Biodiversity hotspots at a small scale: the importance of eagles’ nests to many other animals

Maciorowski, Grzegorz; Jankowiak, Łukasz; Sparks, Tim H.; Polakowski, Michał; Tryjanowski, Piotr

doi:10.1002/ecy.3220

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Because of their appealing look, iconic charisma, frequently delicate conservation status, and sensitivity to human-induced disturbances, raptor species (including goshawks) are frequently monitored by professional and amateur ornithologists in many countries and regions 15 . In many cases, their habitats are already protected by environmental laws, ordinances, and guidelines 16 , 17 . This is particularly true for the preservation of goshawk breeding sites throughout their distribution range (reviewed in 22 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the charisma typical of these iconic species facilitates the approval and donation of funding for their conservation by citizens and governments 14 . Finally, raptor habitats are often protected by specific environmental laws that mandate the preservation of their habitats in different countries 16 , 17 . Therefore, if a raptor species is proven to act as an efficient biodiversity surrogate, it could be possible to exploit it to secure funding for conservation and to quickly identify sites of high conservation value and legally prioritize their preservation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Raptor breeding sites indicate high plant biodiversity in urban ecosystems

Natsukawa

Yuasa

Komuro³

2021

Sci Rep

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Preserving biodiversity in urban ecosystems has become an urgent conservation priority, given the rapid upsurge in global urbanization. As woody plants play essential ecological roles and provide psychological benefits to human city dwellers, their preservation is of particular interest to conservation scientists. However, considering that extensive censuses of woody plants are resource-intensive, a key accomplishment is to find reliable conservation proxies that can be quickly used to locate biologically diverse areas. Here, we test the idea that sites occupied by apex predators can indicate high overall biodiversity, including high diversity of woody plants. To this end, we surveyed woody plant species within 500 m of Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) breeding sites in urban ecosystems of Japan and compared them with non-breeding control sites without goshawks. We found that goshawks successfully identified and signposted high levels of richness, abundance, and diversity of woody plants. Our findings show that sites occupied by top predatory species could be exploited as conservation proxies for high plant diversity. Due to their exigent ecological requirements, we would expect apex predators to be tied to high biodiversity levels in many other urban ecosystems worldwide.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Raptor breeding sites indicate high plant biodiversity in urban ecosystems

Natsukawa

Yuasa

Komuro³

2021

Sci Rep

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“…Second, top predators may selectively predate on certain dominant species, lowering their abundance, indirectly alleviating competitive exclusion and thus favouring coexistence (Greeney et al, 2015; Lima, 2009). Third, top predators can act as ecosystem engineers by creating physically new environments such as large nests, burrows or whole ponds, which can facilitate the local persistence of several species (Maciorowski et al, 2021; Somaweera et al, 2020). Finally, top predators can function as keystone species by providing carrion for other taxa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(2) Second, the appeal of these species for the general public promotes the understanding and approval of conservation action by citizens, conservancies and governments, facilitating socio‐financial support for biodiversity preservation (Macdonald et al, 2017; Sergio, Caro, et al, 2008). (3) Finally, the global decline and frequently endangered status of top predators (Estes et al, 2011; McClure et al, 2018; Ripple et al, 2014) implies that the conservation of these species and their habitats are often mandated by national and international legislation, so as to preserve the ecosystem functioning that they provide (for specific examples, see Maciorowski et al, 2021; McClure et al, 2018; Trouwborst, 2015). In turn, this could indirectly, automatically facilitate the preservation of biodiversity‐rich areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Top predators as biodiversity indicators: A meta‐analysis

Natsukawa

2022

Ecology Letters

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Identifying efficient biodiversity indicators is a key pillar of the global conservation strategy. Top predators have been proposed as reliable biodiversity signposts, but their role is controversial. Here, we verified their performance by a meta-analysis of published studies and found solid support for their efficacy as biodiversity indicators.As to be expected for any indicator species, efficacy was stronger for biodiversity components 'ecologically closer' to the predator (i.e. broad groups that include species providing key resources, such as avian and tree diversity for a bird-eating predator that nests in trees) and declined for the diversity of components more 'ecologically remote' from the predator (e.g. butterfly diversity for a fish-eating predator). This confirmed a link between the top predatory role and biodiversity and set the context for its functionality. These results show that, on average, top predators are justified candidates as biodiversity indicators and that prioritisation of conservation action based on their occurrence is likely to provide broader ecosystem benefits. However, such role should be confirmed on a case-by-case basis, acknowledging that no indicator can portray everything, checking the compatibility of the biodiversity components linked to the predator with the established conservation objectives and ideally integrating predators with other complementary indicator groups.

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“…Although most research on predators focuses on trophic interactions (both consumptive and non-consumptive), there is growing recognition that predators impact ecosystem dynamics through important non-trophic pathways. For instance, similar to tundra fox dens, eagle nests are relatively large, long-lasting structures that act as localized biodiversity hotspots in forest environments (Maciorowski et al 2020). As top predator populations continue to decline throughout many parts of the world (Estes et al 2011), understanding the complex pathways they impact ecosystems is crucial for advancing the research, conservation, and management of their populations worldwide (Gable et al 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Foxes engineer hotspots of wildlife activity on the nutrient-limited Arctic tundra

Zhao

2021

Preprint

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Top predators largely affect ecosystems through trophic interactions, but they also can have indirect effects by altering nutrient dynamics and acting as ecosystem engineers. Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus) are ecosystem engineers that concentrate nutrients around their dens, creating biogeochemical hotspots with lush vegetation on the nutrient-limited tundra. Red foxes (V. vulpes) similarly engineer subarctic environments through their denning behavior, and have recently expanded onto the tundra where they now often occupy historically Arctic fox dens. We evaluated the impact of Arctic and red fox denning behavior on other tundra wildlife by comparing predator and herbivore visits to dens and adjacent control areas using camera traps in northeastern Manitoba, where both fox species are sympatric. Both the capture rates and species richness of wildlife were significantly greater at fox dens relative to control sites. Predators were detected almost exclusively on dens occupied by foxes, suggesting carcass or fox presence attracts predators to den sites. This is supported by observations of predators investigating and scavenging prey remains (carrion, feathers) from the dens. Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) visited dens more often than control areas, and we hypothesize they are attracted to the enhanced vegetation typically found on dens. Our results suggest Arctic fox ecosystem engineering has a prolonged, indirect effect on caribou by enriching vegetation at dens, whereas both Arctic and red foxes directly facilitate predators by provisioning resources. Understanding how predators affect other organisms via non-trophic interactions provides an enriched view of their functional roles within ecosystems.

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Biodiversity hotspots at a small scale: the importance of eagles’ nests to many other animals

Cited by 13 publications

References 28 publications

Raptor breeding sites indicate high plant biodiversity in urban ecosystems

Raptor breeding sites indicate high plant biodiversity in urban ecosystems

Top predators as biodiversity indicators: A meta‐analysis

Foxes engineer hotspots of wildlife activity on the nutrient-limited Arctic tundra

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