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Katzner TE, Pain DJ, McTee M, Brown L, Cuadros S, Pokras M, Slabe VA, Watson RT, Wiemeyer G, Bedrosian B, Hampton JO, Parish CN, Pay JM, Saito K, Schulz JH. Lead poisoning of raptors: state of the science and cross-discipline mitigation options for a global problem. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024; 99:1672-1699. [PMID: 38693847 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Lead poisoning is an important global conservation problem for many species of wildlife, especially raptors. Despite the increasing number of individual studies and regional reviews of lead poisoning of raptors, it has been over a decade since this information has been compiled into a comprehensive global review. Here, we summarize the state of knowledge of lead poisoning of raptors, we review developments in manufacturing of non-lead ammunition, the use of which can reduce the most pervasive source of lead these birds encounter, and we compile data on voluntary and regulatory mitigation options and their associated sociological context. We support our literature review with case studies of mitigation actions, largely provided by the conservation practitioners who study or manage these efforts. Our review illustrates the growing awareness and understanding of lead exposure of raptors, and it shows that the science underpinning this understanding has expanded considerably in recent years. We also show that the political and social appetite for managing lead ammunition appears to vary substantially across administrative regions, countries, and continents. Improved understanding of the drivers of this variation could support more effective mitigation of lead exposure of wildlife. This review also shows that mitigation strategies are likely to be most effective when they are outcome driven, consider behavioural theory, local cultures, and environmental conditions, effectively monitor participation, compliance, and levels of raptor exposure, and support both environmental and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd E Katzner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, 230 North Collins Road, Boise, ID, 83702, USA
| | - Deborah J Pain
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ, UK
- Zoology Department, University of Cambridge, Downing St, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Michael McTee
- MPG Ranch, 19400 Lower Woodchuck Road, Florence, MT, 59833, USA
| | - Leland Brown
- Oregon Zoo, North American Non-lead Partnership, 4001 SW Canyon Rd, Portland, OR, 97221, USA
| | - Sandra Cuadros
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, 410 Summer Valley Rd, Orwigsburg, PA, 17961, USA
- Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, 1177 Research Road, Kelowna, British Columbia, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Mark Pokras
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Rd, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA
| | - Vincent A Slabe
- Conservation Science Global, Bozeman, MT, USA
- The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID, 83709, USA
| | - Richard T Watson
- The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, ID, 83709, USA
| | - Guillermo Wiemeyer
- CONICET- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Calle 5 esq. 116 MO L6360, Gral. Pico, La Pampa, Argentina
| | | | - Jordan O Hampton
- Faculty of Science, University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, 6150, Australia
| | | | - James M Pay
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Churchill Ave, Hobart, Tasmania, 7005, Australia
| | - Keisuke Saito
- Institute for Raptor Biomedicine Japan 2-2101 Hokuto, Kushiro, Hokkaido, 084-0922, Japan
| | - John H Schulz
- School of Natural Resources, University of Missouri, 1111 Rollins St, Columbia, MO, 65203, USA
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Zhang T, Xu Y, Ran J. Quantitative evaluation of the global impacts of human land modification on raptors. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2024; 38:e14228. [PMID: 38441344 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Raptors are threatened by anthropogenic land modifications, but targeted quantitative assessment of these impacts is lacking. We conducted the first global quantitative evaluation of the impacts of human-modified land on raptors. We used eBird data from 2001 to 2020 on 425 raptor species and occupancy models to assess the impacts of human-modified land on raptor distribution. The mean spatiotemporal correlations of human settlement, cropland, and pasture with raptor occupancy probability were -0.048 (SE 0.031), -0.134 (0.032), and -0.145 (0.032), respectively. The mean sensitivity of raptor occupancy probability to settlement, cropland, and pasture was -5.760 (2.266), -3.128 (1.540), and -2.402 (1.551), respectively. The occupancy probability of raptors with a large body mass was more negatively correlated with cropland (phylogenetic generalized least squares regressions: slope = -0.052 [SE 0.022], t = -2.335, df = 1, 407, p = 0.020, λ = 0.006) and more positively correlated with pasture (slope = 0.047 [0.022], t = 2.118, df = 1, 407, p = 0.035, λ = 0.013). The occupancy probability of raptors with a more extensive range size was more positively correlated with cropland (slope = 0.002 [0.004], t = 0.399, df = 1, 407, p < 0.001, λ = 0.000). Raptors that prefer open habitats were more positively correlated with cropland (analysis of variance: F = 3.424, df = 2, p = 0.034, λ = 0.000) and pasture (F = 6.577, df = 2, p = 0.002, λ = 0.000). In Africa and South America, where raptor species are most abundant, raptor occupancy probability decreased over 20 years, most likely due to habitat fragmentation associated with human land modification. Although raptors with different ecological characteristics had different responses to human land modification, the impacts of settlement, cropland, and pasture on mean raptor occupancy probability were negative, regardless of space and time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taxing Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yu Xu
- School of Life Sciences, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang, China
| | - Jianghong Ran
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Conservation Biology on Endangered Wildlife, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Borges-Ramírez M, Escalona-Segura G, Huerta-Lwanga E, Iñigo-Elias E, Rendón-von Osten J. Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) feathers as bioindicators of exposure to metals and metalloids contamination in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas from Campeche state, Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 247:118241. [PMID: 38244967 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Landfills are sources of soil, water, and air pollution due to the release of toxic compounds such as metals and metalloids. In both tropical and temperate environments, scavenger birds such as the Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) that have learned to use these sites as a feeding area are probably exposed to metals, metalloids and other "persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances (PBTs)" released in open dumpsite (OD) and sanitary landfill (SL). The objective of this study is to evaluate the presence and distribution of toxic metals (Al, Sn, Hg, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr) and As in OD and SL from urban, semi-urban and rural localities in Campeche, México, using molting feathers of C. atratus as bioindicators. A total of 125 Black Vulture primary and secondary wing feathers were collected from OD and SL. Metals were determined by voltammetry through acid digestion. The highest levels of metals occurred in landfills in urban, semi-urban, and rural localities. The elements with the highest concentrations were Al, with an average of 35.67 ± 33.51 μg g-1 from rural environments, and As, with 16.20 ± 30.06 μg g-1 from the urban localities. Mercury was the only element that had a very homogeneous distribution between the three environments we studied. In general, Pb, Hg, Cu and Cd were the elements that presented the lowest concentrations with 0.32 ± 0.35, 0.16 ± 0.22, 0.14 ± 0.31 and 0.06 ± 0.10 μg g-1, respectively regardless of any particular location or environment. Black Vultures from dumpsites are good bioindicators of what humans consume in urban, semi-urban, and rural environments. However, the conservation of vultures is of great importance since these scavenger birds perform ecosystem services by feeding on decomposing organic material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merle Borges-Ramírez
- Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Avenida Rancho, Polígono 2-A, Ciudad Industrial Lerma, CP. 24500, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico; Instituto de Ecología, Pesquería y Oceanografía del Golfo de México (EPOMEX), Campus VI, Av. Héroes de Nacozari 480, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, 24070, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Griselda Escalona-Segura
- Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Avenida Rancho, Polígono 2-A, Ciudad Industrial Lerma, CP. 24500, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Esperanza Huerta-Lwanga
- Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Avenida Rancho, Polígono 2-A, Ciudad Industrial Lerma, CP. 24500, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico; Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Eduardo Iñigo-Elias
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, Cornell, University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA; 398 Ellis Hollow Creek Road, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Jaime Rendón-von Osten
- Instituto de Ecología, Pesquería y Oceanografía del Golfo de México (EPOMEX), Campus VI, Av. Héroes de Nacozari 480, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, 24070, Campeche, Mexico.
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Barton MG, Henderson I, Border JA, Siriwardena G. A review of the impacts of air pollution on terrestrial birds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162136. [PMID: 36775168 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution has a ubiquitous impact on ecosystem functioning through myriad processes, including the acidification and eutrophication of soil and water, deposition of heavy metals and direct (and indirect) effects on flora and fauna. Describing the impacts of air pollution on organisms in the field is difficult because levels of exposure do not occur in a uniform manner across space and time, and species responses tend to be nuanced and difficult to isolate from other environmental stressors. However, given its far-reaching effects on human and ecosystem health, the impacts of air pollution on species are expected to be substantial, and could be direct or indirect, acting via a range of mechanisms. Here, we expand on previous reviews, to evaluate the existing evidence for the impacts of air pollution on avian species in the field, and to identify knowledge gaps to guide future research. We identified 203 studies that have investigated the impacts of air pollution (including nitrogen and heavy metal deposition) on wild populations of birds, considering 231 species from ten feeding guilds. The majority of studies (82 %) document at least one species trait leading to an overall fitness value that is negatively correlated with pollution concentrations, including deleterious effects on reproductive output, molecular (DNA) damage and overall survival, and effects on foraging behaviour, plumage colouration and body size that may show adaptation. Despite this broad range of trait effects, biases in the literature towards certain species (Parus major and Ficeluda hypoleuca), geographical regions (Western Europe) and pollutants (heavy metal deposition), mean that many unknowns remain in our current understanding of the impacts of air pollution on avian species. We discuss these findings in context of future work, and propose research approaches that could help to provide a more holistic understanding of how avian species are impacted by air pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeleine G Barton
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, United Kingdom.
| | - Ian Henderson
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer A Border
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Siriwardena
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, United Kingdom
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García-Cegarra AM, Martínez-López E. Metal concentrations in feathers of red-legged cormorants (Phalacrocorax gaimardi) and sources of plastic in a nesting colony from northern Chile. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 190:114817. [PMID: 36931167 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mining industry is increasing the concentrations of heavy metals in coastal ecosystems of northern Chile. The presence of plastic in the nests of red-legged cormorants could be acting as a vector of metal presence in their organism. Here we analyze the source of plastic in the nests of cormorants by characterizing the abundance and type of marine debris in beaches and sea surface and the concentrations of eight metals in their feathers. Plastic was present in overall sampled nests and floating and beach debris are not the main sources of plastic to the nests. Overall analyzed metals were present in the cormorants in the following order: Zn > Cu > Se > Pb > Cd > As > Hg > Cr and Se, Cd and Pb concentrations were above the toxic limit. Further studies should investigate the potential adverse effects that plastics and metals presence may cause in this nesting colony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M García-Cegarra
- Instituto de Ciencias Naturales Alexander von Humboldt, Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Recursos Biológicos, Universidad de Antofagasta, Chile; Centro de Investigación de Fauna Marina y Avistamiento de Cetáceos, CIFAMAC, Mejillones, Chile.
| | - Emma Martínez-López
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Toxicology and Risk Assessment Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
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Cunha WA, Freitas ÍN, Gomes LAS, Gonçalves SDO, Montalvão MF, Ahmed MAI, Gomes AR, Luz TMD, Araújo APDC, Malafaia G. From carrion-eaters to plastic material plunderers: Toxicological impacts of plastic ingestion on black vultures, Coragyps atratus (Cathartiformes: Cathartidae). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127753. [PMID: 34839977 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite plastic ingestion has already been reported in several bird species, its physiological impacts have been little inspected, especially in representatives of the Cathartidae family. Thus, in this study, we aimed to identify, characterize, and evaluate the effects arising from the ingestion of plastic materials by Coragyps atratus adults, that captured in landfill areas. Herein, a total of 51 individuals were captured, the frequency of plastic intake being higher than 40%. The plastic materials consisted mainly of low-density polyethylene and film-type polystyrene, as well as presenting irregular shapes and diameters between 10 and 30 mm. Biochemically, we observed in animals that contained plastics in the stomach ("plastic" group) high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) - especially in the intestine, muscle and brain - whose activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) was not sufficient to counteract the oxidative stress. Moreover, in the liver of these same animals, we observed high production of nitrite and nitrate, suggesting a hepatic nitrosative stress. Plus, we observed a cholinesterase effect in animals from the "plastic" group, marked by increased activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) (in the brain) and muscle and cerebral acetylcholinesterase (AChE). On the other hand, the biochemical changes perceived were not significantly correlated with the identified plastic material concentrations (2.808 ± 0.598 items/g of stomach content and 0.276 ± 0.070 items/g of stomach - fresh weight), body condition of the animals, size, and shape of the identified plastic materials. Hence, our study sheds the light on the toxicity of plastics deposited in landfills and their ingestion by C. atratus, which reinforces the hypothesis that these materials are harming the health of these birds and, consequently, the dynamics of their populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallace Alves Cunha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Conservação de Recursos Naturais do Cerrado, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí, Goiás, Brasil
| | | | - Lux Attiê Santos Gomes
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí, Goiás, Brasil
| | | | - Mateus Flores Montalvão
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | | | - Alex Rodrigues Gomes
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí, Goiás, Brasil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Agrárias, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Rio Verde, Goiás, Brasil
| | - Thiarlen Marinho da Luz
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí, Goiás, Brasil
| | - Amanda Pereira da Costa Araújo
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí, Goiás, Brasil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiás, Brasil
| | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Conservação de Recursos Naturais do Cerrado, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí, Goiás, Brasil; Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí, Goiás, Brasil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia e Biodiversidade, Instituto Federal Goiano and Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiás, Brasil.
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Richard FJ, Southern I, Gigauri M, Bellini G, Rojas O, Runde A. Warning on nine pollutants and their effects on avian communities. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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