Article
Ornithology
Bing-Run Zhu, Yvonne I. Verkuil, Jesse R. Conklin, Ailin Yang, Weipan Lei, Jose A. Alves, Chris J. Hassell, Dmitry Dorofeev, Zhengwang Zhang, Theunis Piersma
Summary: Comparing the morphometrics and genetic population structuring of Black-tailed Godwits in northern Bohai Bay, China, with the known subspecies, it was found that Bohai Godwits are significantly larger than melanuroides and may belong to a distinct new subspecies.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bing-Run Zhu, Mo A. Verhoeven, Nicolas Velasco, Lisa Sanchez-Aguilar, Zhengwang Zhang, Theunis Piersma
Summary: Habitat loss and climate change threaten global biodiversity, with high latitudes being the most affected. This study predicts the future distributions of two subspecies of Black-tailed Godwits in Asia, indicating that climate change will cause northward shifts and shrinking breeding ranges for both subspecies.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Roeland A. Bom, Jesse R. Conklin, Yvonne Verkuil, Jose A. Alves, Jimmy Fouw, Anne Dekinga, Chris J. Hassell, Raymond H. G. Klaassen, Andy Y. Kwarteng, Eldar Rakhimberdiev, Afonso Rocha, Job Horn, T. Lee Tibbitts, Pavel S. Tomkovich, Reginald Victor, Theunis Piersma
Summary: The study identifies significant differences in wintering area, breeding area, body size, and morphology between two groups of taymyrensis Bar-tailed Godwits, but they are not genetically differentiated, suggesting that the differences may have arisen recently or without reproductive isolation. Therefore, it is proposed to distinguish a more narrowly defined subspecies of taymyrensis from a new subspecies.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
L. M. Schaedler, P. H. L. Ribeiro, L. T. Manica
Summary: This study used phenotype networks to evaluate the courtship displays of swallow-tailed manakins in different social contexts, finding that practice networks were more modular than courtship networks. It suggests that juvenile males display a strict stereotypical behavior due to developmental constraints, while adult males show higher variability in response to female preferences. The study sheds light on the importance of social context in altering the relationship between traits and provides future directions for further exploration of this complex display function.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Clement Jourdan, Jerome Fort, David Pinaud, Philippe Delaporte, Thomas Herault, Marko Jankovic, Loic Jomat, Nicolas Lachaussee, Philippe Pineau, Frederic Robin, Pierre Rousseau, Pierrick Bocher
Summary: Understanding environmental factors that affect animal foraging distribution is crucial for conservation efforts. Black-tailed godwits at wintering sites showed contrasting foraging behaviors and distribution between day and night, influenced by factors such as visual capacities, prey availability, predation risks, and human activities.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Bryan S. Stevens, Courtney J. Conway, Kirsten Luke, Aimee Weldon, Christine E. Hand, Amy Schwarzer, Fletcher Smith, Craig Watson, Bryan D. Watts
Summary: This study used multi-scale models and modern statistical methods to predict habitat suitability for eastern black rails in tidal wetlands, providing important insights into factors influencing the occupancy of breeding habitat for this rare bird species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ana D. Davidson, Michelle Fink, Michael Menefee, Lindsey Sterling-Krank, William Van Pelt, David J. Augustine
Summary: The black-tailed prairie dog ecosystem in North America's Central Grasslands is of great importance and is facing serious threats. This study developed a habitat suitability model to support conservation planning in the region. It identified large areas of suitable habitat across the western half of the historical range of the black-tailed prairie dog ecosystem. However, future climate change may lead to a northward expansion of their geographic range and a decline in habitat suitability in the southern Central Grasslands.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
He-Bo Peng, Zhijun Ma, Eldar Rakhimberdiev, Jan A. van Gils, Phil F. Battley, Danny I. Rogers, Chi-Yeung Choi, Wei Wu, Xuesong Feng, Qiang Ma, Ning Hua, Clive Minton, Chris J. Hassell, Theunis Piersma
Summary: Loss and/or deterioration of refuelling habitats may cause population declines in migratory bird species, and there may be unequal mortality among individuals with different migration traits. Through analyzing 13 years of body mass and size data of great knots at a stopover site in the Yellow Sea, combined with observations of marked individuals along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, the study found that the annual apparent survival rates of great knots rapidly declined, with late-arriving individuals with small fuel stores exhibiting the lowest apparent survival rate. This suggests that habitat loss and/or deterioration can result in changes in the composition of migratory phenotypes at the population-level.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
David J. Vales, Ryan M. Nielson, Michael P. Middleton
Summary: This study developed quantitative models to estimate habitat selection by black-tailed deer in the west-central Cascade Mountains. The study found that GPS-collar production year, deer activity, and diel period were associated with fix success. To remove fix success bias, the study used a probability of detection integrated step selection function (PDiSSF) to estimate habitat selection. The summer model predictions were satisfactory, while the winter model was less promising.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Natascha M. D. Ivy-Israel, Carolyn E. Moore, Tonia S. Schwartz, Todd D. Steury, Sarah Zohdy, Chad H. Newbolt, Stephen S. Ditchkoff
Summary: This study found that MHC-DOB is associated with male body size and antler size in white-tailed deer, showing a complex relationship where body size peaks at moderate MHC-DOB nucleotide allelic distance, while antler size increases linearly with MHC-DOB nucleotide allelic distances. MHC-DRB did not influence female body size, indicating a unique role for MHC-DOB in influencing male morphological characteristics in this species.
EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Min-Seung Yang, Seongho Yun, Mi-Jin Hong, Young-Min Moon, Jeong-Chil Yoo, Who-Seung Lee
Summary: This study quantitatively demonstrates the exposure of breeding colonies of Black-tailed gulls to marine litter pollution during the breeding period, and further shows that these birds mainly forage in fishing areas close to their breeding colonies during this period.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
James M. Pay, Toby A. Patterson, Kirstin M. Proft, Elissa Z. Cameron, Clare E. Hawkins, Amelia J. Koch, Jason M. Wiersma, Todd E. Katzner
Summary: Effective planning for species conservation often requires understanding habitat use. This study developed behavior-specific spatial habitat-use models using GPS telemetry data, providing valuable information for the management of threatened species. The study found that recently fledged Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles selected different areas for perching, short-distance flight, and long-distance flight, with preferences for forest edges, steep topography, and areas further from forest edges, respectively.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Alessandro Devigili, Erika Fernlund Isaksson, Nalini Puniamoorthy, John L. Fitzpatrick
Summary: Variation in biotic and abiotic factors among populations can affect socio-sexual and locomotor behaviors in the pygmy halfbeak fish, with differences observed in sexual interactions and locomotion across environments. Male fish exhibit more aggressive behaviors and less time stationary compared to females, while environmental factors such as canopy cover and water flow also play a role in shaping behaviors.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Rebecca M. McNeil, Alessandro Devigili, Niclas Kolm, John L. Fitzpatrick
Summary: Choosing a mate is a crucial decision in an animal's life, with female mate choice often guided by male sexual ornaments. Individuals with greater cognitive abilities may be better at evaluating and comparing sexual ornaments. In a study on pygmy halfbeaks, brain size did not significantly influence mate preferences, but differences in male sexual ornamentation did impact female preferences.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Bing-Run Zhu, Mo A. Verhoeven, A. H. Jelle Loonstra, Lisa Sanchez-Aguilar, Chris J. Hassell, Katherine K-S Leung, Weipan Lei, Zhengwang Zhang, Theunis Piersma
Summary: The study of Bohai Black-tailed Godwits revealed unique migration patterns and molt schedules within the East Asian-Australian Flyway, with three main stopover sites identified during southward migration.
EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David W. Gibbons, Chris Sandbrook, William J. Sutherland, Rezvin Akter, Richard Bradbury, Steven Broad, Andy Clements, Humphrey Q. P. Crick, Joanna Elliott, Ngawang Gyeltshen, Melanie Heath, Jonathan Hughes, Richard K. B. Jenkins, Alastair H. Jones, Rocio Lopez de la Lama, Nicholas B. W. Macfarlane, Mike Maunder, Ravikash Prasad, Alfredo Romero-Munoz, Noa Steiner, James Tremlett, Rosie Trevelyan, Savita Vijaykumar, Irushinie Wedage, Nancy Ockendon
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a largely negative impact on global biodiversity and its conservation efforts, with issues such as governments sidelining environmental concerns and reduced funding posing significant threats to conservation organizations. However, there are some positive impacts, such as wildlife-trade restrictions, which can help mitigate these threats. The assessment aims to raise awareness of the pandemic's effects and improve the conservation community's ability to respond to future challenges.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Henry Hakkinen, Silviu O. Petrovan, William J. Sutherland, Maria P. Dias, Eric I. Ameca, Steffen Oppel, Ivan Ramirez, Becki Lawson, Aleksi Lehikoinen, Katharine M. Bowgen, Nigel G. Taylor, Nathalie Pettorelli
Summary: The increasing threat of climate change to species' long-term survival requires the integration of scientific knowledge and conservation actions. However, the lack of strategic collection and collation of information on species' climate change vulnerability and the effectiveness of conservation actions hinders decision-making and conservation outcomes. By utilizing a pressure-state-response framework, existing knowledge can be effectively utilized to identify missing information and improve conservation outcomes.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alec P. Christie, Tatsuya Amano, Philip A. Martin, Gorm E. Shackelford, Benno Simmons, William J. Sutherland
Summary: This article responds to concerns raised by Pescott and Stewart regarding the generalizability and potential bias of the proposed 'accuracy weights' in meta-analytic weighting methods. The authors emphasize the importance of developing alternative weighting methods and integrating study quality data directly into meta-analyses. They argue that traditional methods, such as manual risk-of-bias assessments and inverse-variance weighting, are subjective, wasteful, and lack scalability. The authors suggest that moving towards alternative weighting methods is crucial for future-proofing evidence synthesis in conservation science.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Per Angelstam, Michael Manton, Ingrid Stjernquist, Tomas Gretar Gunnarsson, Richard Ottvall, Mats Rosenberg, Ole Thorup, Per Wedholm, Jaanus Elts, Davis Gruberts
Summary: This study aims to support the maintenance of representative functional habitat networks as green infrastructure for biodiversity conservation through transdisciplinary macroecological analyses of wet grassland landscapes and their stewardship systems. It identifies key factors affecting wet grassland conservation and provides insights for successful management and restoration strategies.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aldis E. Palsdottir, Jennifer A. Gill, Jose A. Alves, Snaebjorn Palsson, Veronica Mendez, Harry Ewing, Tomas G. Gunnarsson
Summary: Planting forests can significantly impact the diversity and abundance of pre-existing wildlife, highlighting the importance of understanding these consequences to avoid unintended effects on habitats and conservation populations. Afforestation in lowland areas of Iceland may affect ground-nesting bird species with international breeding populations, potentially leading to consequences throughout their non-breeding ranges in Europe and Africa. Strategic planning of tree-planting schemes is crucial to mitigate the severe impacts observed on populations of ground-nesting birds in open landscapes, particularly in light of Iceland's commitments to species protection and contribution to global migratory bird flyways.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Belinda Gallardo, William J. Sutherland, Phillip Martin, David C. Aldridge
Summary: The study used fault tree analysis (FTA) to model and evaluate the spread and management of harmful aquatic invasive species in Great Britain. The results showed that prevention and border management measures are crucial in reducing the risk of invasion, while management techniques like eradication and containment have limited impact.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Veronica Mendez, Jose A. Alves, Jennifer A. Gill, Bodvar Thorisson, Camilio Carneiro, Aldis E. Palsdottir, Solvi R. Vignisson, Tomas G. Gunnarsson
Summary: In migratory systems, individual phenology can vary due to differences in migratory behaviors. A study on Eurasian oystercatchers in Iceland found that breeding phenology varied with pair migratory behavior, and there were differences in the timing of laying between different migratory behaviors. Additionally, reproductive performance was influenced by pair migratory behavior and timing of laying.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
J. Nightingale, J. A. Gill, B. Porisson, P. M. Potts, T. G. Gunnarsson, J. A. Alves
Summary: Protected areas (PAs) are crucial for conservation, but the movement of species across these areas and beyond presents challenges. This study presents a framework using network analysis to assess the impact of developments on PAs and their populations. The framework is applied to a wetland in Portugal, showing that the proposed airport development would significantly disturb the population of a protected migratory species. Network analysis of marked individuals can provide valuable insights into environmental impacts on protected sites and populations.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Henry Hakkinen, Nigel G. Taylor, Nathalie Pettorelli, William J. Sutherland, Jon Aldara, Tycho Anker-Nilssen, Christophe Aulert, Rob S. A. van Bemmelen, Daisy Burnell, Bernard Cadiou, Letizia Campioni, Bethany L. Clark, Nina Dehnhard, Maria P. Dias, Leonie Enners, Robert W. Furness, Gunnar thorn or Hallgrimsson, Sjurour Hammer, Erpur Snaer Hansen, Martti Hario, Stephen Hurling, Mark Jessopp, Birgit Kleinschmidt, Meelis Leivits, Klaudyna Maniszewska, Steffen Oppel, Ana Payo-Payo, Daniel Piec, Jaime A. Ramos, Frederic Robin, Iben Hove Sorensen, Antra Stipniece, Danielle L. Thompson, Antonio Vulcano, Silviu Petrovan
Summary: Conservation guidance is an important tool to communicate evidence-based advice to conservation actors, especially in the face of rapidly increasing pressure from climate change. However, the process of developing guidance documents with input from stakeholders can be complicated and costly. There is currently little direct evidence and guidance specifically targeting climate change. This study introduces a process for co-developing guidance for species conservation in the context of a changing climate, using seabirds in the North-East Atlantic as a case study.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Business
T. B. White, S. O. Petrovan, L. A. Bennun, T. Butterworth, A. P. Christie, H. Downey, S. B. Hunter, B. R. Jobson, S. O. S. E. Zu Ermgassen, W. J. Sutherland
Summary: Currently, there is an increasing expectation for the private sector to address biodiversity impacts and contribute to global conservation goals. Appropriate evidence use can help businesses minimize biodiversity losses, reduce ineffective actions, and secure opportunities from engaging with biodiversity. This study reviews the status of evidence-based action in the private sector, identifies concerning trends, and proposes principles for evidence-based biodiversity impact mitigation. Meeting these principles would improve biodiversity outcomes, but broader political and socio-economic issues also need to be addressed for business action to fully contribute to global conservation goals.
BUSINESS STRATEGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Amelia S. C. Hood, Gorm E. Shackelford, Alec P. Christie, Hope O. Usieta, Philip A. Martin, William J. Sutherland
Summary: This article presents a systematic map of scientific studies on cassava farming practices, aiming to identify knowledge gaps and clusters. The study found regional knowledge clusters and gaps, as well as issues with study design and reporting standards. The map can guide researchers and funders in addressing knowledge gaps, and the ontologies developed can facilitate more efficient synthesis.
ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS AND EVIDENCE
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Camilo Carneiro, Tomas G. Gunnarsson, Triin Kaasiku, Theunis Piersma, Jose A. Alves
Summary: The migratory behavior in young individuals is influenced by a wide range of factors, including molecular information and social learning. Comparing the migration patterns of adults and juveniles helps to understand the developmental factors that contribute to migration. The study shows that juvenile Icelandic Whimbrels migrate to West Africa, but with later departure, less direct paths, and more stops compared to adults, resulting in slower travel speeds.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas B. White, Silviu O. Petrovan, Hollie Booth, Roberto J. Correa, Yasmine Gatt, Philip A. Martin, Helena Newell, Thomas A. Worthington, William J. Sutherland
Summary: This article presents a three-step framework for identifying and recording the economic costs and benefits of conservation interventions. The framework can help estimate costs and improve the assessment of cost-effectiveness.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alec P. Christie, Harriet Downey, Winifred F. Frick, Matthew Grainger, David O'Brien, Paul Tinsley-Marshall, Thomas B. White, Michael Winter, William J. Sutherland
Summary: Making the reasoning and evidence of conservation management decisions transparent is a challenge for the conservation community. Our group developed a tool to guide practitioners through documenting and reporting evidence and reasoning behind decisions. The tool has three steps: Define the Decision Context, Gather Evidence, and Make an Evidence-Based Decision, aiming to increase transparency and quality in conservation decision-making by enabling practitioners to integrate diverse forms of evidence.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2022)