Hunting sites as ecological traps for coots in southern Europe: implications for the conservation of a threatened species

Abstract

Ecological traps, in combination with other factors, can reduce population sizes and even lead to local extinction. Here, we present the first evidence that hunting sites can act as ecological traps for waterfowl: wintering common coots Fulica atra were preferentially attracted to hunting sites in southern European wetlands, and showed decreasing population trends in these sites, compared to non-hunting sites. We demonstrate that the supply of energy-rich supplementary food (grain) triggered the trap. We also show that a behavioural mechanism, acting as an evolutionary load (the tendency to form mixed coot flocks during the winter), decreased population size of a threatened waterfowl species, the crested coot F. cristata. Our results suggest the use of precautionary policies regarding supplementary food in coot and associated diving-duck species, if negative conservation impacts are to be avoided.

Cost-Effectiveness of Translocation Options for a Threatened Waterbird

“…Because this species occurs in spatially separated habitat patches, we used a metapopulation model with site‐specific parameters to examine the demographic effects of releasing juveniles and adults in each population or patch. The habitat into which birds were released was of poor quality because food was scarce (Martínez‐Abraín et al 2007; Varo & Amat 2008). This reintroduction program has not been considered successful for 2 reasons.…”

“…Other vertebrate reintroduction projects also report an initial period of high mortality of released individuals (Wear et al 2005; Brown et al 2006; Bertolero et al 2007). Second, a number of reintroduced Crested Coots that survive the initial cost of release join flocks of common coots ( F. atra ), which are hunted in winter (Martínez‐Abraín et al 2007).…”

Common but poorly known: information derived from 32 years of ringing CootFulica atrain the Camargue, southern France

“…Rallidae are widespread and common birds, and represent a non-negligible game bird in some geographic areas (c200,000 Coot, 150,000 Moorhen and 30,000 Water Rail shot annually in Europe; Hirschfeld & Heyd 2005). These birds are relatively easy to catch and can be marked with numbered collars or colour rings (eg Brinkhof et al 2002, Forman 2005, Martinez-Abraín et al 2007, Varo 2008. Beyond existing research schemes focusing on breeding systems or interspecific foraging interactions, a study relying on capture-mark-recapture of individually marked birds at a wide geographic scale would represent a valuable research perspective to improve our knowledge of Rallidae.…”

Evaluating the potential for evolutionary mismatch in Batesian mimics: A case study in the endangered smooth snake (Coronella austriaca)

“…For example, protected crested coots ( Fulicula cristata ) benefit from group living in mixed flocks with the similar‐looking common coot ( Fulicula atra ) through predator protection or group foraging. However, common coots are a common game species, which leads to a high risk of accidental killings of the endangered crested coot during game season (Martínez‐Abraín, Viedma, Bartolomé, Gómez, & Oro, 2007). …”