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Moroń D, Beim M, Gudowska A, Angeoletto F, Celary W, Cwajna A, Indykiewicz P, Lenda M, Marjańska E, Menzel A, Skórka P, Tryjanowski P. Evaluating tramway infrastructure on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9394. [PMID: 38658624 PMCID: PMC11043073 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59460-2] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Tramways in urban areas for mass transit has been suggested to have a lower environmental footprint than roads. However, studies on the impact of tramways and the surrounding infrastructure on biodiversity is extremely rare despite the potential ecological effects associated with this anthropogenic feature. Surprisingly, we found fewer than 10 papers published on tramway-wildlife interactions, which is significantly lower (vs dozens of thousands) than that of other transportation methods. As tramways and stations may be managed sustainably by planting short vegetation on the track and roofs of tramway stations, they may be good examples of land-sharing policies in green urban planning, improving both biodiversity and people's well-being. The potential environmental benefits of green practices for commercially available tramways should be strictly tested and applied, especially in the context of the growing popularity of tramway systems worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid Moroń
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Michał Beim
- Institute of Land Improvement, Environmental Development and Spatial Planning, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Piątkowska 94, 60-649, Poznań, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Gudowska
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Kraków, Poland
| | - Fabio Angeoletto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gestão e Technologia Ambiental da UFR, Avenida dos Estudantes 5055, 78735-901, Rondonópolis, MT, Brazil
| | - Waldemar Celary
- Institute of Biology, The Jan Kochanowski University, Uniwersytecka 7, 25-406, Kielce, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Cwajna
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Indykiewicz
- Department of Biology and Animal Environment, Bydgoszcz University of Sciences and Technology, Mazowiecka 28, 85084, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Magdalena Lenda
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Emilia Marjańska
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Kraków, Poland
| | - Annette Menzel
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Ecoclimatology, Technical University of Munich, 85354, Freising, Germany
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute for Advanced Study, Technical University of Munich, 85748, Garching, Germany.
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland.
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2
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Falcão Rodrigues L, Mata Estacio C, Herranz Barrera J, Santamaría Figueroa AE, Malo Arrázola JE. High-speed railway infrastructure leads to species-specific changes and biotic homogenisation in surrounding bird community. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301899. [PMID: 38598495 PMCID: PMC11006141 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Linear infrastructure networks, including railways, are undergoing rapid development in order to connect distant urban areas. Particularly, High-Speed Railways are increasingly seen as a viable alternative to domestic flights in many countries. However, this development of linear infrastructures is known to affect the surrounding faunal communities due to the changes in the landscape and operation of said linear infrastructures. Both positive and negative effects of linear infrastructures on adjacent faunal communities have been reported. In this study, we determined the influence of the High-Speed Railway infrastructure on the bird community that surrounds it. Birds were surveyed by using both linear transect and direct counting methods, both in the area directly adjacent to the railway infrastructure and 500m away from it in a period of two years of surveys. A total of 16114 individuals belonging to 71 species were recorded. The presence of the High-Speed Railway caused species-specific changes in the bird communities that surround it, causing the attraction of some species and the rejection of others. Furthermore, we show that the presence of the infrastructure altered the natural species turnover as the landscape changes by attracting the same bird species regardless of changes in the landscape, and filtering out others. We propose that further work in mitigation and development plans should focus on species-specific measures to assess the risk bird communities are exposed to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lourenço Falcão Rodrigues
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Mata Estacio
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Herranz Barrera
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan Esteban Malo Arrázola
- Terrestrial Ecology Group, Department of Ecology, Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Cambio Global (CIBC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
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Dylewski Ł, Tobolka M, Maćkowiak Ł, Białas JT, Banaszak-Cibicka W. Unused railway lines for conservation of pollinators in the intensively managed agricultural landscape. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 304:114186. [PMID: 34864406 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114186] [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: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Pollinating insects are under high human pressure due to agricultural intensification and urbanization. Although many research and conservation projects have been applied worldwide, there is still a need for a comprehensive approach that meets local conditioning and capabilities. This paper investigated the composition, abundance, richness, alpha, beta, and gamma-diversity of pollinators between unused railway embankments and semi-natural grasslands. On 50 study sites (25 sites in unused railways and 25 their reference on grasslands), we collected data on the abundance, species richness and species diversity of bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. We conducted five samplings yearly (April-September) for two years, 2017-2018. To assess differences in abundance, species richness, alpha and beta diversity of pollinators between unused railways and controls, we used generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). To compare the composition of pollinator species, we applied non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Abundance, species richness, and Shannon-Wiener diversity index of all three groups of pollinators were significantly higher in unused railway lines than in control grasslands. Pollinator communities were more constant in unused railway lines than in grasslands. The NMDS analysis highlighted the importance of these structures for bee, butterfly and hoverfly communities, which were a subset of grassland species, but were more abundant. We indicated the highest total taxonomic beta-diversity for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies and species turnover for bees and butterflies in control grassland compared with unused railway lines. The taxonomical nestedness was significantly higher in unused railways lines for bees and butterflies than in control grasslands. In the case of hoverflies, we did not found any significant differences in species turnover and nestedness. Unused railway lines may act as a conservation tool for pollinator communities in intensively managed farmland and complement the declining semi-natural habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Dylewski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Marcin Tobolka
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland; Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraβe 1, 1160, Wien, Austria
| | | | - Joanna T Białas
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - Weronika Banaszak-Cibicka
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
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4
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Guil F, Pérez-García JM. Bird electrocution on power lines: Spatial gaps and identification of driving factors at global scales. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 301:113890. [PMID: 34624576 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Universal energy access is one of the targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and thus the deployment of electricity grids is expected to expand globally in the coming decades. However, the installation of power lines is not biodiversity-friendly. In particular, electrocution on power pylons is a major cause of bird mortality worldwide, including for some severely endangered species. Over the last decades, different studies have improved our understanding of the factors influencing the risk of electrocution in birds, but until now spatial gaps in our knowledge of these impacts and the factors driving global patterns of bird electrocution have not been assessed. In this study, we evaluated data from a total of 114 studies that provided information on bird mortality rates on power lines, and we analyzed the factors driving electrocution rates for all bird species, and then for all raptors and large eagles separately. Our results showed a high spatial distribution bias, as more than 80% of the studies were carried out in developed countries, mostly in Europe and North America. By contrast, no systematic studies have been found for Oceania and very few for South America and Africa. Europe showed the highest electrocution rates for birds, South America for raptor species and Africa for eagles. Socio-economic factors best-explained bird and raptor electrocution rates, while climate-related factors were the most influential for eagles. Contrary to our expectations, factors related to pylon design were the least influential on overall electrocution rates. Variables related to study design showed highly variable levels of influence. This could be due to the lack of standardized protocols. Although bird electrocution has been extensively studied, there are large areas where no studies have been carried out or for which data are inaccessible. This could be because in these areas the power distribution network is still sparse, or that most studies are not public or accessible to the international community. Researchers and managers should promote the publication of studies, as awareness is the first step to solving these problems. The factors identified could be applied globally to the design and planning of power grids and the identification of mortality hotspots. This would help mitigate the creation of new mortality hotspots, especially in developing countries where the installation of new power lines has been growing exponentially in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Guil
- Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification General Directorate, Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Plaza San Juan de la Cruz, S/N, 28071, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Manuel Pérez-García
- Ecology Area, Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental CIAGRO-UMH, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202, Elche, Spain.
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Hrouda J, Brlík V. Birds in power-line corridors: effects of vegetation mowing on avian diversity and abundance. JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.25225/jvb.21027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vojtěch Brlík
- Department of Ecology, Charles University, Praha, Czech Republic; e-mail:
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Pustkowiak S, Kwieciński Z, Lenda M, Żmihorski M, Rosin ZM, Tryjanowski P, Skórka P. Small things are important: the value of singular point elements for birds in agricultural landscapes. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 96:1386-1403. [PMID: 33694303 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Farmland birds belong to the most endangered group of vertebrates in Europe. They are an important component of farmland biodiversity considering the numerous functions they perform (e.g. seed dispersal, improving germination, increasing gene flow, nutrient recycling, and pest control). Therefore, their decline imposes substantial risks on agricultural ecosystems. In general, farmland bird conservation includes land-use and management alterations leading to less-intensive farming and land-sparing for breeding habitats (e.g. agri-environment-climate schemes, and organic farming). However, theoretical concepts describing farmland biodiversity maintenance and applied conservation measures usually ignore the role of singular, often very small, natural or man-made elements in an agricultural landscape. These elements play a role in the populations of certain species, their biology and in the general species richness of farmland. Furthermore, the importance of these elements has never been empirically tested, which means that conservationists and practitioners are not aware of their measurable value for birds. Herein, we define and identify singular point elements in the agricultural landscape (SPELs) which are potentially important for breeding farmland birds. We also describe each SPEL and evaluate its importance for birds in farmland based on a systematic review of the available literature. Using a horizon-scanning technique, we then polled field ornithologists about their personal observations of birds in relation to SPELs and the evaluation of the potential roles of such structures for birds. We identified 17 SPELs that vary in naturalness and age: singular trees, singular shrubs, erratic boulders, puddles, electricity pylons, wind turbines, spiritual sites, hunting platforms, fence and border posts, wells, road signs, scarecrows, piles of manure, piles of brushwood/branches, piles of stones/debris, piles of lime, and haystacks. Analysis of the literature revealed knowledge gaps, because some SPELs are frequently mentioned in ecological studies (e.g. trees, shrubs, pylons), but others such as spiritual sites, stones, hunting platforms, wells, road signs, or piles of lime are ignored. Despite the fact that some authors incorporate the effects of some SPELs in their studies, little research to date has aimed to assess the impact of various SPELs on farmland bird species numbers and distribution. Horizon scanning revealed that ornithologists often observe birds on various SPELs and thus, attribute to SPELs many functions that are important for maintaining bird populations. Horizon scanning also highlighted the importance of SPELs for many declining bird species and suggested possible mitigation of negative changes in the agricultural landscape by retaining SPELs within fields. We suggest that a better understanding of the role of SPELs for farmland birds is required. We also recommend that SPELs are considered as a potential tool for the conservation of birds, and existing conservation programs such as agri-environment-climate schemes and organic farming should be updated accordingly. Finally, we suggest that SPELs are included in predictive models that evaluate habitat suitability for farmland biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Pustkowiak
- Department of Biodiversity, Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Kwieciński
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-412, Szczecin, Poland.,Department of Avian Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Magdalena Lenda
- Department of Biodiversity, Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Michał Żmihorski
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Zuzanna M Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.,Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, Se 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland.,Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, 165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Department of Biodiversity, Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
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Transporting Biodiversity Using Transmission Power Lines as Stepping-Stones? DIVERSITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12110439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The most common ecological response to climate change is the shifts in species distribution ranges. Nevertheless, landscape fragmentation compromises the ability of limited dispersal species to move following these climate changes. Building connected environments that enable species to track climate changes is an ultimate goal for biodiversity conservation. Here, we conducted an experiment to determine if electric power transmission lines could be transformed in a continental network of biodiversity reserves for small animals. We analysed if the management of the habitat located inside the base of the transmission electric towers (providing refuge and planting seedlings of native shrub) allowed to increase local richness of target species (i.e., small mammals and some invertebrates’ groups). Our results confirmed that by modifying the base of the electric transmission towers we were able to increase density and diversity of several species of invertebrates and small mammals as well as number of birds and bird species, increasing local biodiversity. We suggest that modifying the base of the electric towers would potentially facilitate the connection of fragmented populations. This idea would be easily applicable in any transmission line network anywhere around the world, making it possible for the first time to build up continental scale networks of connectivity.
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Spiess J, McGranahan DA, Whippo C, Poling B, Daigh ALM, Hovick T. Bird and invertebrate communities appear unaffected by fracking traffic along rural roads despite dust emissions. AMBIO 2020; 49:605-615. [PMID: 31175582 PMCID: PMC6965525 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-019-01207-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The development of shale petroleum resources has industrialized rural landscapes. We investigated how traffic from energy development expands and intensifies the road-effect zone through increased dust exposure, and how birds and invertebrates inhabiting the road-effect zone in agricultural areas of the Bakken region might be affected by dust exposure. We used dust collectors, trail cameras, and sweep-netting at increasing distances from unpaved roads to determine dust deposition, relative bird abundance, and invertebrate abundance, respectively. We found that traffic associated with fracking along unpaved roads emitted substantial dust 180 m into adjacent crop fields. But neither bird abundance or behavior, nor invertebrate abundance or community composition, appeared to be affected by dust or traffic. These findings suggest that wildlife in previously intensified agricultural landscapes like crop fields are resilient to intensification from energy development, but the same might not be true for wildlife in previously undisturbed habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Spiess
- Range Science, Natural Resource Management, North Dakota State University, NDSU Dept 7650, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050 USA
| | - Devan Allen McGranahan
- Range Science, North Dakota State University, 202 Hultz Hall, 1300 Albrecht Blvd, Fargo, ND 58102 USA
| | - Craig Whippo
- Biology, Dickinson State University, 291 Campus Drive, Dickinson State University, Dickinson, ND 58601 USA
| | - Brittany Poling
- Range Science, North Dakota State University, NDSU Dept 7650, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050 USA
| | - Aaron L. M. Daigh
- Soil Physics, North Dakota State University, NDSU Dept 7680, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050 USA
| | - Torre Hovick
- Range Science, North Dakota State University, 201A Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58108-6050 USA
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Kajzer-Bonk J, Skórka P, Bonk M, Lenda M, Rożej-Pabijan E, Wantuch M, Moroń D. The effect of railways on bird diversity in farmland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:31086-31098. [PMID: 31456147 PMCID: PMC6828635 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-019-06245-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
With a length exceeding 210,000 km in Europe, railways are common linear features dissecting landscapes. However, the impact of railway networks on biodiversity is equivocal. In this study, we investigated the effect of railway embankments on bird diversity components in an agricultural landscape in southern Poland. Forty transects including 20 along railways and 20 as controls in open fields were established. Birds were counted twice in 2009, and environmental characteristics were estimated for each transect. Ordination techniques and generalized additive models were used to compare species composition, richness, abundance, conservation status, population trends and phylogenetic and functional diversity indices between railway and field transects. Species richness and phylogenetic diversity but not abundance nor functional diversity were higher along railway transects than along field transects. Diversity indices near railways, mostly species richness and phylogenetic diversity, were positively associated with bush cover, wet meadow cover, wetland cover and the slope of the railway but negatively associated with dry meadow cover and field cover. Our study shows that railway embankments may be beneficial for bird diversity but probably do not alter the functional properties of bird communities as much as open fields. Proper management of these linear habitats may increase their value for birds and contribute to long-term bird community persistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kajzer-Bonk
- Department of Entomology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Maciej Bonk
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
| | - Magdalena Lenda
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Kraków, Poland
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland, QLD, St. Lucia, 4072, Australia
| | - Elżbieta Rożej-Pabijan
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Cracow, Podchorążych 2, 30-084, Kraków, Poland
| | - Marta Wantuch
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7, 30, -387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dawid Moroń
- Institute of Systematics and Evolution of Animals, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sławkowska 17, 31-016, Kraków, Poland
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10
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Guil F, Soria MÁ, Margalida A, Pérez-García JM. Wildfires as collateral effects of wildlife electrocution: An economic approach to the situation in Spain in recent years. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 625:460-469. [PMID: 29291560 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2017] [Revised: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between wildlife and power lines has collateral effects that include wildfires and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. However, currently available information is scarce and so new approaches are needed to increase our understanding of this issue. Here, we present the first analysis of wildfires and their incidence as a result of this interaction in Spain during the period 2000-2012. Amongst the 2788 Power-Line Mediated Wildfires (PLMW recorded) during this period, 30 records of Fauna Mediated Wildfires (FMW) were found, with an average affected vegetation cover of 9.06ha. Our findings suggest that no significant differences were observed between the amount of affected surface area due to fauna mediated wildfires and power-line mediated wildfires. In both cases, a space-grouping trend was observed. In terms of changing trends over time, after the first incident detected in 2005, the number of incidents increased until 2008, year in which the percentage of wildfires caused by wildlife stabilized at approximately 2.4% of all power-line-induced wildfires. Population density and road abundance were variables that better explained PLMW whereas for FMW, the models that included land use and raptor abundance. In the multivariate model, FMW emergence was positively related with population density, percentage of grazing areas and Natura 2000 cover, and predatory abundance; and negatively with the percentage of forested area. No significant differences were observed between the species of birds that caused wildfires and the species of ringed birds killed by electrocution. The economic and environmental impact due to necessary repairs, the loss of biodiversity and CO2 emissions represent an estimated net value of €7.6-12.4M for the period 2000-2012, which indicates the importance of the economic and environmental costs associated with wildfires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Guil
- Biodiversity Area, Tragsatec, C/Julián Camarillo, 6B. 28037, Madrid.
| | - Mª Ángeles Soria
- Natural Environment Subdirection, Spanish Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Food and Environment, Plaza San Juan de la Cruz, S/N, 28003 Madrid
| | - Antoni Margalida
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain; Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, CH 3012, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Juan M Pérez-García
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
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Moreira F, Martins RC, Catry I, D'Amico M. Drivers of power line use by white storks: A case study of birds nesting on anthropogenic structures. J Appl Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Moreira
- REN Biodiversity Chair; CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos; Universidade do Porto; Vairão Portugal
- CEABN/InBIO - Centro de Ecologia Aplicada “Professor Baeta Neves”; Instituto Superior de Agronomia; Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Ricardo C. Martins
- REN Biodiversity Chair; CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos; Universidade do Porto; Vairão Portugal
- CEABN/InBIO - Centro de Ecologia Aplicada “Professor Baeta Neves”; Instituto Superior de Agronomia; Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
| | - Inês Catry
- REN Biodiversity Chair; CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos; Universidade do Porto; Vairão Portugal
- CEABN/InBIO - Centro de Ecologia Aplicada “Professor Baeta Neves”; Instituto Superior de Agronomia; Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
- School of Environmental Sciences; University of East Anglia; Norwich UK
| | - Marcello D'Amico
- REN Biodiversity Chair; CIBIO/InBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos; Universidade do Porto; Vairão Portugal
- CEABN/InBIO - Centro de Ecologia Aplicada “Professor Baeta Neves”; Instituto Superior de Agronomia; Universidade de Lisboa; Lisboa Portugal
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Pustkowiak S, Banaszak-Cibicka W, Mielczarek ŁE, Tryjanowski P, Skórka P. The association of windmills with conservation of pollinating insects and wild plants in homogeneous farmland of western Poland. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:6273-6284. [PMID: 29247411 PMCID: PMC5846843 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-017-0864-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Loss of suitable seminatural habitats and homogenization of crop types have led to the population decline of pollinating insects in farmland. As these insects support crop production, many practical efforts aim to sustain pollinator diversity which is especially challenging in intensively managed and homogeneous farmland. However, there are ongoing changes of the farmland toward its multifunctionality that includes, for example, wind farm development. Windmills are often built within crops; thus, we examined if the noncropped area around windmills can be valuable habitats for wild plants and pollinating insects: bees, butterflies, and flies. Species richness, abundances, and species diversity index of plants and pollinators around windmills were similar to those found in grassland patches (a typical habitat for these insects) and higher than in the adjacent crops. Pollinator diversity index and species richness at windmills increased with the distance to the nearest grassland patch and windmill. The population sizes of pollinating insects were also positively associated with plant diversity. Particular groups of pollinators showed specific habitat associations: bees occurred mostly at windmills, butterflies were highly associated with grasslands, while flies occurred in a similar number at windmill and on grasslands. Since windmills are frequently built within extensive homogeneous fields, thus, they introduce pollination services into the interior of cropped areas, contrary to field margins, road verges, or seminatural grasslands. Thus, although the development of wind farms has various negative environmental consequences, they can be alleviated by the increase of the local population size and diversity of wild plants and pollinating insects at windmills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Pustkowiak
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Łukasz Emil Mielczarek
- Department of Pomology and Apiculture, Agricultural University in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
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Rosin ZM, Lesicki A, Kwieciński Z, Skórka P, Tryjanowski P. Land snails benefit from human alterations in rural landscapes and habitats. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M. Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University; Umultowska 89 61-614 Poznan Poland
| | - Andrzej Lesicki
- Department of Cell Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University; Umultowska 89 61-614 Poznan Poland
| | - Zbigniew Kwieciński
- Department of Avian Biology and Ecology; Adam Mickiewicz University; Umultowska 89 61-614 Poznan Poland
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation; Polish Academy of Sciences; Mickiewicza 33 31-120 Krakow Poland
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71C 60-625 Poznan Poland
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Costantini D, Gustin M, Ferrarini A, Dell'Omo G. Estimates of avian collision with power lines and carcass disappearance across differing environments. Anim Conserv 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Costantini
- Department of Biology; University of Antwerp; Wilrijk Belgium
- Institute for Biodiversity; Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow UK
| | - M. Gustin
- Conservation Department; Lipu - BirdLife International; Parma Italy
| | - A. Ferrarini
- Conservation Department; Lipu - BirdLife International; Parma Italy
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Rosin ZM, Skórka P, Szymański P, Tobolka M, Luczak A, Tryjanowski P. Constant and seasonal drivers of bird communities in a wind farm: implications for conservation. PeerJ 2016; 4:e2105. [PMID: 27547516 PMCID: PMC4957985 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. One of the most difficult challenges for conservation biology is to reconcile growing human demands for resources with the rising need for protecting nature. Wind farms producing renewable energy have been recognised to be a threat for birds, but clear directives for environmental planning are still missing. Methods. Point counts were performed to study the relationship between eight environmental variables and bird populations in different parts of a year on the largest Polish wind farm between March 2011 and February 2013. Variables potentially related to species richness (Chao 1 estimator) and the abundance of the entire bird community as well as five selected farmland species were analysed with the use of generalized linear mixed models. Results. Some associations between the studied variables and bird populations were season/year specific, while others had a constant direction (positive or negative) across seasons and/or years. The latter were distance to the nearest turbine, field size, number of wind turbines, proximity of settlements and water bodies. Spatial autocorrelation and counting time were significantly correlated with bird population estimates but the directions of these relationships varied among seasons and years. Associations between abundance of individual species and environmental variables were species-specific. Conclusions. The results demonstrated a constant negative relationship between wind turbine proximity and bird numbers. Other environmental variables, such as field size, proximity of settlements and water bodies that also had constant associations with bird populations across seasons may be taken into account when minimizing adverse effects of wind farm development on birds or choosing optimal locations of new turbines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań , Poznań , Poland
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences , Kraków , Poland
| | - Paweł Szymański
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań , Poznań , Poland
| | - Marcin Tobolka
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences , Poznań , Poland
| | | | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences , Poznań , Poland
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Tyler NJC, Stokkan K, Hogg CR, Nellemann C, Vistnes AI. Cryptic impact: Visual detection of corona light and avoidance of power lines by reindeer. WILDLIFE SOC B 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/wsb.620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Karl‐Arne Stokkan
- Department of Arctic and Marine BiologyUiT The Arctic University of NorwayTromsøN‐9037Norway
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Elts J, Tätte K, Marja R. What are the important landscape components for habitat selection of the ortolan bunting Emberiza hortulana in northern limit of range? EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1515/eje-2015-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
AbstractOrtolan buntings Emberiza hotulana have undergone one of the most severe population declines of any European farmland bird over the last thirty years. The aim of this study was to find out which habitat features, including crop characteristics, ortolan bunting prefers in Estonia in breeding areas. This study compared currently occupied and unoccupied ortolan bunting territories. Occupied areas contained significantly more tall broadleaf trees, crop types, structural elements (trees, bushes, roads, overhead power lines and buildings) and spring wheat, but also had lower crop drilling densities. Ortolan bunting territories were best described by a logistic regression model containing six variables: amount of structural point elements, length of power lines, amount of tall broadleaf trees and number of different crops had a positive effect, whereas crop density and area of autumn-sown crops had a negative effect. Based on the findings of this study, the following conservation measures can be recommended: lower crop densities; spring rather than autumn-sown crops; small-field systems containing a variety of crops; scattered scrub preserved or planted; habitat patches of permanent grasslands, hedges and tall broadleaf trees retained within the agricultural landscape.
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Morelli F, Jerzak L, Pruscini F, Santolini R, Benedetti Y, Tryjanowski P. Testing bird response to roads on a rural environment: A case study from Central Italy. ACTA OECOLOGICA 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2015.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Mainwaring MC. The use of man-made structures as nesting sites by birds: A review of the costs and benefits. J Nat Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2015.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Barbar F, Werenkraut V, Morales JM, Lambertucci SA. Emerging ecosystems change the spatial distribution of top carnivores even in poorly populated areas. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118851. [PMID: 25799547 PMCID: PMC4370498 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2014] [Accepted: 01/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans affect biological diversity and species distribution patterns by modifying resource availability and generating novel environments where generalist species benefit and specialist species are rare. In particular, cities create local homogenization while roads fragment habitat, although both processes can increase food availability for some species that may be able to take advantage of this new source. We studied space use by birds of prey in relation to human construction, hypothesizing that these birds would be affected even in poorly populated areas. We worked in Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina, which is experiencing a high population growth, but still having very large unpopulated areas. We related the presence of raptors with different sources of human disturbance and found that both the abundance and richness of these birds were positively associated with anthropogenic environments. These results are driven mostly by a strong association between the medium-sized generalist species and these novel environments (mainly roads and cities). This may create an imbalance in intra-guild competitive abilities, modifying the normal structures of top carnivore hierarchies. Indeed, the structure of raptor communities seems to be changing, even in poorly populated areas, with anthropogenic constructions seemingly producing changes in wild areas more promptly than thought, a cause for concern in ecosystems conservation issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Facundo Barbar
- Laboratorio Ecotono INIBIOMA (CONICET- Universidad Nacional del Comahue), Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Victoria Werenkraut
- Laboratorio Ecotono INIBIOMA (CONICET- Universidad Nacional del Comahue), Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Juan Manuel Morales
- Laboratorio Ecotono INIBIOMA (CONICET- Universidad Nacional del Comahue), Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
| | - Sergio Agustín Lambertucci
- Laboratorio Ecotono INIBIOMA (CONICET- Universidad Nacional del Comahue), Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina
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Electricity pylons may be potential foci for the invasion of black cherry Prunus serotina in intensive farmland. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2014.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Guil F, Àngels Colomer M, Moreno-Opo R, Margalida A. Space–time trends in Spanish bird electrocution rates from alternative information sources. Glob Ecol Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2015.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Vaitkuvienė D, Dagys M. Possible effects of electromagnetic field on White StorksCiconia ciconiabreeding on low-voltage electricity line poles. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/21658005.2014.962783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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