Protected Bird Species Research Articles

Community-based ecotourism planning in the intensive-used zone of Taman Nasional Bali Barat, Gilimanuk, Jembrana

Taman Nasional Bali Barat (TNBB) is conservation area for many species including a protected bird species of Curik Bali (Leucopsar Rothschildi) and the ecosystems of the park is vulnerable so that it requires to be protected. To develop the region, especially a conservation area, we need a balance ecosystem management while providing benefits to the local community. The objectives of this study were inventorying a physical, social, economic and cultural resources of the park and at the same time planning the area by considering a balance between environmental protection and providing benefits for the community. Our focus area was on the national park management unit I (SPTN I) of intensive-used zone (iz). This research was conducted with the survey method through several stages. Firstly, inventory by conducting observation, interview and literature study. The second stage was analysis-synthesis phase by implementing SWOT analysis and spatial analysis. The last one was planning stage by selecting program and priorities and implementing it into spatial zoning. Based on our analysis, there were four buffer villages found in the area (Blimbingsari, Ekasari, Gilimanuk, Melaya) with five types of forest ecosystems (tropical rain forest, mangrove, monsoon, savannah and coastal forest). We develop the area into two area namely main area and supporting area with proportion of 31% main area and 69% supporting area. In main area, it characterized as community independently managing an ecotourism enterprise. In contrary in supporting area, it characterized as community depend on ecotourism enterprises while they might work in private or regional or cooperative companies.

Molecular techniques for sex identification of captive birds.

Background and Aim:Many avian species are considered sexually monomorphic. In monomorphic bird species, especially in young birds, sex is difficult to identify based on an analysis of their external morphology. Accurate sex identification is essential for avian captive breeding and evolutionary studies. Methods with varying degrees of invasiveness such as vent sexing, laparoscopic surgery, steroid sexing, and chromosome inspection (karyotyping) are used for sex identification in monomorphic birds. This study aimed to assess the utility of a non-invasive molecular marker for gender identification in a variety of captive monomorphic birds, as a strategy for conservation.Materials and Methods:DNA was isolated from feather samples from 52 individuals representing 16 species of 11 families indigenous to both Indonesia and elsewhere. We amplified the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding (CHD) gene using polymerase chain reaction with MP, NP, and PF primers to amplify introns with lengths that differ between the CHD-W and the CHD-Z genes, allowing sex discrimination because the W chromosome is exclusively present in females.Results:Molecular bird sexing confirmed 33 females and 19 males with 100% accuracy. We used sequencing followed by alignment on one protected bird species (Probosciger aterrimus).Conclusion:Sex identification may be accomplished noninvasively in birds, because males only have Z sex chromosomes, whereas females have both Z and W chromosomes. Consequently, the presence of a W-unique DNA sequence identifies an individual as female. Sexing of birds is vital for scientific research, and to increase the success rate of conservation breeding programs.

Are large-nested bird colonies compatible with the conservation of grazed woodlands?

Grazed woodlands provide important ecosystem services (ESs) that contribute to human well-being. Conservation towards protected bird species may sometimes threaten the preservation of protected habitats or the persistence of other threatened species. Studies evaluating the effect of species conservation programs on ecosystem services are yet unusual. Here, we evaluated the effect of white storks (Ciconia ciconia), a gregarious and protected large-nested bird species on the provisioning, supporting and regulating ecosystem services delivered by highly valuable grazed woodlands. We recorded herbaceous floristic composition, net primary productivity (ANPP), organic matter, bulk density, N–P–K, and soil organic carbon under and in-between trees with and without nests in protected grazed woodlands of Spain. We found that white storks only affected the projected area under the nested trees by increasing soil nutrients (N: 1.65-, P:14- and K: 3.40-fold) and grass yield (1.40-fold); and by reducing forage quality (75% reduction in legume yield), plant diversity (60% reduction) and floristic composition heterogeneity (with increased abundance of nutrient-demanding, often invasive, species). Thus, only under the tree canopy (and not in-between trees or ecotone microsites), certain provisioning (forage quality) and supporting (nutrient cycling and biodiversity) ESs decreased. However, large-nested colonies may compromise the long-term conservation of the necessary trees that create and maintain important plant communities underneath.

STUDI JENIS BURUNG YANG DIPERDAGANGKAN DI KOTA KETAPANG

This study aims to explore information on the types of birds that are traded, to know the description of the location of birds originating, to know the status of protected species traded, to know the locations of shelters and the sale of traded birds, to know the number and prices of birds traded. This research was conducted in Ketapang City for 10 days effectively in the field, with the research method in field data collection using snowball sampling technique, namely determining key respondents to then determine other respondents who also knew the relevant information from previous respondents. The results of the data obtained at the time of the study were 267 individuals from 31 species of birds traded. The origin of the traded birds is a specific natural catch in the Jelai Hulu sub-district, Tumbang Titi sub-district, Kendawangan sub-district, Sandai sub-district, Laur sub-district, Matan Hilir Selatan sub-district, Matan Hilir Utara sub-district, Muara Pawan sub-district, and Teluk Batang sub-district and Kayong Utara regency. There are 11 protected bird species as a whole belonging to 15 tribes (families). Of these types, they fall into the protected category according to the Indonesian Law. Birds are in the category of Apendix II CITES and birds are listed in the IUCN Red List category. As for the research on the trading location there were 10 respondents 2 people in the hunter category and 8 bird shops / traders. while the most types of birds sold per type are Kacer (copshycus saularis) as many as 50 Tails / Individual, Murai batu (Copsychus malabaricus) and Serindit (Loriculus galgulus) as many as 44 Tails / Individuals.Keyword: Bird Species, Bird Trade, Ketapang

Bird Conservation Status: Case Study in Cugung Village Forest Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan Lindung Model Rajabasa Rajabasa Regency District South Lampung

Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan Lindung (KPHL) Model Rajabasa has a potential habitat for wildlife. Cugung Village forest is intended to optimize forest resources utilization in KPHL Model Rajabasa. Birds are part of the wildlife and natural resources which are priceless, so its sustainability needs to be maintained. Information of protected bird species diversity in the area became the basis of this research. The study aimed to determine the birds conservation status in the Cugung Village forest of KPHL Model Rajabasa based on (1) PP No. 7/1999, (2) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and (3) International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List conservation status in November 2016. Induces Ponctuel d’Abodance method was used on the five observation points. The results based on (1) the protected status of PP No. 7/1999 found ten birds species of three families belong to the protected status: Accipiter trivirgatus, Haliastur indus, Spizaetus cirrhatus, Spizaetus alboniger, Ictinaetus malayensis, Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus, Spilornis cheela, Halcyon symrnensis, Todirhamphus chloris and Anthreptes simplex, (2) CITES status trade found seven species of birds in Appendix II category which are A. trivirgatus, H. indus, S. cirrhatus, S. alboniger, I. malayensis, I. ichthyaetus and S. cheela, and (3) IUCN Red List conservation status found one types Near Threatened category which is I. ichthyaetus.Keywords: forest resources, birds conservation, wildlife

DISTRIBUTION AND SURVIVAL OF MEGAPODIUS REINWARDT FOR ECOTOURISM CONTRIBUTING ON MOYO ISLAND

Abstract: Megapodius reinwardt is one of the protected bird species in Indonesia. The protection toward megapodius reinwardt because of limited distribution, high economic value, has an important ecological role, has a unique, difficult breeding in captivity, the population is drastically shrinking and getting scarce.Based on this condition, the purpose of this research is to know population distribution mapping, active nest study, disturber population in order to support the atraction tourism and conservation of Megapodius reinwardt at Moyo island. Survey and observation are used to collect research data. The distributionofMegapodius reinwardt is spread around Moyo Island. The nest is located in the forest and it build by heap of soil with high 150 centimeters until 175 centimeters and diameters up to 825 cm. The location of Megapodius reinwardtnests are mostly in secundary forest than primary forest and savana at 25 m above sea level. The r-product moment correlation coefficient (r = 0,484) conclude that, Varanus sp, Sus barbatus, Prinodon linsang, Haliastur indus, Microhierax fringillarius, and human as predators are not significant to influence the nests and population of Megapodius reinwardtdecrease. So the existence of Megapodius reinwardtmanagement is needed according to in-situ cencervation on Moyo Island forEcotourism Contributing Keywords:  Ecotourism, distribution, Megapodius, survival.

Impact of military activities on bird species considered to benefit from disturbances: an example from an active military training area in Latvia

We surveyed the military training area Adazi to evaluate the effects of disturbance caused by military activities on the abundance of protected bird species considered to benefit from disturbances at the site (SCBD). We collected data on the abundance of the selected bird species in a set of representative sample plots during three repeated surveys. In each plot we mapped areas affected by different visually detectable disturbances of military origin and areas covered by EU protected habitat types. Overall abundance and richness of SCBD were calculated for each of the surveyed squares. Generalised linear modelling was used to relate the recorded abundance of each species, and the overall abundance and richness of SCBD, with the available habitat and military disturbance parameters. We evaluated a set of competitive models to identify the most important explanatory variables. The modelling results imply clear positive effects of most of the military activities on the analysed species as well as overall species richness.

DNA barcoding of bird species in Cyprus: a tool for conservation purposes

SummaryDNA barcoding has become a widely used and valuable tool in taxonomic research during the past three decades and its application is expanding to fields such as wildlife forensics (e.g. anti-poaching actions). One of the major advantages of DNA barcoding is that it allows for species identification from largely incomplete, deformed or cooked samples and even from traces of biological material. Cyprus is a well-known biodiversity hotspot, the island avifauna comprising around 400 species, 117 of which are listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive (2009/147/EC). Each year on average, 2.3 million individuals (mainly small migratory birds) are trapped illegally on the island and often served at restaurants. Consequently, reliable identification of specimens from processed tissues can be crucial for undertaking legal actions. Herein DNA barcoding of the large majority of bird species resident in Cyprus plus several migrants that were illegally captured was carried out to support local authorities in their anti-poaching actions. In this study, tissue from 103 specimens representing 81 bird taxa were sampled and a 648-bp long fragment of the Cytochrome Oxidase subunit Ι (COI) gene was targeted using a combination of standard, nested and semi-nested PCR depending on the condition of the tissue at hand. Sequences were obtained from all investigated samples and a total of 92 haplotypes was recovered. Phylogenetic reconstructions returned a pattern of relationships among taxa largely compatible with known avian phylogeny. Furthermore, diagnostic polymorphisms within the genus including one of the main targeted species,Sylvia atricapilla,were found. In conclusion, an avian genetic dataset is now available for the law enforcement authorities to identify specimens either confiscated (even when morphologically deformed or cooked) during raids in restaurants and in other premises suspected of serving illegally protected bird species or from trappers.

Difference in exposure of water birds to covered and uncovered float muskrat sets

Muskrats Ondatra zibethicus are a popular furbearer species across much of North America. Float sets have gained popularity due to the ease of use and effectiveness of capturing muskrats. Little to no research has been conducted on muskrat float sets, especially on the impacts the float sets have on non‐target animals. In North Dakota, USA, regulations allowed trappers to use float sets during the spring season, but float sets were required to have a covering made of wire mesh, wood or plastic and no opening larger than 20.32 cm (8 inches) in an effort to minimize the incidental take of non‐target species. We aimed to determine if there was any non‐target capture injury or mortality risk on float muskrat sets. We conducted a study to compare rates of incidental take in covered (2.54×2.54 cm and 15.24×15.24 cm wire mesh) and uncovered float sets. We trapped muskrats in fall (1191 trap nights) and spring (3054 trap nights) from 2012–2014 at four study areas in North Dakota. Over four trapping periods (two fall and two spring seasons), 490 muskrats and seven non‐target species were captured. Non‐target species included three black‐crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticorax, two blue‐winged teal Anas discors and two painted turtles Chrysemys picta. All avian non‐target species were captured on uncovered floats. Camera trap data showed that ducks were 10.1 times less likely to be on floats than other types of water birds (e.g. herons). Covers did not negatively influence muskrat captures, but smaller mesh sizes appeared to deter birds from climbing on top of floats. All but one avian non‐target capture occurred after 1 May (closing of North Dakota's spring muskrat trapping season) each year, suggesting that season dates may be an important factor to consider in attempts to reduce incidental take of protected bird species.

The response of mute swans (Cygnus olor, Gm. 1789) to vaccination against avian influenza with an inactivated H5N2 vaccine.

BackgroundRecent epidemics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) produced an unprecedented number of cases in mute swans (Cygnus olor) in European countries, which indicates that these birds are very sensitive to the H5N1 virus. The HPAI outbreaks stirred a debate on the controversial stamping-out policy in populations of protected bird species. After preventive vaccination had been approved in the European Union, several countries have introduced vaccination schemes to protect poultry, captive wild birds or exotic birds in zoos against HPAI. The aim of this study was to investigate the immune response of wild mute swans to immunization with an inactivated AI H5N2 vaccine approved for use in poultry. The serological responses of mute swans were assessed by comparison with racing pigeons (Columba livia), a species which is characterized by different susceptibility to infection with the H5N1 HPAI virus and plays a questionable role in the ecology of influenza (H5N1) viruses.ResultsSwans were vaccinated once or twice at an interval of 4 weeks. The humoral immune response was evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and NP-ELISA. The lymphocyte blast transformation test was used to determine the cell-mediated immune response. Higher values of the geometric mean titer (GMT) and 100 % seroconversion (HI ≥32) were noted in double vaccinated swans (1448.2) than in single vaccinated swans (128.0) or in double vaccinated pigeons (215.3). Significant differences in HI titers were observed between swans and pigeons, but no variations in ELISA scores were noted after the booster dose. Immunization of swans had no effect on the proliferative activity of lymphocytes.ConclusionsThe inactivated H5N2 vaccine was safe and immunogenic for mute swans and pigeons. Vaccination may have practical implications for swans kept in zoos, wildlife parks or rehabilitation centers. However, challenge studies are needed to prove the efficacy of the H5N2 AI vaccine.

THE TYPOLOG Y AND MOTIVATION OF OWNER COMMUNITY OF NURI TALAUD AS PROTECTED BIRD IN KARAKELANG ISLAND

Nuri talaud is a member of parrot and status listed as rare, endangered, endemic and protected bird species. Interesting feather color, sound and scarcity are the main attraction making nuri talaud as a pet. The aim of this study was to determine the typology and motivation of Karakelang community towards ownership nuri talaud and to observe people's knowledge on conservation of the species. The research was conducted in the Bantane, Bengel and North Beo Villages. Retrieval of data was held in November-December 2014 with a survey method by including interviews and observation. Data were analyzed by using Chi Square test (χ2) and descriptive qualitative method. The results showed that, firstly, 92.6% were in the age 15-59 years, 77.7% respondents were graduated form elementary and junior high school, 63.0% of them are farmers, 74.1% were dominated by male, 81.5% were local people of Karakelang Island and 70.3% lived in rural areas. Secondly, rural communities were generally keep nuri talaud with an economic motivation for trading , whereas urban communities maintain it for hobbyst as pets. Thirdly, status of nuri talaud as endangered birds were generally known by the communities, however illegal trade of this species was still continue due to lack of enforcement.

Distribution and Habitat Selection of Wintering Birds in the Special Protection Area ROSPA0071 ”Lower Siret Meadow” (Eastern Romania)

Abstract The ecosystems from the Special Protection Area ROSPA0071 „Lower Siret Meadow” (36492 ha, between Adjud city, Vrancea County and Şendreni village, Galaţi County) in the analysed sector (sixteen sample surfaces) present a scientific interest because of the geographical, ecological and biological characteristics. The paper treats details such as the number of individuals, the spatial distribution, availability of suitable habitats and threats, necessary data for the evaluation of the conservation status. We present the data obtained in the period 2010–2014 from 64 field visits in the Special Protection Area ROSPA0071 „Lower Siret Meadow”, all made in the hiemal season. The observations were made as an activity of monitoring the protected bird species distribution and habitat selection of wintering populations. Five important sites were identified as being used by wintering birds here. During the monitoring actions, eighty–one bird species were identified. The paper brings new data about the way birds use their range and existing habitats for wintering.

Assessment of the network of protected areas for birds in Taiwan with regard to functional and phylogenetic diversity

In Taiwan, conserved areas represent more than 20% of the current jurisdiction, which is about twice that of the proportion of protected land worldwide. In this study, we explored the spatial distribution of bird assemblages in Taiwan. By analysing functional and phylogenetic diversity relative to elevational gradient, we assessed the network of bird protected areas. Hotspots of species richness were located at the coastal areas of northern and western Taiwan, although hotspots for protected bird species were located in the mountain areas. We found that phylogenetically close birds have similar trait values, and the protected species were evenly distributed in the functional and phylogenetic trees. The assemblages in higher-elevation areas were more phylogenetically clumped than those in lower-elevation areas, indicating that, in addition to elevational gradient, phylogenetic constraint may be a crucial factor that influences bird distribution in Taiwan. However, the current bird protected areas in Taiwan may overly depend on species richness and overlook the importance of the overall phylogenetic diversity.

Projected impacts of climate change on protected birds and nature reserves in China

Knowledge about climate change impacts on species distribution at national scale is critical to biodiversity conservation and design of management programs. Although China is a biodiversity hot spot in the world, potential influence of climate change on Chinese protected birds is rarely studied. Here, we assess the impact of climate change on 108 protected bird species and nature reserves using species distribution modeling at a relatively fine spatial resolution (1km) for the first time. We found that a large proportion of protected species would have potential suitable habitat shrink and northward range shift by 77–90km in response to projected future climate change in 2080. Southeastern China would suffer from losing climate suitability, whereas the climate conditions in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and northeastern China were projected to become suitable for more protected species. On average, each protected area in China would experience a decline of suitable climate for 3–4 species by 2080. Climate change will modify which species each protected area will be suitable for. Our results showed that the risk of extinction for Chinese protected birds would be high, even in the moderate climate change scenario. These findings indicate that the management and design of nature reserves in China must take climate change into consideration.

Avian Conservation Areas as a Proxy for Contaminated Soil Remediation.

Remediation prioritization frequently falls short of systematically evaluating the underlying ecological value of different sites. This study presents a novel approach to delineating sites that are both contaminated by any of eight heavy metals and have high habitat value to high-priority species. The conservation priority of each planning site herein was based on the projected distributions of eight protected bird species, simulated using 900 outputs of species distribution models (SDMs) and the subsequent application of a systematic conservation tool. The distributions of heavy metal concentrations were generated using a geostatistical joint-simulation approach. The uncertainties in the heavy metal distributions were quantified in terms of variability among 1000 realization sets. Finally, a novel remediation decision-making approach was presented for delineating contaminated sites in need of remediation based on the spatial uncertainties of multiple realizations and the priorities of conservation areas. The results thus obtained demonstrate that up to 42% of areas of high conservation priority are also contaminated by one or more of the heavy metal contaminants of interest. Moreover, as the proportion of the land for proposed remediated increased, the projected area of the pollution-free habitat also increased. Overall uncertainty, in terms of the false positive contamination rate, also increased. These results indicate that the proposed decision-making approach successfully accounted for the intrinsic trade-offs among a high number of pollution-free habitats, low false positive rates and robustness of expected decision outcomes.

Managed aquifer recharge in the Marecchia alluvial fan (Rimini - Italy), start of the test and first results

Among the actions designed to manage the water crisis that have taken place in the summers of recent years in the southeastern part of the Emilia-Romagna Region, it has recently launched a trial of managed aquifer recharge in the alluvial fan of the Marecchia river (Rimini), where annually are withdrawn about 28 million m3 of water, 19 of witch for drinking water use. This test consists in conveying into quarry lake, located in the recharge area of the alluvial fan, an additional volume of water through a channel. The increase in the volume of water in the lake, should result in a rapid increase in the availability of water in the aquifers. To verify the recharge efficacy a special monitoring network consisting of 20 measuring points, 5 of which are specially drilled, it has been implemented. In 9 of these points a data logger for the continuous measure of level, temperature and electric conductivity at 20°C, it has been installed. A data logger has also been positioned in the channel from which the water flows into the lake. For about a month groundwater level was monitored prior to the recharge experiment. On 25 February 2014 managed aquifer recharge began and the volume of water flowing through the canal to lake until April 30, 2014, was approximately 600,000 m3. In this period it was possible to observe that the intervention produces the expected effects, thus inducing an increase in the groundwater level which is maximum near the lake and decreases away from it. The rise in the water level of the lake has been rapid and substantial. Within the area of the lake have settled some protected bird species in need of a precise environmental balance for nesting; an excessive increase of the lake level could put at risk of flooding some nests present. The objective of the following phases of the study will be to calibrate an adequate water level of the lake, to the purposes of managed aquifer recharge and to maintain the existing ecosystem. At the moment, it was decided to stop the flow of water into the lake and then to re-set it at a lower flow rate. In the test area also falls a well field that is not currently used. It will be interesting to check in the future, in the event of a major withdrawal, the influence on the progress of the flow lines in conjunction with the managed aquifer recharge.

Spatial Distribution Expending of National Protected Birds after 10 Years Environmental Recovery in Beijing

Environmental protection programs exert strong effects on vegetation and plant conservation; however, few researchers have dealt with the impacts of environmental protection programs on wildlife recovery. We compared the spatial changes in avian species distributions caused by these environmental restoration programs for 63 national key protected bird species by overlaying GIS layers to examine the effects of environmental protection on bird diversity since 2000 in Beijing, China. Generally, these species congregated in areas away from human disturbance and around wetlands, city parks, and woodlands. Class One protected birds appeared to be expanding their ranges although they were sparsely distributed. Two Class One species appeared new to the area after 2000. Several Class Two protected species were also enlarging their ranges and one Class Two species appeared new to the area. The results reveal that the ranges of bird species as well as species diversity of the national key protected birds are increasing as wetlands recover and vegetation conditions improve in the vicinity of Beijing.

Development of Virtual Bait Stations to Control Argentine Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Environmentally Sensitive Habitats

A novel bait station referred to as a virtual bait station was developed and tested against field populations of the invasive Argentine ant, Linepithema humile (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), at White Beach, Camp Pendleton, in Oceanside, CA. White Beach is a nesting habitat for an endangered seabird, the California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni Mearns). The beach is heavily infested with Argentine ants, one of the threats for the California least tern chicks. Conventional pest control strategies are prohibited because of the existence of the protected bird species and the site's proximity to the ocean. The bait station consisted of a polyvinyl chloride pipe that was treated on the inside with fipronil insecticide at low concentrations to obtain delayed toxicity against ants. The pipe was provisioned with an inverted bottle of 25% sucrose solution, then capped, and buried in the sand. Foraging ants crossed the treated surface to consume the sucrose solution. The delayed toxicity of fipronil deposits allowed the ants to continue foraging on the sucrose solution and to interact with their nestmates, killing them within 3-5 d after exposure. Further modification of the bait station design minimized the accumulation of dead ants in the sucrose solution, significantly improving the longevity and efficacy of the bait station. The virtual bait station exploits the foraging behavior of the ants and provides a low impact approach to control ants in environmentally sensitive habitats. It excluded all insects except ants, required only milligram quantities of toxicant, and eliminated the problem of formulating toxicants into aqueous sugar baits.

A conceptual model for assessing risks in a Mediterranean Natura 2000 Network site

Every year millions of tons of chemical products are disposed to the environment as a result of human activities, with deleterious consequences to biodiversity. In Europe the biodiversity policy basis for action is provided by the Birds and the Habitats Directives. According to these directives a network of protected areas is being built across EU countries encompassing the Natura 2000 Network. But the management plans of these protected areas do not require an ecotoxicological assessment of chemicals used within its limits. As for risk assessment protocols described in EC pieces of legislation and technical guidance documents, they are generic guidelines that not take into consideration regional particularities, e.g. the Mediterranean ecoregion specificities, and its local ecological values. Herewith we present a conceptual model for the assessment of risks posed by agriculture to bird species of conservationist concern from Natura 2000 Network sites; an example is set in a cereal steppe of the Iberian Peninsula. Hazards identified are related to the utilization of herbicides, disposal of sewage sludge to be used as fertilizer, and the input of veterinary pharmaceuticals that can be found in livestock dung and urine. This innovative model, to be used in high tier risk assessment, takes into account the biotic parameters of the protected bird species: great bustard ( Otis tarda), lesser kestrel ( Falco naumanni), and montagu's harrier ( Circus pygargus). The transfer of chemicals is considered to occur mainly through a realistic trophic chain scenario according to the different feeding behaviour among different species and even within the same species when having different feeding habits (e.g. adults and juveniles). Moreover, the probabilistic approach is proposed in order to perform a transparent risk assessment and clearer risk communication.

Water bird guilds and their feeding connections in the Bodrogzug, Hungary

Species composition, number, species diversity, and evenness of nesting bird communities were surveyed in 2001 and 2002 in north-east Hungary. The survey was aimed at foraging birds. A higher number of species and species diversity was observed in the oxbows compared to that of the eupotamon-type areas, and was correlated with the more luxuriant vegetation covering the water surface. The species evenness value of the oxbows was lower than that of the flowing river. The number of species and species diversity in riparian areas covered with trees were higher than those in areas covered only by bushes. There was a negative correlation between evenness and the diversity of species for habitats covered with water, and habitats covered with trees and bushes along the banks. The following highly protected bird species nested in the study areas: black stork (Ciconia nigra), lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina), saker falcon (Falco cherrug), red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus), and corncrake (Crex crex). Compared to the total bird fauna of the investigated area, the highest ratio of aquatic bird species was present in the oxbow areas covered with aquatic vegetation. Considering the role of aquatic birds in material and energy cycles, three main species groups were distinguished: the material-transporting group (highest number of specimens); the bioturbing group (lowest number of specimens); and the decomposition-accelerating group (intermediate numbers).