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

A free and open source programming library for landscape metrics calculations

Landscape metrics are used in a wide range of environmental studies such as land use change and land degradation studies, soil erosion and run-off predictions, management of hunting communities, and strategic planning for environmental management, to name just a few. Due to their utility for a variety of applications, there are many indices and software packages that have been designed to provide calculations and analysis of landscape structure patterns in categorical maps. With the purpose of making a comparison between the most used tools (Fragstats, V-Late, PA4...), this paper examines their advantages and disadvantages in order to create a list of common features that need to be incorporated into this type of software. An Application Programming Interface (API) is produced without limitations on data input, that is capable of calculating vector or raster metrics and is extensible. This API should make it possible not only to build third party applications easily, but also make it possible to add new metrics and research into new paradigms related to traditional landscape metrics. Land-metrics DIY (DoIt Yourself) is the library presented in this paper. It can calculate almost 40 landscape metrics from geometry provided by an ESRI Shapefile. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.We especially appreciate the comments and suggestions by A. Jakeman and three anonymous reviewers which led to substantial improvements of the manuscript. This paper is partially supported by the FPU - Doctoral Research Scholarship program of the "Ministerio de Educacion de Espana" (2007-2011). Moreover, we would like to thank all the FOSS community, and in particular to Diego Guidi (NTS main developer) for their interesting and important work. Of course, we also thank the OGC and all FOSS projects related to spatial information because they suppose a strategic support to the further development of our idea and other possible GIS projects.Zaragozi Zaragozi, BM.; Belda Antoli, A.; Linares Pellicer, JJ.; Martínez-Pérez, JE.; Navarro, JT.; Esparza Peidro, J. (2012). A free and open source programming library for landscape metrics calculations. Environmental Modelling and Software. 31:131-140. doi:10.1016/j.envsoft.2011.10.009S1311403

Conservation policies for protected areas (wetlands) in Greece: A survey of local residents' attitude

This study was carried out in 32 communities neighbouring four Ramsar wetlands in Northern Greece. In particular, it concerns the study of local residents' attitude regarding the ways of management and exploitation of the wetlands and their sociological features, using the opinion poll method (1600 questionnaires were distributed). The aim of this investigation is the evaluation of findings for planning of effective management and conservation policy of wetlands, incorporating the opinions of local residents. Further protection of the wetlands, awareness of local residents of the value of wetlands, tourism or agriculture development (in some cases), as well as more governmental support, became obvious results from this research. © 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers

Comparison of nest-site selection patterns of different sympatric raptor species as a tool for their conservation

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 measures 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