Research Network in Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology

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Grassland vegetation height affects bird responses to forest edges in Mediterranean open farmland

Publication . Faria, João; Reino, Luís; Beja, Pedro; Gonçalves, David; Sánchez-Oliver, Juan S.; Moreira, Francisco; Catry, Inês; Rotenberry, John T.; Morgado, Rui; Brotons, Lluís; Dullinger, Stefan; Schindler, Stefan; Santana, Joana

Afforestation affects Mediterranean farmland biodiversity due to loss and fragmentation of grassland habitats. While the influence of landscape context and plantation edges on farmland bird responses to afforestation is well-documented, less is known about the influence of grassland vegetation height and how it interacts with afforestation to influence bird communities. Here, we examined how changes in grassland vegetation height affect bird responses to afforestation in a farmland region in southern Portugal, and how these are affected by plantation type and edge. This region has experienced afforestation with eucalyptus, pine and oak stands, agricultural intensification, and frequent dry periods. To capture local and landscape-level changes, we collected data in two periods (2005 and 2014–15). Grassland vegetation height varied between sampling periods, emerging as a key factor affecting changes observed. Ground-nesting and cereal-associated species increased in abundance with taller vegetation in 2014–15, while in 2005, with drier weather and shorter vegetation, the species associated with ploughed fields were more abundant. Vegetation height effects on bird assemblages depended on plantation type and distance to plantation edges. Farmland bird abundance, including ground-nesting and cereal crops-associated species, increased with taller vegetation, particularly near oak and pine plantations. Conversely, species associated with ploughed fields declined with taller vegetation, especially near eucalyptus plantations. Results highlight complex interactions between vegetation height, plantation type, and edge proximity shaping avian assemblages. This study supports the importance of field and landscape-level management with special focus on grassland vegetation height and landscape heterogeneity for preserving open-farmland birds in fast-changing Mediterranean farmland landscapes.

2024-04Journal article

Open access

Wildfire education: A review across the globe

Publication . Pacheco, Renata; Skulska, Iryna; Sequeira, Ana Catarina; Colaço, M. Conceição

Recent projections suggest that wildfires will occur more often and with higher intensity due to the changing climate. In this context, it is vital to educate the population to be ready and prepared to deal with these events. This book chapter reviews the state of the art of educational materials on wildfires worldwide that are available online. A total of 225 references on the matter were retrieved. The materials are from all five continents, involving 36 countries and written in 23 languages. Most of them are from regions with a Mediterranean climate with fire-prone ecosystems in which, for the last decades, wildfires have negatively affected the population. Regarding the target audience, most materials retrieved focused on the general public (about 48%), followed by students from various age groups (around 40%). Written documents, websites, and videos are the most frequent materials for the general public. As for students, a greater variability of pedagogical materials is available, ranging from mobile phone applications and digital and experimental activities to slides for classes and reading materials. The remaining materials focus on the rural population and firefighters’ training. Most references present the main concepts and ecological aspects of fire, along with safety and prevention measures. However, few discuss climate change, recovery, and socio-economic or health concerns. This gap should be addressed in the future wildfire educational materials to better prepare and inform society.

2024Book part

Open access

Using individual-based demographic modelling to estimate the impacts of anthropogenic mortality on territorial predators

Publication . Marques, Ana Teresa; Crispim-Mendes, Tiago; Palma, Luís; Pita, Ricardo; Moreira, Francisco; Beja, Pedro

Wildlife anthropogenic mortality is increasing worldwide, yet there is limited understanding regarding its population-level impacts. Territorial species stand out in this context, as they possess distinctive characteristics that are often overlooked but may significantly affect their vulnerability. In particular, population impacts may depend on the level and spatial distribution of additional mortality risk across territories, and on the extent to which exposure to increased mortality varies across life stages (i.e., territorial and non-territorial individuals). In this study, we developed an Individual-Based Model (IBM) to explore these issues, using the Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) and electrocution in powerline pylons as a model system. We used declines in annual population growth rates as a proxy for negative impacts, and conducted simulations to estimate the relative impacts of different levels of mortality risk, the spatial pattern of such risks, and the risk exposure of different life stages. Population-level impacts greatly increased with the mortality risks simulated, and they were lower when exposure to mortality risks was concentrated versus spread across territories. Impacts were highest when both territorial and non-territorial individuals were exposed to anthropogenic mortality risks, and they were higher when such exposure only affected non-territorial versus territorial individuals. Our results underscore that each breeding territory should be considered as a unit, where all existing pylons should be intervened whenever mitigation actions are put in place. Results also highlight the importance of considering both the territorial and non-territorial fractions of the population to prevent and mitigate the impacts of increased mortality. More generally, our study illustrates the value of IBM frameworks such as ours to explore population-level impacts resulting from anthropogenic mortality in territorial species, and to inform the development of conservation strategies to mitigate such impacts.

2024-07Journal article

Open access