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Kati V, Kassara C, Panagos P, Tampouratzi L, Gotsis D, Tzortzakaki O, Petridou M, Psaralexi M, Sidiropoulos L, Vasilakis D, Zakkak S, Galani A, Mpoukas N. The overlooked threat of land take from wind energy infrastructures: Quantification, drivers and policy gaps. J Environ Manage 2023; 348:119340. [PMID: 37875053 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Wind harnessing is a fast-developing and cost-effective Renewable Energy Source, but the land impacts of wind power stations are often overlooked or underestimated. We digitized land take, i.e., the generation of artificial land, derived from 90 wind power stations in Greece constructed between 2002 and 2020 (1.2 GW). We found substantial land take impacts of 7729 m2/MW (3.5 m2/MWh) of new artificial land, 148 m/MW of new roads and 174 m/MW of widened roads on average. Models showed that the number and size of wind turbines, the absence of other existing infrastructures and the elevational difference across new access roads increased artificial land generation. The elevational difference across new and widened access roads also increased their length. New wind power stations in Greece are planned to be installed at higher elevations and in terrains facing higher risks for soil erosion and soil biodiversity. The general tendency in the European Union is to sit fewer wind power stations in mountainous and forested land. Still, this pattern is inversed in several countries, particularly in Southern Europe. After screening 29 policy and legal documents, we found that land take is indirectly inferred in the global policy but more directly in the European policy through five non-legally binding documents and three Directives. However, the current European energy policies seem to conflict with nature conservation policies, risking land take acceleration. The study provides insights for reducing land take when planning and constructing wind power stations. We underline the need for better quantification of land take and its integration in the complex process of sustainable spatial planning of investments.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Kati
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - C Kassara
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - P Panagos
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, (VA), Italy
| | - L Tampouratzi
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - D Gotsis
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - O Tzortzakaki
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - M Petridou
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - M Psaralexi
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - L Sidiropoulos
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - D Vasilakis
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - S Zakkak
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece; Natural Environment & Climate Change Agency, Athens, Greece
| | - A Galani
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
| | - N Mpoukas
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, Biodiversity Conservation Laboratory, University Campus, 45110, Ioannina, Greece
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Nourani E, Bohrer G, Becciu P, Bierregaard RO, Duriez O, Figuerola J, Gangoso L, Giokas S, Higuchi H, Kassara C, Kulikova O, Lecomte N, Monti F, Pokrovsky I, Sforzi A, Therrien JF, Tsiopelas N, Vansteelant WMG, Viana DS, Yamaguchi NM, Wikelski M, Safi K. The interplay of wind and uplift facilitates over-water flight in facultative soaring birds. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211603. [PMID: 34493076 PMCID: PMC8424339 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Flying over the open sea is energetically costly for terrestrial birds. Despite this, over-water journeys of many birds, sometimes hundreds of kilometres long, are uncovered by bio-logging technology. To understand how these birds afford their flights over the open sea, we investigated the role of atmospheric conditions, specifically wind and uplift, in subsidizing over-water flight at a global scale. We first established that ΔT, the temperature difference between sea surface and air, is a meaningful proxy for uplift over water. Using this proxy, we showed that the spatio-temporal patterns of sea-crossing in terrestrial migratory birds are associated with favourable uplift conditions. We then analysed route selection over the open sea for five facultative soaring species, representative of all major migratory flyways. The birds maximized wind support when selecting their sea-crossing routes and selected greater uplift when suitable wind support was available. They also preferred routes with low long-term uncertainty in wind conditions. Our findings suggest that, in addition to wind, uplift may play a key role in the energy seascape for bird migration that in turn determines strategies and associated costs for birds crossing ecological barriers such as the open sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Nourani
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Gil Bohrer
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering, The Ohio State University, USA
| | - Paolo Becciu
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary and Environmental Biology, and Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Israel
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | | | - Olivier Duriez
- Centre for Evolutionary and Functional Ecology, Montpellier University-CNRS, France
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Spain
| | - Laura Gangoso
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Spain
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sinos Giokas
- Department of Biology, University of Patras, Greece
| | - Hiroyoshi Higuchi
- Research and Education Centre for Natural Sciences, Keio University, Japan
| | | | - Olga Kulikova
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Germany
- Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of the Biological Problems of the North, Russia
| | - Nicolas Lecomte
- Canada Research Chair in Polar and Boreal Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Moncton, Canada
| | - Flavio Monti
- Department of Physical Sciences, Earth and Environment, University of Siena, Italy
| | - Ivan Pokrovsky
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Germany
- Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute of the Biological Problems of the North, Russia
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
| | | | | | | | - Wouter M. G. Vansteelant
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Spain
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Duarte S. Viana
- German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Germany
- Leipzig University, Germany
| | - Noriyuki M. Yamaguchi
- Graduate School of Fisheries and Environmental Sciences, Nagasaki University, Japan
- Organization for Marine Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, Japan
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Germany
| | - Kamran Safi
- Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Germany
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Kati V, Kassara C, Vrontisi Z, Moustakas A. The biodiversity-wind energy-land use nexus in a global biodiversity hotspot. Sci Total Environ 2021; 768:144471. [PMID: 33454485 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Wind energy is the leading renewable technology towards achieving climate goals, yet biodiversity trade-offs via land take are emerging. Thus, we are facing the paradox of impacting on biodiversity to combat climate change. We suggest a novel method of spatial planning that enhances windfarm sustainability: investments are prioritized in the most fragmented zones that lie outside the Natura 2000 network of protected areas. We showcase it in Greece, a biodiversity hotspot with a strong climate policy and land conflict between conservation and wind energy schemes. The analysis indicates that the suggested investment zone supports wind harnessing 1.5 times higher than the 2030 national goal, having only marginally lower (4%) wind speed. It performs well for the conservation of the annexed habitats and species of the two Nature Directives and it greatly overlaps with the Important Bird Areas (93%) and the roadless areas (80%) of Greece. It also greatly overlaps (82%-91%) with the exclusion zones suggested according to three sensitivity maps for bird conservation. Since land use change triggers biodiversity decline, we underline the necessity of such approaches for meeting both climate and biodiversity goals and call for a greater environmental policy convergence towards biodiversity conservation and no net land take.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vassiliki Kati
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications & Technology, Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Christina Kassara
- University of Ioannina, Department of Biological Applications & Technology, Ioannina, Greece
| | - Zoi Vrontisi
- Greek National Center for Environment and Sustainable Development, Athens, Greece
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Tsarpali V, Kassara C, Barboutis C, Papadimitraki M, Kloukinioti M, Giokas S, Dailianis S. Assessing the seasonal and intrinsic variability of neurotoxic and cyto-genotoxic biomarkers in blood of free-living Eleonoras' falcons. Sci Total Environ 2020; 711:135101. [PMID: 32000341 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 10/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
In the present study we investigated seasonal and intrinsic variability of neurotoxic and cyto-genotoxic biomarkers in blood plasma and erythrocytes of free-living Eleonoras' falcons, captured during the pre-breeding (May of 2017 and 2018) and breeding period (September of 2017) on the Antikythira Island (Greece). Specifically, blood samples of captured birds were prepared for the determination of cholinesterase (ChEs, i.e. acetylcholinesterase/AChE and butyrylcholinesterase/ BChE) activity, as well as the formation of nuclear (i.e. the formation of micronuclei into the cells/MN, binucleated cells/BN and others), and cellular/cytoplasmic (i.e. echinocytes/EC, acanthocytes/AC and notched cells/NC) abnormalities in blood plasma and erythrocytes, respectively. Our results indicated that birds sampled in late May had higher ChE and BChE activity levels, as well as higher frequency of total nuclear abnormalities. The latter were also higher in second calendar year (2cy) birds. Cellular/cytoplasmic abnormalities were less frequent in falcons having better body condition, sampled in late May, as well as in light-morph falcons. The observed ChEs activities, as well as nuclear and cellular/cytoplasmic abnormalities revealed that Eleonora's falcons are likely to be exposed to chemical agents with neurotoxic and cyto-genotoxic potential year round, while different aspects of their biology and ecology, such as their reproductive and nutritional status, could mediate their levels. Although we encourage more sampling campaigns to verify the identified seasonal and intrinsic sources of variation in biomarkers tested, the current study enriches the existing knowledge about their usefulness in the environmental monitoring and risk assessment of migratory birds, like Eleonoras' falcon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliki Tsarpali
- Department of Biology, Section of Animal Biology, University of Patras, GR-26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Christina Kassara
- Department of Biology, Section of Animal Biology, University of Patras, GR-26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Christos Barboutis
- Antikythira Bird Observatory, Hellenic Ornithological Society/BirdLife Greece, Themistokleous str. 80, GR-10681 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Papadimitraki
- Department of Biology, Section of Animal Biology, University of Patras, GR-26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Maria Kloukinioti
- Department of Biology, Section of Animal Biology, University of Patras, GR-26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Sinos Giokas
- Department of Biology, Section of Animal Biology, University of Patras, GR-26500 Patras, Greece
| | - Stefanos Dailianis
- Department of Biology, Section of Animal Biology, University of Patras, GR-26500 Patras, Greece.
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Papageorgiou D, Barboutis C, Kassara C, Giokas S. Habitat selection of woodchat shrikes Lanius senator during spring stopover is related to foraging strategy. Curr Zool 2018; 63:139-149. [PMID: 29491971 PMCID: PMC5804170 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Every spring a huge number of passerines cross the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea on their way to their breeding grounds. Stopover sites after such extended barriers where birds can rest, refuel, and find shelter from adverse weather, are of crucial importance for the outcome of their migration. Stopover habitat selection used by migrating birds depends on landscape context, habitat patch characteristics, as well as on the particular energetic conditions and needs of individual birds, but it is still poorly investigated. We focused on a long-distance migrating passerine, the woodchat shrike, in order to investigate for the first time the species’ habitat selection at a spring stopover site (island of Antikythira, Greece) after the crossing of the Sahara Desert and Mediterranean Sea. We implemented radio-tracking, color-ringing, and visual behavioral observations to collect data on microhabitat use. Generalized Linear Mixed Models were developed to identify the species’ most preferred microhabitat during its stopover on this low human disturbed island. We found that high maquis vegetation surrounded by low vegetation was chosen as perches for hunting. Moreover, high maquis vegetation appeared to facilitate hunting attempts toward the ground, the most frequently observed foraging strategy. Finally, we discuss our findings in the context of conservation practices for the woodchat shrike and their stopover sites on Mediterranean islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danai Papageorgiou
- Department of Biology, University of Patras, Panepistimioupoli, Patras, GR -26500, GreeceAntikythira Bird Observatory, Hellenic Ornithological Society, Themistokleous 80, Athens, GR-10681, Greece
| | - Christos Barboutis
- Department of Biology, University of Patras, Panepistimioupoli, Patras, GR -26500, GreeceAntikythira Bird Observatory, Hellenic Ornithological Society, Themistokleous 80, Athens, GR-10681, Greece
| | - Christina Kassara
- Department of Biology, University of Patras, Panepistimioupoli, Patras, GR -26500, GreeceAntikythira Bird Observatory, Hellenic Ornithological Society, Themistokleous 80, Athens, GR-10681, Greece
| | - Sinos Giokas
- Department of Biology, University of Patras, Panepistimioupoli, Patras, GR -26500, GreeceAntikythira Bird Observatory, Hellenic Ornithological Society, Themistokleous 80, Athens, GR-10681, Greece
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Kassara C, Gangoso L, Mellone U, Piasevoli G, Hadjikyriakou TG, Tsiopelas N, Giokas S, López-López P, Urios V, Figuerola J, Silva R, Bouten W, Kirschel ANG, Virani MZ, Fiedler W, Berthold P, Gschweng M. Current and future suitability of wintering grounds for a long-distance migratory raptor. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8798. [PMID: 28821735 PMCID: PMC5562895 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-08753-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation of migratory species faces the challenge of understanding the ecological requirements of individuals living in two geographically separated regions. In some cases, the entire population of widely distributed species congregates at relatively small wintering areas and hence, these areas become a priority for the species’ conservation. Satellite telemetry allows fine tracking of animal movements and distribution in those less known, often remote areas. Through integrating satellite and GPS data from five separated populations comprising most of the breeding range, we created a wide habitat suitability model for the Eleonora’s falcon on its wintering grounds in Madagascar. On this basis, we further investigated, for the first time, the impact of climate change on the future suitability of the species’ wintering areas. Eleonora’s falcons are mainly distributed in the north and along the east of Madagascar, exhibiting strong site fidelity over years. The current species’ distribution pattern is associated with climatic factors, which are likely related to food availability. The extent of suitable areas for Eleonora’s falcon is expected to increase in the future. The integration of habitat use information and climatic projections may provide insights on the consequences of global environmental changes for the long-term persistence of migratory species populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Kassara
- Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR-26500, Patras, Greece.
| | - Laura Gangoso
- Computational Geo-Ecology Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ugo Mellone
- Vertebrates Zoology Research Group, CIBIO Research Inst., University of Alicante, ES-03690, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Gvido Piasevoli
- Public Institute for the Protected Natural Values Management in the County of Split and Dalmatia, Prilaz braće Kaliterna 10, HR-21000, Split, Croatia
| | | | - Nikos Tsiopelas
- Hellenic Ornithological Society, Themistokleous str. 80, 10681, Athens, Greece
| | - Sinos Giokas
- Department of Biology, University of Patras, GR-26500, Patras, Greece
| | - Pascual López-López
- Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, C/Catedrático José Beltrán 2, ES-46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Urios
- Vertebrates Zoology Research Group, CIBIO Research Inst., University of Alicante, ES-03690, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alicante, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Rafa Silva
- Department of Wetland Ecology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - Willem Bouten
- Computational Geo-Ecology Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Munir Z Virani
- The Peregrine Fund, 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane, Boise, Idaho, 83709, USA
| | - Wolfgang Fiedler
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Am Obstberg 1, D-78315, Radolfzell, Germany
| | - Peter Berthold
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Am Obstberg 1, D-78315, Radolfzell, Germany
| | - Marion Gschweng
- Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Am Obstberg 1, D-78315, Radolfzell, Germany.,Institute of Experimental Ecology, University of Ulm, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89069, Ulm, Germany.,Concepts for Conservation, Schäferweg 6, 89143, Blaubeuren, Germany
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Tzortzakaki O, Kati V, Kassara C, Tietze DT, Giokas S. Seasonal patterns of urban bird diversity in a Mediterranean coastal city: the positive role of open green spaces. Urban Ecosyst 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-017-0695-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Kassara C, Fric J, Sfenthourakis S. Factors influencing the occurrence of Eleonora's falconFalco eleonoraebreeding colonies on Greek islands. Wildlife Biology 2013. [DOI: 10.2981/12-040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Pitta E, Kassara C, Giokas S, Sfenthourakis S. Compositional dissimilarity patterns of reptiles and amphibians in insular systems around the world. Ecol Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-013-1055-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Xirouchakis SM, Fric J, Kassara C, Portolou D, Dimalexis A, Karris G, Barboutis C, Latsoudis P, Bourdakis S, Kakalis E, Sfenthourakis S. Variation in breeding parameters of Eleonora’s falcon (Falco eleonorae) and factors affecting its reproductive performance. Ecol Res 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-011-0912-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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