Comparación de los patrones de selección del lugar de nidificación de distintas especies rapaces simpátridas, como herramienta para su conservación

In this study the nest–site selection patterns of four tree–nesting sympatric raptor species in Dadia National Park (Greece) were compared in order to provide a sound conservation tool for their long–term management in the area. The species studied were the Black vulture (Aegypius monachus), the Lesser–spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), the Booted eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus) and the Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis). Twenty–six variables illustrating the landscape context and vegetation structure of nesting sites were analysed. Multivariate–ANOVA and Discriminant Function Analysis were used to test for significant differentiations in nest–site characteristics among the species. The species studied were initially differentiated by geomorphology and distance to foraging areas. Once these were determined their nesting areas were established according to forest structure. Our results indicate that forest management should integrate the preservation of mature forest stands with sparse canopy and forest heterogeneity in order to conserve suitable nesting habitats for the raptors. Specific conservation me asures such as restriction of road construction should be implemented in order to protect the active nests and provisions should be made for adequate nesting sites for the Black vulture, which is sensitive to human disturbance. Key words: Sympatric raptors, Discriminant analysis, Nesting habitat separation, Conservation guidelines.En este estudio se han comparado los patrones de selección del lugar de nidificación de cuatro especies de rapaces simpátridas que construyen sus nidos en los árboles, en el Dadia National Park (Grecia), con el fin de obtener una buena herramienta de conservación para su gestión a largo plazo en esta zona. Las especies estudiadas fueron el Buitre Negro (Aegypius monachus), el Águila Pomerana (Aquila pomarina), el Aguililla Calzada (Hieraaetus pennatus) y el Azor Común (Accipiter gentilis). Se analizaron 26 variables que ilustraban el contexto paisajístico y la estructura de la vegetación de los lugares de nidificación. Se utilizaron el ANOVA multivariante y el Análisis de Función Discriminante para comprobar las diferencias significativas en las características de los lugares de nidificación según las especies. En primer lugar, las especies estudiadas se diferenciaron en cuanto a la geomorfología y la distancia a los lugares de alimentación. Una vez determinados ambos parámetros, se establecieron sus áreas de nidificación según la estructura forestal. Nuestros resultados indican que la gestión forestal debería integrar la conservación de zonas de bosque maduro con un dosel escaso y la heterogeneidad forestal, para conservar hábitats de nidificación adecuados para estas rapaces. Deberían tomarse medidas específicas de conservación tales como la restricción de construcción de carreteras, para la protección de los nidos activos y se debería proveer de lugares adecuados para la nidificación del buitre negro, que es muy sensible a la presencia humana. Palabras clave: Rapaces simpátridas, Análisis discriminante, Clasificación de hábitats de nidificación, Pautas de conservación

Modelling nesting habitat as a conservation tool for the Eurasian black vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Dadia nature reserve, northeastern Greece.

Abstract The Eurasian black vulture (Aegypius monachus) is a globally endangered species, vulnerable in Europe and endangered in Greece. We modelled its nesting preferences in Dadia reserve, northeastern Greece using logistic models at multi-scale level combined by Bayesian statistics. Compared with the random sites, the vultures nested at trees with greater diameter (DBH), lower height, and lower total number of trees around the nest tree, steeper slopes and greater distance from forest roads. Our results indicate that conservation and management guidelines for black vultures must aim: (1) to preserve old, isolated mature trees in the reserve, (2) to maintain the zones of strict protection as vulture sanctuary, including most of the suitable nesting habitat, (3) to protect the apparently suitable but still unused habitat in the rest of the reserve from disturbance and logging, (4) to monitor any changes in habitats and use our models to evaluate and predict their effect on vulture nesting in the reserve

Reconciling endangered species conservation with wind farm development: Cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) in south-eastern Europe

Available online xxxx Harnessing wind energy is seen as an environmentally friendly strategy to combat climate change. However, adverse environmental impacts have come to light for species that are prone to collision with wind turbine blades, such as vultures, leading to a conflict between wind energy industry and conservation. Our study area epitomized such a conflict, containing the only population of cinereous vultures in south-eastern Europe while also being the location for substantial existing and planned wind farms. We used long-term remote telemetry data to produce a species-specific sensitivity map for guiding wind energy development and to estimate vulture collision mortality due to currently operating wind farms. Most operational wind farms were in the population core area and in the highest priority areas for vulture conservation. Collision mortality due to the thirteen operating wind farms was estimated by combining global position system (GPS) telemetry data on vulture space use with a collision risk model (CRM). Estimated mortality varied greatly according to the CRM's 'avoidance rate'. Under the most likely avoidance rates annual predicted collision mortality was 5-11% of the population, creating risk of population decline. Collision mortality was expected almost exclusively in the population core area, rendering further future development plans there severely problematic for vulture population persistence. Our sensitivity map, as a conservation prioritization system, offered a spatially explicit solution to the conflict between wind energy development and vulture conservation. Combining spatial use models derived from telemetry data with collision mortality models offers a novel conservation tool for evaluating large scale wind energy development proposals

Modélisation de la qualité des stations et de la croissance individuelle des arbres dans des peuplements purs et mélangés de Pinus brutia dans le nord-est de la Grèce

International audienc

An evidence-based assessment of the past distribution of Golden and White-tailed Eagles across Wales

Two species of eagles (Golden and White‐tailed) bred in Wales during prehistoric and historic times and became regionally extinct as breeding species in the mid‐1800s. They are iconic and charismatic, and discussions about reintroducing them back into the Welsh landscape have been ongoing for years. Reintroductions, however, can be risky, costly and/or contentious. To address these concerns, and to judge whether it is appropriate to reintroduce a regionally extinct species; the “International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)” have produced criteria by which a proposed reintroduction can be assessed. A key criterion is that the potential reintroduction location lies within the former range of the species. In this study, we addressed this criterion by assessing the past distributions of Golden and White‐tailed Eagles within Wales. Using historic observational data, fossil/archaeological records and evidence from place‐names in the Welsh language, we demonstrated strong evidence for the presence of both of these eagle species in Wales in pre‐historic and historic times. We used kernel density functions to model the likely core distributions of each species within Wales. The resulting core distributions encompassed much of central and west‐north Wales for both species, with the White‐tailed Eagle exhibiting a wider core distribution extending into south Wales. Our results fill knowledge gaps regarding the historic ranges of both species in Britain, and support the future restoration of either or both species to Wales

How to fit the distribution of apex scavengers into land-abandonment scenarios? The Cinereous vulture in the Mediterranean biome

Aim Farmland abandonment or “ecological rewilding” shapes species distribution and ecological process ultimately affecting the biodiversity and functionality of ecosystems. Land abandonment predictions based on alternative future socioeconomic scenarios allow foretell the future of biota in Europe. From here, we predict how these forecasts may affect large‐scale distribution of the Cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus), an apex scavenger closely linked to Mediterranean agro‐grazing systems. Location Iberian Peninsula. Methods Firstly, we modelled nest‐site and foraging habitat selection in relation to variables quantifying physiography, trophic resources and human disturbance. Secondly, we evaluate to what extent land abandonment may affect the life traits of the species and finally we determined how potential future distribution of the species would vary according to asymmetric socioeconomic land‐abandonment predictions for year 2040. Results Cinereous vultures selected breeding areas with steep slopes and low human presence whereas foraging areas are characterized by high abundance of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) and wild ungulates. Liberalization of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could potentially transform positively 66% of the current nesting habitat, favouring the recovery of mature forest. Contrarily, land abandonment would negatively affect the 63% of the current foraging habitat reducing the availability of preferred food resources (wild European rabbit). On the other hand, the maintenance of the CAP would determine lower frequencies (24%–22%) of nesting and foraging habitat change. Main conclusions Land abandonment may result into opposite effects on the focal species because of the increase in nesting habitats and wild ungulates populations and, on the other hand, lower availability of open areas with poorer densities of European rabbits. Land‐abandonment models’ scenarios are still coarse‐grained; the apparition of new human uses in natural areas may take place at small‐sized and medium‐sized scales, ultimately adding complexity to the prediction on the future of biota and ecosystems.Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Grant/Award Number: BES-2014-070597Juan de la Cierva Incorporación, Grant/Award Number: IJCI-2014-20744;Programa Viçent Mut of Govern Balear, Spain, Grant/Award Number: PD/039/2017;Consejería de Innovación, Ciencia y Empleo, Junta de Andalucía, Grant/Award Number: RNM-1925;MINECO/FEDER EU, Grant/Award Number: CGL2015-66966-C2-1-2-R;Severo Ochoa Excellence Award from the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Grant/Award Number: SEV-2012-0262;CEAUL; FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal, Grant/Award Number: UID/MAT/00006/201

Species distribution models with field validation, a key approach for successful selection of receptor sites in conservation translocations

Original research articleConservation translocations of threatened species are being widely used to mitigate human impacts. However, their effects are surrounded by some controversy since these actions have often failed to meet planned objectives. Despite the limited number of published studies, existing evidence indicates that a main constraint for the long-term success of translocation actions is the selection of suitable receptor sites. In this study, we present a methodological approach to identify suitable receptor sites that combines the use of species distribution models (SDMs) and in situ field validation trials. This method was successfully applied to translocate a population of Critically Endangered Narcissus cavanillesii, which was going to be destroyed by the construction of the Alqueva dam (Portugal), the largest dam in Europe. The results of the SDM developed for the target species were biologically validated through in situ germination trials in sites with contrasting species suitability values. The population translocated to the site selected with this approach has experienced a stable demographic trend for more than ten years and established new mature plants outside the translocated patches. This methodology, which has proven to be a fast and reliable approach for the selection of appropriate receptor sites for conservation translocations, could be useful in other studiesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Systematic Raptor Monitoring as conservation tool: 12 year results in the light of landscape changes in Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park

Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park forms part of the Natura 2000 network in a region of Greece and represents one of the most diverse landscapes for raptors (birds of prey) breeding in Europe. It is adjacent to Bulgaria and Turkey and is a renowned biodiversity hotspot. WWF Greece established a Systematic Raptor Monitoring scheme in this area in 2001.This study summarises the results of the first 12 years of monitoring in the National Park. Overall, 25 to 27 raptor species were recorded by pooling data, of which20 species reproduced in the National Park. Raptors with continuous presence in the National Park exhibited stable, species-specific inter-annual variation. An average of 348±15.4 raptor territories were distributed throughout the National Park for all species. The Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and the Short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) were the most common species year-round, followed by the Lesser-spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina) and Booted eagle (Aquila pennata). The Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus), Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) exhibited a noticeable drop in population numbers over the study period. A significant new entry was the re-appearance of the White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), which was recorded breeding again in the region after a 21-year absence. Species trends, along with their ecological traits, are discussed with respect to landscape changes in Dadia NP and minimum viable population and territory thresholds are proposed to outline essential conservation issues. Although a multi-year balance of the total number of occupied territories for all species was recorded, the number of common species increased compared to specialist species which had smaller, declining populations. The abandoning of traditional livestock farming, which induces an increase in closed-canopy forest coverage, might have led to the decline of the Lesser-spotted eagle, Long-legged buzzard and Honey buzzard numbers. Additional pressure is added from specialist forest dwelling raptors which are favoured by this change in habitat. The results of this study are expected to provide useful insights to facilitate conservation and management decisions about raptors and their habitat in this region

Systematic Raptor Monitoring as conservation tool: 12 year results in the light of landscape changes in Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park

Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park forms part of the Natura 2000 network in a region of Greece and represents one of the most diverse landscapes for raptors (birds of prey) breeding in Europe. It is adjacent to Bulgaria and Turkey and is a renowned biodiversity hotspot. WWF Greece established a Systematic Raptor Monitoring scheme in this area in 2001.This study summarises the results of the first 12 years of monitoring in the National Park. Overall, 25 to 27 raptor species were recorded by pooling data, of which20 species reproduced in the National Park. Raptors with continuous presence in the National Park exhibited stable, species-specific inter-annual variation. An average of 348±15.4 raptor territories were distributed throughout the National Park for all species. The Common buzzard (Buteo buteo) and the Short-toed eagle (Circaetus gallicus) were the most common species year-round, followed by the Lesser-spotted eagle (Clanga pomarina) and Booted eagle (Aquila pennata). The Long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus), Honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) and Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) exhibited a noticeable drop in population numbers over the study period. A significant new entry was the re-appearance of the White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), which was recorded breeding again in the region after a 21-year absence. Species trends, along with their ecological traits, are discussed with respect to landscape changes in Dadia NP and minimum viable population and territory thresholds are proposed to outline essential conservation issues. Although a multi-year balance of the total number of occupied territories for all species was recorded, the number of common species increased compared to specialist species which had smaller, declining populations. The abandoning of traditional livestock farming, which induces an increase in closed-canopy forest coverage, might have led to the decline of the Lesser-spotted eagle, Long-legged buzzard and Honey buzzard numbers. Additional pressure is added from specialist forest dwelling raptors which are favoured by this change in habitat. The results of this study are expected to provide useful insights to facilitate conservation and management decisions about raptors and their habitat in this region

Figure 1 in The influence of habitat features on amphibian distribution in Northeastern Greece

Figure 1. Map of the study area showing habitat types and locations of water body samples.Published as part of Kret, Elzbieta & Poirazidis, Konstantinos, 2014, The influence of habitat features on amphibian distribution in Northeastern Greece, pp. 451-469 in Journal of Natural History 49 (5) on page 453, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2013.809167, http://zenodo.org/record/400414