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132 Road ecology, the study of the impacts of roads and their traffic on wildlife, including birds, is a 14 rapidly growing field, with research showing effects on local avian population densities up to several 15 kilometres from a road. However, in most studies, the effects of roads on the detectability of birds 16 by surveyors are not accounted for. This could be a significant source of error in estimates of the 17 impacts of roads on birds and could also affect other studies of bird populations. Using road density, 18 traffic volume and bird count data from across Great Britain, we assess the relationships between 19 roads and detectability of a range of bird species. Of 51 species analysed, the detectability of 36 was 20 significantly associated with road exposure, in most cases inversely. Across the range of road 21 exposure recorded for each species, the mean positive change in detectability was 52% and the 22 mean negative change was 36%, with the strongest negative associations found in smaller-bodied 23 species and those for which aural cues are more important in detection. These associations between 24 road exposure and detectability could be caused by a reduction in surveyors' abilities to hear birds 25 or by changes in birds' behaviour, making them harder or easier to detect. We suggest that future 26 studies of the impacts of roads on populations of birds or other taxa, and other studies using survey 27 data from road-exposed areas, should account for the potential impacts of roads on detectability. 28 29

Roads and their traffic can affect wildlife over large areas and, in regions with dense road networks, may influence a high proportion of the ecological landscape. We assess the abundance of 75 bird species in relation to roads across Great Britain. Of these, 77% vary significantly in abundance with increasing road exposure, just over half negatively so. The effect distances of these negative associations average 700 m from a road, covering over 70% of Great Britain and over 40% of the total area of terrestrial protected sites. Species with smaller national populations generally have lower relative abundance with increasing road exposure, whereas the opposite is true for more common species. Smaller-bodied and migratory species are also more negatively associated with road exposure. By creating environmental conditions that benefit generally common species at the expense of others, road networks may echo other anthropogenic disturbances in bringing about large-scale simplification of avian communities.

The smooth-billed ani (Crotophaga ani) is a widespread introduced bird species in the biologically important archipelago of Galápagos. Many scientists and local people consider it to be a damaging invasive, and it is possible that it impacts native species and ecosystems via multiple mechanisms. However, evidence for this is largely anecdotal and research on smooth-billed anis in Galápagos is limited. Despite this, there have been repeated attempts to control or eradicate the population over the past few decades, all without long-term success. These attempts continue, but no official plan of action regarding this species currently exists. This review brings together all available information on smooth-billed anis in Galápagos. We use both published and unpublished research to answer the following questions:1. What is known about the history of the smooth-billed anis' introduction to Galápagos? 2. What are the possible impacts of smooth-billed anis in Galápagos? 3. What attempts have been undertaken to control or eradicate smooth-billed anis inGalápagos and what were their outcomes?In answering these questions, we highlight numerous knowledge gaps, in both the current understanding of the impacts of this introduced species and the effectiveness of potential control or eradication methods. We find an urgent need for further research before considered, resourceefficient decisions can be made regarding smooth-billed anis in Galápagos.

Galápagos is one of the most pristine archipelagos in the world and its conservation relies upon research and sensible management. In recent decades both the interest in, and the needs of, the islands have increased, yet the funds and capacity for necessary research have remained limited. It has become, therefore, increasingly important to identify areas of priority research to assist decision-making in Galápagos conservation. This study identified 50 questions considered priorities for future research and management. The exercise involved the collaboration of policy makers, practitioners and researchers from more than 30 different organisations. Initially, 360 people were consulted to generate 781 questions. An established process of preworkshop voting and three rounds to reduce and reword the questions, followed by a two-day workshop, was used to produce the final 50 questions. The most common issues raised by this list of questions were human population growth, climate change and the impact of invasive alien species. These results have already been used by a range of organisations and politicians and are expected to provide the basis for future research on the islands so that its sustainability may be enhanced.