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Rosin ZM, Pärt T, Low M, Kotowska D, Tobolka M, Szymański P, Hiron M. Village modernization and reduced abundance of farmland birds: Why compensation for lost nesting sites may not be enough. Conserv Lett 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M. Rosin
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Avian Biology and Ecology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Tomas Pärt
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Matthew Low
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Dorota Kotowska
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków Poland
| | - Marcin Tobolka
- Department of Zoology Poznań University of Life Sciences Poznań Poland
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Wien Austria
| | - Paweł Szymański
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Behavioural Ecology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
| | - Matthew Hiron
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
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Rosin ZM, Pärt T, Low M, Kotowska D, Tobolka M, Szymański P, Hiron M. Village modernization may contribute more to farmland bird declines than agricultural intensification. Conserv Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M. Rosin
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Cell Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6 Poznań Poland
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Tomas Pärt
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Matthew Low
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Dorota Kotowska
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Institute of Nature Conservation Polish Academy of Sciences Kraków Poland
| | - Marcin Tobolka
- Department of Zoology Poznań University of Life Sciences Poznań Poland
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Wien Austria
| | - Paweł Szymański
- Faculty of Biology, Department of Behavioural Ecology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
| | - Matthew Hiron
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
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3
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Żmihorski M, Kowalski M, Cichocki J, Rubacha S, Kotowska D, Krupiński D, Rosin ZM, Šálek M, Pärt T. The use of socio-economy in species distribution modelling: Features of rural societies improve predictions of barn owl occurrence. Sci Total Environ 2020; 741:140407. [PMID: 32603947 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Variation of habitats and resources important for farmland birds seems to be only partly captured by ordinary statistics on land-use and agricultural production. For instance, densities of rodents being prey for owls and raptors or structures of rural architecture providing nesting sites for many species are central for bird diversity but are not reported in any official statistics. Thus, modelling species distributions, population abundance and trends of farmland birds may miss important predictive habitat elements. Here, we involve local socio-economy factors as a source of additional information on rural habitat to test whether it improves predictions of barn owl occurrence in 2768 churches across Poland. Barn owls occurred in 778 churches and seemed to prefer old churches made of brick located in regions with a milder climate, higher share of arable land and pastures, low road density and low levels of light pollution. Including data on local unemployment, the proportion of elder citizens, commune income per citizen, the share of citizens with high education and share of farmers among working population improved the model substantially and some of these variables predicted barn owl occurrence better than several land-use and climate data. Barn owls were more likely to occur in areas with high unemployment, a higher proportion of older citizens in a local population and higher share of farmers among working population. Importantly, the socio-economy variables were correlated with the barn owl occurrence despite all climatic, infrastructure and land-use data were present in the model. We conclude that the socio-economy of local societies may add important but overlooked information that links to spatial variation in farmland biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michał Żmihorski
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Stoczek 1, 17-230 Białowieża, Poland.
| | - Marek Kowalski
- Wildlife Society "Stork", Srebrna 16/9, 00-810 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jan Cichocki
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Department of Zoology, University of Zielona Góra, Prof. Z. Szafran St. 1, 65-516 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Sławomir Rubacha
- Owl Conservation Association, Sobkowiaka 30b/4, 65-119 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Dorota Kotowska
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland; Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Box 7044, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | - Zuzanna M Rosin
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Box 7044, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Martin Šálek
- Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 1176, Suchdol, 165 21 Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Pärt
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Box 7044, SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden
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Josefsson J, Hiron M, Arlt D, Auffret AG, Berg Å, Chevalier M, Glimskär A, Hartman G, Kačergytė I, Klein J, Knape J, Laugen AT, Low M, Paquet M, Pasanen‐Mortensen M, Rosin ZM, Rubene D, Żmihorski M, Pärt T. Improving scientific rigour in conservation evaluations and a plea deal for transparency on potential biases. Conserv Lett 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Josefsson
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Matthew Hiron
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Debora Arlt
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Alistair G. Auffret
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Åke Berg
- Swedish Biodiversity Centre Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Mathieu Chevalier
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Ecology and Evolution University of Lausanne Lausanne Switzerland
| | - Anders Glimskär
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Göran Hartman
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Ineta Kačergytė
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Julian Klein
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Jonas Knape
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Ane T. Laugen
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Natural Sciences, Centre for Coastal Research University of Agder Kristiansand Norway
| | - Matthew Low
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Matthieu Paquet
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Marianne Pasanen‐Mortensen
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Zoology Stockholm University Stockholm Sweden
| | - Zuzanna M. Rosin
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Cell Biology Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University Umultowska Poznań Poland
| | - Diana Rubene
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Crop Production Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Michał Żmihorski
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
| | - Tomas Pärt
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
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6
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Rosin ZM, Hiron M, Żmihorski M, Szymański P, Tobolka M, Pärt T. Reduced biodiversity in modernized villages: A conflict between sustainable development goals. J Appl Ecol 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.13566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M. Rosin
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
- Department of Cell Biology Faculty of Biology Institute of Experimental Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
| | - Matthew Hiron
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
| | - Michał Żmihorski
- Mammal Research Institute Polish Academy of Sciences Białowieża Poland
| | - Paweł Szymański
- Department of Behavioural Ecology Institute of Environmental Biology Faculty of Biology Adam Mickiewicz University Poznań Poland
| | - Marcin Tobolka
- Institute of Zoology Poznań University of Life Sciences Poznań Poland
| | - Tomas Pärt
- Department of Ecology Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Uppsala Sweden
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Abstract
Abstract
Calcium is one of the most important elements determining reproductive success in birds, and snail shells are a well-known source of calcium for egg-laying females. In Europe, song thrushes, Turdus philomelos, break snails open at locations called anvils, eat the soft parts and leave the broken shells. Based on observational studies in 2011–2017 in western Poland, we showed that thrush anvils were visited by 54 other bird species (mainly smaller species) that collected the broken shell fragments. The frequency of visits to anvils differed among species and changed over the course of the breeding season, but anvils were especially used by females during the pre-laying period. Our study is the first description of such widespread exploitation of thrush anvils by other bird species, and we think that this phenomenon has been overlooked owing to the difficulties in recording anvils located, for example, on single small stones, stumps of felled trees and man-made objects such as glass bottles. We conclude that thrush anvils can be an important source of calcium for many bird species that adapt behaviourally to use these places. Hence, anvils should be recognized as localized hotspots for bird diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zbigniew Kwieciński
- Department of Avian Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Zuzanna M Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Łukasz Jankowiak
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Anthropology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Tim H Sparks
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- Museum of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague 6, Czech Republic
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8
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Rosin ZM, Kwieciński Z, Lesicki A, Skórka P, Kobak J, Szymańska A, Osiejuk TS, Kałuski T, Jaskulska M, Tryjanowski P. Shell colour, temperature, (micro)habitat structure and predator pressure affect the behaviour of Cepaea nemoralis. Naturwissenschaften 2018; 105:35. [PMID: 29744635 PMCID: PMC5942350 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-018-1560-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Revised: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Although shell colour polymorphism of the land snail Cepaea nemoralis is a well-known phenomenon, proximate and ultimate factors driving its evolution remain uncertain. Polymorphic species show variation in behavioural responses to selective forces. Therefore, we estimated effects of various environmental factors (temperature, humidity, food availability, (micro)habitat structure and predatory pressure) on behavioural response (frequency of locomotion, climbing and hiding) of C. nemoralis morphs, in experimental and natural conditions. In the experimental part of study, the frequency of locomotion was negatively affected by temperature and the presence of food and positively influenced by the presence of light. Morphs significantly differed in behavioural responses to environmental variability. Pink mid-banded and yellow five-banded morphs climbed less often and hide in shelter more often than yellow and pink unbanded individuals when temperature was low and food was absent. Snails fed most often at moderate temperature compared to low and high temperatures. Field investigations partially confirmed differences among morphs in frequency of climbing, but not in terms of probability of hiding in sheltered sites. In natural colonies, temperature and (micro)habitat structure significantly affected frequency of climbing as well as hiding in shelter. Snails more often hid in sheltered sites where thrushes preyed on Cepaea. Tendency of unbanded morphs to climb trees may have evolved under avian predatory pressure as thrushes forage on a ground. Tendency of banded morphs to hide in sheltered sites may reflect prey preferences for cryptic background. The results implicate that differential behaviour of C. nemoralis morphs compensate for their morphological and physiological limitations of adaptation to habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
- Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 7044, Se, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Zbigniew Kwieciński
- Department of Avian Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrzej Lesicki
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Mickiewicza 33, 31-120, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jarosław Kobak
- Department of Invertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Lwowska 1, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
| | - Anna Szymańska
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz S Osiejuk
- Department of Behavioural Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kałuski
- Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute, Research Centre of Quarantine, Invasive and Genetically Modified Organisms, Wl. Wegorka 20, 60-318, Poznan, Poland
| | - Monika Jaskulska
- Department of Entomology, Animal Pests & Biotechnology, Institute of Plant Protection - National Research Institute, Wladyslawa Wegorka 20, 60-318, Poznan, Poland
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Kubicka AM, Rosin ZM, Tryjanowski P, Nelson E. A systematic review of animal predation creating pierced shells: implications for the archaeological record of the Old World. PeerJ 2017; 5:e2903. [PMID: 28123913 PMCID: PMC5244880 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.2903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [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: 02/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The shells of molluscs survive well in many sedimentary contexts and yield information about the diet of prehistoric humans. They also yield evidence of symbolic behaviours through their use as beads for body adornments. Researchers often analyse the location of perforations in shells to make judgements about their use as symbolic objects (e.g., beads), the assumption being that holes attributable to deliberate human behaviour are more likely to exhibit low variability in their anatomical locations, while holes attributable to natural processes yield more random perforations. However, there are non-anthropogenic factors that can cause perforations in shells and these may not be random. The aim of the study is compare the variation in holes in shells from archaeological sites from the Old World with the variation of holes in shells pierced by mollusc predators. Methods Three hundred and sixteen scientific papers were retrieved from online databases by using keywords, (e.g., ‘shell beads’; ‘pierced shells’; ‘drilling predators’); 79 of these publications enabled us to conduct a systematic review to qualitatively assess the location of the holes in the shells described in the published articles. In turn, 54 publications were used to assess the location of the holes in the shells made by non-human predators. Results Almost all archaeological sites described shells with holes in a variety of anatomical locations. High variation of hole-placement was found within the same species from the same site, as well as among sites. These results contrast with research on predatory molluscs, which tend to be more specific in where they attacked their prey. Gastropod and bivalve predators choose similar hole locations to humans. Discussion Based on figures in the analysed articles, variation in hole-location on pierced shells from archaeological sites was similar to variation in the placement of holes created by non-human animals. Importantly, we found that some predators choose similar hole locations to humans. We discuss these findings and identify factors researchers might want to consider when interpreting shells recovered from archaeological contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zuzanna M Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Emma Nelson
- School of Medicine, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.,Department of Archeology, Classics and Egyptology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
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Rosin ZM, Skórka P, Pärt T, Żmihorski M, Ekner-Grzyb A, Kwieciński Z, Tryjanowski P. Villages and their old farmsteads are hot spots of bird diversity in agricultural landscapes. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M. Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology; Faculty of Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University; Umultowska 89 61-614 Poznań Poland
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation; Polish Academy of Sciences; Mickiewicza 33 31-120 Kraków Poland
| | - Tomas Pärt
- Department of Ecology; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Box 7044 Se 750 07 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Michał Żmihorski
- Institute of Nature Conservation; Polish Academy of Sciences; Mickiewicza 33 31-120 Kraków Poland
- Department of Ecology; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; Box 7044 Se 750 07 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Anna Ekner-Grzyb
- Department of Behavioural Ecology; Faculty of Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University; Umultowska 89 61-614 Poznań Poland
| | - Zbigniew Kwieciński
- Institute of Zoology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71C 60-625 Poznań Poland
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71C 60-625 Poznań Poland
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12
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Skórka P, Sierpowska K, Haidt A, Myczko Ł, Ekner-Grzyb A, Rosin ZM, Kwieciński Z, Suchodolska J, Takacs V, Jankowiak Ł, Wasielewski O, Graclik A, Krawczyk AJ, Kasprzak A, Szwajkowski P, Wylegała P, Malecha AW, Mizera T, Tryjanowski P. Habitat preferences of two sparrow species are modified by abundances of other birds in an urban environment. Curr Zool 2016; 62:357-368. [PMID: 29491924 PMCID: PMC5829444 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zow069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 08/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Every species has certain habitat requirements, which may be altered by interactions with
other co-occurring species. These interactions are mostly ignored in predictive models
trying to identify key habitat variables correlated with species population
abundance/occurrence. We investigated how the structure of the urban landscape, food
resources, potential competitors, predators, and interaction between these factors
influence the abundance of house sparrow Passer domesticus and the tree
sparrow P. montanus in sixty 25 ha plots distributed randomly across
residential areas of the city of Poznań (Poland). The abundance of the house sparrow was
positively correlated with the abundance of pigeons but negatively correlated with
human-related food resources. There were significant interaction terms between abundances
of other urban species and habitat variables in statistical models. For example, the
abundance of house sparrow was negatively correlated with the abundance of corvids and
tree sparrows but only when food resources were low. The abundance of tree sparrows
positively correlated with density of streets and the distance from the city center. The
abundance of this species positively correlated with the abundance of corvids when food
resources were low but negatively correlated at low covers of green area. Our study
indicates that associations between food resources, habitat covers, and the relative
abundance of two sparrow species are altered by the abundance of other urban species.
Competition, niche separation and social facilitation may be responsible for these
interactive effects. Thus, biotic interactions should be included not only as an additive
effect but also as an interaction term between abundance and habitat variables in
statistical models predicting species abundance and occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, Al. Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków
| | - Katarzyna Sierpowska
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
| | - Andżelika Haidt
- Department of Forest Ecology, Forest Research Institute, Braci Leśnej 3, Se¸kocin Stary, 05-090 Raszyn
| | - Łukasz Myczko
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
| | | | - Zuzanna M Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań
| | - Zbigniew Kwieciński
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań.,Zoological Garden, Browarna 25, 61-063 Poznań
| | - Joanna Suchodolska
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
| | - Viktoria Takacs
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
| | - Łukasz Jankowiak
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology and Anthropology, University of Szczecin, Wąska 13, 71-412 Szczecin
| | - Oskar Wasielewski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
| | - Agnieszka Graclik
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
| | - Agata J Krawczyk
- Department of Systematic Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań
| | - Adam Kasprzak
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
| | - Przemysław Szwajkowski
- Division of Rural Tourism, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Witosa 45/114b, 61-693 Poznań.,Department of Animal Physiology and Biochemistry, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wołyńska 35, 60-637 Poznań, and
| | - Przemysław Wylegała
- Polish Society for Nature Conservation Salamandra, Stolarska 7/3, 60-788 Poznań, Poland
| | - Anna W Malecha
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
| | - Tadeusz Mizera
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71 C, 60-625 Poznań
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13
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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] [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: 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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14
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Myczko Ł, Rosin ZM, Skórka P, Tryjanowski P. Urbanization level and woodland size are major drivers of woodpecker species richness and abundance. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94218. [PMID: 24740155 PMCID: PMC3989232 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is a process globally responsible for loss of biodiversity and for biological homogenization. Urbanization may have a direct negative impact on species behaviour and indirect effects on species populations through alterations of their habitats, for example patch size and habitat quality. Woodpeckers are species potentially susceptible to urbanization. These birds are mostly forest specialists and the development of urban areas in former forests may be an important factor influencing their richness and abundance, but documented examples are rare. In this study we investigated how woodpeckers responded to changes in forest habitats as a consequence of urbanization, namely size and isolation of habitat patches, and other within-patch characteristics. We selected 42 woodland patches in a gradient from a semi-natural rural landscape to the city centre of Poznań (Western Poland) in spring 2010. Both species richness and abundance of woodpeckers correlated positively to woodland patch area and negatively to increasing urbanization. Abundance of woodpeckers was also positively correlated with shrub cover and percentage of deciduous tree species. Furthermore, species richness and abundance of woodpeckers were highest at moderate values of canopy openness. Ordination analyses confirmed that urbanization level and woodland patch area were variables contributing most to species abundance in the woodpecker community. Similar results were obtained in presence-absence models for particular species. Thus, to sustain woodpecker species within cities it is important to keep woodland patches large, multi-layered and rich in deciduous tree species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Myczko
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Zuzanna M. Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland
| | - Piotr Skórka
- 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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15
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Rosin ZM, Kobak J, Lesicki A, Tryjanowski P. Differential shell strength of Cepaea nemoralis colour morphs--implications for their anti-predator defence. Naturwissenschaften 2013; 100:843-51. [PMID: 23921905 PMCID: PMC3753478 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-013-1084-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2013] [Revised: 07/09/2013] [Accepted: 07/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
One of the most spectacular evolutionary forces is predation, evidenced to stimulate polymorphism in many prey species. Shell colour polymorphism of the land snail Cepaea nemoralis is a well-known model in evolutionary research. Nevertheless, the knowledge on the ecological causes driving its evolution remains incomplete and proximal factors shaping predatory pressure on C. nemoralis morphs are unknown. We evaluated shell crushing resistance and thickness, constituting crucial snail anti-predator defences in two shell areas (the apex and labium) of eight C. nemoralis morphotypes differing in shell colour and banding pattern. A GLM showed a significant effect of shell colour, banding pattern and shell thickness on shell strength. Pink shells were stronger than yellow ones, and banded forms had stronger shells than unbanded snails. The labium (usually attacked by mice) was generally thicker and more resistant than the apex (usually crushed by birds). Thicker shells were more resistant to crushing, and the rate of shell strength increase per unit of shell thickness was greater in pink and banded individuals compared to yellow and unbanded ones. Yellow and unbanded morphs have been found to be preferred by mice in the previous studies, which suggests that shell strength may be an important trait used in prey selection by these shell-crushing predators. The differences in potential anti-predator defences among snail morphs, found in the present study, justify future research on direct effect of C. nemoralis morphs shell strength on predator selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Experimental Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
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16
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Surmacki A, Ożarowska-Nowicka A, Rosin ZM. Color polymorphism in a land snail Cepaea nemoralis (Pulmonata: Helicidae) as viewed by potential avian predators. Naturwissenschaften 2013; 100:533-40. [PMID: 23649558 PMCID: PMC3689469 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-013-1049-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2012] [Revised: 04/13/2013] [Accepted: 04/16/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Avian predation is one of the most probable factors maintaining polymorphism of shell coloration in Cepaea nemoralis. This assumption is justified by the fact that birds frequently forage on snails and their prey choice varies with morph coloration. However, in all preceding studies, the conspicuousness of morphs was determined only by using human vision which is significantly different from birds' visual perception. In this study, we assessed how birds perceive colors of four Cepaea nemoralis morphs using physiological models of avian color vision. We calculated combined chromatic and achromatic contrast between shells and three habitat background types as a measure of shell conspicuousness. The degree of background color matching in Cepaea nemoralis depended on both shell morph and habitat type. On average, banded morphs were more conspicuous than unbanded morphs. Morphs were the most cryptic against dry vegetation and the most conspicuous on bare ground. We also found a significant interaction between habitat type and color morph. The relative conspicuousness of shell morphs depended on habitat and was the most variable against green vegetation. Our study provides the first insight into how potential avian predators view Cepaea nemoralis morphs. The results are discussed in light of multiple hypotheses explaining selective predation on Cepaea nemoralis morphs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian Surmacki
- Department of Avian Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
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17
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Tryjanowski P, Sparks TH, Jerzak L, Rosin ZM, Skórka P. A Paradox for Conservation: Electricity Pylons May Benefit Avian Diversity in Intensive Farmland. Conserv Lett 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań Poland
| | - Tim H. Sparks
- Institute of Zoology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań Poland
- Fachgebiet für Ökoklimatologie; Technische Universität München, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany & Institute for Advanced Study, Technische Universität München; Lichtenbergstrasse 2a 85748 Garching Germany
- Sigma; Coventry University; CV1 5FB UK
| | - Leszek Jerzak
- Faculty of Biological Sciences; University of Zielona Góra; Prof. Z. Szafrana Street 1, 65-561 Zielona Góra Poland
| | - Zuzanna M. Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology; Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University; Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań Poland
| | - Piotr Skórka
- Institute of Zoology; Poznań University of Life Sciences; Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625 Poznań Poland
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Myczko Ł, Rosin ZM, Skórka P, Wylegała P, Tobolka M, Fliszkiewicz M, Mizera T, Tryjanowski P. Effects of management intensity and orchard features on bird communities in winter. Ecol Res 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11284-013-1039-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Abstract
The evolution of shell polymorphism in terrestrial snails is a classic textbook example of the effect of natural selection in which avian and mammalian predation represents an important selective force on gene frequency. However, many questions about predation remain unclear, especially in the case of mammals. We collected 2000 specimens from eight terrestrial gastropod species to investigate the predation pressure exerted by birds and mice on snails. We found evidence of avian and mammalian predation in 26.5% and 36.8% of the shells. Both birds and mammals were selective with respect to snail species, size and morphs. Birds preferred the brown-lipped banded snail Cepaea nemoralis (L.) and mice preferred the burgundy snail Helix pomatia L. Mice avoided pink mid-banded C. nemoralis and preferred brown mid-banded morphs, which were neglected by birds. In contrast to mice, birds chose larger individuals. Significant differences in their predatory pressure can influence the evolution and maintenance of shell size and polymorphism of shell colouration in snails.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna M Rosin
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
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