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Cukor J, Riegert J, Krivopalova A, Vacek Z, Šálek M. The low survival rate of European hare leverets in arable farmland: evidence from the predation experiment. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17235. [PMID: 38708337 PMCID: PMC11067912 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The low survival rate of leverets may significantly contribute to steep population declines and slow recovery of European hares (Lepus europaeus). However, the leveret survival rate in farmlands with different landscape structures is poorly understood, and the existing evidence comes mainly from Western Europe. In this study, we explored the survival of leveret hare dummies along linear semi-natural habitats in homogeneous Central European arable farmland during the main part of the European hare reproduction period (March-April) in 2019 and 2020. The survival rate of hare leverets during the 14-day period was only 22.2%, and all predation events were recorded during the first six days of the experiment. Mammalian predators were responsible for 53.1% of predation events, avian predators for 40.8%, and agricultural operations for 6.1%. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was the dominant predator in our study area and was the primary cause of leveret dummy mortality (32.7%), but it also had the highest use-intensity and visit frequency of all of the study plots. Predation by avian predators was associated with patches of lower vegetation height and cover (such as plowed fields) and during daylight hours, whereas the opposite was true for mammalian predators. We propose that improving the habitat quality of arable landscapes by increasing the proportion and quality of extensively used non-farmed habitats (e.g., set-asides, wildflower areas, extensive meadows, fallow land, and semi-natural habitats on arable land) providing cover and shelter for leverets could be an effective management measure for reducing predation risk on leverets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Cukor
- Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Riegert
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Aleksandra Krivopalova
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zdeněk Vacek
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Šálek
- Forestry and Game Management Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Brno, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
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Löffler F, Brüggeshemke J, Freienstein FM, Kämpfer S, Fartmann T. Urban rooftops near sports pitches provide a safe haven for a declining shorebird. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9248. [PMID: 38649736 PMCID: PMC11035604 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59693-1] [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: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Urbanisation has contributed to a severe decline in biodiversity worldwide. However, urban ecosystems can also play an important role in the conservation of threatened species, including ground-nesting birds such as the Eurasian Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus). While the coastal populations of this shorebird have declined sharply, there is growing evidence that pairs nesting on urban flat roofs have high reproductive success. However, the reasons for rooftop nesting and the species' habitat use in urban areas remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the territory selection and foraging behaviour of the Eurasian Oystercatcher in the city of Münster (NW Germany). All nesting sites were located on flat roofs (N = 24), most of which were covered with gravel. Overall, reproductive success was high. This was mainly because the roofs provided protection from mammalian predators, leading to increased nest and chick survival. Moreover, breeding performance in the study area was favoured by the proximity of sports pitches. According to our observations, they provided a large amount of easily accessible prey throughout the breeding season. Overall, our study highlights that the reproductive success of the Eurasian Oystercatcher in urban environments is highly dependent on both safe nesting sites on flat roofs and the availability of suitable foraging habitats. Although our study suggests that breeding in urban areas can be beneficial for the model organism, the species' strong territory fidelity makes it very sensitive to the rapid environmental changes occurring in cities. The value of urban ecosystems for bird conservation should therefore be better integrated into urban planning and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Löffler
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany.
| | - Jonas Brüggeshemke
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Felix Maximilian Freienstein
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Steffen Kämpfer
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Thomas Fartmann
- Department of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology, Osnabrück University, Barbarastraße 11, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
- Institute of Biodiversity and Landscape Ecology (IBL), An der Kleimannbrücke 98, 48157, Münster, Germany
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3
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Neyret M, Le Provost G, Boesing AL, Schneider FD, Baulechner D, Bergmann J, de Vries FT, Fiore-Donno AM, Geisen S, Goldmann K, Merges A, Saifutdinov RA, Simons NK, Tobias JA, Zaitsev AS, Gossner MM, Jung K, Kandeler E, Krauss J, Penone C, Schloter M, Schulz S, Staab M, Wolters V, Apostolakis A, Birkhofer K, Boch S, Boeddinghaus RS, Bolliger R, Bonkowski M, Buscot F, Dumack K, Fischer M, Gan HY, Heinze J, Hölzel N, John K, Klaus VH, Kleinebecker T, Marhan S, Müller J, Renner SC, Rillig MC, Schenk NV, Schöning I, Schrumpf M, Seibold S, Socher SA, Solly EF, Teuscher M, van Kleunen M, Wubet T, Manning P. A slow-fast trait continuum at the whole community level in relation to land-use intensification. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1251. [PMID: 38341437 PMCID: PMC10858939 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45113-5] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Organismal functional strategies form a continuum from slow- to fast-growing organisms, in response to common drivers such as resource availability and disturbance. However, whether there is synchronisation of these strategies at the entire community level is unclear. Here, we combine trait data for >2800 above- and belowground taxa from 14 trophic guilds spanning a disturbance and resource availability gradient in German grasslands. The results indicate that most guilds consistently respond to these drivers through both direct and trophically mediated effects, resulting in a 'slow-fast' axis at the level of the entire community. Using 15 indicators of carbon and nutrient fluxes, biomass production and decomposition, we also show that fast trait communities are associated with faster rates of ecosystem functioning. These findings demonstrate that 'slow' and 'fast' strategies can be manifested at the level of whole communities, opening new avenues of ecosystem-level functional classification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot Neyret
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Laboratoire d'Écologie Alpine, Université Grenoble Alpes - CNRS - Université Savoie Mont Blanc, Grenoble, France.
| | | | | | - Florian D Schneider
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Germany
- ISOE - Institute for social-ecological research, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Dennis Baulechner
- Justus Liebig University, Department of Animal Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Joana Bergmann
- Leibniz Center for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Müncheberg, Germany
| | - Franciska T de Vries
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Stefan Geisen
- Laboratory of Nematology, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kezia Goldmann
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Soil Ecology Department, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Anna Merges
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Ruslan A Saifutdinov
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nadja K Simons
- Ecological Networks, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
- Applied Biodiversity Sciences, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Joseph A Tobias
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Ascot, UK
| | - Andrey S Zaitsev
- Justus Liebig University, Department of Animal Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Senckenberg Museum for Natural History Görlitz, Görlitz, Germany
| | - Martin M Gossner
- Forest Entomology, Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, Institute of Terrestrial Ecosystems, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kirsten Jung
- Institut of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ellen Kandeler
- Department of Soil Biology, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jochen Krauss
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Caterina Penone
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Schloter
- Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Oberschleissheim, Germany
- Chair of Environmental Microbiology, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schulz
- Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, Research Unit for Comparative Microbiome Analysis, Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Michael Staab
- Ecological Networks, Technical University Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Volkmar Wolters
- Justus Liebig University, Department of Animal Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Antonios Apostolakis
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
- Department of Crop Sciences, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Klaus Birkhofer
- Department of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany
| | - Steffen Boch
- Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Runa S Boeddinghaus
- Department of Soil Biology, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department Plant Production and Production Related Environmental Protection, Center for Agricultural Technology Augustenberg (LTZ), Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Ralph Bolliger
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Bonkowski
- Terrestrial Ecology, Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - François Buscot
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Soil Ecology Department, Halle/Saale, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle - Jena-, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kenneth Dumack
- Terrestrial Ecology, Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany
| | - Markus Fischer
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Huei Ying Gan
- Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironments Tübingen (SHEP), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Heinze
- Department of Biodiversity, Heinz Sielmann Foundation, Wustermark, Germany
| | - Norbert Hölzel
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Katharina John
- Justus Liebig University, Department of Animal Ecology, Giessen, Germany
| | - Valentin H Klaus
- Institute of Agricultural Sciences, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Forage Production and Grassland Systems, Agroscope, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Till Kleinebecker
- Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management (ILR), Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (iFZ), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sven Marhan
- Department of Soil Biology, Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Jörg Müller
- Department of Nature Conservation, Heinz Sielmann Foundation, Wustermark, Germany
| | - Swen C Renner
- Ornithology, Natural History Museum Vienna, Vienna, Autria, Germany
| | | | - Noëlle V Schenk
- Institute of Plant Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ingo Schöning
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Marion Schrumpf
- Department of Biogeochemical Processes, Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany
| | - Sebastian Seibold
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Life Sciences, Freising, Germany
- TUD Dresden University of Technology, Forest Zoology, Tharandt, Germany
| | - Stephanie A Socher
- Paris Lodron University Salzburg, Department Environment and Biodiversity, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Emily F Solly
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Computation Hydrosystems Department, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Miriam Teuscher
- University of Göttingen, Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mark van Kleunen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Plant Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation, Taizhou University, Taizhou, China
- Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Tesfaye Wubet
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle - Jena-, Leipzig, Germany
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Community Ecology Department, Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Peter Manning
- Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
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Jarčuška B, Gálffyová M, Schnürmacher R, Baláž M, Mišík M, Repel M, Fulín M, Kerestúr D, Lackovičová Z, Mojžiš M, Zámečník M, Kaňuch P, Krištín A. Solar parks can enhance bird diversity in agricultural landscape. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 351:119902. [PMID: 38171122 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119902] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Solar photovoltaic power parks are a relatively new anthropogenic habitat that will become more widespread in the future. The greatest potential for solar photovoltaic power production is on arable land and grassland. Knowledge on the impacts of solar parks on biodiversity is scarce and spatially limited. We investigated the impact of ground-mounted solar parks on species richness, abundance, Shannon diversity and composition of bird communities in Slovakia (Central Europe), taking into account pre-construction land cover, elevation and landscape context. We recorded breeding, foraging or perching birds on 32 solar park plots and 32 adjacent control plots (two hectares each) during single breeding season. We found that solar parks supported higher total bird species richness and diversity, and richness and abundance of invertebrate-eaters, and that the abundance of ground-foragers was higher in solar parks developed on grassland than in grassland control plots. Ordination analysis showed that solar parks had a different composition of bird communities and thus increased overall species diversity and beta diversity in the agricultural landscapes studied. Plot type and landscape context accounted for most of the variation in bird community composition. Black redstart, European stonechat, white wagtail and Eurasian tree sparrow were identified as indicator species for solar parks. The observed pattern could be due to the higher structural diversity of solar parks. The solar parks studied were designed and managed exclusively for electricity production. It can therefore be assumed that solar parks designed and managed in synergy with a stronger focus on wildlife would have an even greater positive impact on bird diversity in an agricultural landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamín Jarčuška
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 01, Zvolen, Slovakia.
| | - Monika Gálffyová
- Gemer-Malohont Museum, Nám. M. Tompu 14/5, 979 01, Rimavská Sobota, Slovakia
| | - Richard Schnürmacher
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerp, Belgium; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava, 842 15, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Baláž
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Education, Catholic University in Ružomberok, Hrabovská Cesta 1, 034 01, Ružomberok, Slovakia
| | | | - Matej Repel
- Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife Slovakia, Námestie Osloboditeľov 1, 071 01, Michalovce, Slovakia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Peter Kaňuch
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 01, Zvolen, Slovakia
| | - Anton Krištín
- Institute of Forest Ecology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Ľ. Štúra 2, 960 01, Zvolen, Slovakia
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Young AC, Katzner TE, Shinneman DJ, Johnson TN. Implications of tree expansion in shrubland ecosystems for two generalist avian predators. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286478. [PMID: 37267264 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Shrublands globally have undergone structural changes due to plant invasions, including the expansion of native trees. Removal of native conifer trees, especially juniper (Juniperus spp.), is occurring across the Great Basin of the western U.S. to support declining sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) habitats and associated wildlife species, such as greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus). One justification for conifer removal is that it may improve survival of sagebrush-associated wildlife by reducing the abundance of avian predators. However, the relationship between conifer expansion and predator distributions has not been explicitly evaluated. Further, although structural characteristics of habitat are important for generalist predators, overall prey abundance may also affect habitat use by predators. We examined habitat use of common ravens (Corvus corax) and red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis), two generalist predators whose populations are increasing in western North America, to variation in structural characteristics and prey distributions in sagebrush habitat that has experienced conifer expansion. Structural characteristics of habitat were important predictors of habitat use for both ravens and red-tailed hawks, whereas measures of prey abundance were unimportant for both species likely because generalist predators can use a wide variety of food resources. Ravens, but not red-tailed hawks, responded positively to increasing cover of juniper and the probability of habitat use was highest (> 0.95) where juniper cover within 100 m was > 20%. Habitat use by red-tailed hawks, but not ravens, was greater near cliffs but was not associated with juniper cover. Our study suggests that the removal of conifer in similar environments may lower the probability of habitat use for ravens, a common predator with significant impacts on many prey species. Therefore, we suggest conifer removal may improve sage-grouse reproductive success and survival depending on responses to conifer removal from other predators. Our results may be reflective of similar changes in rangeland ecosystems around the world undergoing expansion of conifer and other woody vegetation. Though species identities differ from sagebrush habitats, generalist avian predators in other habitats may have similar relationships with structural resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Young
- Department of Fish & Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, United States of America
| | - T E Katzner
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID, United States of America
| | - D J Shinneman
- U.S. Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, ID, United States of America
| | - T N Johnson
- Department of Fish & Wildlife Sciences, University of Idaho, Boise, Idaho, United States of America
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Storch D, Koleček J, Keil P, Vermouzek Z, Voříšek P, Reif J. Decomposing trends in bird populations: Climate, life histories and habitat affect different aspects of population change. DIVERS DISTRIB 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David Storch
- Center for Theoretical Study Charles University and the Czech Academy of Sciences Prague Czech Republic
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - Jaroslav Koleček
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology Czech Academy of Sciences Brno Czech Republic
| | - Petr Keil
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Praha Czech Republic
| | | | - Petr Voříšek
- Czech Society for Ornithology Praha Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Reif
- Institute for Environmental Studies, Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science Palacký University in Olomouc Olomouc Czech Republic
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Douglas DJ, Tománková I, Gullett P, Dodd SG, Brown D, Clift M, Russell N, Warnock N, Smart J, Sanders S. Varying response of breeding waders to experimental manipulation of their habitat and predators. J Nat Conserv 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2023.126353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
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Delcourt J, Hambuckers A, Vangeluwe D, Poncin P. Fifty years of spring censuses in black grouse ( Lyrurus tetrix) in the High Fens (Belgium): did the rabies vaccination has a negative impact on a fox prey population? EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2023; 69:24. [PMID: 36789286 PMCID: PMC9911939 DOI: 10.1007/s10344-023-01642-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Since 2017, a reinforcement programme was developed to save the last, endangered, Belgian population of black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix), in the High Fens Natural Park. To improve the success of this programme, an analysis of past data of this population was undertaken to understand the causes of its past decline. A time series analysis was applied, using annual spring male census data recorded between 1967 and 2016. In the period 1967-1993, there was a fluctuation around an equilibrium of a population of ca. 40-45 males. The peak of 85 males observed in 1971 was probably due to a succession of several favourable years in terms of environmental conditions, albeit without an exceptional annual growth rate. It seems that fox density, by using the occurrence of rabies as a proxy, has an impact on the black grouse population. After 1993, the population dynamic changed drastically, decreasing continuously until finally reaching quasi-extinction. On average, the population lost 15.4% of its size each year. Climate models, applied in previous studies to explain these population trends in the High Fens, failed to describe this major modification in this population's dynamic and its recent decline. We suggest that this negative effect was mainly induced by a significant increase in predation by red fox (Vulpes vulpes), whose abundance has increased considerably since the 1990s, in particular, as a consequence of the eradication of fox rabies. We also discuss alternative hypotheses, such as the impact of other predator species, modification of the natural environment and climatic modifications. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10344-023-01642-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Delcourt
- High Fens Scientific Station (Station Scientifique des Hautes Fagnes), University of Liège, Route de Botrange 137, B-4950 Robertville, Waimes, Belgium ,Behavioural Biology Unit (Prof. P. Poncin), Zoological Institute, University of Liège, Quai Edouard van Beneden 22, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
| | - Alain Hambuckers
- Behavioural Biology Unit (Prof. P. Poncin), Zoological Institute, University of Liège, Quai Edouard van Beneden 22, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
| | - Didier Vangeluwe
- Belgian Ringing Scheme BeBirds, RBINS (IRSNB), Rue Vautier 29, B-1000 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pascal Poncin
- High Fens Scientific Station (Station Scientifique des Hautes Fagnes), University of Liège, Route de Botrange 137, B-4950 Robertville, Waimes, Belgium ,Behavioural Biology Unit (Prof. P. Poncin), Zoological Institute, University of Liège, Quai Edouard van Beneden 22, B-4020 Liège, Belgium
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9
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Calladine J, Border J, O'Connell P, Wilson M. Modelling important areas for breeding waders as a tool to target conservation and minimise conflicts with land use change. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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10
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Jain V, Bugnyar T, Cunningham SJ, Gallego-Abenza M, Loretto MC, Sumasgutner P. The spatial and temporal exploitation of anthropogenic food sources by common ravens (Corvus corax) in the Alps. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2022; 10:35. [PMID: 36008849 PMCID: PMC9414151 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-022-00335-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anthropogenic food sources (AFSs) are widespread in human-transformed landscapes and the current scale at which they occur drives ecological change at the individual, population, and community levels. AFSs are exploited extensively by common ravens, Corvus corax. Understanding how raven populations use AFSs can provide insight into their ecological responses to AFSs. METHODS We equipped 81 ravens in the Austrian Alps with GPS-transmitters over a period of 2.75 years. Using these tracking data, we investigated how cohort differences (i.e., age, sex, and origin) and seasonal changes influence raven movement patterns (i.e., occurrence distribution and maximum daily displacement) and AFS-use (i.e., number of AFSs visited and probability of being present at any AFS) at 45 extensively exploited sites. RESULTS We found that proxies for experience and dominance, inferred by age (i.e., juvenile versus adult) and origin (i.e., wild-caught versus captive-bred-released) cohorts, influenced movement patterns and the number of AFSs visited. However, all individuals were equally likely to be present at AFSs, highlighting the importance of AFSs for non-breeders in the study population. Seasonal changes in environmental conditions that affect energetic demands, the availability of natural and anthropogenic food, and foraging competition, influenced individuals' occurrence distributions and AFS-use. We found that under harsher conditions in autumn and winter, individuals ranged wider and depended on AFSs to a larger degree. However, contrary to expectation, they were less likely to be present at AFSs in these seasons compared to spring and summer, suggesting a trade-off between time spent moving and exploiting resources. We attribute the small ranging movements exhibited by non-breeders in spring and summer to the presence of highly territorial and socially dominant breeders. As breeders mostly stay and forage within their territories during these seasons, competition at AFSs decrease, thereby increasing the likelihood of individuals being present at any AFS. CONCLUSIONS We emphasize that movement and AFS-use differ according to cohort differences and the seasonality of the environment. Our results highlight that predictable AFSs affect foraging strategies among non-breeding ravens. The extent of AFS-exploitation among non-breeding ravens in our study emphasize the potential of AFSs in shaping raven movement and resource-use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varalika Jain
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence, Private Bax X3, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa.
- Core Facility for Behaviour and Cognition, Konrad Lorenz Research Centre, University of Vienna, Fischerau 13, 4645, Grünau im Almtal, Austria.
| | - Thomas Bugnyar
- Core Facility for Behaviour and Cognition, Konrad Lorenz Research Centre, University of Vienna, Fischerau 13, 4645, Grünau im Almtal, Austria
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Djerasi Platz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susan J Cunningham
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence, Private Bax X3, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
| | - Mario Gallego-Abenza
- Core Facility for Behaviour and Cognition, Konrad Lorenz Research Centre, University of Vienna, Fischerau 13, 4645, Grünau im Almtal, Austria
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Djerasi Platz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Matthias-Claudio Loretto
- Ecosystem Dynamics and Forest Management Group, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354, Freising, Germany
- Berchtesgaden National Park, Doktorberg 6, 83471, Berchtesgaden, Germany
| | - Petra Sumasgutner
- Core Facility for Behaviour and Cognition, Konrad Lorenz Research Centre, University of Vienna, Fischerau 13, 4645, Grünau im Almtal, Austria
- Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Biology, University of Vienna, Djerasi Platz 1, 1030, Vienna, Austria
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11
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Selonen V, Brommer JE, Holopainen S, Kauhala K, Krüger H, Poutanen J, Väänänen VM, Laaksonen T. Invasive species control with apex predators: increasing presence of wolves is associated with reduced occurrence of the alien raccoon dog. Biol Invasions 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-022-02850-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe role of an alien predator in the community depends on its interaction with native predators. The absence of apex predators may facilitate outbreaks of invasive mesopredators, but the effect of apex predators may vary between species and environments. We analysed the occurrence of a common invasive mesopredator in Europe, the raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), and native mesopredators, the red fox and the Eurasian badger, in camera-trap data from Finland. The observations in cameras were analysed in relation to the presence of apex predators in the landscape (grey wolf and Eurasian lynx), human density, and habitat. We observed negative effect of increasing presence of wolves and lynxes on the occurrence of raccoon dogs. This effect appeared clear compared to the effects of habitat and human density. The effect of lynxes on raccoon dogs was clearer in areas with short growth season. For the occurrence of badgers, the presence of wolves had a weak negative effect and the presence of lynxes had a positive effect. For the occurrence of red foxes, wolves had a positive effect when agricultural fields were sparse in the landscape and lynxes had no effect. We also observed that the invasive raccoon dog currently appears to be the most common mesopredator within the study area. We conclude that the effect of apex predators on mesopredators depends on the environment and, in our case, was more suppressive on the alien mesopredator than on the native mesopredators. Thus, apex predators can play an important role in controlling invasive mesopredators.
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Angelstam P, Manton M, Stjernquist I, Gunnarsson T, Ottvall R, Rosenberg M, Thorup O, Wedholm P, Elts J, Gruberts D. Barriers and bridges for sustaining functional habitat networks: A macroecological system analysis of wet grassland landscapes. Ecol Evol 2022; 12:e8801. [PMID: 35414903 PMCID: PMC8986984 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aims at supporting the maintenance of representative functional habitat networks as green infrastructure for biodiversity conservation through transdisciplinary macroecological analyses of wet grassland landscapes and their stewardship systems. We chose ten north European wet grassland case study landscapes from Iceland and the Netherlands in the west to Lithuania and Belarus in the east. We combine expert experiences for 20–30 years, comparative studies made 2011–2017, and longitudinal analyses spanning >70 years. Wader, or shorebird, (Charadrii) assemblages were chosen as a focal species group. We used evidence‐based knowledge and practical experience generated in three steps. (1) Experts from 8 wet grassland landscapes in northern Europe's west and east mapped factors linked to patterns and processes, and management and governance, in social‐ecological systems that affect states and trends of wet grasslands as green infrastructures for wader birds. (2) To understand wader conservation problems and their dynamic in wet grassland landscapes, and to identify key issues for successful conservation, we applied group modeling using causal loop diagram mapping. (3) Validation was made using the historic development in two additional wet grassland landscapes. Wader conservation was dependent on ten dynamically interacting ecological and social system factors as leverage points for management. Re‐wetting and grazing were common drivers for the ecological and social system, and long‐term economic support for securing farmers’ interest in wader bird conservation. Financial public incentives at higher levels of governance of wetland management are needed to stimulate private income loops. Systems analysis based on contrasting landscape case studies in space and over time can support (1) understanding of complex interactions in social‐ecological systems, (2) collaborative learning in individual wet grassland landscapes, and (3) formulation of priorities for conservation, management, and restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Per Angelstam
- School for Forest Management Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Skinnskatteberg Sweden
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences Koppang Norway
| | - Michael Manton
- Faculty of Forest Science and Ecology Vytautas Magnus University Akademija Lithuania
| | - Ingrid Stjernquist
- Environmental and Resource Dynamics Group Department of Physical Geography Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jaanus Elts
- Birdlife Estonia Tartu Estonia
- Department of Zoology Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - Davis Gruberts
- Department of Chemistry and Geography University of Daugavpils Daugavpils Latvia
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13
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Kaasiku T, Rannap R, Männil P. Predation‐mediated edge effects reduce survival of wader nests at a wet grassland‐forest edge. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. Kaasiku
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - R. Rannap
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences University of Tartu Tartu Estonia
| | - P. Männil
- Nature Department Estonian Environmental Agency Tallinn Estonia
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Sheridan K, Ní Dhubháin Á, O'Donoghue B, Donaghy A, Colhoun K, Young JC, McMahon BJ. Values and perceptions of landowners within the few remaining breeding territories of Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata in Ireland. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2022.126141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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15
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Mason LR, Green RE, Hirons GJ, Skinner AM, Peault SC, Upcott EV, Wells E, Wilding DJ, Smart J. Experimental diversionary feeding of red kites Milvus milvus reduces chick predation and enhances breeding productivity of northern lapwings Vanellus vanellus. J Nat Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Godin S, Reitz F, Bacon L, Bro E. Recent changes in the reproductive success of farmland birds: conservation and management implications. The declining grey partridge Perdix perdix as a case study. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Godin
- S. Godin, F. Reitz and E. Bro, Research Dept, French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), Auffargis, France
| | - François Reitz
- S. Godin, F. Reitz and E. Bro, Research Dept, French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), Auffargis, France
| | - Léo Bacon
- L. Bacon, Research Dept, French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), Juvignac, France
| | - Elisabeth Bro
- S. Godin, F. Reitz and E. Bro, Research Dept, French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), Auffargis, France
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18
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Conflicts between agriculture and biodiversity conservation in Europe: Looking to the future by learning from the past. ADV ECOL RES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2021.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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