Analysis of landscape structure, habitat selection and urbanisation in edge populations of Scops Owls Otus scops in Central Europe

AbstractThe habitat selection of Scops Owl Otus scops has not been studied in Hungary so far. The population in the Carpathian Basin can be considered as a range edge population. Yet, studying and conserving breeding population at the edge of the species’ range is important for the evolutionary potential of the species. In the present study, we examined Scops Owl populations situated on both sides of the Hungarian-Slovenian border. Although breeding density is significantly higher in Slovenia than in Hungary, we found no difference in the ecological diversity of the Goričko Nature Park (GNP), Slovenia and Vas County, Hungary. We found that both the proportion and total edge length of dry grasslands and intensively managed mesic grasslands were lower in Hungary. Similarly, market gardens were present in a larger proportion in GNP. These landscape features all indicate that the complex cultivation is still pronounced in GNP, favouring the Sops Owl as less intensive cultivation modes, like rural market gardens and grasslands play a key role in its habitat selection. Points with Scops Owl observations appeared to be closer to settlements than randomly generated points. They also were observed farther from primary roads than from secondary roads. This is in accordance with other studies revealing that these nocturnal birds avoid noisy roads. We briefly discuss why conserving range edge populations is important, and how time and effort optimised species conservation measures should accompany landscape protection at the political level.

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Habitat selection patterns of a species at the edge – case study of the native racer goby population in Central Europe

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-56264-7 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Krzysztof Kukuła ◽

Bernadetta Ortyl ◽

Aneta Bylak

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Alien Species ◽

Invasive Alien Species ◽

Water Current ◽

Native Range ◽

Geographic Scale ◽

Range Edge ◽

River Reach ◽

Edge Populations

AbstractInvasive alien species are regarded a nuisance. This extends into a lack of conservation efforts in their native range. As a consequence, conservation of e.g. range-edge populations is neglected. Gobiidae have many representatives of alien species in European freshwaters, and therefore they have a bad reputation. Objectives of this study were to: define the habitat selection patterns of a species at the edge, and examine the ontogenetic variation in its distributions, i.e. spatial distribution of different size classes. A racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus (syn. Neogobius gymnotrachelus) population was selected for the model. In numerous European river basins, Ponto-Caspian racer goby has been an invasive alien species of interest to researchers for many years. Recently, however, native populations of the species have been described in the Polish tributary of the upper Dniester River (Black Sea basin). We used habitat data and densities of racer goby to disentangle the habitat selection patterns of the species at a river reach at the edge of its native range. Evident preferences towards habitats with large submerged objects serving as hiding places were characteristic of the largest gobies. Adult, largest gobies were very likely to choose the ‘boulders’ site, while forcing smaller individuals to occupy places with faster water current, i.e. less suitable in terms of saving energy. At a larger geographic scale, a significant portion of the submountain river was unsuitable for racer gobies. At the edge of the racer goby range, patches providing habitats suitable for the species were scarce and scattered. With regard to invasive populations, the presence of stony bottoms, quite certainly cannot be considered as a factor excluding potential colonisation by racer goby, and in submountain rivers it might be the preferred kind of bottom.

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High conservation priority of range-edge plant populations not matched by habitat protection or research effort

10.1101/682823 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

P. Caissy ◽

S. Klemet-N’Guessan ◽

R. Jackiw ◽

C.G. Eckert ◽

A. L. Hargreaves

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Research Effort ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Plant Conservation ◽

Conservation Priority ◽

Habitat Protection ◽

Range Edge ◽

Relative Conservation ◽

High Conservation ◽

Edge Populations

ABSTRACTHigh-latitude countries tend to contain the polar range-edge of many species that are nationally rare but globally common. This can focus national conservation efforts toward range-edge populations, whose conservation needs and value are disputed. Using plants in Canada as a case study, we ask whether national species-conservation rankings prioritize range-edge populations, and whether conservation priority is matched by habitat protection and research effort. We found that >75% of federally-protected plants only occur in Canada peripherally, at the northernmost 20% or less of their total range, and that the most imperilled taxa had the smallest percentage of their range in Canada (endangered plants: median=1.0%). Occurring peripherally in Canada was associated with higher threat even after accounting for range area, potentially because range-edge taxa experienced 85% higher human population densities in their Canadian range than non-peripheral taxa. High conservation priority was not matched by habitat protection, as more imperilled and more peripheral taxa had smaller fractions of their Canadian range in protected areas. Finally, peer-reviewed research on plants at-risk in Canada was low. Only 42% of plants considered at-risk in Canada had been studied in Canada, and only 11% of species with large distributions outside Canada had been studied in the context of their wider geographic range—information that is critical to establishing their relative conservation value. Our results illustrate that plant conservation in Canada is fundamentally linked to conserving range-edge populations, yet edge populations themselves are understudied, a research gap we must close to improve evidence-based conservation.

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Genetic patterns in range-edge populations of Vaccinium species from the central Balkans: implications on conservation prospects and sustainable usage

Silva Fennica ◽

10.14214/sf.1283 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ivana Bjedov ◽

Dragica Obratov–Petković ◽

Danijela Mišić ◽

Branislav Šiler ◽

Jelena Aleksic

Keyword(s):

Range Edge ◽

Genetic Patterns ◽

Edge Populations ◽

Sustainable Usage

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Autumn freeze-thaw events carry over to depress late-winter reproductive performance in Canada jays

Royal Society Open Science ◽

10.1098/rsos.181754 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (4) ◽

pp. 181754 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Alex O. Sutton ◽

Dan Strickland ◽

Nikole E. Freeman ◽

Amy E. M. Newman ◽

D. Ryan Norris

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Climatic Conditions ◽

Late Winter ◽

Freeze Thaw ◽

Range Edge ◽

Food Caching ◽

Nestling Condition ◽

Edge Populations ◽

Carry Over

Evidence suggests that range-edge populations are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, but few studies have examined the specific mechanisms that are driving observed declines. Species that store perishable food for extended periods of time may be particularly susceptible to environmental change because shifts in climatic conditions could accelerate the natural degradation of their cached food. Here, we use 40 years of breeding data from a marked population of Canada jays ( Perisoreus canadensis ) located at the southern edge of their range in Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario, to examine whether climatic conditions prior to breeding carry over to influence reproductive performance. We found that multiple measures of Canada jay reproductive performance (brood size, nest success and nestling condition) in the late winter were negatively correlated with the number of freeze–thaw events the previous autumn. Our results suggest that freeze–thaw events have a significant detrimental impact on the quality and/or quantity of cached food available to Canada jays. Future increases in such events, caused by climate change, could pose a serious threat to Canada jays and other food caching species that store perishable foods for long periods of time.

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Distinctiveness of declining northern populations of Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi) justifies recovery efforts

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z10-034 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 88 (6) ◽

pp. 553-566 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kaela B. Beauclerc ◽

Bob Johnson ◽

Bradley N. White

Keyword(s):

Genetic Structure ◽

Spatial Genetic Structure ◽

Mitochondrial Control Region ◽

Peripheral Populations ◽

Evolutionary Potential ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Range Edge ◽

The North ◽

Central United States ◽

Cricket Frog

Peripheral populations of widespread species are often considered unworthy of conservation efforts; however, they may be adapted to the conditions found at the range edge and are therefore important to the future evolutionary potential of the species. Blanchard’s Cricket Frog (Acris blanchardi Harper, 1947) is widespread and abundant throughout the central United States, but is declining at the northern edge of its range. To assess the distinctiveness and conservation value of the northern populations, we investigated the spatial genetic structure and phylogeography of this anuran using mitochondrial control region sequences. Analysis of 479 individuals identified 101 haplotypes, with relatively low nucleotide diversity. Two moderately divergent clades were found. One was restricted to the southwest, which was probably a refugium during the Pleistocene, whereas the other occurred primarily across the north and is likely the result of postglacial colonization. The genetic distinctiveness of northern populations indicates the potential for adaptive differences of individuals in this region relative to those in the south. We therefore conclude that conservation efforts are justified for the declining northern populations of Blanchard’s Cricket Frog, and we use the spatial genetic structure described here to develop specific recommendations for this anuran.

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Active sexual reproduction but no sign of genetic diversity in range-edge populations of Vanilla roscheri Rchb. f. (Orchidaceae) in South Africa

Conservation Genetics ◽

10.1007/s10592-014-0626-8 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 15 (6) ◽

pp. 1403-1415 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rodolphe L. Gigant ◽

Alexandre De Bruyn ◽

Brigitte Church ◽

Laurence Humeau ◽

Anne Gauvin-Bialecki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Genetic Diversity ◽

Sexual Reproduction ◽

Range Edge ◽

Edge Populations

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Population productivity and late breeding habitat selection by the threatened Little Bustard: the importance of grassland management

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270917000387 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 521-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

NUNO FARIA ◽

MANUEL B. MORALES

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Grassland Management ◽

Breeding Habitat ◽

Breeding Period ◽

Tetrax Tetrax ◽

Species Population ◽

Suitable Habitats ◽

Stocking Rates ◽

The Relationship

SummaryWe investigated population productivity and habitat selection of the Little BustardTetrax tetraxin the late breeding period, in grassland-dominated landscapes of south-west Iberia. Specifically, our goals were to investigate how these parameters are influenced by the management of (1) grazing and (2) hay production. We conducted bird counts from 22 June to 4 July (2012 to 2016) using low speed 4x4 car surveys. The relationship between the density of the species, population productivity and farm management (grazing and haying) was evaluated using Generalized Linear Mixed Models and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Male and female densities were significantly higher in short vegetation compared to all other types of vegetation considered, but population productivity was similar in short and medium vegetation. Hay stubbles were found to be unattractive for the species. The availability of suitable habitats depends on the timing of grazing, notably of seasonal (spring) grazing. Species density was higher in fields ungrazed during winter and with moderate to high stocking rates in spring (around 0.8 LU/ha or higher), depending, at least for males and females, on each year’s weather characteristics. We conclude that low to moderate stocking rates during winter and spring are essential to ensure successful breeding and thus population persistence. Current levels of haying in our study area are detrimental for the species’ conservation.

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Habitat Selection and Mating Success in a Mustelid

International Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1155/2011/159462 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Thierry Lodé

Keyword(s):

Habitat Selection ◽

Mating Success ◽

Evolutionary Ecology ◽

Mating Behaviour ◽

Species Conservation ◽

Mustela Putorius ◽

Key Factor ◽

Good Reproduction ◽

Lactating Females ◽

Habitat Avoidance

Habitat selection remains a poorly understood ecological process, but relating mating behaviour to pattern of habitat selection constitutes a fundamental issue both in evolutionary ecology and in biological conservation. From radiotelemetry protocol, habitat-induced variations in mating success were investigated in a solitary mustelid carnivore, the European polecatMustela putorius. Selection for marshy habitat was regarded as adaptive in that mating success was found greater using marches than other habitats. Males consorted with 1.3 females, revealing a low polygyny rate. Pregnant or lactating females selectively shifted to deciduous woods. That some habitat types may favour a good reproduction forms a key factor for species conservation and environmental management. Nevertheless, such as in various vertebrates, habitat requirements seem to be based on simple broad features of habitat, suggesting that habitat avoidance rather than habitat preference can explain polecat habitat predilection.

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Spatial distribution and hotspots of mammals in Canada

10.1101/2020.01.29.925461 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Victor Cameron ◽

Anna L. Hargreaves

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Grid Cell ◽

Mammal Species ◽

Range Edge ◽

Threat Status ◽

Trade Offs ◽

As Species ◽

Edge Populations ◽

Mammal Diversity

AbstractHigh-latitude countries often contain the polar range edge of species that are common farther south. The more peripherally a species occurs in a country, the smaller its national range will be and the more its national range will consist of range-edge populations, which are often predicted to be relatively small, isolated, and unproductive. Together, this may focus national conservation efforts toward peripheral species whose global conservation value is controversial. However, if range-edge taxa occur where overall diversity is also high, there would be fewer trade-offs in protecting them. Using 153 of the 158 terrestrial mammal species in Canada, we tested how species’ distributions relate to their national conservation status and total mammal richness. Half of ‘Canadian’ mammals had <20% of their global range in Canada. Range area in Canada was strongly associated with national threat status; mammals considered ‘at-risk’ in Canada had 42% smaller Canadian ranges than mammals considered secure. However, after accounting for range area, being more peripheral (smaller proportion of global range in Canada) did not increase the likelihood that a taxon was considered at-risk. We overlaid the 153 maps to calculate mammal diversity across Canada, divided into 100×100 km grid cells. We found that hotspots of at-risk mammals (cells with >4 at-risk taxa) and hotspots of range-edge mammals (cells with >12 taxa with ≤20% of their range in Canada) were about twice as species rich as non-hotspot cells, containing up to 44% of Canadian mammal diversity per grid-cell. Our results suggest that protecting areas with the most at-risk or range-edge mammals would simultaneously protect habitat for many species currently deemed secure.

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