Rewilding European Landscapes

Springer eBooks, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 1, 2015

Language: Английский

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Supplementary feeding and endangered avian scavengers: benefits, caveats, and controversies

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 14(4), P. 191 - 199

Published: May 1, 2016

Large avian scavengers are among the most vulnerable vertebrates, and many of their populations have declined severely in recent decades. To help mitigate this marked reduction abundance, supplementary feeding stations ( SFS ; colloquially termed “vulture restaurants”) been created worldwide, often without consideration scientific evidence supporting suitability practice. effective important tools for conservation reintroduction scavengers. However, negative consequences can result from large aggregations individual birds, disrupting intraguild processes promoting density‐dependent decreases productivity. At community level, favor congregation predators (ie facultative scavengers), increasing predation risk on small‐ medium‐sized vertebrates vicinity . These might also affect natural selection even render maladapted to environments. We examine future scenarios relation ecosystem services, changes agro‐grazing economies land uses, ultimately rewilding landscapes where play a controversial role.

Language: Английский

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High juvenile mortality during migration in a declining population of a long‐distance migratory raptor

Ibis, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 157(3), P. 545 - 557

Published: March 11, 2015

Many populations of long‐distance migrants are declining and there is increasing evidence that declines may be caused by factors operating outside the breeding season. Among four vulture species in western Palaearctic, showing steepest population decline, Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus , a migrant wintering Africa. However, flyways areas only known for some populations, without knowledge where mortality occurs, effective conservation management not possible. We tracked 19 juvenile Vultures from on Balkan Peninsula between 2010 2014 to estimate survival identify important migratory routes this species. Mortality during first autumn migration was high (monthly probability 0.75) but exclusively associated with suboptimal navigation. All birds three central eastern attempted fly south over Mediterranean Sea, one 10 survived route, probably due stronger tailwind. eight using route via Turkey Middle East successfully completed their migration. Of 14 individual environmental variables examined explain why did or complete migration, natal origin bird most influential. speculate fewer experienced adults, an proportion forced migrate conspecific guidance, leading as consequence following sub‐optimal routes. Juvenile wintered across vast range Sahel Africa, had large movement ranges core use at intermediate elevations savannah, cropland desert. Two were shot several significant threats exist vultures continental scales. Given broad distribution threats, Africa will challenging require long‐term investment. recommend short term, more efficient could target narrow corridors southern East, congregation sites African areas.

Language: Английский

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Individual-Based Tracking Systems in Ornithology: Welcome to the Era of Big Data

Ardeola, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 63(1), P. 103 - 103

Published: April 25, 2016

Technological innovations have led to exciting fast-moving developments in science. Today, we are living a technology-driven era of biological discovery. Consequently, tracking technologies facilitated dramatic advances the fundamental understanding ecology and animal behaviour. Major technological improvements, such as development GPS dataloggers, geolocators other bio-logging technologies, provide volume data that were hitherto unconceivable. Hence can claim ornithology has entered big data. In this paper, which is particularly addressed undergraduate students starting researchers emerging field movement ecology, I summarise current state art individual-based methods for birds well most important challenges that, personal user, consider should address future. To end, first brief overview individual systems birds. then discuss with remote telemetry, including (i.e., tag miniaturisation, incorporation more sensors, better efficiency archiving processing), scientific new computational tools, investigation spatial temporal autocorrelation data, improvement environmental annotation processes, need novel behavioural segmentation algorithms, change from two three, even four, dimensions scale analysis, inclusion interactions). also highlight future prospects research set questions been answered by means telemetry or expected be Finally, some ethical aspects bird tracking, putting special emphases on getting out enhancing culture multidisciplinary collaboration among groups.

Language: Английский

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Individual repeatability in timing and spatial flexibility of migration routes of trans-Saharan migratory raptors

Current Zoology, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 60(5), P. 642 - 652

Published: Oct. 1, 2014

Abstract Satellite-tracking technology has allowed scientists to make a quantum leap in the field of migration ecology. Nowadays, basic description migratory routes many species birds been reported. However, investigation bird at individual level (i.e. repeatability and timing) still remains seldom explored. Here, we investigated repeated trips trans-Saharan endangered raptor, Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, tracked by GPS satellite telemetry. We compared between- within-individual variation timing order assess degree (or conversely, flexibility) migration. To this end, analysed dataset 48 (23 springs 25 autumns) recorded for six adult during 2007-2013. Our results showed consistent level, both spring autumn. Interestingly, there was high flexibility followed same different years, probably due variations meteorological conditions. Contrary expectations faster than autumn owing time-minimization strategy breeding, spent less time (13 ± 2 days, range = 9–18 d) (19 3 13–26 d), which can be explained differences environmental conditions en route. vultures clockwise loop through western Africa, following more easterly spring. Finally, our provide supporting evidence low phenotypic plasticity strong endogenous control migration) routes.

Language: Английский

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Large birds travel farther in homogeneous environments

Global Ecology and Biogeography, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 28(5), P. 576 - 587

Published: Jan. 11, 2019

Abstract Aim Animal movement is an important determinant of individual survival, population dynamics and ecosystem structure function. Nonetheless, it still unclear how local movements are related to resource availability the spatial arrangement resources. Using resident bird species migratory outside period, we examined distribution resources affects patterns both large terrestrial birds (e.g., raptors, bustards hornbills) waterbirds cranes, storks, ducks, geese flamingos). Location Global. Time period 2003–2015. Major taxa studied Birds. Methods We compiled GPS tracking data for 386 individuals across 36 species. calculated straight‐line distance between locations each at 1‐hr 10‐day time‐scales. For time‐scale, median 0.95 quantile displacement. used linear mixed‐effects models examine effect resources, measured as enhanced vegetation index homogeneity, on avian movements, while accounting mean availability, body mass, diet, flight type, status taxonomy autocorrelation. Results found a significant On average, were seven times longer in environments with homogeneously distributed compared areas low homogeneity. Contrary previous work, no or mass non‐migratory birds. Main conclusions suggest that homogeneous might reflect need different habitat types associated foraging reproduction. This highlights importance landscape complementarity, where patches within include range different, yet complementary As homogenization increases, force travel increasingly distances meet their diverse needs.

Language: Английский

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Action on multiple fronts, illegal poisoning and wind farm planning, is required to reverse the decline of the Egyptian vulture in southern Spain

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 187, P. 10 - 18

Published: April 21, 2015

Language: Английский

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Invasive carnivores alter ecological function and enhance complementarity in scavenger assemblages on ocean beaches

Ecology, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 96(10), P. 2715 - 2725

Published: April 15, 2015

Species composition is expected to alter ecological function in assemblages if species traits differ strongly. Such effects are often large and persistent for nonnative carnivores invading islands. Alternatively, high similarity within creates a degree of functional redundancy ecosystems. Here we tested whether turnover results equivalence or complementarity, invasive on islands significantly such function. The model system consisted vertebrate scavengers (dominated by raptors) foraging animal carcasses ocean beaches two Australian islands, one with without red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Partitioning scavenging events among species, carcass removal rates, detection speeds were quantified using camera traps baited fish at the dune-beach interface. Complete segregation temporal niches between mammals (nocturnal) birds (diurnal) reflects complementarity carrion utilization. Conversely, exists bird guild where several raptors dominate broadly similar way. As predicted, large. They substantially changed nature rate process system: (1) consumed over half (55%) all available night, compared negligible mammalian night fox-free island, (2) significant shifts scavenger consuming beach-cast consequence fox invasion island. Arguably, absence other apex predators, addition new dimension beach food webs. However, this added neither benign nor neutral, as marine subsidies coastal populations likely facilitate their persistence exotic carnivores.

Language: Английский

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A three-decade review of telemetry studies on vultures and condors

Movement Ecology, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 6(1)

Published: July 17, 2018

Telemetry-based movement research has become central for learning about the behavior, ecology and conservation of wide-ranging species. Particularly, early telemetry studies were conducted on vultures condors due to three main reasons: i) these birds capture curiosity humans, ii) their large body size allows researchers deploy units, iii) they are high concern. This resulted in a great number scientific articles that remain scattered throughout literature. To achieve more cohesive view we review all published up 2017. We first present descriptive summary technical design characteristics (e.g. target species, tagging location, individuals tagged) go discuss them under common conceptual framework; Movement Ecology Paradigm. The found (N = 97) mainly last decade based from 14 species (61% extant species) 24 countries. Foraging was most in-depth investigated phase (25 studies), with covering several using both phenomenological mechanistic approaches tackling role different drivers movement. In contrast, commuting natal dispersal phases only superficially (3 8 studies, respectively). Finally, dealing management also comprised portion reviewed (24 studies). Telemetry have revealed relevant details movements, highly accurate measurements flight energetics better understanding morphological, physiological context-dependent underlie decisions birds. However, detected information gaps. expect this helps focus efforts funds where is needed.

Language: Английский

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Evaluation of the network of protection areas for the feeding of scavengers in Spain: from biodiversity conservation to greenhouse gas emission savings

Journal of Applied Ecology, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 54(4), P. 1120 - 1129

Published: Nov. 7, 2016

Summary Protected areas are one of the most common strategies for wildlife conservation world‐wide. However, their effectiveness is rarely evaluated. In Europe, after outbreak bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a restrictive sanitary regulation ( EC 1774/2002) prohibited abandonment dead livestock in extensive farming (extensive livestock) field, which led to negative consequences scavengers. As an attempt mitigate this impact, new was approved 142/2011) allow farmers leave carcasses so‐called ‘Protection feeding necrophagous species European interest’ PAF s). Our general aims were quantify (i) proportion breeding distribution targeted scavenger overlapping s; (ii) carrion biomass available inside (iii) non‐targeted falling within (iv) overlap between home range vultures and s, as well extent move through different administrative units; (v) savings greenhouse gas GHG ) emissions relation pre‐ scenario. After assessing status implementation every region peninsular Spain, we analysed large‐scale spatial information availability distribution, movement data GPS ‐tracked vultures, annual associated with transport carcasses. Most regions established s territories, although design criteria variable. The better represented than that species. potentially scavengers 34·9% generated Spain. ‐marked vulture populations ranged 63·4% 100%. minimum convex polygon these other Spain encompassed 3–14 Spanish 1–4 countries. Post‐ there potential reduction c. 55·7% compared . Synthesis applications by means could mean important improvement noteworthy emissions: might increase 33 474 t yr −1 , 43 344 CO 2 eq. be saved annually. identified some gaps related endangered facultative Moreover, given highly mobile organisms, management should coordinated at both supra‐regional supra‐national scales.

Language: Английский

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