Abstract
Aim: Migratory species rely on multiple ranges across the annual cycle, rendering them vulnerable to a wide range of spatially disparate anthropogenic threats. The spatial distribution of these threats will strongly influence the magnitude of their population-scale effects, but this has not been quantitatively assessed for most species.
Location: Europe, Central Asia, Western Asia, Africa.
Time period: Modern.
Major taxa studied: Aves.
Methods: We combined remote-sensed data and expert opinion to map sixteen anthropogenic threats relevant to migratory birds across Europe, Africa and the Middle East – including the first spatially-explicit pan-continental assessment of relative hunting pressure. By combining the resulting composite threat maps with species range polygons and morpho-behavioural traits-based weightings (reflecting relative threat susceptibility), we created species-specific risk maps for 103 Afro-Palaearctic migratory birds breeding in Europe and evaluated how spatial threat vulnerability relates to long-term population trends.
Results: We found that greater vulnerability to direct mortality threats (including hunting pressure, infrastructure and nocturnal lights), especially in the non-breeding season, is associated with declining bird population trends.
Main conclusions: Our results emphasise the importance of spatially explicit approaches to quantifying anthropogenic drivers of population declines. Composite risk maps represent a valuable resource for spatial analyses of anthropogenic threats to migratory birds, allowing for targeted conservation actions.
Location: Europe, Central Asia, Western Asia, Africa.
Time period: Modern.
Major taxa studied: Aves.
Methods: We combined remote-sensed data and expert opinion to map sixteen anthropogenic threats relevant to migratory birds across Europe, Africa and the Middle East – including the first spatially-explicit pan-continental assessment of relative hunting pressure. By combining the resulting composite threat maps with species range polygons and morpho-behavioural traits-based weightings (reflecting relative threat susceptibility), we created species-specific risk maps for 103 Afro-Palaearctic migratory birds breeding in Europe and evaluated how spatial threat vulnerability relates to long-term population trends.
Results: We found that greater vulnerability to direct mortality threats (including hunting pressure, infrastructure and nocturnal lights), especially in the non-breeding season, is associated with declining bird population trends.
Main conclusions: Our results emphasise the importance of spatially explicit approaches to quantifying anthropogenic drivers of population declines. Composite risk maps represent a valuable resource for spatial analyses of anthropogenic threats to migratory birds, allowing for targeted conservation actions.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Global Ecology and Biogeography |
Publication status | Accepted/In press - 22 May 2022 |
Datasets
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Composite risk vulnerability scores for Afro-Palaearctic migratory birds
Buchan, C. (Creator), Franco, A. (Creator), Catry, I. (Creator), Gamero, A. (Creator), Klvaňová, A. (Creator) & Gilroy, J. (Creator), Figshare, 11 May 2022
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19745983.v3
Dataset
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Relative hunting risk for large- and small-bodied Afro-Palaearctic migratory birds
Buchan, C. (Creator), Franco, A. (Creator), Catry, I. (Creator), Gamero, A. (Creator), Klvaňová, A. (Creator) & Gilroy, J. (Creator), Figshare, 11 May 2022
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.19745830.v3
Dataset