Estimating the conservation cost of the projected new international Lisbon airport for migratory shorebirds of the Tagus estuary, Portugal

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
TERESA CATRY ◽  
FRANCESCO VENTURA ◽  
MARIA P. DIAS ◽  
CARLOS D. SANTOS ◽  
RICARDO C. MARTINS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Traffic Noise ◽  
Tagus Estuary ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Migratory Shorebirds ◽  
Atlantic Flyway ◽  
Anthropogenic Development ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Conservation Concern

Summary The increasing pressure of anthropogenic development in areas with high natural value poses a huge challenge for wildlife conservation worldwide. The Tagus estuary in southern Portugal is among the most important wetlands for migratory shorebirds in the East Atlantic Flyway (EAF). However, in 2020 the Portuguese government approved the construction of the new Lisbon international airport at the heart of the Tagus estuary. Intense aircraft traffic, flying at low altitudes during both approach and take-off, is expected to cross the estuary, overlapping to a great extent the important intertidal foraging areas. Here, we aim to quantify the potential loss of conservation value of the intertidal areas of the Tagus estuary for shorebirds resulting from the disturbance (noise) caused by overflying aircraft. Using a comprehensive dataset of wintering shorebird abundance and distribution in the whole intertidal estuarine area we first identified priority areas for conservation using a spatial prioritization approach. We then performed a replacement cost analysis by excluding the areas likely to become unsuitable or severely underused by birds due to intense air traffic noise. Our results suggest that the implementation of the new Lisbon airport may lead to a loss of up to 30% of the conservation value of the Tagus estuary in terms of intertidal feeding areas of wintering birds alone. The global impact will likely be greater when effects on supratidal roosts, as well as on passage birds, are also considered. The Tagus estuary, which is internationally important for six of the 10 species included in our analysis, is just one of a network of already depleted sites along the EAF. Thus, negative impacts on bird populations on the Tagus estuary will have repercussions and undermine conservation efforts elsewhere. The plight of shorebirds at the Tagus estuary is thus a matter of international conservation concern.

scholarly journals Environmental DNA for conservation

2021 ◽  
pp. 157-176
Author(s):  
Antoinette J. Piaggio
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Sampling Site ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Sampling Schemes ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Elusive Species ◽  
Negative Impacts

Detection and monitoring of wildlife species of concern is a costly and time-consuming challenge that is critical to the management of such species. Tools such as lures and traps can cause unnecessary stress or other health impacts to sensitive species. Development and refinement of tools that provide means to detect rare and elusive species without requiring contact with them reduce such impacts. Further, the potential of detection after the target species has moved on from a sampling site could allow for higher potential for detection of rare species. The ability to amplify DNA from environmental samples (e.g. water, soil, air, and other substrates) has provided a non-invasive method for detection of rare or elusive species while reducing negative impacts to wildlife. Like other non-invasive methods, such as cameras, there are methodological pitfalls associated with environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to consider. Each study system will provide unique challenges to adequate eDNA sampling. Thus, pilot studies are critical for successful implementation of a larger-scale detection and monitoring study. This chapter will describe the benefits and challenges of using eDNA, detail types of eDNA sampling, and provide guidance on designing appropriate study design and sampling schemes. Empirical studies using eDNA applied to wildlife conservation efforts will be highlighted and discussed.

scholarly journals Long-term declines of wader populations at the Tagus estuary, Portugal: a response to global or local factors?

2011 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 438-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
TERESA CATRY ◽  
JOSÉ A. ALVES ◽  
JOANA ANDRADE ◽  
HELDER COSTA ◽  
MARIA P. DIAS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Legal Protection ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Tagus Estuary ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
East Atlantic ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
The Past ◽  
Atlantic Flyway ◽  
East Atlantic Flyway

SummaryMigratory wader populations face global threats, mainly related to increasing rates of habitat loss and disturbance driven by human activities. To a large extent, the long-term survival of these populations requires the conservation of networks of sites along their migratory flyways. The Tagus estuary, Portugal, is among the most important wetlands for waders in the East Atlantic Flyway. Annual winter wader counts have been carried in this wetland since 1975 and a monthly roost-monitoring programme was implemented in 2007. Wintering populations of three out of the five most abundant species, DunlinCalidris alpina, Grey PloverPluvialis squatarolaand RedshankTringa totanus, showed significant population declines over the past three decades, which are most likely due to the loss and degradation of roost sites as a result of increasing human activity. The situation is unlikely to improve, as a high proportion of the wintering waders use roost sites that are situated in highly urbanised areas with no legal protection. The use of different roost sites by waders is highly variable both temporally and spatially, thus emphasizing the need for a network of good quality roost sites. Additionally, during migration, 60–80% of all the waders of the Tagus estuary concentrate at a single refuge, thus increasing the risk for wader populations during these periods.

Pinniped predation of birds: A cause for conservation concern?

The Condor ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
George J F Swan ◽  
Eduardo A Silva-Rodríguez ◽  
Layla P Osman ◽  
Eduardo Jaramillo
Keyword(s):  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
South American ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Sea Lion ◽  
Predator Prey ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
South American Sea Lion ◽  
Prey Interaction ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Do So

Abstract Recovering predators can create challenges for conservation objectives when they prey on vulnerable species. Although largely uncommon, pinniped predation of birds presents one such challenge. Here, we describe the novel characteristics of this predator–prey interaction, its impact on bird populations, and possible mitigation responses. We do so both broadly, synthesizing the wider literature, and specifically, in reference to ongoing South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) predation of Black-necked Swans (Cygnus melancoryphus) we are currently observing in southern Chile. Our review of the literature suggests that in most cases bird predation by pinnipeds is only exhibited by a small proportion of the population, spreads socially between individuals, can be temporally severe, and may rapidly threaten the viability of bird populations. We discuss feasibility and efficacy of potential mitigation measures highlighting that, as foraging specializations can be socially transmitted, any such actions need to be time conscious as bird-killing behaviors may be increasingly difficult to remove. The contrasting population trends of pinnipeds and seabirds suggests that pinniped predation of vulnerable waterbirds is going to be an increasingly common conservation challenge in the future.

Long-term monitoring of landbirds on Aldabra Atoll indicates increasing population trends

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
JANSKE VAN DE CROMMENACKER ◽  
HEATHER RICHARDS ◽  
CATHERINA ONEZIA ◽  
TERENCE MAHOUNE ◽  
PHILIP HAUPT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
World Heritage Site ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Heritage Site ◽  
Unesco World Heritage Site ◽  
Population Indices ◽  
Conservation Concern ◽  
Current Monitoring

SummaryLong-term survey data can provide important information on temporal and spatial changes in bird populations and are needed for conservation management. We investigate population indices of seven landbird species using an 11-year dataset from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aldabra Atoll. We analysed the associations of location, season and habitat with abundance, assessed population trends, and examined the influence of monitoring circumstances on results. Populations of all species except for the Aldabra Drongo Dicrurus aldabranus increased over this period. Abundance was associated with season and habitat, and interactions were found between season and location that differed for each species. Bird count results were affected by the timing of monitoring, number of observers and weather conditions. We use the results to review the strengths and weaknesses of the current monitoring programme and make recommendations for improvements. Overall our results indicate no immediate cause for conservation concern for the Aldabra landbird species monitored.

scholarly journals Maximizing the Wildlife Conservation Value of Road Right-of-Ways in an Agriculturally Dominated Landscape

PLoS ONE ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. e0120375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. McCleery ◽  
Allison R. Holdorf ◽  
Laura L. Hubbard ◽  
Brian D. Peer
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Conservation Value

Mapping foraging habitat for migratory shorebirds in their Australian non-breeding grounds and prioritising sites for conservation and management

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Lisson ◽  
Kathryn H. Taffs ◽  
Leslie Christidis
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
River Estuary ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Coastal Habitat ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Migratory Shorebirds ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Shorebird Habitat

Shorebird populations are declining worldwide as a result of the loss of the intertidal habitats upon which they depend. Conservation status is particularly dire for shorebirds on the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. While the flyway transects many international boundaries and involves numerous bilateral conservation agreements, management of remaining habitat at a local scale is imperative to conserving these species. Coastal habitat is affected by multiple anthropogenic stressors, including loss and degradation due to increasing demand for coastal land. In Australia, migration coincides with the summer holiday season when shorebirds are significantly impacted by human disturbance. Managers are frequently required to make trade-offs between wildlife conservation and anthropogenic land uses and when specific quantitative shorebird habitat data and mapping are absent, human interests will naturally take precedence. This paper demonstrates a method for mapping and prioritising management of shorebird non-breeding habitat using an Australian coastal site, the Richmond River estuary. Foraging habitat was surveyed and mapped using GIS with a range of attributes including habitat types, foraging values, disturbance levels and specific foraging distribution of each species. The results highlighted several important foraging areas that were impacted by disturbance and would require intervening management actions to reduce impacts on shorebirds. The GIS data created provide local managers with an effective tool to consider shorebird habitat in the decision-making process. This method could be replicated at other important shorebird habitat sites, leading to enhanced conservation of these declining species.

scholarly journals Transfer of nitrogen by migratory birds in the African-Western Eurasian Flyways

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-57
Author(s):  
Sofia Varriano ◽  
Julie M. Mallon ◽  
Cody Folta ◽  
Hawa Coulibaly ◽  
Kevin J. Krajcir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Birds ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
N Deposition ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Nitrogen Transfer ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Atlantic Flyway ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Species Specific

AbstractMigrating animals are known to play an important role in nutrient transfer over short distances; however, this phenomenon has not been well studied for long-distance migrants. In this preliminary study, we focused on nitrogen (N) transfer by 44 bird species that migrate from Eurasia to two regions in sub-Saharan Africa that fall into the lowest 10% quantile of global N-deposition (mean annual deposition ≤ 10.44 mg/m2/year). We estimated the number of birds that die during the non-breeding season in these areas and then used N content and species-specific mass values to calculate annual N-deposition rates. For these two areas of low N-deposition, we found that bird mortality contributed 0.2 – 1.1% of total nitrogen deposition, which is a relatively small proportion. Therefore, we conclude that nitrogen transfer by long-distance bird migrants using the East Atlantic Flyway and the West Asian-East African Flyway currently has limited impact on the sub-Saharan nitrogen cycle. However, it is worth noting that this impact may have been more important in the past due to larger bird populations and lower background N-deposition (i.e., less anthropogenic impact).

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