Adult Aedes albopictus in winter: implications for mosquito surveillance in southern Europe

Comment in The Lancet Planetary HealthWe acknowledge funding from the following projects: A systematic surveillance of vector mosquitoes for the control of mosquito-borne diseases in the Region of Attica, financed by the Region of Attica; E4Warning, financed by the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement 101086640; and IDAlert, financed by the EU's Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement 101057554. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, the decision to publish, or the preparation of this Comment. The code used to make the figure can be found at https://earth.bsc.es/gitlab/ghr/aedes-albopictus-winter.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Tracking data highlight the importance of human-induced mortality for large migratory birds at a flyway scale

Human-induced direct mortality affects huge numbers of birds each year, threatening hundreds of species worldwide. Tracking technologies can be an important tool to investigate temporal and spatial patterns of bird mortality as well as their drivers. We compiled 1704 mortality records from tracking studies across the African-Eurasian flyway for 45 species, including raptors, storks, and cranes, covering the period from 2003 to 2021. Our results show a higher frequency of human-induced causes of mortality than natural causes across taxonomic groups, geographical areas, and age classes. Moreover, we found that the frequency of human-induced mortality remained stable over the study period. From the human-induced mortality events with a known cause (n = 637), three main causes were identified: electrocution (40.5 %), illegal killing (21.7 %), and poisoning (16.3 %). Additionally, combined energy infrastructure-related mortality (i.e., electrocution, power line collision, and wind-farm collision) represented 49 % of all human-induced mortality events. Using a random forest model, the main predictors of human-induced mortality were found to be taxonomic group, geographic location (latitude and longitude), and human footprint index value at the location of mortality. Despite conservation efforts, human drivers of bird mortality in the African-Eurasian flyway do not appear to have declined over the last 15 years for the studied group of species. Results suggest that stronger conservation actions to address these threats across the flyway can reduce their impacts on species. In particular, projected future development of energy infrastructure is a representative example where application of planning, operation, and mitigation measures can enhance bird conservation

Spatial Ecology of the Endangered Egyptian Vulture: from Distribution and Movement to Biological Conservation

[eng] The current rampant loss of biodiversity is known to be affecting human well-being the world over. Sustainability has become the global go-to solution to ensure the balance between economic growth, social well-being and environmental care is maintained. This concept implies the need for a reduction in human environmental impact if wildlife species are to be preserved and the adequate functioning of ecosystems is to be guaranteed. Obligate avian scavengers, one of the most globally threatened of all groups of vertebrates, play a vital role in the nature-ecosystem services-human well-being dynamic. However, the pursuit of sustainable development can negatively impact vulture conservation and all that it entails. In this thesis, we explore the conservation challenges facing the Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus, a globally threatened migrant species, within the current context of sustainability. Specifically, we assess the impact of human-driven transformations, changes in food availability and on-going conservation measures on the spatial ecology of this species of great conservation concern. By using novel technologies such as GPS and information generated by classical long-term monitoring schemes, we aimed to increase the knowledge of the environmental factors that have shaped the spatial distribution and movement patterns of this species up to the present day and asses the spatial coverage of the main conservation tool, the Protected Areas (PAs), committed to safeguarding this species. To do so, we focused on the populations of continental and NE of Spain. First, we found that the breeding population of Egyptian vultures in continental Spain has been stable since 2000 but that its abundance is distributed heterogeneously across the whole region. The availability of food sources such as the presence of livestock and supplementary feeding stations and the abundance of griffon vultures were found to be the main factors aggregating breeding pairs and increased local densities in certain areas. By contrast, the increasing number of wind farms correlated with low-density Egyptian vulture areas. However, some of these environmental factors were only significant at specific spatial scales, a significant finding that has practical implications. Second, we found that predictable food sources such as landfills influence the foraging behaviour and movement patterns of tagged vultures in Catalonia (N=16). Whilst the feeding strategy of non-breeding individuals is centred on predictable sources such as landfills, breeders have a more diversified approach and incorporate less predictable food sources such as extensive farms. Additionally, the novel spatial network analysis used in this thesis proves to be a valuable tool for understanding the behavioural dynamics of vultures and this approach highlights the vulnerability of this species to the loss of predictable food sources. The potential closure of landfills will foreseeably prompt behavioural shifts towards other less predictable food sources such as extensive livestock, with non-breeding individuals being particularly affected. Third, an assessment of the coverage of PAs reveals the need to adequately protect key areas of the Egyptian vulture population in Catalonia, especially those linked to feeding areas that are currently unprotected. During PA planning, criteria should be based on ecological and behavioural aspects of breeding and non-breeding vultures rather than on purely administrative factors if the entire population is to be conserved efficiently. This thesis presents new methods for studying the spatial ecology of vultures and provides a greater understanding of the distributions and movements of these long-lived mobile species, thereby contributing to a more complete explanation of these spatial patterns. Finally, it sheds light on the detrimental effects of possible future sustainable actions on vulture populations –keystone species in ecosystems and providers of services at zero cost– and provides essential knowledge that will help inform future guidelines and conservation efforts.[spa] La actual pérdida de biodiversidad está afectando al bienestar humano en todo el mundo. La sostenibilidad se ha convertido en la solución mundial para garantizar el equilibrio entre el crecimiento económico, el bienestar social y el cuidado del medio ambiente. Este concepto incluye la necesidad de reducir el impacto ambiental humano si se quiere preservar las especies silvestres y garantizar el funcionamiento adecuado de los ecosistemas. Las aves carroñeras obligadas, uno de los grupos de vertebrados más amenazados a escala mundial, desempeñan un papel vital en la dinámica naturaleza-servicios ecosistémicos- bienestar humano. Sin embargo, la búsqueda del desarrollo sostenible puede repercutir negativamente en la conservación de los buitres y todo lo que ello conlleva. En esta tesis, exploramos los retos de conservación a los que se enfrenta el alimoche común Neophron percnopterus, una especie migratoria globalmente amenazada, en el contexto actual de la sostenibilidad. En concreto, evaluamos el impacto de las transformaciones provocadas por el hombre, los cambios en la disponibilidad de alimento y las medidas de conservación en curso sobre la ecología espacial de esta especie de gran interés para la conservación. Mediante el uso de tecnologías novedosas como el GPS y la información generada por métodos tradicionales de seguimiento a largo plazo, pretendemos aumentar el conocimiento de los factores ambientales que han configurado la distribución espacial y los patrones de movimiento de esta especie hasta la actualidad, así como evaluar la cobertura espacial de la principal herramienta de conservación, las Áreas Protegidas (APs), comprometidas con la salvaguarda de esta especie. Para ello, nos centramos en las poblaciones de la España continental y el NE de la Península Ibérica. En primer lugar, encontramos que la población reproductora de alimoches en España continental se ha mantenido estable desde 2000, pero que su abundancia se distribuye de forma heterogénea por toda la región. La disponibilidad de fuentes de alimento, como la presencia de ganado y comederos suplementarios, y la abundancia de buitres leonados resultaron ser los principales factores de agregación de parejas reproductoras y de aumento de las densidades locales en determinadas zonas. Por el contrario, el creciente número de parques eólicos se correlacionó con zonas de baja densidad de alimoches. Sin embargo, algunos de estos factores ambientales sólo fueron significativos a escalas espaciales concretas, un hallazgo importante que tiene implicaciones prácticas. En segundo lugar, encontramos que fuentes de alimento predecibles como los vertederos influyen en el comportamiento de búsqueda de alimento y en los patrones de movimiento de los buitres marcados en Cataluña (N=16). Mientras que la estrategia de alimentación de los individuos no reproductores se centra en fuentes predecibles como los vertederos, los reproductores tienen una estrategia más diversificada e incorporan fuentes de alimento menos predecibles como las granjas extensivas. Además, el novedoso análisis de redes espaciales utilizado en esta tesis constituye una valiosa herramienta para comprender la dinámica del comportamiento de los buitres y pone de manifiesto la vulnerabilidad de esta especie ante la pérdida de fuentes de alimento predecibles. El posible cierre de los vertederos provocará cambios de comportamiento hacia otras fuentes de alimento menos predecibles, como la ganadería extensiva, y los individuos no reproductores se verán especialmente afectados. En tercer lugar, la evaluación de la cobertura de las APs pone de manifiesto la necesidad de proteger adecuadamente áreas clave para la población de alimoche común en Cataluña, especialmente aquellas vinculadas a zonas de alimentación que actualmente se encuentran desprotegidas. Durante la planificación de las APs, los criterios deberían basarse en aspectos ecológicos y de comportamiento de los buitres reproductores y no reproductores en lugar de en factores puramente administrativos si se quiere conservar toda la población de forma eficiente. Esta tesis presenta nuevos métodos para estudiar la ecología espacial de los buitres y proporciona una mayor comprensión de las distribuciones y movimientos de esta especie móvil y longeva, contribuyendo así a un entendimiento más completo de estos patrones espaciales. Por último, arrojamos luz sobre los efectos perjudiciales de posibles futuras actuaciones sostenibles sobre las poblaciones de buitres –especies clave en los ecosistemas y proveedoras de servicios a coste cero– y aportamos conocimientos esenciales que ayudarán a fundamentar directrices y esfuerzos de conservación

Resource predictability modulates spatial-use networks in an endangered scavenger species

Abstract Background Changes in human-induced resource availability can alter the behaviour of free-living species and affect their foraging strategies. The future European Landfill Waste Directive and Circular Economy Action Plan will reduce the number of predictable anthropogenic food subsidies (PAFS), above all, by closing landfills to preclude negative effects on human health. Obligate avian scavengers, the most threatened group of birds worldwide, are the most likely group of species that will be forced to change their behaviour and use of space in response to landfill site closures. Here, we examine the possible consequences of these management decisions on the foraging patterns of Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) in an expanding population in the Iberian Peninsula. Methods We tracked 16 individuals in 2018–2021, including breeders and non-breeders, and, using a combination of spatial-use and spatial-network modelling, assessed landscape connectivity between key resources based on movement patterns. We then carried out simulations of future scenarios based on the loss of PAFS to predict likely changes in the movement patterns of both non-breeders and breeders. Results Our results show that foraging strategies in non-breeders and breeders differ significantly: non-breeders performed more dispersal movements than breeding birds across a spatial-use network. Non-breeding and breeding networks were found to be vulnerable to the removal of central foraging areas containing landfill sites, a highly predictable resource, while perturbation analysis showed dissimilar foraging responses to the gradual reduction of other predictable resources. Under a context of the non-availability of landfills for breeders and non-breeders, vultures will increase their use of extensive livestock as a trophic resource. Conclusions Future environmental policies should thus extend the areas used by scavengers in which livestock carcasses are allowed to remain in the wild, a strategy that will also mitigate the lack of food caused by any reduction in available waste if landfills close. In general, our results emphasize the capabilities of a spatial network approaches to address questions on movement ecology. They can be used to infer the behavioural response of animal species and, also demonstrate the importance of applying such approaches to endangered species conservation within a context of changing humanized scenarios

Tracking data highlight the importance of human-induced mortality for large migratory birds at a flyway scale

Human-induced direct mortality affects huge numbers of birds each year, threatening hundreds of species worldwide. Tracking technologies can be an important tool to investigate temporal and spatial patterns of bird mortality as well as their drivers. We compiled 1704 mortality records from tracking studies across the African-Eurasian flyway for 45 species, including raptors, storks, and cranes, covering the period from 2003 to 2021. Our results show a higher frequency of human-induced causes of mortality than natural causes across taxonomic groups, geographical areas, and age classes. Moreover, we found that the frequency of human-induced mortality remained stable over the study period. From the human-induced mortality events with a known cause (n = 637), three main causes were identified: electrocution (40.5 %), illegal killing (21.7 %), and poisoning (16.3 %). Additionally, combined energy infrastructure-related mortality (i.e., electrocution, power line collision, and wind-farm collision) represented 49 % of all human-induced mortality events. Using a random forest model, the main predictors of human-induced mortality were found to be taxonomic group, geographic location (latitude and longitude), and human footprint index value at the location of mortality. Despite conservation efforts, human drivers of bird mortality in the African-Eurasian flyway do not appear to have declined over the last 15 years for the studied group of species. Results suggest that stronger conservation actions to address these threats across the flyway can reduce their impacts on species. In particular, projected future development of energy infrastructure is a representative example where application of planning, operation, and mitigation measures can enhance bird conservation.publishedVersio