Article
Ecology
Rongxing Wang, Xiaojun Yang
Summary: The study analyzed the annual and seasonal community structures of waterbirds in artificial wetlands at Lake Dianchi, China, using the nestedness theory to propose management and conservation strategies. The results showed nested patterns in all four seasonal waterbird compositions, with selective extinction and habitat nestedness being the main factors. Selective colonization was the key driver of nestedness in autumn and winter waterbirds.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
J. Patrick Donnelly, Johnnie N. Moore, Michael L. Casazza, Shea P. Coons
Summary: Migratory waterbirds rely on wetland habitat networks, but climate and land-use change have led to habitat loss. Loss of semi-permanent wetlands is an indicator of functional decline, while increases in seasonal and temporary wetlands partially offset wetland losses. Diving ducks, black terns, and grebes are at the greatest risk of habitat decline due to semi-permanent wetland loss, while shorebirds and dabbling ducks are less affected by agricultural practices.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chuandong Tan, Jingwei Ma, Yusheng Yan, Ge Hong, Xuefei Wu
Summary: This study aims to prioritize wetlands in Wuhan City for waterbird conservation based on diversity, rarity, and conservation costs. The results reveal the primary environmental variables influencing the potential spatial distribution of waterbirds and identify cost-effective priority wetlands. Major wetland conservation gaps have been identified, and recommendations are made to enhance waterbird management in existing protected areas. This research provides scientific evidence and emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between conservation effectiveness and cost.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Houlang Duan, Xiubo Yu, Shaoxia Xia, Guangshuai Zhang
Summary: Natural wetlands along the coasts of the Yellow and Bohai Seas provide key stopover sites for migratory waterbirds, but between 2000 and 2015, 1794.8 km(2) (29.27%) of coastal wetland was lost to development, leading to a decrease in habitat for 73 of 80 waterbird species analyzed. The proportional loss of tidal flats formerly representing suitable habitat was significantly higher for shorebirds, herons and gulls than for ducks, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to prevent further reclamation of tidal flats and manage artificial wetlands.
LAND DEGRADATION & DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Seung-Hye Choi, Green Choi, Hyung-Kyu Nam
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the factors affecting the population density of migratory shorebirds in rice paddies in Korea. They found that factors such as flooding time, water level, field type, and management intervals influenced different shorebird species in different ways.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Tamara S. Wilson, Elliott Matchett, Kristin B. Byrd, Erin Conlisk, Matthew E. Reiter, Cynthia Wallace, Lorraine E. Flint, Alan L. Flint, Brian Joyce, Monica M. Moritsch
Summary: California's Central Valley is an important habitat for migratory waterbirds, but only 10% of the naturally occurring wetlands remain. The study predicts the future distribution and connectivity of surface water and managed wetland habitats, as well as the potential future flooded habitat for waterbirds and other wetland-dependent wildlife. The findings highlight the impact of declining water availability and climate change on habitat loss.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kashif Imdad, Mohd Rihan, Mehebub Sahana, Samsad Parween, Rayees Ahmed, Romulus Costache, Archana Chaudhary, Richa Tripathi
Summary: This study assesses the changing nature of wetland health, water quality, and declining ecosystem services in Mount Abu wetlands, Rajasthan, India. The analysis indicates a decrease in wetland extent and worsening wetland health, resulting in declining ecosystem services. A wetland management plan is recommended to conserve the wetlands and support the livelihood of the communities.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
William Glamore, Duncan Rayner, Jamie Ruprecht, Mahmood Sadat-Noori, Danial Khojasteh
Summary: Land reclamation projects and drainage infrastructure have impacted coastal wetlands globally, with over 50% of tidal wetlands degraded over the last century. Therefore, restoration projects are crucial, with successful restoration efforts showing the potential for global application and offsetting the impacts of sea level rise on natural inundation patterns.
Article
Ecology
Zuzana Musilova, Petr Musil, Jan Zouhar, Adela Senkyrova, Diego Pavon-Jordan, Petri Nummi
Summary: Analysing long-term data on wintering waterbirds in Czechia, it was found that the use of different wetland types by non-breeding waterbirds was associated with species diet and potential range-shift drivers. The increase in waterbird abundance was positively correlated with dietary preferences in certain wetland types.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Francisco Cervantes, Res Altwegg, Francis Strobbe, Andrew Skowno, Vernon Visser, Michael Brooks, Yvan Stojanov, Douglas M. Harebottle, Nancy Job
Summary: Efforts to collect ecological data have increased, especially for freshwater habitats, but data availability lags behind. The BIRDIE project aims to bridge this gap by analyzing and interpreting ecological datasets to provide fast and efficient information for conservation and management decisions. The project focuses on assessing waterbird populations in South Africa using citizen-science bird monitoring data and environmental layers, with the estimated indicators accessible through an online portal.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Katarina Elofsson, Matthew Hiron, Ineta Kacergyte, Tomas Part
Summary: The aim of this study is to compare national and regional policy schemes for ecological compensation using exploited inland wetlands as an example. The researchers developed an empirical programming model to analyze the cost-effectiveness of wetland management with consideration for spatial differentiation and wetland heterogeneity. The results show that regional schemes are more expensive but can contribute to higher risk-adjusted biodiversity levels at the national level.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jean-Olivier Goyette, Stephane Savary, Marianne Blanchette, Alain N. Rousseau, Stephanie Pellerin, Monique Poulin
Summary: This study proposes a science-based approach to establish regional wetland restoration targets centered on their hydrological functions. The results indicate that the wetland restoration coverage should be increased by 20% to 150% to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on watershed hydrology.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Arnab Chatterjee, Sabuj Bhattacharyya
Summary: Environmental changes and anthropogenic pressures pose significant threats to wetland mammals in India, with habitat loss being a major concern. Research efforts have focused more on ecology than on anthropogenic impacts, highlighting important knowledge gaps that need to be addressed for effective conservation planning. Pressing ecological and anthropogenic threats, as well as scientific knowledge gaps, contribute to high conservation threat scores for certain mammal species, emphasizing the need for targeted research priorities to ensure their long-term survival.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ning Li, Ning Tang, Zheng Wang, Lin Zhang
Summary: The health of China's coastal wetlands is crucial for global bird biodiversity. However, land reclamation, invasive species, and over-harvesting have altered the landscape, affecting bird diversity. This study focuses on the impact of long-term habitat changes on wintering waterbirds in the Tiaozini wetland. It reveals that natural habitats decreased while human-modified habitats increased, leading to changes in species number and population size of different waterbird guilds.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhaobin Li, Lei Ma, Dongmei Gou, Qianqian Hong, Leungkam Fai, Bo Xiong
Summary: This paper analyzes the impact of urbanization on wetland ecosystems, especially focusing on their ecological and cultural values. Countermeasures and suggestions for the protection of urban wetlands in China are also proposed to promote their sustainable development.
Review
Environmental Sciences
L. Croijmans, J. F. De Jong, H. H. T. Prins
Summary: Although oxygen and temperature have effects on lotic biodiversity, research shows that dissolved oxygen concentration is positively correlated with taxonomic richness, while temperature is negatively correlated with it.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Benson Okita-Ouma, Frank van Langevelde, Ignas M. A. Heitkonig, Peter Maina, Sip E. van Wieren, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study investigated the relationship between the reproductive performance of the Eastern black rhinoceros and plant available moisture, plant available nutrients, and woody cover in seven distinct populations in Kenya. Results showed that woody plant cover positively influenced the reproductive performance indicators of black rhinos, while plant available moisture and plant available nutrients made more subtle contributions to the selection of conservation areas.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Henrik J. de Knegt, Jasper A. J. Eikelboom, Frank van Langevelde, W. Francois Spruyt, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study proposes and tests a poacher early warning system based on the movement responses of non-targeted sentinel animals, which can accurately detect and localize human intruders, contributing to reducing wildlife crime.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Shenglai Yin, Yanjie Xu, Nyambyar Batbayar, John Y. Takekawa, Yali Si, Diann J. Prosser, Scott H. Newman, Herbert H. T. Prins, Willem F. de Boer
Summary: By comparing the migration patterns and infection records of different species, it was found that despite having fewer infection records, swan geese were more likely to come in contact with disease outbreaks, while bar-headed geese were the opposite. This may be due to swan geese having frequent contact with domestic ducks, increasing their innate immunity, or the stress of high-elevation migration reducing the immunity of bar-headed geese.
Article
Ecology
Benson Okita-Ouma, Richard Pettifor, Marcus Clauss, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: High density of eastern black rhinoceros populations may lead to intense foraging competition, but there is no significant correlation between population density and dietary quality, suggesting behavioral plasticity in adjusting diet. Plant available moisture significantly affects mineral concentrations in feces, while plant available nutrients have no effect.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yingying X. G. Wang, Kevin D. Matson, Luca Santini, Piero Visconti, Jelle P. Hilbers, Mark A. J. Huijbregts, Yanjie Xu, Herbert H. T. Prins, Toph Allen, Zheng Y. X. Huang, Willem F. de Boer
Summary: The composition of wildlife assemblages plays a crucial role in transmission dynamics of infectious diseases, impacting the risk of both density-dependent and frequency-dependent diseases. Changes in disease risk are influenced by biodiversity, climate change, and habitat loss.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Herbert Prins, Yorick Liefting, Joost de Jong
Summary: In areas where farmland borders protected areas, wild elephants cause substantial financial damage for poor farmers. Farmers near the boundary between agricultural and wilderness areas, with smaller landholdings, are more affected by elephant damage but have lower willingness to pay for insurance.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Paul Scholte, Olivier Pays, Saleh Adam, Bertrand Chardonnet, Herve Fritz, Jean-Baptiste Mamang, Herbert H. T. Prins, Pierre-Cyril Renaud, Patrick Tadjo, Mark Moritz
Summary: Analyzing multispecies surveys conducted in Central Africa's seven main savanna national parks between 1960 and 2017, it was found that populations of wild large herbivores declined, livestock numbers increased, and tourism industry collapsed. To address this issue, it is proposed to strategically retreat and focus resources on smaller areas to conserve wildlife in the Central African savannas.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Martijn J. A. Weterings, Sanne Losekoot, Henry J. Kuipers, Herbert H. T. Prins, Frank Langevelde, Sipke E. Wieren
Summary: In this study, the authors assessed the impact of multiple predators on the body condition and fecundity of European hares in 13 areas in the Netherlands. They found that the sum of the field metabolic rate of predators was negatively correlated with body condition and the number of placental scars, while it was positively related to the weight of the adrenal glands. The total number of predators did not significantly affect the investigated risk responses. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the risk effects of multiple predators on prey fitness and identify a potential factor contributing to the decline of European hare populations.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shyam Kumar Thapa, Joost F. de Jong, Naresh Subedi, Anouschka R. Hof, Gloria Corradini, Salu Basnet, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study conducted in Bardia National Park, Nepal, found that during the hot-dry season, grazing lawns provide forage with a higher quantity and quality than tall grasslands, which can make a significant contribution to the maintenance or even growth of the grassland dependent wild ungulate population. The insights from this study will help in restoring grazing lawns for quality forage, and aid in the conservation and management of wild grazers and mixed feeders.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Zhouyuan Li, Zhuo Tang, Yanjie Xu, Yingying Wang, Zhaogang Duan, Xuehua Liu, Pengyan Wang, Jian Yang, Wei Chen, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: The study used infrared-triggered camera trapping in Wolong National Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China to monitor wildlife and biodiversity, identifying temperature and vegetation as key environmental drivers affecting mammal and bird distribution and abundance. Species were categorized into cold-resistant, phyllophilic, and thermophilic types based on these factors, with bharal, Moupin pika, Himalayan marmot, snow partridge, plain mountain finch, Chinese monal, and alpine accentor being the most abundant species.
Article
Ecology
Shyam Kumar Thapa, Joost F. de Jong, Anouschka R. Hof, Naresh Subedi, Laxmi Raj Joshi, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: This study assessed the effects of fire on postfire regrowth quality and herbivory in the subtropical monsoon grasslands of Bardia National Park, Nepal. The findings showed significant reductions in forage quality after fire, and variations in the intensity of herbivory by deer on postfire regrowth depending on the time since fire.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Joost F. F. de Jong, Laura Iacolina, Herbert H. T. Prins, Pim van Hooft, Richard P. M. A. Crooijmans, Sip E. E. van Wieren, Joaquin Vicente Banos, Eric Baubet, Sean Cahill, Eduardo Ferreira, Carlos Fonseca, Peter M. M. Glazov, Ida Jelenko Turinek, Victor M. Lizana M. Martin, Andras Nahlik, Bostjan Pokorny, Tomasz Podgorski, Nikica Sprem, Rauno Veeroja, Ronald C. C. Ydenberg, Hendrik-Jan Megens
Summary: European wildlife has been impacted by human activities, but genetic partitioning of many species still reflects the glacial refugia. By analyzing the genetic structure of wild boar across Europe, we found population fragmentation, inbreeding, and hybridization with domestic pigs at the local scale. However, a deep genetic structure indicating a natural continental division was still present. Our findings suggest weaker evidence for glacial refugia, but support the importance of Southern France and the Balkans as recolonization routes.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Zixi Zhao, Amael Borzee, Jinghao Li, Sheng Chen, Hui Shi, Yong Zhang
Summary: This study analyzes bird community assembly mechanisms and driving factors in university campuses in Nanjing, China. Grass, water, and buildings were found to be the main factors affecting the functional and phylogenetic diversity of bird communities. Practical measures for urban planners to protect urban biodiversity and develop eco-friendly cities are suggested based on the results.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mikhail Grishchenko, Ronald C. Ydenberg, Herbert H. T. Prins
Summary: Stopover sites are crucial for migratory bird species, including the greater white-fronted goose. However, extensive land cover changes in European Russia since 1990 due to agricultural abandonment may be reducing the availability and suitability of these sites. To measure the extent of land cover change, Landsat images were compiled and classified into different categories. Field visits were also conducted to assess vegetation composition and cover in identified stopover sites. The findings suggest that the land cover changes in northern European Russia are making migration more challenging for the greater white-fronted geese.
