African savanna raptors show evidence of widespread population collapse and a growing dependence on protected areas

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 8(1), P. 45 - 56

Published: Jan. 4, 2024

Abstract The conversion of natural habitats to farmland is a major cause biodiversity loss and poses the greatest extinction risk birds worldwide. Tropical raptors are particular concern, being relatively slow-breeding apex predators scavengers, whose disappearance can trigger extensive cascading effects. Many Africa’s at considerable from habitat conversion, prey-base depletion persecution, driven principally by human population expansion. Here we describe multiregional trends among 42 African raptor species, 88% which have declined over ca. 20–40-yr period, with 69% exceeding International Union for Conservation Nature criteria classifying species extinction. Large had experienced significantly steeper declines than smaller this disparity was more pronounced on unprotected land. Declines were greater in West Africa elsewhere, twice as severe outside protected areas (PAs) within. Worryingly, suffering steepest become dependent PAs, demonstrating importance expanding conservation cover 30% land 2030—a key target agreed UN Convention Biological Diversity COP15. Our findings also highlight significance recent African-led proposal strengthen PA management—initiatives considered fundamental safeguarding global biodiversity, ecosystem functioning climate resilience.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionarily distinct lineages of a migratory bird of prey show divergent responses to climate change

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

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Predicting the distribution and abundance of bustards, storks, and harriers in Kenya using citizen science data

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: April 14, 2025

Citizen science has the potential to advance scientific knowledge by producing large datasets from diverse landscapes. The Kenya Bird Map (KBM) collected a data set on Kenyan birds, yet it is largely untapped for research. This study utilized KBM records (hereafter data) address specific questions regarding distribution and abundance of grassland specialist birds (bustards) opportunist species (storks harriers) within Laikipia County, Nairobi National Park Masai Mara, Kenya. Our objectives were predict these bird species’ spatial using identify key landscape elements influencing their occurrence. extracted portal 2013 - 2023, only full protocol card records. Data bustards, harriers, harrier-hawks, storks filtered, focusing pentads with over four submissions. We applied Sentinel-2B median imagery December accessible through Google Earth Engine, alongside geographic information systems remote sensing techniques classify characterize land cover types as explanatory variables. A linear mixed-effect model was used birds’ response. regression result showed that bustards responded positively patch density but negatively shrubland woodland. Storks positive responses woodland, while harriers negative had highest number records, least. Mara 16 reported across three regions, For first time, our recognized importance ongoing efforts incorporate complementary ecological deepen understanding communities environmental changes. findings suggest substantial identifying monitoring temporal

Language: Английский

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The role of citizen science mobile apps in facilitating a contemporary digital agora

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Nov. 23, 2023

Abstract The advancements in digital technologies, especially for mobile apps, enabled simplified data collection methods. Consequently, through Citizen Science, numerous opportunities arose citizens to become contributors and not just beneficiaries of scientific research. Furthermore, such engagement, can participate decision-making processes at different spatial scales, getting closer the civic aspiration a agora. This paper offers systematic review 303 studies on initiatives outline potential apps Science. Based distinctly their specificities needs they address, three content categories were highlighted: a) monitoring tools, b) validation techniques methods improve technologies c) participatory approaches employing apps. also showed susceptibility several domains activity towards as biodiversity reconnecting people with nature, environmental risk or improving well-being. findings highlight future research addressing topics new increase Science performance its contributions Open well diversification enhancement citizen scientists’ contributions.

Language: Английский

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Woody plant encroachment drives population declines in 20% of common open ecosystem bird species

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 30(6)

Published: June 1, 2024

Abstract Grassy ecosystems cover more than 40% of the world's terrestrial surface, supporting crucial ecosystem services and unique biodiversity. These have experienced major losses from conversion to agriculture with remaining fragments threatened by global change. Woody plant encroachment, increase in woody threatening grassy ecosystems, is a change symptom, shifting composition, structure, function communities concomitant effects on all To identify generalisable impacts encroachment biodiversity, we urgently need broad‐scale studies how species respond Here, make use bird atlas, data (between 2007 2016) traits, assess: (1) population trends responses using dynamic occupancy models; (2) outcomes relate habitat, diet nesting traits; (3) predictions future trends, for 191 abundant, southern African species. We found that: 63% (121) showed decline occupancy, 18% (34) species' declines correlated increasing (i.e. losers). Only 2% (4) linked increased winners); Open habitat specialist, invertivorous, ground birds were most frequent losers, however, no definitive evidence that selected traits could predict outcomes; open loser will take average 52 years experience 50% current rates encroachment. Our results bring attention concerning region‐wide declining highlight as an important driver dynamics. Importantly, these findings should encourage improved management restoration our ecosystems. Furthermore, show importance lands beyond protected areas urgent mitigate

Language: Английский

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Conservation Status of Avian and Fauna in the Hadejia Wetlands National Park: A Ramsar Site Assessment

Scientific African, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. e02742 - e02742

Published: May 1, 2025

Language: Английский

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A conservation assessment of birds in the Karoo region of South Africa: densities, populations, ranges, and trend estimates

Ostrich, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 95(2), P. 129 - 139

Published: May 6, 2024

AbstractThe Karoo region of South Africa, which includes the Succulent and Nama biomes, supports a unique avian fauna, with ten bird species occurring exclusively in this arid-zone many others exhibiting strong preference for habitat. To better determine conservation status these birds, we conducted point counts to estimate population densities African 2017 2018. We also used data Bird Atlas Projects (SABAP2) species' ranges trends. Although are naturally low most species, their very large, reporting-rate trends appear stable species. Our analysis reveals that none currently serious concern. However, Red Lark Calendulauda burra Sclater's Spizocorys sclateri should be considered regionally Near Threatened as they habitat specialists inferred declining populations not protected within any designated areas. Given rapid transformation landscapes linked mining alternative energy developments underway Karoo, combined poor representation areas, it is imperative special attention paid endemic appropriate mitigation measures taken by developers.Évaluation de la des oiseaux région du en Afrique Sud: estimatives densités, abondances, et aires repartitionLe qui comprend les biomes abrite une avifaune unique, avec dix espèces présentes exclusivement dans cette zone aride nombreuses autres nette préférence pour cet Afin mieux déterminer le statut ces oiseaux, nous avons mené comptages par points d'écoute estimer densités sud-africain au cours l'année 2017–2018. Nous également utilisé projet l'Atlas Oiseaux d'Afrique Sud répartition tendances démographiques. Bien que soient naturellement faibles plupart espèces, leurs sont très vastes taux signalement semblent stables espèces. Notre analyse montre d'oiseaux n'ont pas statuts préoccupants. Cependant, l'Alouette ferrugineuse Sclater devraient être considérées, niveau régional, comme quasi-menacées car elles spécialistes, supposées déclin, ne actuellement protégées zones désignées. Compte tenu rapide paysages liée aux développements miniers d'énergies alternatives faible représentation protégées, il est impératif qu'une particulière soit accordée à endémiques mesures d'atténuation appropriées prises développeurs.Keywords: Alaudidaearid zonecitizen sciencedistance samplingendemic specieslarkspoint countsSABAP2

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Contrasting morphometric responses to increasing urbanisation in congeneric sparrow species

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: July 13, 2024

Increased urbanisation influences the morphometric traits of various species, often resulting in urban individuals being smaller than their non-urban counterparts. Urbanisation can affect fundamental eco-evolutionary patterns and impact species' ability to adapt occupy rapidly changing environments through morphological changes. We investigated responses two passerine non-native house sparrow (Passer domesticus) its native congener, Cape melanurus), along gradients spatial temporal South Africa over a 52-year period. The was significantly heavier, larger better condition with increasing infrastructure lower vegetation cover, while showed opposing trends these gradients. Temporally, sparrow's body mass increased consistently study period, suggesting changes morphology were concomitant time. This demonstrates distinct differences development. These may also underpin community-level caused by urbanisation, enhancing capabilities species thrive counterparts environments.

Language: Английский

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Contrasting relationships between socio-economic status and avian ecosystem service provision in a developing world city

Landscape and Urban Planning, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 240, P. 104900 - 104900

Published: Sept. 22, 2023

Urban biodiversity, and the ecosystem services it provides, are not equitably distributed across socio-economic gradients. Previous studies have highlighted disparities in alpha-diversity along gradients, but few translated those findings into differences ecological function, critically, service delivery by urban wildlife same gradient. This study tested whether turnover bird functional diversity, associated avian services, varied gradient of a large developing world city. We surveyed diversity 27 public access green spaces gradients city Johannesburg, South Africa. Bird traits, representing cultural, regulation supporting were assigned to species recorded during surveys. A fourth-corner analysis revealed that landscape compositional variables surrounding acted as filters species' suggesting provision development low-income landscapes supported more birds 'public interest' (a cultural service), contrast had fewer nectivores - pollination). Tree cover positive relationship with frugivorous abundance, space size negative granivorous abundance (both – seed dispersal). The contrasting relationships, particularly between status provision, suggest is important interrogate how affect biodiversity beyond commonly used metrics alpha-diversity. allows for nuanced perspectives environmental injustice cities relevant interventions can aid circumventing it.

Language: Английский

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The Virtual Museum: an African biodiversity database holding more than two million records

Biodiversity Observations, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13, P. 252 - 269

Published: Oct. 6, 2023

This paper describes the history of Virtual Museum, originally developed in 2005 for Southern African Reptile Conservation Assessment (SARCA), which was sponsored by South National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The Museum grew to have 17 sections and associated database, 2023, contained 2.2 million biodiversity records from Africa. We summarize major outputs this initiative, discuss potential future uses database.

Language: Английский

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