Nest Habitat Research Articles

Seasonal Effects of Abiotic Factors and Nutrient Sources on the Feeding Activity of the Harvester Ant Species Messor semirufus (André, 1883)

Harvester ants are species of ants that survive by collecting seeds. In this study, we planned to examine seasonal effects of abiotic factors and nutrient sources on the feeding activity of the harvester ant species Messor semirufus (André, 1883). Activation rhythms and feeding regimes were observed for M. semirufus workers in three seasons, spring, summer and autumn, for one year. Abiotic factor measurements were made every month and the recorded values were recorded in the follow-up tables. It was determined which plant seeds M. semirufus workers preferred from the plants naturally growing in the observed nest habitat. In addition, different food seeds that are not naturally found in the nest habitat of M. semirufus were placed near the nest and seed preferences among these were observed and noted. Activation of M. semirufus workers was at its maximum level when the soil temperature reached 30°C. Two plant families that M. semirufus prefers the most in the natural environment are the Poaceae (Grains) and Asteraceae (Daisy) seeds. On the other hand, in experimental studies on seed preferences, 12 types of seeds with different nutritional values, separate from the plants in the natural environment, were left around the M. semirufus nest. Of these, wheat, which contains 61% carbohydrates, was the most preferred seed by workers. The workers' second choice was flaxseed, which contains more oil. The later preferred types are oat, spinach seed, sesame, millet, chickpea seeds. Safflower, sunflower, rapeseed, hemp and broad bean are among the seeds that are not preferred.

Is the Decreasing Availability of Agricultural Land Forcing the Barbary Partridge to Nest Close to Human Infrastructure?

It is commonly admitted that the continuous development of human infrastructure (HI), resulting in natural habitat fragmentation, affects farmland birds by misleading their strategies of nest site selection. Here, we examined how HI in agricultural landscape (AL) could be affecting nest habitat selection of Barbary partridge (BP; Alectoris barbara). A total of 160 BP nests were monitored during 4 years (2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022) in eight Moroccan agricultural zones. We used the generalized linear mixed models and variation partitioning methods to quantify the effects of AL and HI on BP nest occurrence. This occurrence increased with track density (within 300 m of sampled nests) and decreased with built-up area cover (50 m). Nest occurrence was also associated with the cover of agricultural areas (300 m), distances to the nearest agricultural area, the nearest human settlement, and the nearest track. However, the effect of these covariates depended on distance to the nearest paved road, being close to roads located far away from agricultural areas and tracks and near human settlements and tracks. Overall, our results highlighted a trend to nest close to HI when agricultural areas were relatively remote or less represented. For the effective conservation and management of the Moroccan BP populations, it is critical to keep human infrastructures at a level that allows for maintaining the relative dominance of the agricultural landscape. Further fragmentation of this landscape will impact the ability of this farmland species to select its nesting sites flexibly.

Finding a nest: Ant‐associated silverfish (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) moving outside granivorous Messor nests (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

ABSTRACTAnt nests accommodate a diverse group of strictly associated arthropods. Most of these arthropods are seldom observed outside their host nest, emphasizing significant gaps in our knowledge regarding their biology. We recorded a series of field observations of lepismatid silverfish (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae) moving outside their usual Messor nest habitat in southern Spain and France. We illustrate how they move between different nests and locate nests by closely tracking the foraging trails of their hosts. Additionally, we confirm a prior observation that they can follow their host ants when they migrate to a new nest site. Our observations offer new insights into the hidden biology and the intricate interactions of specialized arthropod symbionts with their hosts within a spatial context.

Ptačí diverzita v historickém zámeckém parku – implikace pro ochranu biodiverzity v hospodářských lesích

Long-term trends of abundance and diversity of forest birds have been very stable over past decades in European managed forests. It can be caused by high heterogeneity on habitat scale. In European cultural landscapes, there is another habitat very similar to managed forests, and that is a historic manor park. The parks can even show higher bird diversity than managed forests. However, there is an evident knowledge gap related to long-term changes of bird abundance and diversity in the habitats of manor parks. In this study we observed long-term changes of bird community in the historic manor park Čechy pod Kosířem (Czech Republic) using comparison of bird territory mapping in 2022–2023 with older bird studies in this locality. We gained an overview of bird community changes in the manor park for the period of 1997–2023. Results show that the bird community in historic manor park was remarkably unvarying in abundance and diversity. Historic manor parks can be considered as important refuges for forest bird diversity in cultural landscapes. We discuss the research implications for conserving bird diversity in managed forests especially in connection with large old trees preservation providing heterogeneity of nest habitats.

Evaluation of bird reproduction and predation impact in Agroecosystem vineyards in the Fes-Meknes region of Morocco.

Abstract The reproductive of avian species within agro-ecosystems hold paramount importance in sustaining ecological equilibrium, regulating pest populations, and preserving overall biodiversity. Over a comprehensive three-year investigation spanning from 2021 to 2023, our research was conducted within contemporary viticultural agroecosystems to meticulously assess the reproductive performance of birds and discern the nuanced impact of predation on nesting success. Our findings indicate that Moroccan vineyards offer a conducive habitat for avian nesting, with nest abundance intricately linked to the specific avian species under consideration. Furthermore, the predation rate exhibits discernible variations contingent upon the reproductive stage, notably during the pivotal ‘Nest Predation” phase. Approximately 25.35% of nests faced predation, 31.61% of eggs succumbed to predation, and 22.42% of chicks fell victim to predation. This study underscores the indispensable role of predation in avian reproductive processes within vineyard ecosystems, thereby furnishing crucial insights essential for the formulation of nuanced and tailored conservation strategies within viticultural environments.

Osmia3DNest—Novel designed 3D printed artificial nest for solitary cavity‐nesting bees

Abstract The availability and appropriateness of nesting sites significantly influence the reproductive success and overall welfare of wild bees. Human‐induced factors contribute to the destruction of natural nesting habitats. To address these limitations, innovative solutions such as the development of artificial nests, offer alternative nest sites to support wild bee populations. We designed the Osmia3DNest, a 3D printed standardized nest tube for solitary cavity‐nesting bees, aiming to provide a safe for the environment, long‐life, time‐saving and biodegradable product that anyone can print. We proudly present the two Osmia3DNest models for mason bees—closed and open—using polylactic acid filament. We demonstrate the effectiveness of Osmia3DNest on mason bee reproduction parameters compared with traditional reed nests. Osmia3DNest can be an alternative to the other artificial nests, which people can customize for their necessity depending on their place of living (rural or urban area), and they can also be washed and reused several times and then decomposed. Osmia3DNest holds potential for wildlife biologists, management of pollinators, and educational outreach, offering adaptability for different bee species and experimental needs.

Severe Wildfire Affects the Thermal and Moisture Regimes of At-Risk Turtle Nesting Habitat

Severe Wildfire Affects the Thermal and Moisture Regimes of At-Risk Turtle Nesting Habitat

Creating landscape‐appropriate habitat restoration strategies: success of a novel nesting habitat design for imperiled freshwater turtles

Turtle nesting habitat can be created as a restoration strategy to increase habitat availability or provide suitable habitat away from threats. Traditional nest habitat restoration consists of creating nesting mounds using a mix of sand and gravel. However, nesting mounds do not resemble natural turtle nesting habitat in a rock barren landscape where turtles nest in crevices and cracks in the bedrock. Therefore, our objective was to design and evaluate the success of a landscape‐appropriate design for turtle nesting habitat in a rock barren landscape. To evaluate success of the nest habitat design, we assessed the (1) survival of transplanted moss and lichen cover on created nest sites, (2) ecohydrological and physical conditions at created and natural sites, and (3) turtle egg hatching success at created and natural sites using a split‐clutch experiment. We found no difference in productivity between lichen transplants and natural sites, indicating that intact lichen transplants were successful. Moss transplant success was more variable due to moisture stress because transplants were conducted during dry conditions. In general, created nest habitat tended to have a more stable thermal and moisture regime compared to natural sites. When accounting for maternal effects, the odds of an egg hatching successfully was 6.6 times higher in a created site than a natural site. Overall, the success of our nest habitat design in the first few years suggests that this landscape‐appropriate design will be a useful restoration strategy for increasing turtle nesting habitat in rock barren landscapes.

Assessing the importance of landscape, anthropogenic and spatial factors in predicting urban nesting sites: the Columbidae of the city of Rabat (Morocco) as a case study

Abstract To adequately control the urban bird populations, the determinants of nest habitat selection must be identified and its processes well understood. In this study, we investigated this issue with regard to Columba palumbus (WP) and Streptopelia decaocto (CD) in the city of Rabat, Morocco. We used data from landscape composition, anthropogenic presence, and spatial structure, to identify the best predictors that cause variation in the CD (84 nests) and WP (141) nest occurrence using generalized linear mixed models and variation partitioning analyses (VP). Our results show that WP nest occurrence was positively associated with urban park cover and long distances to agricultural areas and negatively with short distances to roads. Significant interactions between the average noise intensity and the number of passers-by/5 min and between maximum NDVI and density of roads also explain WP nest occurrence. In CD, the nest occurrence was positively associated with covers of built-up areas and parks, the density of roads, and average noise intensity, and negatively with short distances to roads and the number of passers-by/5 min. The VP revealed that the joint effect of landscape composition and space was the most robust in explaining the WP nests occurrence, whereas the pure fraction of space and the joint effect of human presence and space were the most robust in CD. As CD and WP nest in several Mediterranean cities, it would be worthwhile to test the generality of our results using the same analytical approach in other urban areas.

Identifying priority mitigation areas for human–osprey conflict

AbstractRaptor nests on human‐built structures represent a significant source of conflict, as they can result in bird mortality, fires, or power outages due to falling nest materials or animals connecting with energized conductors. Power companies typically try to mitigate these conflicts to avoid service disruptions. Performing mitigation measures across all potentially problematic power infrastructure is generally not a practical solution given logistical, time, or budgetary constraints. Therefore, there is a need for quantitative, landscape‐scale tools to identify conflict risk and prioritize mitigation. We examined the influence of habitat and transmission infrastructure distribution on the potential risk of osprey (Pandion haliaetus) nesting‐infrastructure conflict in the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power service area within Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Virginia, USA, using osprey nesting and conflict records from 1990–2020. We modeled risk using a 3‐stage approach, which intersected a nesting habitat suitability model and density of infrastructure to evaluate the potential risk of conflict. Habitat suitability was greater on or near open water and closer to developed areas. Transmission line density was low (0.14 ± 0.29 lines/km2) and heterogenous across the service area with more lines within urban centers and near power facilities. Integrating habitat suitability and transmission infrastructure information revealed that very low and low‐risk areas comprised 99% of the service area. Less than 1% comprised 1,113.7 km2 of moderate and 82.2 km2 of high or very high risk, mostly concentrated along major rivers and lakes, and around urban centers. Risk was more prevalent in the northeastern portion of the service area. This work presents a top‐down approach to mitigating osprey–power infrastructure conflict, which allows for the prioritization of mitigation actions and can facilitate long‐term coexistence with this protected species.

Distribution of global sea turtle nesting explained from regional-scale coastal characteristics

Climate change and human activity threaten sea turtle nesting beaches through increased flooding and erosion. Understanding the environmental characteristics that enable nesting can aid to preserve and expand these habitats. While numerous local studies exist, a comprehensive global analysis of environmental influences on the distribution of sea turtle nesting habitats remains largely unexplored. Here, we relate the distribution of global sea turtle nesting to 22 coastal indicators, spanning hydrodynamic, atmospheric, geophysical, habitat, and human processes. Using state-of-the-art global datasets and a novel 50-km-resolution hexagonal coastline grid (Coastgons), we employ machine learning to identify spatially homogeneous patterns in the indicators and correlate these to the occurrence of nesting grounds. Our findings suggest sea surface temperature, tidal range, extreme surges, and proximity to coral and seagrass habitats significantly influence global nesting distribution. Low tidal ranges and low extreme surges appear to be particularly favorable for individual species, likely due to reduced nest flooding. Other indicators, previously reported as influential (e.g., precipitation and wind speed), were not as important in our global-scale analysis. Finally, we identify new, potentially suitable nesting regions for each species. On average, 23% of global coastal regions between -39^circ and 48^circ latitude could be suitable for nesting, while only 7% is currently used by turtles, showing that the realized niche is significantly smaller than the fundamental niche, and that there is potential for sea turtles to expand their nesting habitat. Our results help identify suitable nesting conditions, quantify potential hazards to global nesting habitats, and lay a foundation for nature-based solutions to preserve and potentially expand these habitats.

Nest Habitat Selection and Nesting Success of Three Ground Nesting Passerines in Post Harvested Rice Fields of North East India

Nest Habitat Selection and Nesting Success of Three Ground Nesting Passerines in Post Harvested Rice Fields of North East India

A GLOBAL CHARACTERISATION OF COASTAL REGIONS TO GUIDE NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO SEA TURTLE NESTING BEACHES

Sea turtles are an important part of marine and coastal ecosystems around the world. Yet, six of seven sea turtle species are endangered (IUCN, 2021). While they spend most of their lives at sea, female turtles use sandy beaches as nesting habitat, where they dig their nests in the sand to incubate for up to two months. A major challenge to sea turtles is the degradation of their nesting beaches due to anthropogenic climate-change effects, such as accelerated sea level rise (SLR) and anomalous storm activity. While it is still uncertain how sandy beaches will respond to SLR, beaches backed by hard structures cannot migrate landward, leading to ‘coastal squeeze’—the erosion and consequential narrowing of beaches. Increased storm activity may lead to persistently high water levels at nesting beaches, resulting in the flooding or even erosion of incubating nests. Moreover, beach erosion during storms can bury nests under excessive sand and limit beach access through the formation of scarps. Nature-based solutions—for example in the form of turtle-friendly design of beaches along new land reclamations or by adding coastal vegetation or reefs to limit runup and reduce erosion on existing beaches—may offer promising opportunities to preserve and even expand global habitats for turtle nesting.

Nesting Ecology of European Hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Urban Areas in Southeast Spain: Nest Habitat Use and Characteristics.

Appropriate nesting sites are needed for the presence of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in an area, along with food availability. However, little attention has been paid to them in the literature. This study aimed at analysing, for the first time, the environmental characteristics of nesting sites chosen by hedgehogs, their spatial distribution and the effect of sex and season on them in two types of urban parks in southeastern Spain. A total of 31 hedgehogs were equipped with GPS devices, and 130 hedgehog nests were located and described. Both sexes had a similar number of nests; however, the spatial distribution of the male nests was larger, and they changed nests more frequently than females. The environment around the nests and hosting structures used also differed between the sexes, with males using a higher variety of nesting structures available and females being more selective. The differences in topography and habitat composition of the two urban parks also affected hedgehog nesting ecology, especially in reference to artificial elements like cat feeders. Further studies of nest locations at a microhabitat level are needed to contribute to a better understanding of a hedgehog's requirements, fostering the design of more effective conservation strategies.

Personality-dependent nest site selection and nest success during incubation in wild chestnut thrushes

In birds, little is known about how individuals choose nest sites based on their personality traits. Here, we investigate whether a female's personality (activity and breathing rate) can affect patterns of nest site selection at different spatial scales in a wild population of chestnut thrush (Turdus rubrocanus) and determine whether nest site characteristics and female personality traits affect clutch size and nest success during incubation. We found that neither activity nor breathing rate were associated with large-scale nesting habitat variables. At the fine-scale level, more active females chose nest sites with greater nest lateral concealment. Females with higher breathing rates laid smaller clutch sizes than individuals with lower breathing rates. Nests of females with lower breathing rate had higher nest success during incubation. This work highlights the relationships between personality and nest site selection in birds, and the important role of female personality traits in reproductive success.

High resolution lidar data shed light on inter-island translocation of endangered bird species in the Hawaiian Islands.

Translocation, often a management solution reserved for at-risk species, is a highly time-sensitive intervention in the face of a rapidly changing climate. The definition of abiotic and biotic habitat requirements is essential to the selection of appropriate release sites in novel environments. However, field-based approaches to gathering this information are often too time intensive, especially in areas of complex topography where common, coarse-scale climate models lack essential details. We apply a fine-scale remote sensing-based approach to study the 'akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi) and 'akeke'e (Loxops caeruleirostris), Hawaiian honeycreepers endemic to Kaua'i that are experiencing large-scale population declines due to warming-induced spread of invasive disease. We use habitat suitability modeling based on fine-scale light detection and ranging (lidar)-derived habitat structure metrics to refine coarse climate ranges for these species in candidate translocation areas on Maui. We found that canopy density was consistently the most important variable in defining habitat suitability for the two Kaua'i species. Our models also corroborated known habitat preferences and behavioral information for these species that are essential for informing translocation. We estimated a nesting habitat that will persist under future climate conditions on east Maui of 23.43 km2 for 'akikiki, compared to the current Kaua'i range of 13.09 km2 . In contrast, the novel nesting range for 'akeke'e in east Maui was smaller than its current range on Kaua'i (26.29 vs. 38.48 km2 , respectively). We were also able to assess detailed novel competitive interactions at a fine scale using models of three endemic Maui species of conservation concern: 'ākohekohe (Palmeria dolei), Maui 'alauahio (Paroreomyza montana), and kiwikiu (Pseudonestor xanthophrys). Weighted overlap areas between the species from both islands were moderate (<12 km2 ), and correlations between Maui and Kaua'i bird habitat were generally low, indicating limited potential for competition. Results indicate that translocation to east Maui could be a viable option for 'akikiki but would be more uncertain for 'akeke'e. Our novel multifaceted approach allows for the timely analysis of both climate and vegetation structure at informative scales for the effective selection of appropriate translocation sites for at-risk species.

Nest habitat distribution and spatio-temporal dynamics based on multi-scale modeling: Implications for the endangered Oriental Storks (Ciconia boyciana) conservation in China

Nest habitat distribution and spatio-temporal dynamics based on multi-scale modeling: Implications for the endangered Oriental Storks (Ciconia boyciana) conservation in China

Waterfowl distribution and productivity in the Prairie Pothole Region of Canada: tools for conservation planning

AbstractSpecies conservation requires an understanding of the factors and interactions affecting species distribution and behavior, habitat availability and use, and corresponding vital rates at multiple temporal and spatial scales. Opportunities to investigate these relationships across broad geographic regions are rare. We combined long‐term waterfowl population surveys, and studies of habitat use and breeding success, to develop models that identify and incorporate these interactions for upland‐nesting waterfowl in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of Canada. Specifically, we used data from the annual Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (1961–2009) at the survey segment level and associated habitat covariates to model and map the long‐term average duck density across the Canadian PPR. We analyzed nest location and fate data from approximately 25,000 duck nests found during 3 multi‐year nesting studies (1994–2011) to model factors associated with nest survival and habitat selection through the nesting season for the 5 most common upland nesting duck species: mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), gadwall (Mareca strepera), blue‐winged teal (Spatula discors), northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata), and northern pintail (Anas acuta). Duck density was highly variable across the Canadian PPR, reflecting positive responses to local wetland area and count, and amounts of cropland and grassland, a regional positive response to latitude, and a negative response to local amounts of tree cover. Nest survival was affected by temporal and spatial variables at multiple scales. Specifically, nest survival demonstrated interactive effects among species, nest initiation date, and nesting cover type and was influenced by relative annual wetness, population density, and surrounding landscape composition at landscape scales, and broad geographic gradients (east‐west and north‐south). Likewise, species‐specific probability of nest habitat selection was influenced by timing of nest initiation, population density, relative annual wetness, herbaceous cover, and tree cover in the surrounding landscape, and location within the Canadian PPR. We combined these models, with estimates of breeding effort (nesting, renesting, and nest attempts) from existing literature, in a stochastic conservation planning model that estimates nest distribution and success given spatiotemporal variation in duck density, habitat availability, and influential covariates. We demonstrate the use of this model by examining various conservation planning scenarios. These models allow estimation of local, landscape, and regional influence of conservation investments and other landscape changes on the productivity of breeding duck populations across the PPR of Canada. These models lay the groundwork for the incorporation of conservation delivery costs for full return‐on‐investment analyses and scenario analyses of climate, habitat, and land use change in regional and continental population models.

Collection of triatomines from sylvatic habitats by a Trypanosoma cruzi-infected scent detection dog in Texas, USA.

Triatomine insects, vectors of the etiologic agent of Chagas disease (Trypanosoma cruzi), are challenging to locate in sylvatic habitats. Collection techniques used in the United States often rely on methods to intercept seasonally dispersing adults or on community scientists' encounters. Neither method is suited for detecting nest habitats likely to harbor triatomines, which is important for vector surveillance and control. Furthermore, manual inspection of suspected harborages is difficult and unlikely to reveal novel locations and host associations. Similar to a team that used a trained dog to detect sylvatic triatomines in Paraguay, we worked with a trained scent detection dog to detect triatomines in sylvatic locations across Texas. Ziza, a 3-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer previously naturally infected with T. cruzi, was trained to detect triatomines. Over the course of 6 weeks in the fall of 2017, the dog and her handler searched at 17 sites across Texas. The dog detected 60 triatomines at 6 sites; an additional 50 triatomines were contemporaneously collected at 1 of these sites and 2 additional sites without the assistance of the dog. Approximately 0.98 triatomines per hour were found when only humans were conducting searches; when working with the dog, approximately 1.71 triatomines per hour were found. In total, 3 adults and 107 nymphs of four species (Triatoma gerstaeckeri, Triatoma protracta, Triatoma sanguisuga, and Triatoma indictiva) were collected. PCR testing of a subset revealed T. cruzi infection, including DTUs TcI and TcIV, in 27% of nymphs (n = 103) and 66% of adults (n = 3). Bloodmeal analysis of a subset of triatomines (n = 5) revealed feeding on Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), Southern plains woodrat (Neotoma micropus), and eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus). A trained scent detection dog enhanced triatomine detections in sylvatic habitats. This approach is effective at detecting nidicolous triatomines. Control of sylvatic sources of triatomines is challenging, but this new knowledge of specific sylvatic habitats and key hosts may reveal opportunities for novel vector control methods to block the transmission of T. cruzi to humans and domestic animals.

Factors Influencing the Potential Distribution of Globally Endangered Egyptian Vulture Nesting Habitat in Nepal.

Habitat suitability is crucial to ensure the long-term persistence of species and can be identified based on relationships between species occurrences and underlying abiotic and biotic factors. We identified potential nesting habitat for the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in Nepal using ecological niche modeling with climatic variables. We estimated the currently suitable nesting habitat for Egyptian vulture in Nepal at 38,204 km2. We found a high probability of suitable nesting habitat on east-facing aspects, and the probability of a suitable nesting habitat was greater in more mountainous areas, particularly in central and western regions of Nepal. Precipitation was a major factor for predicting probability of the presence of nest sites for Egyptian vultures. After identifying potentially suitable habitat, we identified environmental factors affecting landscape-level suitable nesting habitat for Egyptian vultures using generalized linear models. For Egyptian vultures, sites near forests and human settlements were most suitable for nesting, roosting, and foraging, especially in central and western Nepal. Based on potentially suitable nesting habitat and previous work on Egyptian vulture foraging and roosting habitat, we recommend protecting forests near water sources and open areas for their long-term conservation.