Species Of Global Conservation Concern Research Articles

Species Diversity and Relative Abundance of Birds of Prey in North Western Region of Nigeria

The study aimed to determine the abundance of birds of prey in in North Western Region of Nigeria, carried out between September, 2022 and January 2023, with a view to providing information in a bid to establish a baseline for conservation for this group of birds. Road transect line method was used to collect data on bird diversity, abundance and distribution and each site was surveyed twice every month during the study period. Bird observation was carried out twice daily; morning between 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and evening between 4:00 to 6:30p.m. The species relative abundance index was used to find the relative abundance in the region, whereas Shannon- Wiener diversity index (H′) was used to determine species diversity. A total of thirty two (32) species of 3 families were recorded including species of global conservation concern during this study, indicating that the North western region of Nigeria is an important breeding, roosting, and feeding habitat for several raptor species. The findings from this study provide evidence that the areas can serve as a refuge for birds. Therefore, conservation efforts should as well be directed towards making communities view human occupied areas as a habitat for birds, and not as a lost habitat.

Species Diversity and Relative Abundance of Birds of Prey in North Western Region of Nigeria

The study aimed to determine the abundance of birds of prey in in North Western Region of Nigeria, carried out between September, 2022 and January 2023, with a view to providing information in a bid to establish a baseline for conservation for this group of birds. Road transect line method was used to collect data on bird diversity, abundance and distribution and each site was surveyed twice every month during the study period. Bird observation was carried out twice daily; morning between 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and evening between 4:00 to 6:30p.m. The species relative abundance index was used to find the relative abundance in the region, whereas Shannon- Wiener diversity index (H′) was used to determine species diversity. A total of thirty two (32) species of 3 families were recorded including species of global conservation concern during this study, indicating that the North western region of Nigeria is an important breeding, roosting, and feeding habitat for several raptor species. The findings from this study provide evidence that the areas can serve as a refuge for birds. Therefore, conservation efforts should as well be directed towards making communities view human occupied areas as a habitat for birds, and not as a lost habitat.

Assessment of raptor species relative abundance in Hadejia Nguru Wetlands, Nigeria

Birds of prey are some of the most threatened vertebrate taxa, and in the last three decades many species have experienced severe population declines or faced extinction. The global loss of raptors per se is worrying, not just because of their charisma and flagship role, but also because reduced abundance of raptors can have cascading effects on ecosystem functioning. Raptor decline may also lead to loss of ecosystem services, sometimes acutely impacting human well-being. Therefore, population distribution, diversity and abundance of birds of prey demand investigation for potential conservation interventions. The study aimed to determine the abundance of birds of prey in Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, carried out in March to August, 2021, with a view to providing information in a bid to establish a baseline for conservation for this group of birds. Transect line method was used for the bird survey. This involved moving slowly along the transect line and recording all birds seen in and around the transect line. The survey was carried out for a period of six (6) months and each site was surveyed twice every month during the study period. Bird observation was carried out twice daily; morning between 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and evening between 3pm to 6p.m. A pair of binoculars with magnification 7X50 was used for identification of birds visually alongside with field guide “Birds of West Africa” for identification of birds. Relative abundance and t-test were used for data analysis. The total number of birds was calculated as the number of birds seen. Transect line survey method detected a total of 1,562 individual birds of prey that belong to twenty four (24) species of 2 families. Accipitridae with 20 species and Falconidae with 4 species. The most abundant species, Yellow billed kite, black shouldered kite and gabar goshawk comprised 68.5% of all individuals seen in all wetlands in all seasons. Out of the 24 species recorded 16 are resident, 5 Palearctic migrant and 3 intra-African migrant. Four species of global conservation concern were also recorded; the Vulnerable Tawny eagle (Aquila rapax) the near threatened Red-necked falcon (Falco chicquera) and Pallid harrier (Circus macrourus) and the endangered Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus ). Public awareness should be raised to inform the local populace about the importance of these species to the environment vis-à-vis protecting the man-made structures used by the bird species.

RAPTORS IN BATURIYA BIRDS SANCTUARY NORTHWESTERN, NIGERIA

The dramatic increase in human pressure, deforestation and general decrease in tree cover, overgrazing and erosion, pesticide use, over-hunting and fishing, and sometimes direct persecution of predators, all impact negatively on birds of prey population. The study aimed to determine the distribution, diversity and abundance of birds of prey in Baturiya wetlands Nigeria, carried out in March to August, 2021, with a view to providing information in a bid to establish a baseline for conservation for this group of birds. Transect line method was used for the bird survey. The survey was carried out for a period of six (6) months using transect line method and each site was surveyed twice every month during the study period. Bird observation was carried out twice daily; morning between 6:00 to 10:00 a.m. and evening between 4:00 to 6:30p.m by walking slowly along the transect line. Birds were counted as birds seen and birds inflight were also counted. Transect line survey method detected a total of 431 individual birds of prey that belong to fifteen (15) species of 2 families. Accipitridae with 13 species is the richest family in species number and Falconidae with 2 species. Out of the 15 species recorded 8 are resident, 4 Palearctic migrant and 3 intra-African migrant. Three species of global conservation concern were also recorded; the Near threatened Red-necked falcon (Falco chicquera) and Pallid harrier (Circus macrourus) and the Endangered Martial eagle (Polemaetusbellicosus ). This survey shows that, the Baturiya bird sanctuary still retained a considerable number of birds of prey species that normally occur in West Africa. However, in order to maintain the bird community and other biodiversity of the wetland, the management needs to increase conservation measures that will ensure the protection of the wetlands. This can be done through training and re-training of more forest guards to ensure protection of the wetlands.

Population Surveys of Endangered Egyptian vulture (<i>Neophron percnopterus</i>) in Mahasheer National Park Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir

The global distribution and population of the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus) has declined but the species remains poorly studied in the Azad, Jammu and Kashmir area of Pakistan. This lack of information about the species limits the ability to adopt strategies for its conservation. This study was conducted in four selected sites of northeast Pakistan to estimate the population status of Egyptian vultures in the study area. Potential sites and colonies of the Egyptian vultures were first identified and then monitored using point count methods. We counted a maximum of 121 Egyptian vultures across the four sites that were surveyed in the study area. Conservation action at the State level is needed to help protect this vulture species of global conservation concern, and our results provide a baseline from which future monitoring can proceed.

THE NEST, EGG, AND NESTLING OF MANY-STRIPED CANASTERO Asthenes f. flammulata (FURNARIIDAE)

The genus Asthenes includes around 27-30 species of slender, long-tailed furnariids, predominantly montane in distribution. During fieldwork in the high Andes of northeastern Ecuador, I discovered four nests of Many-striped Canastero A. flammulata flammulata. All nests were mossy, nearly spherical balls, with a centrally placed side entrance, and with the entire inner chamber lined with a thick layer of seed down and fur. All were built into natural cavities formed by densely tangled vegetation, on or very near the ground. Two clutches consisted of two eggs each. Eggs were immaculate white, oval to short-oval in shape. Nestlings had orange to pinkish skin at hatch, with sparse gray down plumes on all dorsal feather tracts. Their bills were dull orange with bright yellow rictal flanges, and their mouth linings were bright orange-yellow. In general form, the nests and eggs described here are similar to other members of the genus. A thorough review of the literature, however, indicates than half of the currently-recognized Asthenes species have yet to have their nests described. Among these, three species of global conservation concern.

Conservation Status and Challenges of the Atlantic Forest Birds of Paraguay

The Atlantic Forest, one of the most biodiverse biomes in the world, is also one of the most endangered. In Paraguay, its remnants are mostly fragmented and isolated. The Paraguay Biodiversity Corridor is an initiative that is being developed to generate and maintain connectivity of the main conservation areas. With the objective to analyze the bird richness and occurrence in each of the core areas of this corridor, we gathered published data, details of the management plans, and bird surveys recorded during 2015 and 2017 in these areas. In total, 557 bird species occur in the core areas of the Corridor, representing more than 80% of the birds of the country. San Rafael National Park and Mbaracayú Forest Nature Reserve are the richest areas, with 427 (70) and 408 (61) bird species (Atlantic forest endemics), respectively. These two areas also harbor more than 30 bird species of global conservation concern. Only 24% of the Corridor area is protected or sustainably managed, with only 10% under strict protection. The Corridor situated within this endangered biome encompasses some of the most important areas for bird conservation, but the situation of many of these areas is alarming as they are not protected or effectively managed to conserve their biodiversity. Restoration of connectivity, legal enforcement, and strengthening of authorities to combat deforestation on core areas, along with research focused on the impact contributed by human activities (selective logging, ecotoxicity exposure to agrochemicals) are key actions prioritized for the Upper Parana Atlantic forest (UPAF) Corridor.

DNA analysis of elasmobranch products originating from Bangladesh reveals unregulated elasmobranch fishery and trade on species of global conservation concern.

Trade involving elasmobranch products in Bangladesh is a four-decade-long practice in large scale and there is little understanding of its impact on species composition, population, and subsequent conservation. Capacity for monitoring and identification is lacking in landing and shark processing centres. A rapid survey and collection of tissue samples were performed in three landings and nine shark processing centres between 2016 and 2017 in the south-eastern coastal region of Bangladesh. Sequencing for a 707-bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene was used to assess the taxonomic status and species composition from 71 elasmobranch tissue samples collected from the shark processing centre only. Good quality COI sequences were obtained for 34 specimens representing 21 species—the majority of which are threatened with extinction. A total of ten species of sharks (Carcharhinus brevipinna, C. amboinensis, C. leucas, C. sorrah, C. amblyrhynchoides, Chiloscyllium burmensis, Galeocerdo cuvier, Rhincodon typus, Scoliodon laticaudus, and Sphyrna lewini), eleven species of rays (Aetomylaeus maculatus, Gymnura poecilura, Mobula mobular, M. kuhlii, Neotrygon indica, Pateobatis uarnacoides, Rhinoptera javanica, and R. jayakari), including three species of guitarfish (Glaucostegus granulatus, G. obtusus, and G. typus), were identified. Four species (14.7% of samples) were found to be listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Appendix II. Sixteen species (59% of the specimens) were threatened with extinction according to IUCN Red List, whereas 41% were data deficient or not assessed. The results have important implications for the management of regional fisheries and the conservation of elasmobranchs as they 1) represent a preliminary understanding of elasmobranch diversity in trade; 2) depict a lack of awareness and monitoring; and 3) demonstrate a need for urgent monitoring and regulation of elasmobranch trade in Bangladesh.

New records of bats and terrestrial small mammals from the Seli River in Sierra Leone before the construction of a hydroelectric dam.

Sierra Leone is situated at the western edge of the Upper Guinean Forests in West Africa, a recognised biodiversity hotspot which is increasingly threatened by habitat degradation and loss through anthropogenic impacts. The small mammal fauna of Sierra Leone is poorly documented, although bats and rodents account for the majority of mammalian diversity. Based on morphological, genetic and echolocation data, we recorded 30 bat (Chiroptera), three shrew (Soricomorpha) and eleven rodent (Rodentia) species at the Seli River in the north of the country in 2014 and 2016, during a baseline study for the Bumbuna Phase II hydroelectric project. In 2016, 15 bat species were additionally documented at the western fringe of the Loma Mountains, a recently established national park and biodiversity offset for the Bumbuna Phase I dam. Three bat species were recorded for the first time in Sierra Leone, raising the total number for the country to 61. Further, two bat species are threatened and endemic to the Upper Guinean Forest and several taxa of small mammals are poorly known or represent undescribed species. Overall, the habitats of the project area supported a species-rich small mammal fauna including species of global conservation concern. Suitable mitigation measures and/or offsets are necessary to maintain biodiversity and ecosystems in a region that is under high human pressure.

Using remotely sensed and climate data to predict the current and potential future geographic distribution of a bird at multiple scales: the case of Agelastes meleagrides, a western African forest endemic

BackgroundUnderstanding geographic distributions of species is a crucial step in spatial planning for biodiversity conservation, particularly as regards changes in response to global climate change. This information is especially important for species of global conservation concern that are susceptible to the effects of habitat loss and climate change. In this study, we used ecological niche modeling to assess the current and future geographic distributional potential of White-breasted Guineafowl (Agelastes meleagrides) (Vulnerable) across West Africa.MethodsWe used primary occurrence data obtained from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and national parks in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and two independent environmental datasets (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer normalized difference vegetation index at 250 m spatial resolution, and Worldclim climate data at 2.5′ spatial resolution for two representative concentration pathway emissions scenarios and 27 general circulation models for 2050) to build ecological niche models in Maxent.ResultsFrom the projections, White-breasted Guineafowl showed a broader potential distribution across the region compared to the current IUCN range estimate for the species. Suitable areas were concentrated in the Gola rainforests in northwestern Liberia and southeastern Sierra Leone, the Tai-Sapo corridor in southeastern Liberia and southwestern Côte d’Ivoire, and the Nimba Mountains in northern Liberia, southeastern Guinea, and northwestern Côte d’Ivoire. Future climate-driven projections anticipated minimal range shifts in response to climate change.ConclusionsBy combining remotely sensed data and climatic data, our results suggest that forest cover, rather than climate is the major driver of the species’ current distribution. Thus, conservation efforts should prioritize forest protection and mitigation of other anthropogenic threats (e.g. hunting pressure) affecting the species.

Banggai cardinalfish and its microhabitats in a warming world: a preliminary study

Global changes in the Anthropocene are affecting marine ecosystems in many ways, including alterations in long-established inter-species relationships. The Banggai cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni, a species of global conservation concern, is highly dependent on benthic organisms serving as microhabitat. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of global change, in particular rising sea temperature, on P. kauderni and three key associated microhabitats: hard corals (Scleractinia), sea urchins (Diadematidae), and sea anemones (Actinia). Data collected before, during, and after the 2016 global coral bleaching event from P. kauderni habitat in the Banggai Archipelago, including coral bleaching (by genus) and P. kauderni (by life stage) microhabitat association (species or genus, coral life-form), were complemented by a literature review. While coral bleaching and mortality was less severe than in many other regions, hard coral genera and life-forms preferred by P. kauderni were disproportionately affected, and P. kauderni hosting sea anemones also bleached. Coral, sea urchin and sea anemone reproduction, larval development, and recruitment may be negatively affected. Likely post-settlement effects on sea urchin and sea anemone growth and survival are unclear. Direct impacts on P. kauderni are likely, including metabolic rate change with consequences for growth and longevity. Indirect impacts (e.g. changes in plankton composition and abundance, increased storm frequency/severity) will affect P. kauderni and all its microhabitats. This evaluation for P. kauderni, its key microhabitat groups, and their association, points towards increased need for both conservation action and research to fill identified knowledge gaps.

Disasters and biodiversity: case study on the endangered endemic marine ornamental Banggai cardinalfish

Disasters are notoriously unpredictable; they can strike anytime, anywhere. However, in this Anthropocene Epoch, humanity has increased the likelihood of many disasters, as well as their likely severity and socio-ecological impacts, with implications for the future of natural resources; in particular, marine ecosystems and biodiversity, and the human communities who rely on them. This case study focussed on the Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), a unique species of global conservation concern, and its native habitat in the Banggai Archipelago, at the centre of the Coral Triangle (CT) global marine biodiversity hotspot. To evaluate future risks and implications, we looked back to the past, including an overview of what is known regarding the origins and evolution of this species and its habitat, as well as past natural disasters in the Banggai Archipelago, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. We then reviewed current status and trends affecting the likelihood of exposure and the vulnerability of endemic P. kauderni populations and habitat, overall and at the evolutionary significant unit (ESU) scale, to disasters caused by tectonic phenomena, disasters related to weather and anthropogenic climate change (e.g. mass coral bleaching, sea level rise), and the synergies between disaster impacts and localised human activities. Finally, we considered management options with potential for mitigating disaster risk and increasing resilience, with benefits for both biodiversity and human welfare, as well as avenues for future research. We conclude that local action can buy time, but it is likely that the eventual fate of this “flagship” species, as well as the human communities of this equatorial archipelago, depend on effective global action to curb the drivers of anthropogenic climate change.

Occupancy and Detection of Clinch Dace Using Two Gear Types

Abstract The Clinch Dace Chrosomus sp. cf. saylori, discovered in 1999, is an undescribed headwater fish species of global conservation concern with a limited distribution in two counties in southwest Virginia. Highly efficient sampling gears are key to monitoring headwater fish assemblages in Appalachia, including those containing Clinch Dace. Additional information is needed regarding the habitat requirements of the species to understand responses to future mining and logging activities in the region. An occupancy modeling framework is useful to account for incomplete detection, with multiple sampling gears in presence–absence surveys for cryptic or rare species. We detected Clinch Dace at 13 of 70 sites. Occupancy corrected for imperfect detection probability did not differ from naïve occupancy estimates and was 0.19. Clinch Dace occurred in streams with higher substrate embeddedness and catchment forest cover. Backpack electrofishing had a 55% higher probability of detecting Clinch Dace in a 50-m subreach than minnow traps. Appropriate management actions for this species may focus on preserving forested cover in occupied watersheds and monitoring the future impact of surface mining activities that increase total dissolved solids. Sampling protocols for the imperiled Clinch Dace can incorporate both gears and adjust sampling effort to maximize species detection in specific habitats and with specific research goals.

Preliminary assessment of the scope and scale of illegal killing and taking of birds in the Mediterranean

SummaryIllegal killing/taking of birds is a growing concern across the Mediterranean. However, there are few quantitative data on the species and countries involved. We assessed numbers of individual birds of each species killed/taken illegally in each Mediterranean country per year, using a diverse range of data sources and incorporating expert knowledge. We estimated that 11–36 million individuals per year may be killed/taken illegally in the region, many of them on migration. In each of Cyprus, Egypt, Italy, Lebanon and Syria, more than two million birds may be killed/taken on average each year. For species such as Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla, Common Quail Coturnix coturnix, Eurasian Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs, House Sparrow Passer domesticus and Song Thrush Turdus philomelos, more than one million individuals of each species are estimated to be killed/taken illegally on average every year. Several species of global conservation concern are also reported to be killed/taken illegally in substantial numbers: Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and Rock Partridge Alectoris graeca. Birds in the Mediterranean are illegally killed/taken primarily for food, sport and for use as cage-birds or decoys. At the 20 worst locations with the highest reported numbers, 7.9 million individuals may be illegally killed/taken per year, representing 34% of the mean estimated annual regional total number of birds illegally killed/taken for all species combined. Our study highlighted the paucity of data on illegal killing/taking of birds. Monitoring schemes which use systematic sampling protocols are needed to generate increasingly robust data on trends in illegal killing/taking over time and help stakeholders prioritise conservation actions to address this international conservation problem. Large numbers of birds are also hunted legally in the region, but specific totals are generally unavailable. Such data, in combination with improved estimates for illegal killing/taking, are needed for robustly assessing the sustainability of exploitation of birds.

Ecological niche of the Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) in the arid environment of Iran (Mammalia: Felidae)

The Asiatic Cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus venaticus, is a species of global conservation concern and a small population occurs in Iran in fragmented habitats located in the central parts of the country with a continental, arid climate. Naybandan Wildlife Refuge (NWR) holds the largest population in Iran. To understand better the factors which determine the occurrence of cheetahs in these areas, we applied an Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) to assess the relationship between occurrences of cheetahs across the NWR and topographic, biological, and anthropogenic factors. ENFA analysis results suggested that cheetahs have a tendency to inhabit areas different from the mean conditions of the study area and live in a narrow set of conditions. They prefer mountainous habitats far from flat areas, habitats near to water resources, and habitats with high prey densities. 13% of the NWR can be classified as suitable habitat for the cheetah, indicating a high conservation value of this reserve for the species.

Upland land use predicts population decline in a globally near‐threatened wader

Summary Changes in large‐scale land use may fragment and degrade habitats, affecting animal species adapted to these habitats. In the UK uplands for example, changes in sheep and game management, and afforestation, have altered the configuration of internationally important moorland habitat and are predicted to have increased predation pressure for a globally unique suite of breeding birds of international conservation importance. Some of these upland bird species have declined, with particular concern over ground‐nesting waders. Using resurveys of the rapidly declining Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata as a focal species of global conservation concern, we investigate whether upland land use predicts low nesting success and population decline. Curlew population changes over an 8‐ to 10‐year period were positively related to gamekeeper density (a surrogate of predator control intensity) and inversely to the area of woodland surrounding sites, as a likely source of predators to adjacent open ground. Model predictions suggest that increasing woodland cover from 0% to 10% of the land area within 1 km of populated sites requires an increase in human predator control effort of about 48%, to a level associated with high‐intensity grouse production, to achieve curlew population stability. Curlew nesting success, known to be a key driver of population trends, was also positively related to gamekeeper density and inversely to woodland area surrounding sites, providing a plausible mechanistic link between land use and population change. Synthesis and applications. Upland land use is associated with curlew declines, with predation a likely mechanism, and this may apply to other breeding waders. The removal of isolated woodland plantations from otherwise unafforested landscapes may help reduce predation pressure across a range of systems including moorland. However, direct predator control may also be important to conserve ground‐nesting birds in these landscapes, for example, where moorland management and forestry coexist as major land uses. Predator control may also mitigate climate change effects by enhancing wader productivity, particularly where climate effects coincide with changing land use. Emerging land uses in open landscapes, including native woodland restoration and wind farms, require careful siting to minimize further impacts on open‐area breeding birds.

Morphometrics of Cerrado Birds from the Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca (Ne Paraguay)

Abstract Smith P., Onley D., Northcote-Smith E, Atkinson K. 2012. Morphometrics of cerrado birds from the Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca (NE Paraguay). Ring 34: 51-67. Morphometric data are provided for 204 individuals of 61 species from the Reserva Natural Laguna Blanca in Departamento San Pedro in north-eastern Paraguay. Measurements were taken according to Svensson (1984). Data for 2 cerrado endemic species, 2 species of global conservation concern and 5 species of national conservation concern are presented. These are the first published biometric data for birds of the Paraguayan cerrado.

Vodne ptice in ujede Cerkniškega polja (južna Slovenija) v letih 2007 in 2008, s pregledom zanimivejših opazovanj do konca leta 2010 / Waterbirds and raptors of Cerknica polje (southern Slovenia) in 2007 and 2008, with an overview of interesting observations till the end of 2010

Between the end of February 2007 and mid-February in 2008, 73 systematic surveys of waterbirds and raptors were carried out during 10-day periods at Cerknica polje (Southern Slovenia). The main objectives of our research were: to ascertain the abundance and temporal dynamics of the species occurring here, to specify their status, to make a comparison with the past period of systematic data gathering in the 1991-1992 period, to present estimates of the breeding, migrating and wintering populations, as well as to make, on these bases, a nature-conservancy evaluation of the area. Other ornithological data, acquired till the end of 2010, were gathered as well. Between the beginning of May and the beginning of September 2007, the water in the area virtually ran dry (it was retained only in the channels of the streams), while the surface itself was partially or fully icebound from mid-November 2007 till the beginning of February 2008. By the end of 2010, a total of 129 waterbird and raptor species were recorded at Cerknica polje, while in the 2007-2008 period 83 were registered. Dynamics of the species occurrence with more than nine observations made in the area is presented in a greater detail in the species overview. The breeding status was held by 27 bird species, while further seven were forage guests that bred in the vicinity of the study area. Most of the species (118) had the status of passage visitor, whereas those with the status of summer visitor (34) and winter visitor (40) were fewer. Among the recorded species, 34 were accidental and 21 rare visitors. There were 16 winter and seven summer residents, while year-round residents were six. In all 10-day periods of the research period, four species were recorded: Mallard Anas plathyrhynchos, Grey Heron Ardea cinerea, Buzzard Buteo buteo and Kestrel Falco tinnunculus. In more than 90% of 10-day periods, the Great Egret Ardea alba was recorded as well. In the 2007-2008 period, two species were eudominant (Mallard 27.2%, Buzzard 10.1%), whereas another two were dominant (Garganey Anas querquedula 7.4%, Coot Fulica atra 6.4%). Most individuals were registered at the end of March and in early April (up to 1,978 ind.), whereas the greatest numbers of species (48) were recorded in mid-April. Between May and August, the numbers of individuals and species were low owing to the dried up lake. The smallest area of occurrence was occupied by the Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo and a group of ducks of the genera Aythya, Bucephala and Mergellus. Gulls, egrets, herons, waders, harriers Circus sp. and the Red-footed Kestrel Falco vespertinus occurred in the greater part of the research area. 10 breeders fulfilled the criteria of the species of the greatest conservation importance, two of which (Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca and Curlew Numenius arquata) are species of global conservation concern, whereas seven are of conservation concern on a European scale. Among non-breeders, 14 waterbird species and raptors occurred in significant numbers (> 0.1% biogeographical population), five of which occurred at least occasionally with more than 1% of their biographical population. Two species (Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena and Snipe Gallinago gallinago) breed in Slovenia only at Cerknica polje, while further six species have here at least 40% of their Slovenian breeding population

Predicting potential distribution of the jaguar (Panthera onca) in Mexico: identification of priority areas for conservation

AbstractAim  The jaguar, Panthera onca, is a species of global conservation concern. In Mexico, the northernmost part of its distribution range, its conservation status, is particularly critical, while its potential and actual distribution is poorly known. We propose an ensemble model (EM) of the potential distribution for the jaguar in Mexico and identify the priority areas for conservation.Location  Mexico.Methods  We generated our EM based on three presence‐only methods (Ecological Niche Factor Analysis, Mahalanobis distance, Maxent) and considering environmental, biological and anthropogenic factors. We used this model to evaluate the efficacy of the existing Mexican protected areas (PAs), to evaluate the adequacy of the jaguar conservation units (JCUs) and to propose new areas that should be considered for conservation and management of the species in Mexico.Results  Our results outline that 16% of Mexico (c. 312,000 km2) can be considered as suitable for the presence of the jaguar. Furthermore, 13% of the suitable areas are included in existing PAs and 14% are included in JCUs (Sanderson et al., 2002).Main conclusions  Clearly much more should be carried out to establish a proactive conservation strategy. Based on our results, we propose here new jaguar conservation and management areas that are important for a nationwide conservation blueprint.

Important Bird Areas in Macedonia: Sites of Global and European Importance

Important Bird Areas in Macedonia: Sites of Global and European Importance Identification of the Important Bird Areas (IBAs) is an initiative implemented by BirdLife International at the global level, aiming to conserve a network of sites that are particularly important for the conservation of birds. With the changed conservation status of some species and increased information on the distribution and population sizes of birds in Macedonia in general, a revision of the IBA network was needed to update previous inventories for this country, published in 1989 and 2000. As the bird fauna of the Republic of Macedonia ranks among the least known in Europe, and as data on many species, notably passerines, are still largely missing, the inventory is mainly based on some threatened or rare birds of prey and a few other larger species, yet characteristic of the Macedonian landscape. Data used were collected in the course of different dedicated studies and projects carried out after 2000. Out of 314 species so far registered in Macedonia, 114 regularly occurring species have currently unfavourable conservation status in Europe, 84 of which breed or possibly breed in the country. Several criteria for the selection of IBAs of global (A criterion) and European importance (B criterion) developed by BirdLife International were used for sites selection, taking into consideration species of global conservation concern (A1), biome-restricted species (A3), important congregations (A4, B1) and species with an unfavourable conservation status (B2) or concentrated (B3) in Europe. Species of global conservation concern used for site identification include the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus, considered Endangered (EN) at the global level according to the latest IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus and Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (both Vulnerable - VU), and Roller Coracias garrulus and Semicollared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata (both Near Threatened - NT). Furthermore, species assemblages characteristic as occurring mostly or entirely within a Eurasian high-montane or Mediterranean biome are found in Macedonia. Important congregations of non-breeding waterbirds with at least 1% of global or biogeographic populations of individual species occur on all three large lakes in the country, some of them (e.g. Dalmatian Pelican, Red-crested Pochard Netta rufina) in very large numbers, surpassing the 1% threshold by more than tenfold. In total, 25 species regularly occurring in the breeding season, for which the site protection approach is thought to be appropriate in Macedonia, were used for the selection of sites of European importance. Site boundaries were drawn following distinct natural features or isohypses to include breeding sites and foraging areas of triggering species, and, for Imperial Eagle and Egyptian Vulture also former breeding sites back to 1991, taking into consideration their habitat requirements, land-use and management needs. The resulting IBA list numbers 24 sites, covering 6,907 km2 or 26.9% of the entire territory of Macedonia: (1) Šar Planina Mountain, (2) River Radika Catchment, (3) Lake Ohrid, (4) Lake Prespa, (5) Demir Kapija Gorge, (6) Lake Dojran, (7) Zletovska River Valley, (8) Tikveš Region, (9) Pčinja - Petrošnica - Kriva Reka Rivers, (10) Preod - Gjugjance, (11) Osogovo Mountains, (12) Jakupica Mountain, (13) Taor Gorge, (14) Ovče Pole, (15) Topolka - Babuna - Bregalnica Rivers, (16) Gradsko - Rosoman - Negotino, (17) Lake Mantovo and Kriva Lakavica River, (18) Raec River Valley, (19) Pelagonia, (20) Mariovo, (21) Lake Tikveš, (22) Bošavija, (23) Kočani Rice Fields, and (24) Lower Vardar. With the exception of three sites occupying the highest parts of the large mountain massifs in NW and central parts of Macedonia, and the lakes Ohrid and Prespa, sites are concentrated mostly in central hilly and lowland parts of the country, comprising breeding areas of species of global conservation concern. The percentage of territory covered by the IBAs in Macedonia is relatively high compared to the total European average but comparable to several countries in SE parts of Europe. The size of separate IBAs ranges from 25 km2 (Taor Gorge) to 1,136 km2 (Pelagonia) and number of triggering species per site from one (Bošavija, Kočani Rice Fields) to 17 (Pčinja - Petrošnica - Kriva Reka Rivers). 22 sites trigger some of the criteria of global importance - three sites (Lakes Ohrid, Prespa and Dojran) meet A4 criterion, eight sites hold significant populations of species characteristic of the Mediterranean biome, while three other sites sustain significant populations characteristic of the European high-montane biome. Species of global conservation concern are included as follows: Egyptian Vulture on 13 sites, Imperial Eagle on 7, Dalmatian Pelican and Saker Falcon Falco cherrug on 2, Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca on 3, Roller Coracias garrulus on 10, Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus on 3 sites, and Semi-collared Flycatcher on 1 site. Individual triggering species for sites of European importance are represented on 2-15 sites. The IBA network includes 80-100% of the national populations of the globally threatened species, while the coverage of other species vary between 5% and 100%, being over 40% in great majority of species. Non-irrigated arable land and transitional woodland-shrub are dominant land-cover types, jointly covering 32% of the total IBA surface area. Abandonment of traditional pastoral system, resulting in decrease of the livestock numbers and overgrowing as well as trapping, poisoning and poaching, are considered the most serious threats for triggering species, particularly the Egyptian Vulture and Imperial Eagle, being classified as high on no less than 11 sites, respectively. The national legal protection of the sites is incomplete, being either only partial or with inadequate conservation measures adopted, or, many sites still lack any form of legal protection. With about 21% of the National protected area network overlapping with the IBAs, the existing protected area system is thus insufficient for conservation of most priority species. Notably underrepresented are the regions in the lower parts of the country with the highest number of species of global conservation concern.