Distribution of deadwood and other forest structural indicators relevant for bird conservation in Natura 2000 special protection areas in Poland

AbstractNumerous bird species, often rare or endangered, rely on the presence of standing and downed deadwood for shelter, nesting, and foraging. Habitat quality was evaluated on the basis of deadwood volume, the density of large standing deadwood, and the space filling index (SFI). The SFI reflects the degree of space filling of the bottom layers taking into account tree trunks, seedlings, saplings, ground vegetation, stumps, and downed deadwood. Analysis encompassed all special protection areas (SPAs) in Poland (a total of 107 SPAs containing 7974 sample plots monitored under the National Forest Inventory). An additional in-depth analysis was conducted for 30 SPAs with the greatest share of forest habitats. The studied indicators varied substantially both between and within individual SPAs, with deadwood volume ranging from 1.3 to 50.5 m3 ha−1 (mean of 9.0 m3 ha−1) and the density of large standing deadwood (diameter at breast height ≥ 30 cm) from 0.1 to 16.0 ind ha−1 (mean of 2.2 ind ha−1). These values were relatively low compared to the density of living trees with corresponding dimensions (111 ind ha−1). SFI analysis indicated high or very high space filling of the bottom forest layers on 14–56% of sample plots in a given SPA. The presence of deadwood was found to be significantly positively affected by SPA location in the mountains, a greater proportion of sites with higher fertility, a greater share of forest area under strict protection, as well as higher stand volume within a given SPA. The correlation between deadwood volume and the density of birds (primary and secondary cavity nesters) in individual SPAs was positive (R = 0.60). As compared to lowland areas, SPAs in mountain areas are generally characterized by high stand volumes, a greater density of large living trees, and a greater amount of diverse deadwood. In those areas conservation measures should involve continuous monitoring and diagnosing of any problems associated with the populations of individual bird species; focused efforts should be implemented to support those species that exhibit unfavorable population trends. In most lowland SPAs measures aimed at the improvement of site conditions for birds must be more extensive than in the mountains, with a low abundance of dead trees (especially large ones). These parameters can be improved by retaining some senescent stands in managed forests until their natural death and implementing a strict protection regime in areas of high conservation value.

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Potential impacts of transport infrastructure and traffic on bird conservation in Swedish Special Protection Areas

10.1101/351692 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Jan Olof Helldin

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Habitat Degradation ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Ecological Impacts ◽

Transport Infrastructure ◽

Bird Conservation ◽

Bird Abundance ◽

Density Reduction ◽

Special Protection Areas ◽

Special Protection

AbstractThe ecological impacts of roads and railways extend into the surrounding landscape, leading to habitat degradation and reduced animal densities within an area that is considerably larger than the actual road or railway corridor. For birds, an extensive meta-analysis has pointed at an average of 20% density reduction within 1 km from the infrastructure. I investigated to what extent this density reduction could potentially compromise the habitat quality and conservation value of Swedish Natura 2000 areas designated for the protection of birds (Special Protection Areas; SPAs). A majority (63%) of Swedish SPAs are at least to some extent found within this 1 km potential effect zone. The total overlap between SPA and effect zone is 126,000 ha, or 4.2% of the country’s SPA area. There are however large differences among biogeographical regions. In the southern (continental) and coastal regions combined, 25.8% of the total SPA area fall within the effect zone, representing an estimated 4-7% reduction in bird abundance within SPAs. The probability of overlap with effect zone is higher for larger SPAs. However, the proportion of overlap is higher for smaller SPAs, and accordingly smaller sites can be assumed to experience a greater impact from transport infrastructure and traffic. The impacts on Natura 2000 sites are particularly concerning as this network of protected areas is a cornerstone to maintain and restore biodiversity within EU. I recommend putting a stronger emphasis in the management of Natura 2000 sites on the potential threats to wildlife conservation caused by transport infrastructure and traffic. Special attention should be paid in sites with a large overlap with the effect zone, and in sites hosting particularly vulnerable taxa or habitats. Infrastructure owners and managers should do their best to minimize and compensate for the negative impacts of roads and railways and related traffic in SPAs and other protected areas.

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Predicted impacts of transport infrastructure and traffic on bird conservation in Swedish Special Protection Areas

Nature Conservation ◽

10.3897/natureconservation.36.31826 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 36 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Jan Olof Helldin

Keyword(s):

Protected Areas ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Ecological Impacts ◽

Transport Infrastructure ◽

Bird Conservation ◽

Bird Abundance ◽

Density Reduction ◽

Geographical Regions ◽

Special Protection Areas ◽

Special Protection

The ecological impacts of roads and railways extend into the surrounding landscape, leading to habitat degradation and reduced wildlife densities within an area that is considerably larger than the actual road or railway corridor. For birds, an extensive meta-analysis has identified an average of 20% density reduction within 1 km from the infrastructure. I investigated to what extent this density reduction can be expected to compromise the habitat quality and conservation value of Swedish Natura 2000 areas designated for the protection of birds (Special Protection Areas; SPAs). The majority (63%) of Swedish SPAs are, to some extent, found within this 1 km road/railway effect zone (REZ). The total overlap between SPA and REZ is approximately 126,000 ha or 4.2% of the country’s SPA area. There are, however, large differences amongst bio-geographical regions. In the southern (continental) and coastal regions combined, 25.8% of the total SPA area fall within REZ, representing an estimated 4–7% reduction in bird abundance within SPAs. The probability of overlap with REZ is higher for larger SPAs. However, the proportion of overlap is higher for smaller SPAs and, accordingly, smaller sites can be assumed to experience a greater impact from transport infrastructure and traffic. The impacts on Natura 2000 sites are particularly concerning as this network of protected areas is a cornerstone for maintenance and restoration of biodiversity within the EU. I recommend placing a stronger emphasis in the management of Natura 2000 sites on the threats to wildlife conservation caused by transport infrastructure and traffic. Special attention should be paid to sites with a large overlap with the REZ and sites hosting particularly vulnerable taxa or habitats. Infrastructure owners and managers should make their best efforts to minimise and compensate for the negative impacts of roads and railways and associated traffic in SPAs and other protected areas.

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IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “NATURA 2000” EUROPEAN ECOLOGICAL NETWORK IN THE 6th NORTH-WESTERN REGION

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Agriculture ◽

10.15835/buasvmcn-agr:1435 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 63 ◽

Author(s):

M. Proorocu ◽

P. V. Beldean

Keyword(s):

Natura 2000 ◽

Habitats Directive ◽

Western Region ◽

Ecological Network ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Community Interest ◽

Special Protection Areas ◽

Two Stages ◽

North Western ◽

Special Protection

According to the Habitats Directive at European level there was constituted an ecological network entitled “Natura 2000” consisting of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas. The “Natura 2000” is composed of sites which include natural habitats of community interest and community interest species habitats. The Special Areas of Conservation has been declared during two stages. During the first stage these were nominated as Sites of Community Importance. In the 6th North – Western Region there were identified 57 Sites of Community Importance (SCI) and 8 Special Protection Areas (SPA). Among the 6 counties of the 6th North – Western Region, the SCI are best represented in Maramureş county, and the SPA in Cluj county.

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Population trends of Goričko agricultural landscape birds

Acrocephalus ◽

10.1515/acro-2017-0009 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (174-175) ◽

pp. 127-159 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Katarina Denac ◽

Primož Kmecl ◽

Gregor Domanjko ◽

Damijan Denac

Keyword(s):

Nature Conservation ◽

Agricultural Landscape ◽

Population Decline ◽

Bird Species ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Population Trends ◽

Land Consolidation ◽

Bird Conservation ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Nature Protection

AbstractDue to numerous bird surveys in the past 20 years, the avifauna of Goričko is relatively well known. For some species, the very first national ecological researches were conducted in this area. The article summarizes all bird surveys so far. It presents population trends of farmland species which is one of the most threatened bird groups in Europe. Most of the qualifying species of this habitat that are protected within the Natura 2000 network have suffered a decline at Goričko, specifically QuailCoturnix coturnix, Scops OwlOtus scops, HoopoeUpupa epops, WoodlarkLullula arboreaand White StorkCiconia ciconia. The number of breeding pairs of the latter has not changed, but its fecundity has decreased. Furthermore, populations of other farmland bird species have decreased, for example SkylarkAlauda arvensis, StonechatSaxicola rubicola, SerinSerinus serinusand Common LinnetLinaria cannabina, as well as butterfly populations and tracts of grassland habitat types. National agricultural and nature conservation policies are evidently inefficient in protecting the biodiversity of Goričko. The most probable cause for bird population decline is agricultural intensification, which manifests itself at Goričko as disappearance and intensification of meadows, land consolidation, degradation of traditional orchards and use of pesticides. As a result of land consolidation hedges, uncultivated strips between fields, individual trees and bushes and minority habitat types are disappearing, whereas the surface of arable fields is increasing. Nature conservation measures performed by the Public Institute Goričko Nature Park with the support of DOPPS – BirdLife Slovenia volunteers seem to be efficient, but are spatially and temporally constrained. For this reason, they cannot serve as a substitute for insufficient systemic financing which could be improved by substantive and financial reform of the agri-environmental scheme. Currently, a negligible percentage (1% in 2016) of Goričko is covered by agrienvironmental scheme measures with positive influence on qualifying species and habitat types. As a consequence, only an insignificant share of subsidies from the Rural Development Plan is used for nature protection at Goričko. If the system of agricultural subsidies remains unaltered, no improvement of the conditions for bird conservation at Goričko can be expected.

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Breeding avifauna of the Special Protection Area Natura 2000 ‘Grądy Odrzańskie’ in Czernica and Siechnice counties, Wrocław district (Poland)

Acta Musei Silesiae Scientiae Naturales ◽

10.1515/cszma-2015-0007 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 64 (1) ◽

pp. 51-67

Author(s):

Grzegorz Kopij

Keyword(s):

Bird Species ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Line Transect ◽

Ficedula Albicollis ◽

Breeding Bird ◽

Lanius Collurio ◽

Milvus Migrans ◽

Circus Aeruginosus ◽

Protection Area ◽

Special Protection

Abstract In 2009, in the Special Protection Area Natura 2000 ‘Grądy Odrzańskie’ in Czernica and Siechnice counties, Wrocław district, 95 breeding bird species were recorded. For 33 of them, maps of distribution of their breeding pairs are presented and for the remaining a relative abundance was estimated based on line transect method. In 2009, the following species were recorded in the study area for the first time: Cygnus olor, Crex crex, Upupa epops, and Picus canus. On the other hand, 11 species recorded in 1978-87 as breeding in the study area (Ciconia nigra, Pernis apivorus, Milvus migrans, Milvus milvus, Falco tinnunculus, Gallinago gallinago, Limosa limosa, Tringa totanus, Riparia riparia, Anthus campestris, Phoenicurus phoenicurus) were not recorded again in 2009. It has been shown that Saxicola torquata, Ficedula albicollis, Corvus corax and Remiz pendulinus have increased in numbers. The following species recorded in 2009 as breeding in the the study area: Cygnus olr, Ciconia ciconia, Circus aeruginosus, Crex crex, Alcedo atthis, Dryocopus martius, Picus canus, Dendrocopos medius, Lulula arborea, Sylvia nisoria, Ficedula albicollis, Lanius collurio and Emberiza hortulana are included in Annex 1 of the Bird Directive.

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IMPLEMENTATION OF THE “NATURA 2000” EUROPEAN ECOLOGICAL NETWORK IN THE 6th NORTH-WESTERN REGION

Bulletin of University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca Agriculture ◽

10.15835/buasvmcn-agr:1436 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 63 ◽

Author(s):

M. Proorocu ◽

P. V. Beldean ◽

I. Oroian

Keyword(s):

Natura 2000 ◽

Habitats Directive ◽

Western Region ◽

Ecological Network ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Community Interest ◽

Special Protection Areas ◽

Two Stages ◽

North Western ◽

Special Protection

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The role of peri-urban wetland and meadow habitats in the protection of trans-Saharan migrant passerine species in a central European city

Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia ◽

10.4081/rio.2018.406 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 88 (1) ◽

pp. 47-52

Author(s):

Grzegorz Kopij

Keyword(s):

Bird Species ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

Urban Wetlands ◽

Lanius Collurio ◽

Sw Poland ◽

Suitable Habitats ◽

Special Protection Areas ◽

The City ◽

Remiz Pendulinus

Densities were estimated for several passerine longdistance migrant species associated with peri-urban wetlands and meadows in the city of Wroclaw (293 km2), SW Poland. Acrocephalus arundinaceus, A. scirpaceus, Locustella naevia and Lanius collurio nested in a crude density of more than 0.2 pairs/territorial males per 100 ha. The group of four other species (Saxicola torquatus, Locustella fluviatilis, L. luscinioides and Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) bred in a crude density between 1.1 and 1.5 pairs per 10 km2. The least numerous were the Sylvia nisoria (0.06 pairs per 100 ha) and Remiz pendulinus (0.02 pairs per 100 ha). Most of these species nested in the city in higher crude density than in a neighbouring rural area, richer of suitable habitats. Most breeding pairs occupied extensive peri-urban wetlands and meadows. These habitats could play an important role in conservation of these trans-Saharan migrants, as well as other water and marshland bird species. Such habitats are postulated to be protected as nature reserves or Special Protection Areas of the Natura 2000.

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Steigende Bestandszahlen bei Spechten und anderen Vogelarten dank Zunahme von Totholz? | An increase in the population of woodpeckers and other bird species thanks to an increase in the quantities of deadwood?

Schweizerische Zeitschrift fur Forstwesen ◽

10.3188/szf.2009.0334 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 160 (11) ◽

pp. 334-340 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Pierre Mollet ◽

Niklaus Zbinden ◽

Hans Schmid

Keyword(s):

Forest Inventory ◽

Bird Species ◽

National Forest Inventory ◽

Population Increase ◽

National Forest ◽

Forest Species ◽

Breeding Populations ◽

Willow Tit ◽

Middle Spotted Woodpecker ◽

Important Habitat

Results from the monitoring programs of the Swiss Ornithological Institute show that the breeding populations of several forest species for which deadwood is an important habitat element (black woodpecker, great spotted woodpecker, middle spotted woodpecker, lesser spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, three-toed woodpecker as well as crested tit, willow tit and Eurasian tree creeper) have increased in the period 1990 to 2008, although not to the same extent in all species. At the same time the white-backed woodpecker extended its range in eastern Switzerland. The Swiss National Forest Inventory shows an increase in the amount of deadwood in forests for the same period. For all the mentioned species, with the exception of green and middle spotted woodpecker, the growing availability of deadwood is likely to be the most important factor explaining this population increase.

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The consequences of selective logging for Bornean lowland forest birds

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.1992.0036 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 335 (1275) ◽

pp. 443-457 ◽

Cited By ~ 105

Keyword(s):

Population Dynamics ◽

Bird Species ◽

Selective Logging ◽

Forest Birds ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Bird Conservation ◽

Lowland Forest ◽

Dipterocarp Forest ◽

Logged Forest ◽

Lowland Dipterocarp Forest

In lowland dipterocarp forest in Sabah, Malaysia, most primary forest bird species were present in areas selectively logged eight years previously. However, certain taxa, notably flycatchers, woodpeckers, trogons and wren-babblers, became comparatively rare. In contrast, nectarivorous and opportunistic frugivorous species were significantly more abundant. Few species appeared to change foraging height, but netting rates suggest that the activity of some species had increased, or that some birds ranged over larger areas after logging. Although there is still much to be learned about the survival of birds in logged forest, large areas of this habitat are important for bird conservation. However, the susceptibility of logged forest to fire, and our present incomplete understanding of bird behaviour and population dynamics in logged forests mean that they should not be considered by conservationists as alternatives to reserves of primary forest.

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Awifauna wodno-błotna środkowej Wisły w okresie lęgowym: wpływ działalności człowieka na rozmieszczenie, liczebność i bogactwo gatunkowe

Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae ◽

10.21697/seb.2011.9.2.04 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 67-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dariusz Bukaciński ◽

Monika Bukacińska ◽

Arkadiusz Buczyński

Keyword(s):

Bird Species ◽

Natura 2000 ◽

River Channel ◽

River Valley ◽

Breeding Bird ◽

Breeding Sites ◽

Vistula River ◽

Breeding Habitats ◽

Natura 2000 Site ◽

River Bottom

The inventory of birds was conducted in the years 2005-2010 on the Vistula River section between Dęblin (388 km of the river) and Podwierzbie (435 km of the river). The study area includes a southern section of the European Ecological Natura 2000 Site in Poland PLB140004 „Middle Vistula River Valley” (IBA, PL083). In most areas the Vistula flows here within unregulated or relatively little modified riverbed, having features of natural, lowland, braided river. Sandy islands and braid bars within the main channel, steep banks, and old riparian afforestation create the unique breeding habitats of the Vistula River Valley. Especially the river channel habitats provide suitable breeding sites for many rare bird species, constituting some of them the key-breeding sites. There are, however, fragments of several kilometers, where people transformed the Vistula River in a more visible way (Table 1). These are, among others: an urban section within Dęblin boundaries (km 388-393 of the river), a fragment adjacent to Kozienice Power Plant (km 421-426), and the area, where since 2007 gravel for the industry has been mining from the river bottom (km 426-431). The aim of this inventory was the comparison of richness and abundance of breeding bird species associated directly with the river channel on fragments mentioned above. It will allow us to estimate soberly how very the intensity of human utilization of the river affects the distribution of avifauna of the Vistula, determining the richness and abundance of valuable and/or endangered species breeding in a given area.

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