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Panter CT, Literák I, Raab R, Tolhurst BA, White RL. Age, landscape, and arrival date explain ranging behavior of wintering red kites in southwest Europe. J Wildl Manage 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Connor T. Panter
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research and Enterprise Group, School of Applied Sciences University of Brighton Brighton BN2 4GJ United Kingdom
| | - Ivan Literák
- Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Brno Czech Republic
| | - Rainer Raab
- Technisches Büro für Biologie Mag. Dr. Rainer Raab Quadenstrasse 13, 2232 Deutsch‐Wagram Austria
| | - Bryony A. Tolhurst
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research and Enterprise Group, School of Applied Sciences University of Brighton Brighton BN2 4GJ United Kingdom
| | - Rachel L. White
- Ecology, Conservation and Zoonosis Research and Enterprise Group, School of Applied Sciences University of Brighton Brighton BN2 4GJ United Kingdom
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Margalida A, Jiménez J, Martínez JM, Sesé JA, García‐Ferré D, Llamas A, Razin M, Colomer M, Arroyo B. An assessment of population size and demographic drivers of the Bearded Vulture using integrated population models. ECOL MONOGR 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Margalida
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM) E‐13005 Ciudad Real Spain
- Division of Conservation Biology Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Baltzerstrasse 6 CH‐3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - José Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM) E‐13005 Ciudad Real Spain
| | - José M. Martínez
- Gobierno de Aragón Subdirección General de Desarrollo Rural y Sostenibilidad Departamento Medio Ambiente C/ General Lasheras 8 E‐22003 Huesca Spain
| | - José A. Sesé
- Gobierno de Aragón Subdirección General de Desarrollo Rural y Sostenibilidad Departamento Medio Ambiente C/ General Lasheras 8 E‐22003 Huesca Spain
| | - Diego García‐Ferré
- Generalitat de Catalunya Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat Servei de Fauna i Flora. C/Provença 204 08036 Barcelona Spain
| | - Alfonso Llamas
- Gestión Ambiental de Navarra C/ Padre Adoain 219 E‐31015 Pamplona Spain
| | - Martine Razin
- Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO/BirdLife) Fonderies Royales 8/10 rue du Dr Pujos F‐17305 Rochefort Cedex France
| | - MªÀngels Colomer
- Department of Mathematics Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering University of Lleida E‐25198 Lleida Spain
| | - Beatriz Arroyo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM) E‐13005 Ciudad Real Spain
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Larger size and older age confer competitive advantage: dominance hierarchy within European vulture guild. Sci Rep 2020; 10:2430. [PMID: 32051486 PMCID: PMC7015885 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-59387-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Competition for limiting natural resources generates complex networks of relationships between individuals, both at the intra- and interspecific levels, establishing hierarchical scenarios among different population groups. Within obligate scavengers, and especially in vultures, the coevolutionary mechanisms operating during carrion exploitation are highly specialized and determined in part by agonistic behavior resulting in intra-guild hierarchies. This paper revisits the behavioral and hierarchical organization within the guild of European vultures, on the basis of their agonistic activities during carrion exploitation. We used a dataset distilled from high-quality videorecordings of competitive interactions among the four European vulture species during feeding events. We found a despotic dominance gradient from the larger species to smaller ones, and from the adults to subadults and juveniles, following an age and body size-based linear pattern. The four studied species, and to some extent age classes, show despotic dominance and organization of their guild exerting differential selection to different parts of the carrion. The abundance of these parts could ultimately condition the level of agonistic interactions. We discuss the behavioral organization and the relationship of hierarchies according to the feeding behavior and prey selection, by comparing with other scavenger guilds.
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Hoy SR, MacNulty DR, Smith DW, Stahler DR, Lambin X, Peterson RO, Ruprecht JS, Vucetich JA. Fluctuations in age structure and their variable influence on population growth. Funct Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.13431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Hoy
- School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University Houghton MI USA
| | - Daniel R. MacNulty
- Department of Wildland Resources and Ecology Center Utah State University Logan UT USA
| | - Douglas W. Smith
- Yellowstone Centre for Resources Yellowstone National Park WY USA
| | | | - Xavier Lambin
- School of Biological Sciences University of Aberdeen Aberdeen UK
| | - Rolf O. Peterson
- School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University Houghton MI USA
| | - Joel S. Ruprecht
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Oregon State University Corvallis OR USA
| | - John A. Vucetich
- School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University Houghton MI USA
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Bañuelos MJ, Blanco-Fontao B, Fameli A, Fernández-Gil A, Mirol P, Morán-Luis M, Rodríguez-Muñoz R, Quevedo M. Population dynamics of an endangered forest bird using mark–recapture models based on DNA-tagging. CONSERV GENET 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-019-01208-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Spatial and temporal movements in Pyrenean bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus): Integrating movement ecology into conservation practice. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35746. [PMID: 27779179 PMCID: PMC5078842 DOI: 10.1038/srep35746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the movement of threatened species is important if we are to optimize management and conservation actions. Here, we describe the age and sex specific spatial and temporal ranging patterns of 19 bearded vultures Gypaetus barbatus tracked with GPS technology. Our findings suggest that spatial asymmetries are a consequence of breeding status and age-classes. Territorial individuals exploited home ranges of about 50 km2, while non-territorial birds used areas of around 10 000 km2 (with no seasonal differences). Mean daily movements differed between territorial (23.8 km) and non-territorial birds (46.1 km), and differences were also found between sexes in non-territorial birds. Daily maximum distances travelled per day also differed between territorial (8.2 km) and non-territorial individuals (26.5 km). Territorial females moved greater distances (12 km) than males (6.6 km). Taking into account high-use core areas (K20), Supplementary Feeding Sites (SFS) do not seem to play an important role in the use of space by bearded vultures. For non-territorial and territorial individuals, 54% and 46% of their home ranges (K90), respectively, were outside protected areas. Our findings will help develop guidelines for establishing priority areas based on spatial use, and also optimize management and conservation actions for this threatened species.
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Milanesi P, Giraudo L, Morand A, Viterbi R, Bogliani G. Does habitat use and ecological niche shift over the lifespan of wild species? Patterns of the bearded vulture population in the Western Alps. Ecol Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-015-1329-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Margalida A, Colomer MÀ, Oro D, Arlettaz R, Donázar JA. Assessing the impact of removal scenarios on population viability of a threatened, long-lived avian scavenger. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16962. [PMID: 26593059 PMCID: PMC4655339 DOI: 10.1038/srep16962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The removal of eggs or chicks from wild populations to create captive populations, reinforce free-ranging populations or reintroduce species into the wild is a restoration tool that requires an assessment of potential detrimental effects upon the donor population. This is an absolute prerequisite when wild donor populations are scarce and small. Here, we forecast the population trend of the largest European population of the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) over the next 30 years under different demographic and management scenarios (removal of eggs, chicks or fledglings). Projections derived from the combination of a PDP model (Population Dynamic P-system) and a Box-Behnken design would lead to a decline in 77% of all 57 scenarios analysed. Among the 13 scenarios predicting a population increase, only 4 seem realistic in terms of growth rate (0.04%-1.01%), at least if current age at first breeding and productivity would remain constant over time. Our simulations thus suggest that most extraction scenarios would have detrimental effects on the demography of the donor population. Release of captive-born young or removal of only the second hatched chick for subsequent captive rearing and translocation into the wild appear to represent much better supplementation and reintroduction options in this threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Margalida
- Department of Animal Production (Division of Wildlife), Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse, 6 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mª Àngels Colomer
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Daniel Oro
- Population Ecology Group, Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marques 21, E-07190 Esporles, Spain
| | - Raphaël Arlettaz
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse, 6 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Valais Field Station, Rue du Rhône 11, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
- Grupo de Investigaciones de la Biodiversidad, IADIZA, CONICET–CCT, Av. Ruiz Leal, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - José A. Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC. Avda de Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, E-41092, Sevilla, Spain
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Moreno-Opo R, Trujillano A, Margalida A. Optimization of supplementary feeding programs for European vultures depends on environmental and management factors. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es15-00009.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Zeng Q, Zhang Y, Sun G, Duo H, Wen L, Lei G. Using species distribution model to estimate the wintering population size of the endangered scaly-sided merganser in China. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117307. [PMID: 25646969 PMCID: PMC4315401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2014] [Accepted: 12/23/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Scaly-sided Merganser is a globally endangered species restricted to eastern Asia. Estimating its population is difficult and considerable gap exists between populations at its breeding grounds and wintering sites. In this study, we built a species distribution model (SDM) using Maxent with presence-only data to predict the potential wintering habitat for Scaly-sided Merganser in China. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) method suggests high predictive power of the model (training and testing AUC were 0.97 and 0.96 respectively). The most significant environmental variables included annual mean temperature, mean temperature of coldest quarter, minimum temperature of coldest month and precipitation of driest quarter. Suitable conditions for Scaly-sided Merganser are predicted in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, especially in Jiangxi, Hunan and Hubei Provinces. The predicted suitable habitat embraces 6,984 km of river. Based on survey results from three consecutive winters (2010-2012) and previous studies, we estimated that the entire wintering population of Scaly-sided Merganser in China to be 3,561 ± 478 individuals, which is consistent with estimate in its breeding ground.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zeng
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Yamian Zhang
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Gongqi Sun
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Hairui Duo
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Li Wen
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
- Office of Environment and Heritage, Sydney, Australia
| | - Guangchun Lei
- School of Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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Morán-Luis M, Fameli A, Blanco-Fontao B, Fernández-Gil A, Rodríguez-Muñoz R, Quevedo M, Mirol P, Bañuelos MJ. Demographic status and genetic tagging of endangered capercaillie in NW Spain. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99799. [PMID: 24926790 PMCID: PMC4057396 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2014] [Accepted: 05/17/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Counting rare and elusive animals and evaluating their demographic status, are fundamental yet challenging aspects of population ecology and conservation biology. We set out to estimate population size (Nc), genetic effective population size (Ne gen), sex ratio, and movements based on genetic tagging for the threatened Cantabrian capercaillie. We used 9 microsatellite loci to genotype 134 droppings collected at 34 display areas during the breeding season. Using genetic capture-mark-recapture, we estimated 93 individuals (Nc, 95% CI: 70-116) in an area of about 500 km2, with sex ratio biased towards males (1∶1.6). Estimated Ne gen (35.5) was 38% of Nc, notably higher than the published average in wild populations. This capercaillie population is small and well within concern in terms of population viability. By genetic tagging, we detected mostly short movements; just a few males were recaptured between contiguous display areas. Non-invasive surveys of endangered populations have a great potential, yet adequate sample size and location are key to obtain reliable information on conservation status.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Morán-Luis
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-PA-CSIC), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
- Ecology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alberto Fameli
- Group of Biodiversity and Conservation Genetics (GECOBI), Argentinian Museum of Natural Sciences ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Beatriz Blanco-Fontao
- Ecology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Alberto Fernández-Gil
- Department of Conservation Biology, Doñana Biological Station (CSIC), Sevilla, Spain
| | - Rolando Rodríguez-Muñoz
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, United Kingdom
| | - Mario Quevedo
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-PA-CSIC), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
- Ecology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Patricia Mirol
- Group of Biodiversity and Conservation Genetics (GECOBI), Argentinian Museum of Natural Sciences ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María-José Bañuelos
- Research Unit of Biodiversity (UO-PA-CSIC), University of Oviedo, Mieres, Spain
- Ecology Unit, Department of Biology of Organisms and Systems, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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Oppel S, Marczakiewicz P, Lachmann L, Grzywaczewski G. Improving aquatic warbler population assessments by accounting for imperfect detection. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94406. [PMID: 24713994 PMCID: PMC3979853 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Monitoring programs designed to assess changes in population size over time need to account for imperfect detection and provide estimates of precision around annual abundance estimates. Especially for species dependent on conservation management, robust monitoring is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of management. Many bird species of temperate grasslands depend on specific conservation management to maintain suitable breeding habitat. One such species is the Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola), which breeds in open fen mires in Central Europe. Aquatic Warbler populations have so far been assessed using a complete survey that aims to enumerate all singing males over a large area. Because this approach provides no estimate of precision and does not account for observation error, detecting moderate population changes is challenging. From 2011 to 2013 we trialled a new line transect sampling monitoring design in the Biebrza valley, Poland, to estimate abundance of singing male Aquatic Warblers. We surveyed Aquatic Warblers repeatedly along 50 randomly placed 1-km transects, and used binomial mixture models to estimate abundances per transect. The repeated line transect sampling required 150 observer days, and thus less effort than the traditional ‘full count’ approach (175 observer days). Aquatic Warbler abundance was highest at intermediate water levels, and detection probability varied between years and was influenced by vegetation height. A power analysis indicated that our line transect sampling design had a power of 68% to detect a 20% population change over 10 years, whereas raw count data had a 9% power to detect the same trend. Thus, by accounting for imperfect detection we increased the power to detect population changes. We recommend to adopt the repeated line transect sampling approach for monitoring Aquatic Warblers in Poland and in other important breeding areas to monitor changes in population size and the effects of habitat management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen Oppel
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Piotr Marczakiewicz
- Ogólnopolskie Towarzystwo Ochrony Ptaków, Marki, Poland
- Biebrzański Park Narodowy, Osowiec Twierdza 8, Goniądz, Poland
| | - Lars Lachmann
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Grzegorz Grzywaczewski
- University of Life Sciences, Department of Zoology, Animal Ecology and Wildlife Management, Lublin, Poland
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Margalida A, Colomer MA, Oro D. Man-induced activities modify demographic parameters in a long-lived species: effects of poisoning and health policies. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2014; 24:436-444. [PMID: 24834731 DOI: 10.1890/13-0414.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Recent changes in sanitary policies within the European Union (EU) concerning disposal of carcasses of domestic animals and the increase of non-natural mortality factors, such as illegal poisoning, are threatening European vultures. However, the effects of anthropogenic activities on demographic parameters are poorly studied. Using a long-term study (1994-2011) of the threatened Pyrenean Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus population, we assess the variation in the proportion of breeding pairs, egg-laying dates, clutch size, breeding success, and survival following a sharp reduction in food availability in 2005 due to the application of restrictive sanitary policies decreasing livestock carcass availability. We found a delay in laying dates and a regressive trend in clutch size, breeding success, and survival following policy change. The maintenance of specific supplementary feeding stations for Bearded Vultures probably reduced the negative effects of illegal poisoning and food shortages, which mainly affected subadult survival. A drop in food availability may have produced changes in demographic parameters and an increase in mortality due to an increased exposure to contaminated food. As a result, supplementary feeding as a precautionary measure can be a useful tool to reduce illegal poisoning and declines in demographic parameters until previous food availability scenarios are achieved. This study shows how anthropogenic activities through human health regulations that affect habitat quality can suddenly modify demographic parameters in long-lived species, including those, such as survival, with high sensitivity to population growth rate.
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Margalida A, Carrete M, Hegglin D, Serrano D, Arenas R, Donázar JA. Uneven large-scale movement patterns in wild and reintroduced pre-adult bearded vultures: conservation implications. PLoS One 2013; 8:e65857. [PMID: 23776559 PMCID: PMC3679195 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0065857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2012] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
After the quasi-extinction of much of the European vertebrate megafauna during the last few centuries, many reintroduction projects seek to restore decimated populations. However, the future of numerous species depends on the management scenarios of metapopulations where the flow of individuals can be critical to ensure their viability. This is the case of the bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus, an Old World, large body-sized and long-lived scavenger living in mountain ranges. Although persecution in Western Europe restrained it to the Pyrenees, the species is nowadays present in other mountains thanks to reintroduction projects. We examined the movement patterns of pre-adult non-breeding individuals born in the wild population of the Pyrenees (n = 9) and in the reintroduced populations of the Alps (n = 24) and Andalusia (n = 13). Most birds were equipped with GPS-GSM radio transmitters, which allowed accurate determination of individual dispersal patterns. Two estimators were considered: i) step length (i.e., the distance travelled per day by each individual, calculated considering only successive days); and ii) total dispersal distance (i.e., the distance travelled between each mean daily location and the point of release). Both dispersal estimators showed a positive relationship with age but were also highly dependent on the source population, birds in Andalusia and Alps moving farther than in Pyrenees. Future research should confirm if differences in dispersal distances are the rule, in which case the dynamics of future populations would be strongly influenced. In summary, our findings highlight that inter-population differences can affect the flow of individuals among patches (a key aspect to ensure the viability of the European metapopulation of the endangered bearded vulture), and thus should be taken into account when planning reintroduction programs. This result also raises questions about whether similar scenarios may occur in other restoration projects of European megafauna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Margalida
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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Zuberogoitia I, González-Oreja JA, Martínez JE, Zabala J, Gómez I, López-López P. Foraging movements of Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus): implications for supplementary feeding management. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2012. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-012-0687-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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16
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Modelling the effects of sanitary policies on European vulture conservation. Sci Rep 2012; 2:753. [PMID: 23082243 PMCID: PMC3475340 DOI: 10.1038/srep00753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2012] [Accepted: 10/01/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Biodiversity losses are increasing as a consequence of negative anthropogenic effects on ecosystem dynamics. However, the magnitude and complexity of these effects may still be greatly underestimated. Most Old World vultures have experienced rapid population declines in recent years. In Europe, their immediate conservation depends on changes in health regulations affecting the availability of food provided by domestic carcasses. Information is lacking on the effects of a hypothetical food shortage on the population dynamics of vultures, and is necessary to assess the potential impacts of policy decisions on future changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services. A novel computational model (P-systems) was used to model these effects, forecasting a rapid decline in the Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus). By contrast, vulture species with greater plasticity in their dietary range appeared less sensitive to declining food availability. This study extends our understanding of vulture ecosystem services, which have social and economic implications.
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