Detailed mapping of protected species distribution, an essential tool for renewable energy planning in agroecosystems

Palacı́n, Carlos; Farias, Irene; Alonso, Juan Carlos

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109857

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 80 publications

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“…Additionally, some local actions should be taken to counteract the negative effect of the blades of wind turbines with which certain soaring birds including vultures are prone to collide ( [81,82], personal data). Some studies have shown that the strategic placement of wind turbines and appropriate mitigation measures could help minimize the potential negative effects of wind farms on soaring birds while still allowing for the generation of renewable energy [83]. Finally, we believe it is important to underline the importance of grids with a single or few breeding pairs, since the potential for recovery and growth of endangered populations lies in these low-density areas.…”

Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Key Factors behind the Dynamic Stability of Pairs of Egyptian Vultures in Continental Spain

Cerecedo-Iglesias,

Pretus,

Hernández-Matías

et al. 2023

Animals

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Conservation science aims to identify the factors influencing the distribution of threatened species, thereby permitting the implementation of effective management strategies. This is key for long-lived species that require long-term monitoring such as the worldwide endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus). We studied temporal and spatial variations in the distribution of breeding pairs and examined the intrinsic and anthropic factors that may be influencing the abundance of breeding territories in continental Spain. Based on the census data of breeding pairs from 2000, 2008, and 2018, we used Rank Occupancy–Abundance Profiles to assess the temporal stability of the population and identified the spatial heterogeneity through a Local Index of Spatial Autocorrelation analysis. The GLMs showed that the abundance distribution was mainly influenced by the abundance of griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) and cattle at a regional scale. Nonparametric comparisons showed that the presence of wind farms had a significant negative effect on local breeding pairs abundance, but that supplementary feeding stations and food resource-related variables had a positive impact. In light of these findings, we recommend a hierarchical approach in future conservation programs involving actions promoting regional-scale food resource availability and highlight the need to address the negative impact of wind farms at local levels.

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Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Key Factors behind the Dynamic Stability of Pairs of Egyptian Vultures in Continental Spain

Cerecedo-Iglesias,

Pretus,

Hernández-Matías

et al. 2023

Animals

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“…Third, the construction of new power lines should be avoided, and at least the most dangerous existing power and telephone lines should be buried to stop collision fatalities. Planning of new energy infrastructure should take into account the home range and ight movements of houbara bustards, both inside and outside SPAs, as recommended in other bustards species (Palacín et al 2023). Fourth, tra c speed limitations should be implemented at some sectors of roads crossing the most important breeding aggregations of the species in the island.…”

Section: Conservation Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Significant decline of an endemic bustard in the Canary Islands

Ucero

Alonso

Palacı́n

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The declines of species are caused by a combination of factors that affect survival or breeding success. We studied the effects of a set of environmental and anthropogenic variables on the disappearance of African houbara bustards Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae on Fuerteventura (Canary Islands), once the main stronghold of this endangered bird. Of 83 male display sites detected in 1997-1998, only 29 remained occupied in 2020-2021 (65% decrease in only 23 years). We compared habitat quality, density of conspecifics, other steppe birds and crows, presence of human infrastructure, and degree of environmental protection between these 29 extant sites and the 54 extinct sites using univariate analyses and generalised linear models. The most influential variable in the abandonment of display sites was the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), used as an indicator of food resources available to the species, which suggests a strong effect of aridification due to climate change on the species’ extinction process. Power line density was the second most important factor. This suggests that hubaras have survived where higher vegetation productivity has enabled a higher breeding success, and powerline fatalities have caused lower mortality. Higher densities of houbaras, other steppe birds and crows at extant display sites confirmed the better habitat quality in these areas. Extant display sites, located generally in protected areas, had also lower densities of human infrastructure (buildings, roads). We discuss the conservation implications of these results and provide management recommendations for this endangered subspecies.

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“…In a great bustard population in central Spain, collision with power lines was found to be the major cause of non-natural mortality (37.6–55.0% 38 , 39 ). In the same region, transport power lines (> 50 kV) that intersect with great bustard home ranges cause up to 2.46 collision fatalities per km and year 40 . Adding power line fatalities to natural mortality had a significant negative effect on population viability in this 37 and other populations of this species 35 , 41 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anthropogenic mortality threatens the survival of Canarian houbara bustards

Alonso,

Abril-Colón,

Ucero

et al. 2024

Sci Rep

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Anthropogenic mortality is a major cause of global mortality in terrestrial vertebrates. Quantifying its impact on the dynamics of threatened species is essential to improve their conservation. We investigated cause-specific mortality in Canarian houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae), an endangered subspecies endemic to the Canary Islands. We monitored 51 individuals tagged with solar-powered GSM/GPRS loggers for an average of 3.15 years, and recorded 7 casualties at aerial lines (13.73% of the sample; 5 at power lines, 2 at telephone lines), 1 (1.96%) at a wire fence, 4 road kills (7.84%) and 1 case of predation by cat (1.96%). Cox proportional hazards models showed that anthropogenic and natural annual mortality rates were similar (respectively, 6.20% and 6.36% of the individuals). We estimate that 33–35 houbaras die each year in the Canary Islands due to anthropogenic causes. Population viability models using these data and juvenile productivity values obtained over seven years predicted the extinction of the species in 50 years. Eliminating anthropogenic mortality, the population could be recovered, but would still require management actions to improve habitat quality. Conservation measures to reduce anthropogenic mortality due to power line fatalities, roadkills and predation by cats, as well as to increase productivity, are urgently needed, particularly on Fuerteventura, where houbaras are on the brink of extinction.

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Detailed mapping of protected species distribution, an essential tool for renewable energy planning in agroecosystems

Cited by 7 publications

References 80 publications

Key Factors behind the Dynamic Stability of Pairs of Egyptian Vultures in Continental Spain

Key Factors behind the Dynamic Stability of Pairs of Egyptian Vultures in Continental Spain

Significant decline of an endemic bustard in the Canary Islands

Anthropogenic mortality threatens the survival of Canarian houbara bustards

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