The effects of habitat and spatial features of wetland fragments on the abundance of two rallid species with different degrees of habitat specialization

Brambilla, Mattia; Rizzolli, Franco; Pedrini, Paolo

doi:10.1080/00063657.2012.666226

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Both Little Crake and Water Rail occupy a wide range of freshwater, usually eutrophic wetlands (natural and semi-natural), with fairly tall and dense aquatic vegetation (Cramp 1980, Taylor & Van Perlo 1998. A few recent studies have investigated landscape and spatial determinants of Water Rail occurrence or abundance (Jenkins & Ormerod 2002, Brambilla & Rubolini 2004, Brambilla et al 2012, but small-scale nest-site preferences of both species are poorly known (Schiermann 1929, Kux 1959, De Kroon 2000, De Kroon & Mommers 2002, De Kroon 2004, although water depth at nest sites has been reported to vary between the two species, with Water Rail nesting in shallower places than Little Crake (Bauer 1960). Nevertheless, virtually no study has quantitatively analysed which habitat features are most likely to drive nest-site selection in these two secretive species.…”

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Fine-scale selection of nesting habitat in Little CrakePorzana parvaand Water RailRallus aquaticusin small ponds

2014

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Capsule The most important factor determining fine-scale selection of nesting habitat in Little Crake and Water Rail is water depth. Aims To evaluate factors affecting nest-site selection and relative inter-specific differences in two poorly studied Rallidae species, the Little Crake and Water Rail. Methods Habitat variables describing water depth, water cover, as well as vegetation type and structure were measured within 3-m radius plots around birds' nests and random points, located in small ponds scattered within a largely cultivated landscape in northeastern Poland. Descriptive statistics and multiadaptive regression splines were used to describe nesting habitat and to model nest-site selection in the study species. Results Little Crake nested in sites with deeper water and lower percentage of vegetation cover than Water Rail. Both species chose nest sites according to water depth (probability of Little Crake nests occurrence was the highest around 40 cm and of Water Rail below 12 cm) and vegetation stage in which nests were build (old vegetation was preferred). Little Crake nests were also associated with vegetation height lower than 1.5 m and high percentage cover of old vegetation within a 3-m radius around nests, whereas Water Rail preferred Carex spp. and Juncus effusus for nesting. Conclusion For both species, water depth was the main driver of nest-site selection, followed by vegetation traits. Water depth was also the variable most important in discriminating between the nesting sites of the two species. The different patterns of habitat selection showed by the two species are likely to be due to different morphology and nest characteristics, and are probably driven by the need to maximize both nest and adult safety.

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Fine-scale selection of nesting habitat in Little CrakePorzana parvaand Water RailRallus aquaticusin small ponds

2014

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“…For example, Brambilla et al . (2012) found that fragment size had different effects on the presence of specialist and generalist species, because generalist species can use and exploit the landscape between patches of the focal habitat of interest, but specialists cannot. As a result, it might be expected that specialist bird species with lower mobility (e.g.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to habitat availability, habitat selection is also important; specialist birds are more sensitive to habitat availability, with a tendency to decline or disappear in small remnant patches of apparently suitable habitat (Benoit & Askins 2002). For example, Brambilla et al (2012) found that fragment size had different effects on the presence of specialist and generalist species, because generalist species can use and exploit the landscape between patches of the focal habitat of interest, but specialists cannot. As a result, it might be expected that specialist bird species with lower mobility (e.g.…”

Section: Species-richness and Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

The importance of wetland habitat area for waterbird species‐richness

Cerda‐Peña

Rau

2023

Ibis

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The area of habitat patches is a significant factor when determining species-richness in any given habitat. However, this area effect is not the same for every taxonomic group and can change if is considered together with other habitat variables. The main objective of this study was to identify the importance of wetland area for waterbird speciesrichness when it is considered in conjunction with other habitat variables. Studies published in the Scopus and Web of Science databases in marine/coastal and inland wetlands were reviewed. A vote-counting approach was conducted to evaluate how many studies include area as a major variable, and a meta-analysis was performed to measure the effect size of the relationship between area and species-richness. Area was a significant predictor of waterbird species-richness in most of the studies (28 of 40 studies, 70%) as assessed by the vote-counting approach, and the mean effect size was high (r = 0.81, n = 1 studies) in the meta-analysis. Few studies reported the shape of the relationship between habitat area and species-richness, but most reported a positive correlation. Although the species-area relationship is widely recognized, our review shows that an important proportion of studies (30%) also found that other habitat variables were significant variables when they were considered together with habitat area. Consequently, in the case of wetlands, habitat area should be considered in conservation, but not as the only measure of management and restoration if the objective is to conserve waterbird biodiversity by improving species-richness.

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“…The grand mean was calculated (i.e. the consensus of all specimens) and shape variables were then generated (Bookstein 1997). The centroid size (Csize) was computed as the square root of the sum of the squares of the distances from all landmarks to their centroid (Bookstein 1991).…”

Section: Geometric Morphometricsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for seasonal changes in population structure of Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus) in the Lake Neusiedl Region: a stable-isotope approach

Kofler

Wanek²,

Voigt

et al. 2021

J Ornithol

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Migrating species and populations are affected by conditions existing across large geographical scales. The degree to which populations mix at stop-over sites and wintering grounds is variable and can involve important fitness consequences. Thus, the link between breeding and wintering grounds and seasonal shifts in population structure are important to understand population demographics, local adaption and diversification patterns. This work aims to infer migration patterns and population connectivity in the Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) community of a Ramsar-designated wetland, Lake Neusiedl, Seewinkel, Austria. Stable isotope markers (hydrogen, δ2H, carbon, δ13C) in feathers were analyzed to assign individuals to a specific breeding or natal area. Based on the geographic assignment, birds were compared with respect to their ecomorphological traits and their habitat selection (large reed bed versus more open habitat at shore of an alkaline lake) during winter to assess potential ecological differences and possibly associated morphological divergence. Stable isotope data revealed that the local Reed Bunting community undergoes seasonal changes in population structure. Three different populations that vary in their δ2H signature and to some extent in morphological characteristics as well as in δ13C values were identified. Indications for differential migration related to age and/or sex were additionally found, since males and females as well as first-year birds and adults showed remarkable differences in their traits and feather isotope values. δ2H values diverged significantly between these groups in both age and sex classes and birds with highest feather δ2H values were considered to represent the local breeding population at Lake Neusiedl and possibly also Reed Buntings from close surroundings. Moreover, this group had the highest δ13C values in first-year individuals as well as in adults. In both sex classes, the assignment of Reed Buntings to different populations was ultimately possible due to differences in bill shape with residents being characterized by more massive bills than individuals belonging to populations visiting the study area only during migration or for wintering. During winter, beak shape and feather δ2H and δ13C values differed significantly between birds caught in the reed stand of Lake Neusiedl and those captured near the salt pan, hence, indicating differential habitat selection among co-occurring populations during winter. These findings suggest that morphological attributes, such as bill shape and size as well as linked adaptations to different food sources play a decisive role for niche segregation among wintering populations. The results provide evidence that different populations mix during migration and during winter at Lake Neusiedl and the extent to which they are specialized to a specific habitat varied.

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The effects of habitat and spatial features of wetland fragments on the abundance of two rallid species with different degrees of habitat specialization

Cited by 10 publications

References 28 publications

Fine-scale selection of nesting habitat in Little CrakePorzana parvaand Water RailRallus aquaticusin small ponds

Fine-scale selection of nesting habitat in Little CrakePorzana parvaand Water RailRallus aquaticusin small ponds

The importance of wetland habitat area for waterbird species‐richness

Evidence for seasonal changes in population structure of Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus) in the Lake Neusiedl Region: a stable-isotope approach

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