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Individual variability in space use near power lines by a long-lived territorial raptor
Publication . Marques, Ana Teresa; Palma, Luís; Lourenço, Rui; Cangarato, Rogério; Leitão, Alexandre; Mascarenhas, Miguel; Tavares, João Tiago; Tomé, Ricardo; Moreira, Francisco; Beja, Pedro
Evaluating species responses to anthropogenic infrastructures and other habitat
changes is often used to assess environmental impacts and to guide conservation
actions. However, such studies are generally carried out at the population level, disregarding
inter-individual
variability. Here, we investigate population-and
individual-level
responses toward power lines of a territorial raptor, the Bonelli's eagle Aquila
fasciata. We used GPS-PTT
tracking data of 17 adult eagles to model space use as a
function of distance to transmission and distribution lines, while accounting for other
habitat features known to affect this species. At population level, eagles increased
the intensity of space use in the proximity of power lines (up to 1,000 m), suggesting
an attraction effect. At individual level, some eagles shared the general population attraction
pattern, while others showed reduced intensity of space use in the proximity
of power lines. These differential responses were unrelated to the sex of individuals,
but were affected by the characteristics of the power grid, with a tendency for
apparent attraction to be associated with individuals occupying home ranges with a
denser network of transmission lines and transmission pylons. However, the study
could not rule out the operation of other potentially influential factors, such as individual
idiosyncrasies, the spatial distribution of prey availability, and the availability of
natural perches and nesting sites. Overall, these results suggest that power lines may
drive different behaviors and have differential impacts across individuals, with those attracted to the proximity of power lines potentially facing increased risk of mortality
through electrocution and collision, and those avoiding power lines being potentially
subject to exclusion effects. More generally, our results reinforce the need to understand
individual variability when assessing and mitigating impacts of anthropogenic
infrastructures
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Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
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SFRH
Número da atribuição
SFRH/BPD/93079/2013