Climate change and birds: perspectives and prospects from southern Africa

Simmons, Robert E.; Barnard, Phoebe; Dean, W J Richard; Midgley, Guy F.; Thuiller, Wilfried; Hughes, Greg

doi:10.2989/00306520409485458

Cited by 71 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…The Bearded Vulture is considered particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change because it is a long-lived, territorial species and occurs at a low density with low reproductive rates within a restricted distribution range (Simmons et al 2004). Africa is predicted to be the continent where changes in climate will be most extreme (Hulme 1996, Kruger and Sekele 2012, IPCC 2014, and Lesotho in particular is showing rapid warming (Mokotjomela et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic activities influence the abandonment of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) territories in southern Africa

2015

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic activities influence the abandonment of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) territories in southern Africa

2015

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“…The implementation of sustained conservation efforts for the Blue Swallow has also been severely hampered by political conflict in the DRC (Evans et al 2002). In coming decades, climate change might result in a contraction of the Blue Swallow's range in South Africa by as much as 30% by 2050 (Simmons et al 2005). Although the latter study focused on southern Africa only, changes may be expected in other parts of the Blue Swallow breeding range.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Current conservation status of the Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea Sundevall 1850 in Africa

Evans

Monadjem

Roxburgh

et al. 2015

Ostrich

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The global Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea was classified as Vulnerable in 2010 on account of its small and rapidly declining population estimated at less than 1 500 pairs. We undertook this study to gain a better understanding of the current status and threats facing this migratory species. Three previously unknown areas that might be part of the species' non-breeding range were identified in Kenya and northern Tanzania. Within its breeding range we identified three previously unknown areas of potentially suitable habitat, one in Tanzania and two in Malawi, which require further exploration. Population viability assessment predicted that the Blue Swallow population will decline by 8% in 10 years. The overall probability of extinction of the species in the wild is 3%. Minimum viable population size analysis suggests that a goal for the long-term conservation of the Blue Swallow should be to mitigate current threats that are driving declines such that the population increases to a minimum of 3 600 individuals. This should consist of at least 900 individuals in each of the four clusters identified, along with a minimum of 500 individuals in at least one of the meta-populations per cluster. The four clusters are located in (1) the southeasten Democratic Republic of the Congo, (2) highlands of southern Tanzania and northern Malawi, (3) eastern highlands of Zimbabwe and (4) South Africa and Swaziland. The current proportions of the Blue Swallow population in strictly protected and unprotected areas on their breeding grounds are 53% and 47%, respectively, whereas on their non-breeding grounds the corresponding percentages are 25% and 75%, respectively. Our reassessment of the Blue Swallow's risk of extinction indicates that it continues to qualify as Vulnerable according to the IUCN/SSC criteria C2a(i).Keywords: Blue Swallow, conservation recommendations, conservation status, distribution, Hirundinidae, minimum viable population size, population viability, species distribution modelling, threatsThe text of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) states that the conservation and effective management of migratory wild animals requires the concerted action of all range states within whose national jurisdictional boundaries such species spend any part of their life cycle (CMS 2003). A globally threatened migratory species that spends different parts of its life-cycle in different regions and countries Introduction 1 can only be conserved if all of the countries cooperate towards conserving the species concerned. The Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea is a prime example of a globally threatened migratory species requiring the cooperation of all 10 range states in order to conserve it and its unique grassland and wetland habitat (Evans et al. 2002). This study was undertaken to gain a better understanding of the current status and vulnerability of the Blue Swallow throughout its range. In order to achieve this, species distribution modelling (SDM) and population viability analysis (PVA...

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“…The use of a method that is as far reaching as birds travel can be applied reliably and non-destructively at a relatively low cost to contribute to the survival of birds in a rapidly changing world (Simmons et al, 2004;Gordo, 2007;Both and Malverde, 2007).…”

Section: The Way Forward -An Armoury Of Research Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stable Isotope Research in Southern African Birds

Symes¹

2012

Diversity of Ecosystems

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Climate change and birds: perspectives and prospects from southern Africa

Cited by 71 publications

References 46 publications

Anthropogenic activities influence the abandonment of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) territories in southern Africa

Anthropogenic activities influence the abandonment of Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) territories in southern Africa

Current conservation status of the Blue Swallow Hirundo atrocaerulea Sundevall 1850 in Africa

Stable Isotope Research in Southern African Birds

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