| 1. |
- Dalby, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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The status of the Nordic populations of the Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) in a changing world
- 2013
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Ingår i: Ornis Fennica. - : University of Helsinki. - 0030-5685. ; 90:1, s. 2-15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dabbling ducks (Anas spp.) are important migratory quarry species, protected as a shared resource under international legislation. However, there is a lack of sufficient high-quality data on vital demographic rates and long-term trends in numbers to judge the conservation status of many duck populations at the flyway level. In response to reported declines in the North-West European flyway population of the Mallard, we compiled available data on this species in the Nordic countries up to 2010. Generally, national breeding numbers showed increasing trends, wintering abundance showed variable trends, and productivity measures indicated stable or increasing trends. Major knowledge gaps were identified, namely the size of hunting bags, the influence of the released Mallards and the role of short-stopping in explaining changing patterns of wintering abundance across the North-West European flyway. Numerically the Nordic breeding population appears in "good condition", and the wintering numbers have been either stable or increasing in the last two decades. The annual number of releases needs to be determined in order to judge the sustainability of the current levels of exploitation. Overall, none of the indicators showed alarming signs for the Mallard population in the Nordic countries when considered in isolation. However, the widespread decline in wintering numbers elsewhere across North-western Europe requires urgent pan-European action.
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| 2. |
- Fraixedas, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Substantial decline of Northern European peatland bird populations : Consequences of drainage
- 2017
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Ingår i: Biological Conservation. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3207. ; 214, s. 223-232
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Northern European peatlands are important habitats for biological conservation because they support rich biodiversity and unique species compositions. However, historical management of peatland habitats has had negative consequences for biodiversity and their degradation remains a major conservation concern. Despite increasing awareness of the conservation value of peatlands, the statuses and ecological requirements of peatland species have remained largely understudied. Here, we first analysed temporal trends of Northern European peatland birds to document the status of their populations using bird data from five different countries. Second, we used Finnish monitoring data to assess habitat preferences of peatland bird species, hence helping to target conservation to the most relevant habitat types. There was a general decline of 40% in Northern European peatland bird population sizes in 1981–2014 (speed of decline 1.5%/year) largely driven by Finland, where populations declined almost 50% (2.0% annual decline). In Sweden and Norway, peatland bird populations declined by 20% during 1997–2014 (1.0% annual decline). In contrast, southern populations in Estonia and Latvia, where the majority of open peatlands are protected, showed a 40% increase during 1981–2014 (1.0% annual increase). The most important habitat characteristics preferred by common peatland species in Finland were openness and low tree height, while wetness proved to be an important feature for waders. Drainage of peatlands had clear negative effects on the densities of many species, with the only exception of rustic bunting, which specializes on edge habitats. Our findings call for more effective conservation actions in Northern European peatland habitats, especially in Finland where peatland drainage represents a major threat to biodiversity.
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| 3. |
- Gamero, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Tracking Progress Toward EU Biodiversity Strategy Targets : EU Policy Effects in Preserving its Common Farmland Birds
- 2017
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Ingår i: Conservation Letters. - : Wiley. - 1755-263X. ; 10:4, s. 395-402
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Maximizing the area under biodiversity-related conservation measures is a main target of the European Union (EU) Biodiversity Strategy to 2020. We analyzed whether agrienvironmental schemes (AES) within EU common agricultural policy, special protected areas for birds (SPAs), and Annex I designation within EU Birds Directive had an effect on bird population changes using monitoring data from 39 farmland bird species from 1981 to 2012 at EU scale. Populations of resident and short-distance migrants were larger with increasing SPAs and AES coverage, while Annex I species had higher population growth rates with increasing SPAs, indicating that SPAs may contribute to the protection of mainly target species and species spending most of their life cycle in the EU. Because farmland birds are in decline and the negative relationship of agricultural intensification with their population growth rates was evident during the implementation of AES and SPAs, EU policies seem to generally attenuate the declines of farmland bird populations, but not to reverse them.
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| 4. |
- Green, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Övervakning av fåglarnas populationsutveckling: : Årsrapport för 2022
- 2023
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We present the results of the Swedish Bird Survey, a project run by the Department of Biology, Lund University, as a part of the National Monitoring Programme of the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The results for 2022 include data from: 546 winter point counts in 2021/2022 (47th winter), ofwhich 254 were carried out during the Christmas/New Year count, 209 summer point count routes (48th year) and 375 Fixed routes (27th year). In the programme for covering night-active birds (13 th season), 155 routes were covered on up to three occasions each (March, April and June). In addition, 425waterbird routes (8th season) and 186 archipelago squares (8th season) were surveyed. In the waterbird counts included in the International Waterbird Census (IWC) 219 sectors were counted in September (49 th year) and 1084 sectors in January (57th year). In total 740 persons were involved in the surveysreported here.Population trends were analyzed using TRIM and trends for 224 different bird species are presented, as well as the geographical distributions of the covered routes. Larger mammals are counted on the Night routes and the Fixed routes since 2010 and 2011, respectively, and we present trends for 12 mammal species based on these two systems. We also present trends from the schemes of water- and archipelago birds, through which we can follow yet more species with systematic counts during the breeding period.The long-term trends show both winners and losers among the Swedish birds. The species with the strongest declines during the breeding season are Eurasian Wigeon, Common Pochard, Common Eider, Common Shelduck, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Ruff, European Herring Gull, Common Swift, Common House and Sand Martin, Hooded Crow, Marsh and Willow Tit, Common Reed Warbler, Common Starling, Yellowhammer and Ortolan Bunting. The strongest increases are found in Great Cormorant, Gadwall, Grey-lag Goose, Whooper Swan, Red Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Crane, Eurasian Blue Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, southern Common Chiffchaff and European Goldfinch.Based on 187 taxa recorded on the Fixed routes over the last 10 years, there are more species significantly increasing in numbers (29%), than decreasing in numbers (15%). For the remaining species (56%), no statistically significant changes were recorded during the last ten years. Eurasian Skylark and Common Linnet has increased strongly in the last decade following long-term declines.After a long period of relative stability, Barn Swallow has decreased markedly in numbers in recent years.Based on the winter point counts, also here there are more positive than negative trends for the last ten years. In total 27% of 114 species have increased significantly, while 19% have decreased. For waterbirds specifically and based on the IWC counts in January, the majority of the surveyed species (70%) have increased in winter during the last ten years and only 7% of the species have decreased significantly.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Hedenström, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Wind tunnel as a tool in bird migration research
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Avian Biology. - : Wiley. - 1600-048X .- 0908-8857. ; 48:1, s. 37-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Wind tunnels, in which birds fly against an artificially generated air flow, have since long been used to evaluate aerodynamic properties of steady bird flight. A new generation of wind tunnels has also allowed the many processes associated with migratory flights to be studied in captivity. We review how wind tunnel studies of aerodynamics and migratory performance together have helped advancing our understanding of bird migration. Current migration theory is based on the power-speed relationship of flight as well as flight range equations, both of which can be evaluated using birds flying in wind tunnels. In addition, and depending on wind tunnel properties, performance during gliding and climbing flight, and effects of air pressure, humidity and turbulence on bird flight has been measured. Long-distance migrant species have been flown repeatedly for up to 16 h non-stop, allowing detailed studies of the energy expenditure, fuel composition, protein turnover, water balance, immunocompetence and stress associated with sustained migratory flights. In addition, wind tunnels allow the fuelling periods between migratory flights to be studied from new angles. We end our review by suggesting several important topics for future wind tunnel studies, ranging from on of the key questions remaining, the efficiency at which chemical power in converted to mechanical power, to new useful avenues, such as improving and calibrating the techniques used for tracking of individual birds in the wild.
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| 7. |
- Lehikoinen, Aleksi, et al.
(författare)
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Wintering bird communities are tracking climate change faster than breeding communities
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Animal Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0021-8790 .- 1365-2656. ; 90:5, s. 1085-1095
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Global climate change is driving species' distributions towards the poles and mountain tops during both non-breeding and breeding seasons, leading to changes in the composition of natural communities. However, the degree of season differences in climate-driven community shifts has not been thoroughly investigated at large spatial scales. We compared the rates of change in the community composition during both winter (non-breeding season) and summer (breeding) and their relation to temperature changes. Based on continental-scale data from Europe and North America, we examined changes in bird community composition using the community temperature index (CTI) approach and compared the changes with observed regional temperature changes during 1980–2016. CTI increased faster in winter than in summer. This seasonal discrepancy is probably because individuals are less site-faithful in winter, and can more readily shift their wintering sites in response to weather in comparison to the breeding season. Regional long-term changes in community composition were positively associated with regional temperature changes during both seasons, but the pattern was only significant during summer due to high annual variability in winter communities. Annual changes in community composition were positively associated with the annual temperature changes during both seasons. Our results were broadly consistent across continents, suggesting some climate-driven restructuring in both European and North American avian communities. Because community composition has changed much faster during the winter than during the breeding season, it is important to increase our knowledge about climate-driven impacts during the less-studied non-breeding season.
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| 8. |
- Lindbladh, Matts, et al.
(författare)
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Avian diversity in Norway spruce production forests – How variation in structure and composition reveals pathways for improving habitat quality
- 2017
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Ingår i: Forest Ecology and Management. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1127 .- 1872-7042. ; 397, s. 48-56
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Forests used for timber production provide essential ecosystem services to society, as well as potential breeding habitat for bird communities. In southern Sweden, 90% of productive forest land is used for timber production and stands dominated by Norway spruce (Picea abies) constitute approximately 40% of the forested area. Due to their homogeneous structure, these spruce production forests are often regarded as depauperate. Despite this perception, knowledge about the biodiversity found in these stands is scarce. Here we synthesize the results of four separate bird surveys conducted within 35 spruce production stands of southern Sweden. The results are compared to recent population trends within the general study area. In total 49 bird species were recorded, with a strong difference in species composition between newly planted clear-cuts (forest age <15 years) and forests older than 15 years. The majority of species encountered in the older forest category were common forest birds, with a single red-listed species among the regularly occurring species. In contrast, three red-listed “farmland species” were frequently encountered in the newly planted forests, revealing the capacity of those birds preferring open and recently disturbed habitats to utilize clear-cuts. A higher diversity of tree sizes and the inclusion of even relatively small proportions (<15%) of broadleaved tree species had a positive effect on bird species richness. Several species encountered in spruce production forests are declining in numbers, but it is not clear whether these stands are acting as source or sink environments for their populations. However, our results indicate that relatively small adjustments to spruce forest management should improve the quality of this widespread habitat.
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| 9. |
- Lindström, Åke, et al.
(författare)
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Extreme altitude changes between night and day during marathon flights of great snipes
- 2021
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Ingår i: Current Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0960-9822 .- 1879-0445. ; 31:15, s. 3433-3439
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Summary Several factors affect the flight altitude of migratory birds, such as topography, ambient temperature, wind conditions, air humidity, predation avoidance, landmark orientation, and avoiding over-heating from direct sunlight.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Recent tracking of migratory birds over long distances has shown that migrants change flight altitude more commonly and dramatically than previously thought.4, 5, 6, 7, 8 The reasons behind these altitude changes are not well understood. In their seasonal migrations between Sweden and sub-Saharan Africa, great snipes Gallinago media make non-stop flights of 4,000–7,000 km, lasting 60–90 h.9,10 Activity and air pressure data from multisensor dataloggers showed that great snipes repeatedly changed altitudes around dawn and dusk, between average cruising heights about 2,000 m (above sea level) at night and around 4,000 m during daytime. Frequency and autocorrelation analyses corroborated a conspicuous diel cycle in flight altitude. Most birds regularly flew at 6,000 m and one bird reached 8,700 m, possibly the highest altitude ever recorded for an identified migrating bird. The diel altitude changes took place independently of climate zone, topography, and habitat overflown. Ambient temperature, wind condition, and humidity have no important diel variation at the high altitudes chosen by great snipes. Instead, improved view for orientation by landmarks, predator avoidance, and not least, seeking cold altitudes at day to counteract heating from direct sunlight are the most plausible explanations for the diel altitude cycle. Together with similar recent findings for a small songbird,6 the great snipes’ altitudinal performance sheds new light on the complexity and challenges of migratory flights.
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| 10. |
- Lindström, Åke, et al.
(författare)
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Large-scale monitoring of waders on their boreal and arctic breeding grounds in northern Europe
- 2015
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Ingår i: Ardea. - : Netherlands Ornithologists' Union. - 0373-2266. ; 103:1, s. 3-15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Large-scale and population-wide monitoring of waders on their boreal and arctic breeding grounds has hitherto been lacking, mainly because logistics are truly challenging in regions with few ornithologists, vast areas and few roads. In Norway, Sweden and Finland (here 'Fennoscandia') there are now national monitoring schemes in place, aimed at tracking all bird species, which allows trends to be estimated for northern wader populations. We present joint Fennoscandian population trends for 24 wader species, covering the period 2002-2013 (in some cases somewhat shorter time periods). The data stem from 1263 routes in Norway, Finland, and the northern two thirds of Sweden, all situated north of 58 degrees N. This area of one million km(2) largely coincides with the boreal and arctic parts of Fennoscandia. The trends found are rather evenly distributed between strong increases and strong declines. Trends do not differ between short-and long-distance migrants, nor do they vary in relation to breeding latitude. Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula, Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola, Green Sandpiper T. ochropus and Common Redshank T. totanus had significant positive trends, whereas Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago, Ruff Philomachus pugnax and Spotted Redshank Tringa erythropus were declining significantly in numbers. Trends could be calculated even for relatively uncommon breeding birds such as Temminck's Stint Calidris temminckii, Eurasian Dotterel Chara drius morinellus, Broad-billed Sandpiper Limicola falcinellus, Jack Snipe Lymno cryptes minimus and Red-necked Phalarope Phalaropus lobatus, although these trends build on few routes and individuals, and thus have low precision. The monitoring schemes in Norway and Finland are expected to increase in coverage in the coming years, with up to a total of 1555 northern routes being tracked when the schemes are fully developed. This should enable still more robust trend estimates for northern waders on their Fennoscandian breeding grounds to be calculated in the future.
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