Article
Ecology
Xu Shi, Cheng Hu, Joshua Soderholm, Jason Chapman, Huafeng Mao, Kai Cui, Zhijun Ma, Dongli Wu, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Interpretation of weather radar signals has been used to monitor bird migration patterns in Europe and America, but not yet in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). This study discusses the feasibility and challenges of using weather radar to complement on-ground bird migration surveys in the EAAF. The authors conclude that the weather radar network could be a powerful resource for monitoring bird movements in the EAAF, especially in remote regions.
REMOTE SENSING IN ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ningxin Tang, Yanju Ma, Sixin Li, Yizhu Yan, Cheng Cheng, Gang Lu, Fei Li, Liuxuan Lv, Peilin Qin, Hoai Bao Nguyen, Quang Hao Nguyen, Trong Trai Le, Shelby Qi Wei Wee, Tao He, Ding Li Yong, Chi-Yeung Choi
Summary: The Beibu Gulf is a crucial stopover and wintering region for migratory waterbirds. However, comprehensive assessments regarding waterbird abundances, distribution, key wetland habitats, and regional threats are lacking. This study synthesizes citizen science datasets and published records to provide a scientific baseline for waterbird conservation efforts in the Beibu Gulf.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
John A. Allcock, Timothy C. Bonebrake, Yik Hei Sung, Caroline Dingle
Summary: Climate change impacts bird migration phenology, causing changes in departure and arrival dates. Different bird species exhibit varied changes in migration phenology. Temperature is an important factor influencing migration phenology for some species, while wing length changes are unrelated to observed phenological changes. Continued monitoring and understanding of all sites in the migratory pathway are crucial for the conservation of these species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Will L. S. Hawkes, Edward Walliker, Boya Gao, Olivia Forster, Katharine Lacey, Toby Doyle, Richard Massy, Nicholas W. Roberts, Don R. Reynolds, Ozge Ozden, Jason W. Chapman, Karl R. Wotton
Summary: Migratory insects are vital components of terrestrial ecosystems, but their full contribution is challenging to understand. This study collected data on migratory insects in the Karpaz peninsula in northeast Cyprus and found that their migration is correlated with temperature and wind direction, with origins from locations including Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ju-Hyun Lee, In-Cheol Kim, Si-Wan Lee, Jong-Ju Son, Jae-Ung Jang, Ha-Cheol Sung
Summary: The tidal flats along the southwestern coast of Korea are important stopover sites for migratory shorebirds. The destruction of these habitats has led to population declines. The study investigated the population sizes and habitat use patterns of shorebirds, identifying internationally important stopover sites. The results showed the continued importance of Korean tidal flats as stopover sites for shorebirds, emphasizing the need for enhanced protection measures.
AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Wieland Heim, Aleksey Antonov, Friederike Kunz, Martha Maria Sander, Marc Bastardot, Ilka Beermann, Ramona Julia Heim, Alexander Thomas, Vera Volkova
Summary: Basic information on the ecology of the yellow-throated bunting, including breeding habitat parameters, survival rate, and migratory connectivity, was studied based on a multi-year study in the Russian Far East. The study found that male yellow-throated buntings prefer habitat with tree and shrub layers on moist ground, and have higher survival rates compared to females. The birds migrated to southern China for the nonbreeding season, with some individuals venturing outside the known range. The data collected will aid in assessing threats to the species and its conservation.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chunxiao Wang, Xiubo Yu, Shaoxia Xia, Yu Liu, Junlong Huang, Wei Zhao
Summary: This study used satellite tracking technology to investigate the potential habitat distribution of swan geese during their migration cycle. The results show that the wintering grounds of swan geese are mainly located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, while stopover sites are widely distributed and breeding grounds are mainly in Inner Mongolia and eastern Mongolia.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Justus Jobe, Cairn Krafft, Mikaila Milton, Keryn Gedan
Summary: The experimental results demonstrate that geese have strong effects on plant cover and species diversity in restored urban wetlands. The presence of geese inhibits plant establishment and suppresses plant diversity, particularly of annual species. Therefore, protecting wetlands from goose disturbance is a crucial management activity that determines the composition and long-term persistence of vegetation. The reduction of non-migratory goose populations supports greater wetland plant diversity.
Article
Geography, Physical
Bingyan Zhao, Xianyu Huang, Jianfang Hu, Junwu Shu, Weiming Wang, Ping'an Peng
Summary: This study conducts spatial comparisons of hydroclimate changes in the Asian Summer Monsoon (ASM) region during the Mystery Interval (MI) by reconstructing the paleohydrology of the south of East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) region. The research reveals spatial differences in the hydroclimate variations during the MI and highlights the potential influence of coupling between the westerly jet and the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) on rainfall in the ASM region.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Jonas Wobker, Wieland Heim, Heiko Schmaljohann
Summary: The study focused on the spring and autumn phenologies of 36 migrant songbirds in the Russian Far East, finding that sex- and age-specific differences in migration are common, with molt strategy also playing a role in migration timing. Sex-differential migration is more pronounced in spring, while age-differences are more common in autumn, with adults molting before migration showing delayed phenology compared to first-year birds. These patterns align with those found in other migration flyways, suggesting similar driving forces for differential migration across different systems.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2021)
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
Benjamin J. Lagasse, Richard B. Lanctot, Stephen Brown, Alexei G. Dondua, Steve Kendall, Christopher J. Latty, Joseph R. Liebezeit, Egor Y. Loktionov, Konstantin S. Maslovsky, Alexander Matsyna, Ekaterina L. Matsyna, Rebecca L. McGuire, David C. Payer, Sarah T. Saalfeld, Jonathan C. Slaght, Diana Solovyeva, Pavel S. Tomkovich, Olga P. Valchuk, Michael B. Wunder
Summary: Determining the spatial and temporal dynamics of bird populations during migration is crucial for understanding population declines and conservation efforts. This study used geolocator data to construct a migratory network for Dunlin subspecies along the East Asian Australasian Flyway. The results showed unique spatial and temporal patterns of flyway use among the subspecies, indicating the potential differential impacts of habitat change and population declines. These migration dynamics provide valuable insights for guiding conservation actions.
Article
Geography, Physical
Honghao Niu, Mengzhen Li, Laurent Marquer, Teija Alenius, Frank M. Chambers, Dorothy Sack, Guizai Gao, Jiangyong Wang, Meng Meng, Linlin Liu, Lina Song, Anyi Xu, Dongmei Jie
Summary: Studying the interactions between paleoecology and climate variations in semi-arid areas, such as the Songnen grasslands in northeastern China, provides insights into how future vegetation changes and hydrological variations may impact semi-arid ecosystems. This study presents a high resolution palaeoecological dataset covering the past 7300 years and reveals the dynamics of vegetation and water levels in the Dabusu peatlands. By comparing these features with regional climate change, the study suggests that East Asian Summer Monsoon circulations might be the main driving force controlling the regional paleovegetation dynamics and hydrological variations.
PALAEOGEOGRAPHY PALAEOCLIMATOLOGY PALAEOECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Wieland Heim, Simba Chan, Norbert Hoelzel, Pavel Ktitorov, Alexander Mischenko, Johannes Kamp
Summary: The sharp decline in Yellow-breasted Bunting population attracted global media attention, while other migratory songbirds were also found to be trapped in large numbers recently, potentially causing further declines. Yellow-breasted Bunting can serve as a flagship species to promote the conservation of East Asian migratory land birds.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Houlang Duan, Xiubo Yu
Summary: The area and quality of shorebird stopover habitat along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway migratory route have decreased, with urbanization, industrial development, and wetland degradation being the main contributing factors.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Shawan Chowdhury, Michael D. Jennions, Myron P. Zalucki, Martine Maron, James E. M. Watson, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Anthropogenic pressures are causing a decline in insect populations worldwide. Protected areas, which are important for safeguarding vertebrates, have not focused much on insect conservation. There is a lack of knowledge on the effectiveness of protected areas for insect conservation, especially regarding threats and management strategies. The authors propose a research agenda to prioritize insects in expanding the global protected area network.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chuyu Cheng, Zhijun Ma
Summary: The expansion of artificial habitats provides alternative habitats for wildlife species, but whether the use of these habitats has fitness consequences is unclear. This study examined bird breeding performance in a variety of artificial wetlands and found that human-induced breeding failures are common in these habitats. There was no significant difference in breeding performance between birds in artificial and natural wetlands, but conservation interventions improved the breeding performance of ground-nesting species in artificial wetlands.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nicole Shumway, Megan Saunders, Sam Nicol, Richard A. Fuller, Noam Ben-Moshe, Takuya Iwamura, Sun W. Kim, Nicholas J. Murray, James E. M. Watson, Martine Maron
Summary: Biodiversity offsets aim to counterbalance the impacts of development on species and ecosystems. The effectiveness of spatially flexible offsets, located further from the impact area, in achieving no net loss or better ecological outcomes compared to local offsets is uncertain. In the case study of migratory shorebirds, there were insufficient data to draw robust conclusions about the effectiveness and equivalence of distant habitat-based offsets. The potential benefits of spatially flexible offsets need to be evaluated against the increased risks to ensure effective offset placement.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Shilu Zheng, Juntao Hu, Zhijun Ma, David Lindenmayer, Jiajia Liu
Summary: The authors used body size data from mammal and bird museum collections in North America to show that intraspecific variation in body size has increased over time, while mean body size has not changed. Previous studies have mainly focused on the declining average body size of animals, and less is known about long-term changes in intraspecific trait variation, which is crucial for understanding species' ability to cope with environmental challenges.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiaotong Ren, Shen Zhang, Ke Huang, He-Bo Peng, Changlin Li, Ding Zhao, Dehong Pang, Yong Wu, Peng Liu, Peng Chen, Rong Hou, Richard A. Fuller, Fangyuan Hua, Pinjia Que
Summary: This study provides the first assessment of the breeding season habitat use of the Wood Snipe. The results indicate that Wood Snipes prefer alpine meadow habitats with lower elevation and moderate soil moisture. The actual distribution range of the Wood Snipe during the breeding season may be smaller than expected. Further research is needed to better understand the ecology of this rare species.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rebecca E. E. Ginesi, Nicholas R. R. Murray, Robert M. M. Dalgliesh, James Doutch, Emily R. R. Draper
Summary: The pH dependence of perylene bisimide gels is investigated, showing that both the final and starting pH can impact the resulting gel properties. Adjusting the starting pH from 9 to 6 results in different worm-like micelles and gels with different mechanical properties. This highlights the importance of controlling pH for gelation and opens up possibilities for different morphologies and properties.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Editorial Material
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas J. Murray
Summary: A new study, using a combination of modelling and data analysis, reveals that wetland losses since 1700 amount to an area approximately the size of India.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chantelle M. Derez, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Although thousands of reptiles are relocated annually in Australia, there has been a lack of research on how the reptile relocation industry operates. An online questionnaire was distributed to gather information from operators who had relocated reptiles, and the results showed that there is a need for changes within the industry, including increased training and professionalism. The study also highlighted concerns about the impacts of the industry on wildlife.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, Nives Dolsak, Aseem Prakash, Taej Mundkur, Paul G. Harris, Ronald B. Mitchell, Nick Davidson, Birgita Hansen, Bradley K. Woodworth, Richard A. Fuller, Melissa Price, Nicky Petkov, Volker Mauerhofer, Tiffany H. Morrison, James E. M. Watson, Sayam U. Chowdhury, Christoph Zoeckler, Oscar Widerberg, Ding Li Yong, Daniel Klich, Vitaliy Smagol, John Piccolo, Duan Biggs
Summary: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity rely on international cooperation, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has put recent progress at a crossroads. This invasion threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation within and beyond Russia due to isolation from the international system, halt of cooperation, and changes in policy priorities. We recommend enhancing the resilience and adaptability of the existing international governance system for biodiversity conservation, while aligning security agendas with conservation goals.
FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shawan Chowdhury, Richard A. Fuller, Sultan Ahmed, Shofiul Alam, Corey T. Callaghan, Priyanka Das, Ricardo A. Correia, Moreno Di Marco, Enrico Di Minin, Ivan Jaric, Mahzabin Muzahid Labi, Richard J. Ladle, Md. Rokonuzzaman, Uri Roll, Valerio Sbragaglia, Asma Siddika, Aletta Bonn
Summary: This study examines the importance of social media records in conservation decision-making, using Bangladesh as a case study. The results show that adding Facebook data to GBIF data improves the accuracy of conservation planning assessments and expands the scope of priority conservation areas.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas J. Lloyd, Ubirajara Oliveira, Britaldo S. Soares-Filho, Richard A. Fuller, Nathalie Butt, John S. Ascher, Joao Paulo Peixoto Pena Barbosa, Joao Aguiar Nogueira Batista, Antonio D. Brescovit, Claudio J. B. de Carvalho, Paulo De Marco, Viviane Gianluppi Ferro, Felipe Sa Fortes Leite, Peter Lowenberg-Neto, Adriano Pereira Paglia, Daniella Teixeira de Rezende, Adalberto J. Santos, Daniel Paiva Silva, Marcelo Ferreira de Vasconcelos, Laura J. Sonter
Summary: Mining activities are putting increasing pressure on areas with high biodiversity value, such as the Brazilian Amazon. The limited availability of biodiversity data in tropical regions makes it difficult to accurately estimate the risks before granting mining licenses. The study found that while mining does not significantly impact vertebrate biodiversity, it does have negative effects on the diversity of arthropods and angiosperms, underscoring the need for comprehensive assessments of mining impacts across different taxonomic groups.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(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
Biodiversity Conservation
Camilo Ordonez, Caragh G. Threlfall, Dave Kendal, Jess Baumann, Cherese Sonkkila, Dieter F. Hochuli, Rodney van der Ree, Richard A. Fuller, Melanie Davern, Kelly Herzog, Alex English, Stephen J. Livesley
Summary: This study experimentally quantifies the benefits of urban trees on humans and wildlife by taking advantage of scheduled tree removals. The results demonstrate that the removal of trees in urban parks led to a decrease in bird and possum abundance, an increase in invertebrate predation, and a decrease in people's perception of the importance of trees.
Correction
Ornithology
Zhijun Ma, Chi-Yeung Choi, Xiaojing Gan, Jing Li, Yang Liu, David S. Melville, Tong Mu, Theunis Piersma, Zhengwang Zhang
Article
Ornithology
Zhijun Ma, Chi-Yeung Choi, Xiaojing Gan, Jing Li, Yang Liu, David S. Melville, Tong Mu, Theunis Piersma, Zhengwang Zhang
Summary: This article reviews the conservation measures taken to protect waterbirds in China's coastal wetlands and provides recommendations for future actions. While progress has been made with the implementation of conservation legislation and regulations, there are still critical issues related to habitat conservation and management. Protecting natural tidal wetlands and improving habitat quality are emphasized as crucial for the conservation of coastal waterbirds.