Article
Ornithology
Todd M. Jones, Scott J. Chiavacci, Thomas J. Benson, Michael P. Ward
Summary: Research shows that most songbirds fledge in the early morning to avoid peak times of nest predation risk later in the day. Species under greater risk of nest predation tend to fledge earlier in the day and in closer succession to their siblings.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maider Iglesias-Carrasco, Iliana Medina, Terry J. Ord
Summary: As human-modified environments expand, it is crucial to understand how communities of sensitive and threatened species respond to these new habitats. This study examined amphibian and reptile communities in forests that had undergone natural disturbances, such as burning and logging, as well as transformations, such as monocultures and polyspecific plantations. The results showed that forest transformations led to a significant decrease in species diversity and a distinct change in community composition compared to disturbances. However, the morphological diversity of the communities remained unaffected by these modifications. Monocultures and polyspecific plantations had detrimental effects on both the conservation and ecological value of amphibian and reptile communities. Preserving remaining natural forests is essential for the conservation of these communities in the face of future anthropic pressures.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Christine A. Ribic, David J. Rugg, Kevin Ellison, Nicola Koper, Pamela J. Pietz
Summary: The study found that the fledging time of grassland birds is not solely influenced by predation risk, with different species showing varying preferences. Further research is needed to understand the impact of species ecology and physiology on the fledging behavior of grassland birds.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Kirsten Wolff, Bernhard Depner, Samuel A. Logan, Marco Heurich
Summary: The study on Tilia species in the Bavarian Forest National Park reveals that Tilia platyphyllos has higher genetic diversity compared to Tilia cordata, with genetic diversity comparable to other populations in Central Europe. Increasing tree numbers, using local sources, and promoting gene flow from surrounding forests are crucial for long-term survival. Additionally, Tilia cordata shows a preference for mixed and coniferous forests, while Tilia platyphyllos occurs mostly in deciduous forests.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Romaric Ndonda Makemba, Felicien Tosso, Christian Moupela, Gauthier Ligot, Yves Brostaux, Jean-Louis Doucet
Summary: Many commercial species have difficulty regenerating in natural forest due to high light requirements, compromising logging sustainability. This study focuses on the performance of Cylicodiscus gabunensis seedlings in logging gaps, examining the effects of fertilization, biochar application, and predation by large mammals. The results show that gap size and initial fertilization significantly enhance growth and survival, while elephants preferentially consume C. gabunensis seedlings, resulting in a high destruction rate.
Review
Ecology
Vojtech Kubelka, Brett K. Sandercock, Tamas Szekely, Robert P. Freckleton
Summary: Many wild animals undertake long-distance migration to breed in the north each year, taking advantage of seasonal food supply and lower predation pressure. However, climate change, the spread of novel pathogens, and increased nest predation have negatively impacted their reproductive success and survival.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Miguel Silva-Monteiro, Hannes Pehlak, Cornelis Fokker, David Kingma, David Kleijn
Summary: The study found that land-use intensification in western Europe and agricultural extensification and abandonment in northern, central, and eastern Europe are important drivers of the decline in wader populations. Most wader species have relatively narrow breeding habitat preferences, mostly in natural and undisturbed ecosystems, while a few generalist species can be found in various habitats. The most widespread generalist species showed peak breeding densities at different positions along the land-use intensity gradient.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Karl T. Heide, Lyle E. Friesen, Virgil E. Martin, Edward D. Cheskey, Michael D. Cadman, Ryan Norris
Summary: Though urbanization has long been considered a growing threat to biodiversity, it has been difficult to draw clear conclusions about its impact on wildlife due to the lack of pre-development population data. In this study, the decline of the Wood Thrush population was found to be most significant in forest fragments located within 1 km of urbanization, while there was no decline in daily nest survival over the same period, regardless of development. This study provides rare before-and-after evidence that urbanization near breeding habitats contributes to a localized decline of migratory songbirds, likely through mechanisms unrelated to nest survival.
AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Miroslav Salek, Martin Sladecek, Vojtech Kubelka, Jiri Mlikovsky, David Storch, Petr Smilauer
Summary: Nest location and habitat choice are important for bird reproductive success. This study found that bird nests were aggregated not only within species, but also with other bird species. In particular, birds tended to breed near active nest defenders. The disappearance or appearance of certain bird species can influence the spatial pattern of bird nests. Integration of factors supporting umbrella species breeding may be crucial for conservation in large wetlands.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Remi Torrenta, Keith A. Hobson, Douglas C. Tozer, Marc-Andre Villard
Summary: Understanding the variation in abundance of a species and the processes behind it is crucial for predicting its tolerance to large-scale climate and land use changes. This study focused on the Wood Thrush and found that its occurrence and abundance shifted towards the northern edge of its breeding range. Populations at the core of the range remained relatively stable, while those at the periphery were less stable. The influence of mature forest cover varied between different regions and spatial scales.
AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Cee S. S. Nell, Riley Pratt, Jutta Burger, Kristine L. L. Preston, Kathleen K. K. Treseder, Dana Kamada, Karly Moore, Kailen A. A. Mooney
Summary: A study on the Coastal Cactus Wren in coastal southern California and Baja Mexico reveals how the composition of arthropods can affect the reproductive success of insectivorous birds, highlighting the importance of managing arthropods in bird conservation efforts.
Review
Forestry
Casey A. Lott, Michael E. Akresh, Bridgett E. Costanzo, Anthony W. D'Amato, Shengwu Duan, Cameron J. Fiss, Jacob S. Fraser, Hong S. He, David King, Darin J. McNeil, Scott H. Stoleson, Mariko Yamasaki, Jeffery L. Larkin
Summary: Forest management planning requires setting measurable objectives to achieve desired future conditions, understanding current conditions and constraints, and applying suitable silvicultural strategies. Forest managers seek information on wildlife species-vegetation relationships and habitats for different species with varied needs. Wildlife scientists could increase the relevance of their research by providing operational descriptions of species-vegetation relationships and information on habitat provision for different species across temporal extents.
Article
Ecology
Jonathan P. Harris, Timothy J. O'Connell
Summary: Predators can limit available habitat for prey. Habitat management to encourage spatial segregation of predators and prey can increase prey species abundance. The study found that bobwhite nests were more likely to be depredated in areas of high selection by coyotes and striped skunks.
Article
Ecology
Donglai Li, Yu Bai, Weipan Lei, Pinjia Que, Yang Liu, Emilio Pagani-Nunez, Huw Lloyd, Zhengwang Zhang
Summary: Protected areas serve as important habitats for wildlife by conserving natural habitats and reducing human disturbance. However, the effect of strict land management in protected areas on breeding birds vulnerable to nest predation is unclear. In this study, we compared the nesting performance of Kentish plovers in a protected area (PA) and a non-protected area (non-PA) and identified the environmental factors influencing nest survival rate. The results showed that the PA had a lower nest survival rate compared to the non-PA, indicating that the protected area may not provide safe nesting sites for Kentish plovers due to abundant nest predators. Nonetheless, the PA still contributed to a higher number of successful nests, benefiting the conservation of the species. Further research is needed to understand the differences in nest predator communities between the PA and non-PA.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Alexis R. Grinde, Stephen R. K. Olbe, Kara G. Snow, Brett S. Howland, Gerald Niemi, Robert A. Slesak, Marcella A. Windmuller-Campione
Summary: Widespread declines in breeding bird populations have been observed in North America since the 1970s, and the Connecticut Warbler is one of the most rapidly declining bird species. However, it is understudied due to its low densities in breeding areas. This study in northern Minnesota provides insights into the nesting, post-fledging habitat use, and survival of the Connecticut Warbler.
JOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
