scholarly journals Increased microclimatic variation in artificial nests does not create ecological traps for a secondary cavity breeder

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothée Schwartz ◽  
Arnaud Genouville ◽  
Aurélien Besnard
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Trap ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Coracias Garrulus ◽  
Breeding Parameters ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Individual Fitness ◽  
Initial Hypothesis ◽  
Fitness Parameters ◽  
Microclimatic Conditions

AbstractArtificial devices are increasingly used in conservation measures to mitigate the disappearance of natural habitats. However, few studies have demonstrated their benefits for the target species, and they may pose a risk of creating ecological traps. This occurs when lower individual fitness is found in artificial habitats that are more attractive than their natural equivalents. In this study, we tested the ecological trap hypothesis on a dense population of European rollers Coracias garrulus breeding in both natural cavities and nest-boxes. Our initial hypothesis was that the more stressful microclimatic conditions of nest-boxes would lead to reduced fitness of rollers, thus creating an ecological trap. The results showed that nest-boxes were preferred over natural cavities. Despite significantly more extreme microclimatic conditions in nest-boxes, we found similar breeding parameters between artificial and natural nest types. Our results also suggest that rollers selected the nest-boxes which best buffered the temperature, thus avoiding potential ecological traps. Overall our results lead to the conclusion that nest-boxes do not create ecological traps for rollers in this study site. However, other species may be more sensitive to microclimatic variations or less able to avoid the least favourable nest-boxes. These findings could help to inform the placement of nest-boxes in order to reduce extreme temperatures and variation in humidity rates. Future studies could compare nest types for other fitness parameters, such as juvenile body condition or survival. We also recommend the ecological trap hypothesis as a useful framework to evaluate the outcomes of artificial devices used for conservation.

scholarly journals Endemic Cyprus Scops Owl Otus cyprius Readily Breeds in Artificial Nest Boxes

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1775
Author(s):  
Savvas Iezekiel ◽  
Reuven Yosef ◽  
Constantinos Themistokleus ◽  
Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis ◽  
Christos G. Vlachos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Breeding Parameters ◽  
Island Endemic ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Old Trees

As is well-known, endemic island bird species are especially vulnerable to extinction from anthropogenic environmental change and reduced fitness compared with mainland taxa. The Cyprus Scops Owl, Otus cyprius, is a recently recognized island endemic species whose ecology and breeding biology have not been studied. It nests mainly in holes in trees and buildings, so the felling of old trees, modern architectural practices, and the renovation of old houses in villages may reduce nest site availability. Its population trend is also unknown. Therefore, to better determine its ecological requirements and habitat preferences we placed nest boxes in rural areas adjacent to the forest, in the forest, and in the ecotone between them, and used breeding success as our indicator of habitat suitability. We found that breeding parameters like laying date, clutch size, length of the incubation period, hatching day, hatching success, and number of nestlings did not differ between the three habitats. Despite the low level of nest box occupancy rate (5–11%) the endemic Cyprus Scops Owl readily breeds in artificial nests. Therefore, although we are unaware of any current threats to the Cyprus Scops Owl, we recommend that its conservation be prioritized, including studies, monitoring, habitat conservation, and the provision of nest boxes.

scholarly journals Naturally-primed life strategy plasticity of dimorphic Aethionema arabicum facilitates optimal habitat colonization

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samik Bhattacharya ◽  
Katja Sperber ◽  
Barış Özüdoğru ◽  
Gerhard Leubner-Metzger ◽  
Klaus Mummenhoff
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Plasticity ◽  
Life Strategy ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Plant Dispersal ◽  
Stress Gradients ◽  
Life Phase ◽  
Fitness Parameters ◽  
Dispersal Traits ◽  
Habitat Colonization ◽  
Optimal Habitat

Abstract Plasticity in plant dispersal traits can maximise the ability of a plant species to survive in stressful environments during colonization. Aethionema arabicum (Brassicaceae) is a dimorphic annual species that is hypothesized to survive stressful conditions during colonization due to adaptive plasticity in life-phase (vegetative vs sexual) and fruit morph (dehiscent [DEH] vs indehiscent fruits [IND]). We tested for adaptive plasticity in life-phase and fruit morphs along laboratory environmental stress gradients found in the natural habitats of Ae. arabicum. We considered optimal environmental conditions (750–2000 m above sea level) to be those that resulted in the following fitness parameters: higher biomass and a higher total number of fruits compared to stressful habitats. We found evidence of plasticity in life-phase and fruit-morph along a stressful environmental gradient. High hydrothermal stress proportionally increased the number of dehiscent morphs and non-dormant seeds germinating in autumn. This offsets natural phenology towards dry and cold winter (less hydrothermal stress), yielding fewer fruits that dehisce in the next generation. We conclude that the plastic responses of Ae. arabicum to natural stress gradients constitute a strategy of long-term adaptive benefits and favouring potential pathways of colonisation of the optimal habitat.

scholarly journals An Experimental Test of Snake Skin Use to Deter Nest Predation

The Condor ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 963-965
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C. Medlin ◽  
Thomas S. Risch
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Elaphe Obsoleta ◽  
Glaucomys Volans ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Adaptive Explanation ◽  
Mammalian Predators ◽  
Nesting Material ◽  
Rat Snake ◽  
Southern Flying Squirrel

Abstract Abstract Some bird species utilize snake skins as nesting material, possibly to decrease predation. We constructed 60 artificial nests simulating the nests of Great Crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus) in nest boxes to test the prediction that snake skins deter nest predators. Twenty of the boxes lacked rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta) skins (control), 20 had a single skin in the nest, and 20 had a skin in the nest and another displayed outside the box. Five of the control boxes were depredated (20%), while none of the experimental boxes were depredated. Our results supported our prediction that use of snake skins would deter mammalian predators, particularly the southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans). Although our results suggest a potential adaptive explanation for this behavior, our design did not allow us to address the degree of olfactory or visual detection by the squirrels, and left other potential explanations untested.

scholarly journals Breeding phenology of Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) and its reproduction biology with artificial nests in Northeastern Ukraine

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 122-138
Author(s):  
Olena Yarys ◽  
Angela Chaplygina ◽  
Roman Kratenko
Keyword(s):  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Reproduction Biology ◽  
Phoenicurus Phoenicurus ◽  
The Common ◽  
Nest Height ◽  
Average Size ◽  
Artificial Nest Boxes

Abstract The paper describes investigations on the reproduction biology (nesting, clutching, hatching, fledglings` departure) of the Common Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) in artificial nest boxes (AN) in Northeastern Ukraine. There were three sites of research: Hetman NNP, NPP “Gomilshansky Forests”, and RLP “Feldman Ecopark”. The research was performed during the nesting period from the first week of April to the first week of July in 2015‒2020. Annually, 5‒8 bird counts were conducted at each site. The first complete egg clutches at Hetman NNP were observed from 08.05 to 17.05 (2015‒2020) and at NPP “Gomilshansky Forests” from 02.05 to28.05 (2017‒2020). Dates of the first egg laying, at various conditions, had inter-annual variability because of unstable weather conditions in May. The average parameters of nests in AN at Hetman NNP were the following: diameter of nests (D) ‒ 124.1±6.3 mm; diameter of trays (d) ‒ 61.5±1.7 mm; nest height (H) ‒ 63.5±9.4 mm; depth of trays (h) ‒ 48.6±2.7 mm; nest mass (m) ‒ 43.7±3.8 mm. The size of complete clutches in Northeastern Ukraine was calculated when eggs were incubated. According to the average indicators, during 2015‒2020, the average size of the clutch was 6.9±0.3 (5‒8) eggs at Hetman NNP, 6.2±0.4 (6‒8) eggs at NPP “Gomilshansky Forests” and 8.5±0.5 (8‒9) eggs at RLP “Feldman Ecopark”. Incubation period of Ph. phoenicurus lasted on average for 15‒20 days.

scholarly journals Predicting species interactions from edge responses: mongoose predation on hawksbill sea turtle nests in fragmented beach habitat

2008 ◽  
Vol 275 (1650) ◽  
pp. 2465-2472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick A Leighton ◽  
Julia A Horrocks ◽  
Barry H Krueger ◽  
Jennifer A Beggs ◽  
Donald L Kramer
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Sea Turtle ◽  
Ecological Trap ◽  
Nest Density ◽  
Response Functions ◽  
Eretmochelys Imbricata ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Edge Response

Because species respond differently to habitat boundaries and spatial overlap affects encounter rates, edge responses should be strong determinants of spatial patterns of species interactions. In the Caribbean, mongooses ( Herpestes javanicus ) prey on hawksbill sea turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricata ) eggs. Turtles nest in both open sand and vegetation patches, with a peak in nest abundance near the boundary between the two microhabitats; mongooses rarely leave vegetation. Using both artificial nests and hawksbill nesting data, we examined how the edge responses of these species predict the spatial patterns of nest mortality. Predation risk was strongly related to mongoose abundance but was not affected by nest density or habitat type. The product of predator and prey edge response functions accurately described the observed pattern of total prey mortality. Hawksbill preference for vegetation edge becomes an ecological trap in the presence of mongooses. This is the first study to predict patterns of predation directly from continuous edge response functions of interacting species, establishing a link between models of edge response and species interactions.

Are artificial agricultural ponds a suitable alternative nesting habitat for the Little Ringed Plover?

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 133-138
Author(s):  
João L Guilherme ◽  
Afonso Rocha ◽  
Hugo Lousa ◽  
José A Alves
Keyword(s):  
Site Fidelity ◽  
Breeding Site ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Artificial Wetlands ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Breeding Parameters ◽  
Natural Streams ◽  
Climatic Scenarios ◽  
Freshwater Habitats

Climatic scenarios for the Mediterranean predict an increase in drought and erratic precipitation, which may affect waterbirds breeding in freshwater habitats. Artificial wetlands may provide an alternative for these species when conditions in natural habitats deteriorate. We studied Little Ringed Plovers Charadrius dubius nesting in natural streams and agricultural ponds in southern Portugal. Based on 24 nests and 31 colour-ringed adults, we describe nest-site characteristics, breeding parameters and site fidelity. In streams, nests (n = 17) were in sites with more abundant and coarser gravel, while in ponds there was more vegetation around the nest (n = 7). In both habitats, nests were close and at similar distances to water, but this was unrelated to nest outcome (success of 30.8% across habitats). Nest failure in natural streams was mostly attributable to flooding after heavy rains, while in agricultural ponds cattle trampling was the main cause of failure. Based on their renesting capacity and relatively high breeding site fidelity (25%–36% return rate to same area), we suggest that Little Ringed Plovers may trade-off the overall better conditions of natural streams (i.e. higher availability of nesting substrate, food resources and lower disturbance from cattle) against the stochastic risk of floods. Nevertheless, under current predictions of climate change, agricultural ponds can provide more stable and reliable nesting conditions for this and other species, as unpredictable changes in Mediterranean streams’ flooding regimen may become more frequent. Despite the limitations of our dataset, we provide novel information on the breeding biology of this understudied species and highlight its potential for future research.

scholarly journals Farming practices and Roller Coracias garrulus conservation in south-west Spain

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
JESÚS M. AVILÉS ◽  
DESEADA PAREJO
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Success ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Holm Oak ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Farming Practices ◽  
Coracias Garrulus ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
South West ◽  
Cereal Fields ◽  
Conservation Plans

There are no previous studies supporting the link between the decline of Roller Coracias garrulus populations in the Palaearctic and agricultural intensification. We studied the effect of farming practices on Roller reproduction during 1988–1991 in south-west Spain. Nest-boxes were installed on power pylons that crossed six different man-made habitats representing the most characteristic habitats in the Mediterranean region: pasture fields with and without holm oak Quercus rotundifolia trees, cereal fields with and without holm oak trees, scrub fields and irrigated fields. Rollers nesting in nest-boxes erected in unwooded pasture field had the highest breeding success, suggesting that this is the most suitable nesting habitat of Rollers in the region. There were no significant effects of farming practices in habitat adjacent to nests on Roller laying date and clutch size. However, after controlling for laying date, current agricultural practices around nests affected chick mortality, with higher losses in irrigated fields. Breeding success and egg productivity were also affected by farming activities, with the lowest values in irrigated fields. Future conservation plans for Rollers should consider that nest-box provision might increase habitat suitability for Roller reproduction and that highly intensified agricultural practices might have deleterious effects on Roller populations.

scholarly journals Naturally Occurring Microbiota Associated with Mosquito Breeding Habitats and Their Effects on Mosquito Larvae

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
H. A. K. Ranasinghe ◽  
L. D. Amarasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Mosquito Species ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Larval Abundance ◽  
Mosquito Larvae ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Individual Fitness ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Breeding Habitats ◽  
Mosquito Breeding

Immature mosquitoes are aquatic, and their distribution, abundance, and individual fitness in a particular breeding habitat are known to be dependent on mainly three factors: biotic factors, abiotic factors, and their interaction between each other and with other associated taxa. Mosquito breeding habitats harbor a diversified naturally occurring microbiota assemblage, and the biota have different types of interactions with mosquito larvae in those habitats. Those interactions may include parasitism, pathogenism, predation, and competition which cause the mortality of larvae, natural reduction of larval abundance, or alterations in their growth. Many microbiota species serve as food items for mosquito larvae, and there are also some indigestible or toxic phytoplanktons to larvae. However, when there is coexistence or mutualism of different mosquito species along with associated microbiota, they form a community sharing the habitat requirements. With the available literature, it is evident that the abundance of mosquito larvae is related to the densities of associated microbiota and their composition in that particular breeding habitat. Potential antagonist microbiota which are naturally occurring in mosquito breeding habitats could be used in integrated vector control approaches, and this method rises as an ecofriendly approach in controlling larvae in natural habitats themselves. To date, this aspect has received less attention; only a limited number of species of microbiota inhabiting mosquito breeding habitats have been recorded, and detailed studies on microbiota assemblage in relation to diverse vector mosquito breeding habitats and their association with mosquito larvae are few. Therefore, future studies on this important ecological aspect are encouraged. Such studies may help to identify field characteristic agents that can serve as mosquito controlling candidates in their natural habitats themselves.

scholarly journals Is Selectively Harvested Forest an Ecological Trap for Olive-Sided Flycatchers?

The Condor ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 109 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Robertson ◽  
Richard L. Hutto
Keyword(s):  
Nest Success ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Ecological Trap ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Forestry Practices ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Disturbed Forest ◽  
Burned Forest

AbstractAbstractDisturbance-dependent species are assumed to benefit from forestry practices that mimic the appearance of postdisturbance landscapes. However, human activities that closely mimic the appearance but not the fundamental quality of natural habitats could attract animals to settle whether or not these habitats are suitable for their survival or reproduction. We examined habitat selection behavior and nest success of Olive-sided Flycatchers (Contopus cooperi) in a naturally occurring burned forest and an anthropogenically created habitat type—selectively harvested forest. Olive-sided Flycatcher density and nestling provisioning rates were greater in the selectively harvested landscape, whereas estimated nest success in selectively harvested forest was roughly half that found in naturally burned forest. Reduced nest success was probably a result of the relatively high abundance of nest predators found in the artificially disturbed forest. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that selectively harvested forest can act as an “ecological trap” by attracting Olive-sided Flycatchers to a relatively poor-quality habitat type. This highlights the importance of considering animal behavior in biodiversity conservation.

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