Resident Species Research Articles

Analysis and Risk Evaluation of Soil Microplastics in the Rohingya Refugee Camp Area, Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Study

The global concern over the pollution-induced by microplastics (MPs) has intensified due to its adverse effects on the environment, particularly in terrestrial ecosystems, where it poses potential threats to soil quality and resident species. However, there is a noticeable research gap regarding soil MPs in dumping sites, specifically within the Rohingya Refugee Camp (RRC), the world's largest humanitarian crisis located in Bangladesh. The main objective of this study is to assess soil MPs' abundance, spatial distribution, and inherent risks in the RRC. The investigation involved extracting MPs from ten soil sampling sites in Kutupalong RRC, home to Rohingya refugees who sought refuge in Bangladesh following the 2017 ethnic atrocities in Northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. Stereomicroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed for identification purposes. The concentration of MPs in the study area varied from 67 to 126 (items/kg) (dry weight), with a mean concentration of 103.80 ± 20.671 (items/kg). MPs with sizes <0.5mm constituted the majority at 83%, with fragments (68%) being the prevailing shape, and transparent (63%) as the most abundant color. Predominant polymers included polyethylene (53%) and polypropylene (46%). Negative correlations were observed between MP abundance and pH and moisture content (p<0.05), while a positive correlation was found between MP abundance and organic matter. PCA results suggested that human-induced inappropriate waste and air deposition are the primary sources of soil MP pollution. Contamination factor values suggested moderate pollution with MPs in the study area. According to the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the area was classified as pollution grade II, signifying 'uncontaminated to moderately contaminated.' However, pollutant load index and potential ecological risk index indicated Hazard Level-I and Pollution Grade-I, respectively. This study illuminates the contamination scenario with MPs, underscoring concerns for eco-environmental safety and providing crucial data for future investigations into MPs in terrestrial dumping habitats.

ESTIMATED VERSUS ACTUAL: VARIATION IN PATROL EFFORT AND ESTIMATES OF NUMBER OF SURVEYS NEEDED FOR EFFICIENT LAW ENFORCEMENT IN PROTECTED AREAS

Law enforcement is central to the objectives of managing Protected Areas for the benefit of resident species. The study sought to appraise park patrol performance against variables needed for monitoring of the species, according to the ideologies of occupancy modelling in the Kalakpa Resource Reserve (KRR), by estimating patrol effort and comparing to estimates of survey effort needed for a precise occupancy estimation. Patrol indices were obtained from ranger patrol data and used to estimate patrol effort for rangers in the KRR. The survey effort was estimated using the values provided by the occupancy analysis of key ungulate species in KRR, for all encountered ungulates treated as a single group and four species directly sighted/heard on patrols. Encounter rates were low for ungulate species during the study period. The number of species and illegal activities observed were significantly affected by the number of staff on patrol, duration of patrols, and distance patrolled. The patrolling camp had no significant effect on the observations of species and illegal activities. Patrol effort was 190 survey occasions, with the estimated survey effort ranging from 377 to 1068 survey occasions. The estimated survey effort was significantly higher than the patrol effort and necessitated an increase in the number of patrols per unit time to improve the protection of the species in the KRR.

Species Traits and Island Biogeography: Wing Metrics Linked to Avian Dispersal Ability Predict Species Occurrence on Remote Islands Worldwide

ABSTRACTAimWe assessed the influence of island isolation on the composition of insular bird assemblages with a particular focus on species traits associated with dispersal. To do so, we tested whether ecomorphological metrics of dispersal ability, namely hand‐wing index and Kipp's distance, increase with increasing island isolation.LocationGlobal.TaxonBirds.MethodsWe integrated global datasets of island characteristics with distribution and ecomorphological trait information of birds; our final dataset comprised information for 2034 native, resident and terrestrial species inhabiting 2399 islands. Species restricted to islands were removed to avoid potentially confounding effects of speciation, such as the evolution of flightlessness or poor flight on islands. Using the generalised additive models, we tested for the relationship between hand‐wing index or Kipp's distance and island isolation, accounting for the effects of island area and spatial autocorrelation. We performed the analyses separately for (i) continental and oceanic islands and (ii) for all terrestrial birds and for passerine birds only.ResultsHand‐wing index and Kipp's distance were positively related to island isolation on oceanic islands, that is bird communities on more isolated oceanic islands were composed of species with wings that had a higher aspect ratio and were more elongated. However, this relationship did not hold for continental islands. We found these patterns to be consistent for all terrestrial birds as well as for passerine birds only.Main ConclusionOur study provides strong evidence that island isolation influences the trait composition of island bird assemblages at a global scale. Our results highlight the variation of dispersal‐related ecomorphological traits among bird assemblages on islands, suggesting that these traits play an important role in mediating the influence of island isolation on community assembly processes on islands.

Studies on biodiversity of Nycticorax nycticorax- Linnaeus, 1758 at Manchar Lake, Sindh, Pakistan

The lake manchar is considered as one of the largest freshwater lakes in Pakistan, it’s located in district of Jamshoro. This wetland plays a substantial role in providing habitats to variety of resident and migratory birds. It provides shelter to the vast biodiversity that has daily and seasonal dependencies for all the life-support systems. Birds use this lake for drinking water, breeding, rearing young ones and social interactions. Meanwhile, birds play important role in balancing the ecosystem and food web of the ecosystem by conserving maintainable population levels of prey and predator species, and after death provide food to scavengers as well as decomposers. Birds are best pollinators, help in plant production through their services as pollinators or seed dispersers and increase forest growth, also help in environmental conservation. Considering the valuable role of wetlands and importance of avifaunal species in agriculture, food chains, ecosystem and pharmaceutics, a comprehensive study is carried out to evaluate diversity of socio-economically valuable avifaunal species at Manchar Lake. Monthly field surveys were conducted from January 2024 to October 2024, resulting in the collection of 80 specimens of Nycticorax nycticorax. Minor variation was recorded in body parameters including body weight, size of beak, body length, wingspan, limbs length, length of tail feathers, and width of web. Nycticorax nycticorax Weight of body 302±1.53 Length of beak 72± 1.20 Length of Wingspan 190±3.22 Length of limbs 787±140.5 Length of tail feathers 314±3.12 limbs Length of body 21.5±0.95. Nycticorax nycticorax was recorded to be the predatory bird, and their occurrence was abundant in the lake premises. The highest prevalence of recorded species occurred in January, February, and March, with the lowest richness observed in June and July. The study concluded that Manchar Lake is experiencing significant pollution due to runoff from agricultural fields, residential areas, and other sources. This pollution, combined with factors such as massive hunting, climatic changes, seasonal fluctuations, and decreasing food resources, has led to a decline in bird populations at the lake

Impact of Seasonal Changes on Avifauna Diversity in Nguru Wetland, Yobe State, Nigeria

The research on impact of seasonal changes on avifauna diversity in Nguru Lake of Hadejia-Nguru Wetland was carried out in two different seasons for the period of six 6 months, from April to June (dry season) and July to September (wet season). The aim was to evaluate the impact of seasonal changes on avifauna diversity and the species richness in the study area. A reconnaissance survey was carried out to select study sites and sampling points. Five (5) different points were selected which comprises of Madauka, Kayayyashi, Farin Ruwa, Badum and Guzan respectively and Point count census techniques were adopted. In each counting station, bird observation was carried out twice daily; morning between 6:00 am and 10:00 am and evening between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Data compilation was done using Microsoft Excel and were analysed using statistical software Past 326b. Bird diversity was calculated using Shanon-Weiner diversity index. The findings of this research showed that the majority of birds identified were Resident species (12,225 individual birds), Migratory species (8,186 individual birds) and Palearctic Migrants (10,876 individual) species in the study area. Dominant bird species in Nguru lake were Philomachus pugnax, Actophilornis africanus and Phalacrocorax africanus. A total of 5,538 individual birds’ was identified (Dry Season) in Nguru lake ‘’ belonging to 21 families in which Ardeidae family had the highest (7) species of bird. Shannon Diversity Index’ has 2.55 in dry season, while in Wet Season’ has 3.40. This indicated that there was relatively equal and high diversity of bird species in Wet Season in the study area and has the total species richness of 6,711. Overgrazing and other anthropogenic activities which affect the population diversity of avifauna species serve as major threats to the continued existence of Wetlands. Typha grass also remained pressing problem which create microhabitats reducing critical habitat for feeding, nesting and roosting habitat for birds, as well as hampers the smooth flow of water used by many water bird species. In view of the findings of this study, effective monitoring and strategies for conservation to restore the population of bird species, provide public enlightenment of the people around the wetland and management of Hadejia-Nguru Wetland promptly advice the significant importance of the wetland in serving as home for resident and migratory birdspecies.

Analysis of Newcastle disease virus prevalence in wild birds reveals interhost transmission of genotype VI strains.

Surveillance of Newcastle disease viruses (NDVs) has been conducted primarily in poultry, but their prevalence in wild birds remains largely unknown. Increasing our understanding of the ecology and evolution of NDVs in different species of birds will help us develop better prevention and control strategies. In this study, large-scale epidemiological sampling of resident wild birds in Guangxi from 2016 to 2019 was performed. The results demonstrated that different genotypes, especially genotype VI NDVs, circulated among resident wild birds. Our findings highlight the potential threat to the pigeon industry and public health.

Hypoxia influences the extent and dynamics of suitable fish habitat in Chesapeake Bay, USA

Intra-annual patterns of hypoxia in Chesapeake Bay have been recorded since the mid-1900s, but anthropogenic inputs and climate change have exacerbated the volume and extent of hypoxic waters, which mobile marine fishes avoid. This estuary provides important habitat for many seasonally resident species but declines in relative abundance and relative habitat usage have been documented. An understanding of the relationship between environmental conditions and habitat suitability could assist in evaluating the stock status of these species. To characterize baseline habitat associations for Micropogonias undulatus, Leiostomus xanthurus, Paralichthys dentatus, and Cynoscion regalis, ecological niche models were developed relating catch-per-unit-effort data from a fisheries-independent trawl survey conducted within Chesapeake Bay to environmental covariates. Model output indicated that impacts of climate change on the environmental conditions, including continued increases in temperature and decreases in dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration, will likely further the decline in estuarine utilization of these species. The niche envelopes were then paired with hindcasts from an estuarine-carbon-biogeochemical regional model to derive estimates of spatiotemporal habitat suitability. The patterns in habitat suitability do not match those of declining abundance, indicating that dynamics outside of Chesapeake Bay are likely driving the shift. An auxiliary model was used to replace hypoxic DO concentrations with normoxic concentrations to evaluate the influence of hypoxia on habitat suitability. Both hypoxic severity and extent displayed significant associations with the quantity of suitable habitat available to each species in the bay. Results characterize the complexity of the dynamics underpinning observed trends in habitat utilization.

Changing Bird Migration Patterns Have Potential to Enhance Dispersal of Alien Plants From Urban Centres

ABSTRACTThere is increasing recognition that alien species may be ‘sleepers’, becoming invasive with favourable changes in conditions, yet these changes remain difficult to predict. As populations of frugivorous birds shift with urbanisation and climate change, they could provide dispersal services for introduced fruiting plants that have previously been considered benign. This is likely to be especially problematic at higher latitudes where bird migration phenologies are altering rapidly. However, any consequences for fruit dispersal have not yet been explored. Here, we use Helsinki, Finland, to investigate whether (i) streetscapes provide birds with a fruit resource that differs from urban forest fragments and (ii) the chances for dispersal of alien species (i.e., preferential consumption of native fruits). While there were both more fruits and birds in streetscapes (replicated across multiple years), fruits were not consumed preferentially according to origin. Additionally, seed analysis from faecal samples of blackbird Turdus merula L., a previously migratory but increasingly resident species, suggested that alien and native plants are equally likely to be dispersed. These results indicate that birds could be dispersing alien species more frequently than previously thought and highlight the complex effects of changing climates on potentially invasive species.

Registro de ataque de perros domésticos (&lt;i&gt;Canis lupus familiaris&lt;/i&gt;) a zambullidores del Titicaca (&lt;i&gt;Rollandia microptera&lt;/i&gt;) en una zona periurbana lacustre en Puno, Perú

In the shore zone of Lake Titicaca, some of the resident wild species come to cohabit rural and urban spaces, where they interact with domestic animals. The aim of this report is to document the first videographic record of the attack by domestic dogs on Titicaca grebe (Rollandia microptera) in a water channel from the Suchipujio spring on the shores of Lake Titicaca, Yunguyo district, Puno, Peru. The images were obtained with a mobile device and the videographic product (which consists of two videos) was deposited in the specialized digital collection of the National Autonomous University of Mexico. The videos show the attack (chasing, barking and biting) of dogs on these threatened birds.

Diversity and Population of Ducks and Geese in Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) in Manipur, India

As a part of the Asian Waterbird Census (AWC), surveys on ducks and geese were made at five (5) major waterbird congregation sites of Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP) during 2020-2024. A total of 18 species of ducks and two species of geese belonging to the family of Anatidae were recorded during the period. The duck species includes 14 migratory and 4 resident species and the two migratory geese species. Lesser Whistling Duck Dendrocygna javanica was the most abundant and dominant species in terms of population followed by Gadwall Anas strepera and Red - crested Pochard Netta rufina and minimum value was observed in Greylag Goose Anser anser. The Critically Endangered Baer’s Pochard Aythya fuligula was recorded in the year 2023 at Pabot Chingmang site (2 individuals). Another two globally Near threatened (NT) Ferruginous Pochard Aythya nyroca and Falcated Duck Anas falcata have been recorded here.

A drastic decline in avian diversity in and around the Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary, Lakhimpur, Assam, India

Bordoibam-Bilmukh is a small wetland located at the boundary of the Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam, India that provides shelter and breeding ground to many resident and migratory birds. A survey was conducted between October 2022 and March 2024 on the avian diversity of Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary. A total of 47 bird species under 16 orders and 29 families were recorded during the survey. Order Passeriformes, recorded with the highest number of avian species (15). Among the families, the highest number of species (5) was recorded under Ardeidae. Out of all the species recorded, three species, viz., Brown Shrike, Citrine Wagtail, and White Wagtail were winter migratory; one species, the Lesser Kestrel, was summer migratory, and the remaining 43 were resident species. Besides, two species, viz., Lesser Adjutant and Greater Adjutant are listed as ‘Near Threatened’ species on the IUCN Red List. Comparing the avian diversity from 1997 to 2024, a decline in the number of avian species from 167 (as per the 1997 record) to 47 (as per the present study) has been observed in the sanctuary. Various anthropogenic activities such as habitat destruction and disturbance, hunting of birds, are the major causes of the decline of avian diversity. For future species diversity restoration in the sanctuary, these negative anthropogenic activities should be addressed immediately for conservation strategies.

A review of climate change impacts on migration patterns of marine vertebrates in Arctic and Subarctic ecosystems

Climate change is impacting marine ecosystems throughout the circumpolar Arctic, altering seasonal habitats and the food bases for fishes, seabirds, and marine mammals. Arctic and Subarctic regions provide resources for resident species and for species that migrate to the north from more southerly regions. Changes in northerly latitudes thus impact endemic as well as non-endemic animals. Herein, we review what is known about climate-driven changes in the migration patterns of Arctic and Subarctic marine vertebrates, including: 1) Arctic residents with seasonal movements – those fishes, seabirds, and marine mammals that complete their entire life cycle within the Arctic but exhibit seasonal movements; 2) Breeding migrants – many seabirds enter the Arctic to breed and subsequently migrate south in the fall; and 3) Summer visitors for feeding – certain species of boreal fishes, seabirds and marine mammals arrive during the northern summer to feed on abundant prey though they breed elsewhere. Migratory movements are often driven by the timing and extent of sea ice, which defines suitable habitat for some animals and limits access to open water and prey for others. Longer open-water seasons, warmer ocean temperatures, and stronger winds have resulted in earlier production blooms in spring and often, extended open-ocean plankton blooms into late summer, resulting in altered prey types and distributions. A common thread among taxa is that shifts in distribution and timing of migrating animals indicate they are traveling farther north, or shifting longitudinally, and migrations are occurring over longer seasonal time frames. Species performing multiple lifetime migrations or long-distance migrants may need to adjust migration timing or routing iteratively to match changes in marine productivity. Altered animal distributions or phenology, and reduced sea ice, affects access to animals that are critical nutritional, economical, and cultural components of Indigenous people’s lives in the Arctic. Ongoing changes challenge the resilience and adaptability of Arctic people and ecosystems, and will require adaptive research and management approaches.

Vision at high latitudes: High sensitivity without specific boreal adaptations in photoreception in reindeer (Rangifer tarandus L.)

Abstract The light climate at high latitudes, in particular the extended twilight of winter and the reduced diel variation in light level in midsummer and midwinter, potentially constrains visual function and the synchronisation of temporal organisation in polar species. In this paper, we describe the temporal pattern and variation in the spectral composition and brightness of skylight (daylight, twilight, moonlight, starlight, airglow and aurorae) at high latitudes and review photoreception of reindeer/caribou (Rangifer tarandus; ‘Rangifer’) which is one of the few polar resident species for which data are available. Experimental data indicate that the rods of Rangifer may be stimulated by levels of ambient light lower than those occurring during astronomical twilight (solar angle &lt;−18°). Several features of the eyes of Rangifer contribute to their visual capability under extended twilight. These include transmission of UV through the optical media, which enables the animals to exploit the shorter wavelengths characteristic of twilight, and a shift in the peak spectral reflectance of the tapetum lucidum (TL) from around 640 nm in summer to around 450 nm in winter, which increases retinal illumination at short wavelengths. Enhanced sensitivity to short wavelengths is likely to enhance the contrast of some objects and hence the ability of Rangifer to discriminate forage plants and to detect other animals (conspecifics or predators) against a snowy background under low illuminance. There is, nevertheless, currently no evidence of any specific boreal adaptation in their visual system: (i) The eyes of Rangifer, and by inference the area of the dilated pupil, are no larger than expected based on the allometry of eye size in ruminants. (ii) There is no evidence of a change in the spectral sensitivity of photoreceptors associated with detection of UVa. (iii) Transmission of UV through the anterior eye is not unique to Rangifer. (iv) The blue shift in the reflectance of the winter TL appears to be a passive response to prolonged dilation of the pupil and there is no a priori reason not to predict the same response in other large ungulates exposed to low light levels. (v) There is no conclusive evidence of a seasonal shift in absolute retinal sensitivity in Rangifer. (vi) Weak circadian organisation in Rangifer has tentatively been linked to mutations within the circadian molecular clockwork but it remains unclear to what extent this represents a specific adaptation to high latitude. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Birds as reservoirs: unraveling the global spread of Gamma- and Deltacoronaviruses.

Avian migration is a global phenomenon that transcends geographical boundaries. These migratory birds serve as unwitting carriers of diverse Gammacoronaviruses (γ-CoVs) and Deltacoronaviruses (δ-CoVs). While recombination events have been documented among γ-CoVs in avian species and β-CoVs in mammals, evidence for recombination between CoVs of distinct genera remains limited. This minireview examines the prevalence of CoVs in both domestic waterfowl (ducks and geese) and wild bird populations inhabiting various regions. We investigate the dissemination patterns of γ-CoVs and δ-CoVs among these populations, highlighting their shared characteristics. Furthermore, the review explores the intricate web of cross-species transmission of δ-CoVs from wild birds to mammals, with a particular focus on pigs. Understanding the distinct features of CoVs harbored by waterfowl and wild birds and their potential for cross-species transmission is crucial for preparedness and response to future CoV epidemics.

Population dynamics of resident fish in a coastal lagoon under eutrophication-mediated habitat changes

Coastal lagoons, as transitional ecosystems, are crucial for providing ecosystem services and preserving fish communities, yet they face increasing pressures from anthropogenic activities. The Mar Menor coastal lagoon in the western Mediterranean exemplifies this challenge, as it suffers from severe eutrophication driven by agricultural and urban influences. In this study, we assess changes in the population dynamics of three resident fish species (Apricaphanius iberus, Pomatoschistus marmoratus, and Syngnathus abaster) in the context of human-induced impacts in the Mar Menor. Using long-term monitoring data (the reference period of 2002-2004 vs. the eutrophication period of 2015-2019), we analyze temporal variations in their population dynamics and their relationships with eutrophication-mediated structural changes in shallow waters. Our results suggest that these resident species, which are closely associated with shallow areas, show population dynamics that reflect habitat alterations, underscoring their potential as indicators of eutrophication impacts. This study enhances our understanding of the dynamics within transitional ecosystems and provides a basis for integrated management strategies aimed at promoting effective fish conservation.

Native tree promotes invasion when native grasses are absent

Despite the expected co‐occurrence of effects from resident species, the environment, and disturbance on non‐natives, these factors have largely been treated as acting separately. Co‐occurring factors may, however, act in combination to result in a powerful, yet little explored, mechanism of invasion. Here, we addressed three hypotheses to explain the localized invasion of the non‐native Chenopodium album (Chenopodium) under the canopy of the dominant native tree Neltuma caldenia (Neltuma) in central Argentina. First, we evaluated that Neltuma favors Chenopodium by modifying environmental conditions, and specifically assessed the importance of soil versus that of the microclimate created by Neltuma shade. Second, we tested that Neltuma benefits Chenopodium by promoting under its canopy (calden microsite) the dominance of a grass species, Nassella tenuissima (Nassella), that exerts weaker competitive effects on Chenopodium than those exerted by the dominant grass, Piptochaetium napostaense (Piptochaetium), in adjacent communities free of the tree (open microsite). Lastly, we explored that the invasion of Chenopodium is mediated by disturbance. Chenopodium displayed increased biomass and fecundity (performance) in soil from calden relative to that from open microsites, whereas it exhibited no response to shade treatments. Also, Chenopodium performance in pots with Nassella was similar to that in pots with Piptochaetium. Finally, Chenopodium performance was much greater in pots with no initial plants than in those with grasses. Importantly, in pots without plants, Chenopodium performed much better in calden than open microsites, but in pots with grasses, Chenopodium performance exhibited no differences between microsites. These findings suggest that disturbance mediates Chenopodium invasion in calden microsites. Specifically, disturbance may weaken strong competitive effects from native grasses on Chenopodium, allowing this non‐native herb to benefit from favorable soil conditions under Neltuma. The combined action of natives enhancing resource levels and disturbance providing access to them could be a general mechanism of invasion.

Assessment of Migratory Bird Diversity in Key Wetlands and Forest Reserves of Lakhimpur District, Assam, India

Lakhimpur district of Assam has a rich biodiversity and is home to many birds and has good breeding, resting and feeding grounds for migratory birds as well. However, there is little information available regarding the diversity of migratory birds in the district's various locales. A study was conducted in different locations to document the diversity of migratory birds visiting the district. To better understand the diversity of migrating birds in the district, six locations were selected- Kakoi RF, Ranga RF, Pabha RF, Satajan wetland, Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary and Ghagor Ghat. Data were gathered through surveys, conducted for 218 days from January 2022 – May 2024. A total of 80 migratory bird species were recorded under 26 families of which Anatidae was most diverse. Out of the 80 species, 56 were winter visitor, 18 were local migrants and 6 were summer visitors. Among the migratory birds, Palla’s Fish Eagle (Haliaeetus leucoryphus) is listed as endangered species in IUCN Red List. Three species viz. Ferruginous duck (Aythya nyroca), Falcated duck (Mareca falcata) and Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius) are listed as near threatened species in IUCN Red List. Out of all the recorded species, insectivorous species are found to be highest (39%) as compared to species with other feeding habits. The Shannon diversity index was highest for Satajan wetland (H′ = 3.86) and lowest for Bordoibam-Bilmukh BS (H′ = 2.79). Jaccard similarity index showed highest similarity between Ranga RF and Kakoi RF (0.312) and the lowest value between Ranga RF and Bordoibam-Bilmukh BS (0.069). The Satajan wetland, Ranga RF, Kakoi RF, Pabha RF, Bordoibam-Bilmukh BS, and Ghagor Ghat are vital habitats that require conservation to continue supporting diverse resident and migratory birds, as well as other wildlife.

Assessment of Avifaunal Status, Diversity, and Conservation Implications in and around the Wetlands of Dharwad, Karnataka, India

The study shows an overall avifaunal diversity and status of selected wetlands in Dharwad district and conveys the presence/absence of bird species on habitat changes caused due to varying water levels (exposure/submergence of mudflats) and destruction of riparian vegetation such as the reed species. These wetlands have attracted bird species from local to migratory to forage, roost and breed in the area. The avifaunal diversity was found to fairly vary across the different wetlands. The data portrayed here are from the surveys during wintering months of 2017-18 and 2021-22. Line transects, point count and total count methods were used for surveying. Diversity indices (Beta, Shannon, Simpson, Evenness) and similarity matrices (Bray-Curtis cluster) were calculated using Past 4 package. The Pearson correlation, beta diversity and Bray-Curtis’s clustering were used to compare the wetlands for the similarity/dissimilarities in species composition. Overall, Shannon and Simpson diversity of the wetlands were H’=4.67 &amp; D= 0.98 with total of 177 species, which portrays high degree of diversity. There were around 46 species of migrant birds and 133 resident species. The work also reports a few rare and coastal birds. The study suggests the management plans for the conservation of avifauna in and around the wetlands to prevent human disturbances and also considering the importance of faunal habitats before adopting lake developmental plans.

Post-release dispersal and home range of translocated red deer in the Vojvodina province (Serbia)

Monitoring of 38 (12 male and 26 female) red deer translocated from Ivo Wildlife Park (Romania) to hunting ground "Bosutske Forest" (Vojvodina, Serbia) was conducted from 2017 to 2021. The red deer were translocated in lieu of the managing authority's efforts to counteract the effects of red deer losses due to catastrophic flooding in the region. All animals were ear-tagged, while 7 males and 10 females were fitted with GPS collars. A total of 2,288 valid signals were analyzed (565 from males and 1,723 from females). In addition, 1,333 sighting records were collected from eight observation posts (480 in 2019, 670 in 2020 and 183 in 2021). We determined the movements and spatial distribution of translocated animals in the new habitat and estimated their home range sizes. Home range was calculated using the minimum convex polygon method, while the core area was calculated using the kernel density estimator method. The greatest straight-line distance from the acclimatisation enclosure was essentially the same for both sexes (average 6.0 km for males and 6.4 km for females). A non-significant relationship existed between the number of days in captivity and the greatest straight-line distance, as well as between days in captivity and the core area of the home range. The estimated home range of males was 12.8 km2 (range 0.2‒36.1), smaller than that of females (20.6 km2, range 0.4‒68.7), but this difference was not statistically significant. Observations made independently showed mostly herds of 4 to 6 individuals (52.3%), while large herds (≥ 10 individuals) were rare. Participation of translocated and resident animals in mixed herds was common during the monitoring period (62.3%). Our results showed that a high level of acceptance of the new habitat and social cohesion between translocated and resident animals was achieved. We believe that this is due to two main reasons: firstly, the long-term stay in a large acclimatisation enclosure prior to release and secondly, year-round supplemental feeding coupled with an abundant natural food supply in this unique forest area also contributed to successful acclimatisation. Keywords: Cervus elaphus; population; habitat; home range size; red deer; management

Non-breeding conditions induce carry-over effects on survival of migratory birds

Identifying the processes that limit populations is a foundational objective of ecology and an urgent need forconservation. For migratory animals, researchers must study individuals throughout their annual cycles to determine how environmental conditions limit demographic rates within each period of the annual cycleand also between periods through carry-over effects and seasonal interactions.1,2,3,4,5,6 Our poor understanding of the rates and causes of avian migration mortality7 hinders the identification of limiting factors and the reversal of widespread avian population declines.8,9 Here, we implement new methods to estimate apparent survival (hereafter survival) during migration directly from automated telemetry data10 in Kirtland's Warblers (Setophaga kirtlandii) and indirectly from mark-recapture data in Black-throated Blue Warblers (S.caerulescens). Previous experimental and observational studies of our focal species and other migratory songbirds have shown strong effects of Caribbean precipitation and habitat quality on food availability,11,12,13,14 body condition,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19 migration timing,11,12,15,16,20,21,22,23 natal dispersal,24,25 range dynamics,26 reproductive success,20,22,27 and annual survival.18,19,20,23,28,29,30,31 Building on this research, we test the hypotheses that environmental conditions during the non-breeding period affect subsequent survival during spring migration and breeding. We found that reduced precipitation and environmental productivity in the non-breeding period strongly influenced survival in both species, primarily by reducing survival during spring migration. Our results indicate that climate-driven environmental conditions can carry over to affect survival in subsequent periods and thus likely play an important role in year-round population dynamics. These lethal carry-over effects may be widespread and are likely magnified by intensifying climate change.