

Published: March 6, 2025

Artificial wetlands have become a common conservation approach to contrast the decline of biodiversity globally, as result ongoing loss and fragmentation natural habitats. Assessments on trend avian in artificial are essential understand their value. This study aims analyse temporal changes abundance bird guilds species small Northern Italy. We surveyed populations over 2005-2019 period from three adjacent wetlands, examined trends both single grouped guilds. found water systems analysed supported high diversity species. Overall, we Swans Geese, Cormorants, Raptors Large wading birds had an increasing between 2005 2019, while Gulls Terns were stable, Ducks, Rails Cranes, Grebes Divers uncertain, Shorebirds decreased. Species-specific revealed: Circus cyaneus (+13.40%) Falco vespertinus (+21.32%) increased, Calidris pugnax decreased (-7.91%) Aythya nyroca was uncertain (+6.30%). Furthermore, dominant mainly stable (e.g. Larus ridibundus Anas platyrhynchos), crecca increased (+2.97%), Vanellus vanellus (-3.65%), Fulica atra trend. described these local vital importance sustain regional biodiversity, also urging ensure national international functional connectivity systems.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Foraging niche partitioning within a recently established guild of falcons DOI Creative Commons
Alessandro Berlusconi, Mauro Gobbi, Alessio Martinoli

et al.

Ibis, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 11, 2025

Ecological theory predicts that coexisting species should exhibit realized niche differentiation to minimize competition. However, little is known about patterns of when ‘newcomer’ spontaneously colonize a new region, leading novel sympatric conditions. Over the past 15 years, three closely related and ecologically similar falcon (Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus , Lesser naumanni Red‐footed Falcon vespertinus ) have expanded their ranges as result land‐use climate changes in intensively cultivated agroecosystems Po Plain (Northern Italy). This unique condition European range these provides an excellent opportunity investigate foraging trophic partitioning during initial phases sympatry. We assessed species‐specific habitat selection interspecific differences diet composition. Our findings showed falcons selected largely overlapping habitats, yet exhibited significant among regarding vegetation height, structure crop types. Overall, composition was similar, though some degree detected. In line with hypothesis, slightly partitioned niches, probably playing key role making syntopic coexistence possible. study insights into mechanisms ‘newcomers’ appear guild, process likely become increasingly relevant because rapid often uneven distributional shifts caused by global change.

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Pleistocene DOI
Giovanni Leonardi

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Citations

0
The occurrence of a flagship raptor species in intensive agroecosystems is associated with more diverse farmland bird communities: Opportunities for market-based conservation DOI
Giacomo Assandri, Gaia Bazzi,

Leonardo Siddi

et al.

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 349, P. 108441 - 108441

Published: March 7, 2023

Language: Английский

Citations

6
Vegetation height and structure drive foraging habitat selection of the lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni) in intensive agricultural landscapes DOI Creative Commons
Sara Cioccarelli,

Anna Terras,

Giacomo Assandri

et al.

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 10, P. e13979 - e13979

Published: Oct. 6, 2022

Habitat selection in animals is a fundamental ecological process with key conservation implications. Assessing habitat endangered species and populations occupying the extreme edges of their distribution range, or living highly anthropized landscapes, may be particular interest as it provide hints to mechanisms promoting potential range expansions. We assessed second- third-order foraging northernmost European breeding population lesser kestrel ( Falco naumanni ), migratory falcon interest, by integrating results obtained from 411 direct observations those gathered nine GPS-tracked individuals. The study breeds intensively cultivated Po Plain (northern Italy). Direct GPS data coincide showing that kestrels shifted preferences through cycle. They positively selected alfalfa other non-irrigated crops during early season, while winter cereals were nestling-rearing phase. Maize was after sowing, but significantly avoided later. Overall, vegetation height emerged main predictor selection, birds preferring short vegetation, which likely maximise prey accessibility. Such flexibility according spatio-temporal variation agricultural landscape determined local crop management practices have allowed successfully thrive one most areas Europe. In southeastern Plain, broad extent hay possibly functioning surrogate for pseudo-steppe environment where settled, fostering northward expansion intensive maintenance an overall high heterogeneity (deriving rotation) accommodate requirements different phases its

Language: Английский

Citations

7
Ecological and social factors affecting the occurrence of kleptoparasitism in two recently established sympatric breeding falcons DOI
Alessandro Berlusconi, Davide Scridel,

Luca Eberle

et al.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 78(2)

Published: Jan. 19, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Year-round multi-scale habitat selection by Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) in lowland mixed forests (northern Italy) DOI Creative Commons
Alessandro Berlusconi, Alessio Martinoli, Lucas A. Wauters

et al.

Avian Research, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13, P. 100058 - 100058

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

Determining how animals respond to resource availability across spatial and temporal extents is crucial understand ecological processes underpinning habitat selection. Here, we used a multi-scale approach study the year-round selection of Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus) in semi-natural lowland woodland northern Italy, analysing different features at each scale. We performed censuses three scales. At macrohabitat scale, geolocalized observations individuals compute Manly's index, based on detailed land-use map area. microhabitat trees were compared between presence absence locations. foraging individual birds their specific position recorded using focal animal sampling. Censuses during both breeding (March May) wintering (December January) seasons. Tits significantly selected pure mixed pine forests avoided woods alien plant species, farmlands urban areas. old with dense cover selected, no significant difference tree two phenological phases. species was observed spending more time canopies than understorey, mostly portion Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris) closer trunk winter, while period, whole canopy visited. Overall, habitats largely overlapped Tit. Based our findings, can be well defined as true specialists: they are strictly related some coniferous features. Noteworthily, other tit which normally show generalist habits behaves specialist also out season. Our stressed importance considering (both phenological) birds.

Language: Английский

Citations

2