Zones humides et agriculture / Wetlands and agriculture

Contrasting effects of agriculture and urbanisation on bird and reptile communities in a Mediterranean delta (Gediz Delta, Türkiye)

Wed, 4 Jun 2025 15:53:31

de Dilara Arslan, Elie Gaget, Kerim Cicek, Anthony Olivier, Thomas Galewski, Ömer Döndüren, Anis Guelmami, Lisa Ernoul, Arnaud Béchet
In BMC Ecology and Evolution, 25(1) (June, 2025), 58
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Wetlands have been some of the most destroyed ecosystems over the last century, with important land-use changes resulting from agricultural, industrial, and urban development. Gediz Delta is a large wetland on the Aegean coast of Western Türkiye with natural areas affected by conversion to agriculture and urban developments from the Izmir metropolis. We assessed the effects of landscape type (natural, agricultural, and urban) on the composition of breeding bird (90 species) and reptile (14 species) communities in the Gediz Delta between 2019 and 2021. We used generalized linear models to estimate the effect of landscape types on community indexes and joint species distribution models to assess how species-specific habitat preferences explained their responses to landscape type.

Groundwater abstraction has caused extensive ecological damage to the Doñana World Heritage Site, Spain

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 15:53:53

de Andy J. Green, Carolina Guardiola-Albert, Miguel Ángel Bravo-Utrera, Javier Bustamante, Antonio Camacho, Carlos Camacho, Eva Contreras-Arribas, José L. Espinar, Teresa Gil-Gil, Ivan Gomez-Mestre, et al.
In Wetlands, 44(2) (January, 2024), 20
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Acreman et al. (Wetlands 42:63, 2022) reviewed evidence for ecological damage to the Doñana wetlands (UNESCO World Heritage Site [WHS] and Ramsar site), Spain, associated with intensification of groundwater use, particularly for agriculture. Acreman et al. presented a multistep methodology for evidence-based risk assessment that involves identification of conservation issues, and a systematic review of scientific evidence for ecological damage and its causes. However, they involved few local scientists, used a questionable methodology in stakeholder selection and involvement, used a flawed conceptual framework, and an incomplete literature review. We propose improvements to their methodology. They overlooked or misinterpreted key evidence, and underestimated the impacts that abstraction for irrigation for red fruits (mainly strawberries), rice and other crops has had on Doñana and its biodiversity. They reported groundwater level depletion of up to 10 m in the deep aquifer, but wrongly concluded that there is no evidence for impacts on the natural marsh ecosystem, the dune ponds or the ecotone. Groundwater drawdowns are actually up to 20 m, and have inverted the formerly ascending vertical hydraulic gradient in discharge areas. Phreatic levels have been lowered from 0.5 to 2 m in some areas. Groundwater abstraction has caused multiple ecological impacts to temporary ponds and marshes in the WHS, as well as to terrestrial vegetation, and should be urgently reduced. Furthermore, Acreman et al. focused on groundwater quantity while overlooking the importance of severe impacts on quality of both surface and groundwater, intimately connected to the use of agrochemicals for irrigated crops.

Field margins as substitute habitat for the conservation of birds in agricultural wetlands

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:21:50

de Pierre Mallet, Arnaud Béchet, Clelia Sirami, François Mesléard, Thomas Blanchon, Francois Calatayud, Thomas Dagonet, Elie Gaget, Carole Leray, Thomas Galewski
In Peer Community Journal, 3 (August, 2023)
En ligne : peercommunityjournal.org[...]

Breeding birds in agricultural landscapes have declined considerably since the 1950s and the beginning of agricultural intensification in Europe. Given the increasing pressure on agricultural land, it is necessary to identify conservation measures that consume little productive land. We tested the compensation hypothesis which states that field margins may represent substitute habitats for bird species in agricultural wetlands. We monitored bird species in 86 crop fields in rice paddy landscapes of Camargue (southern France), a wetland of international importance for birds. We investigated whether the area of three types of field margins (reed strips, grass strips and hedgerows) within a 500 meter buffer around the centroid of each crop fields had an effect on the abundance of bird species from three groups defined based on their primary habitat (reedbeds, grasslands, and forest edge species). We controlled for the area of each type of semi-natural habitat (wetlands, grasslands, and woodlands), crop diversity (rice, wheat, alfalfa, rape, and market gardening) and mean crop field size. Results show partial support of the compensation hypothesis with species-dependent responses to primary and substitute habitat area. Some species within the reedbed and grassland bird guilds are favored by the area of their primary habitat as well as by the area of field margins, in line with the compensation hypothesis. Eurasian reed warbler is favored by the area of both wetlands and reed strips. Corn bunting is favored by grassland and grass strip areas. We could not confirm the compensation hypothesis for other species. However, this may be due to the fact that most of these species did not respond to their primary habitat. These results therefore suggest that field margins may represent substitute habitats for some species but further studies, in contexts where species are strongly associated with their primary habitat, would be needed to confirm the generality of this hypothesis. Our results also suggest that species response to increasing the area of a field margin type may vary among guilds and even within guilds. Therefore, it may be difficult to favor all species within a given landscape and management actions may need to be tailored to whichever species are locally associated with the highest conservation priority. To tackle this challenge, it may be necessary to design landscape management actions at different spatial scales.

Ecosystem services, vulnerability and threat levels of Ramsar wetlands in the complex of Aurès Sbkhates, North-Eastern Algeria

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:21:51

de Saida Bougoffa, Imene Benzina, Salah Telailia, Abdelkrim Si Bachir
In Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, 11(2) (June, 2023), 16-28
En ligne : www.sciendo.com[...]

A socio-economic study were carried out in the wetlands complex of Aurès Sebkhates, in North Eastern Algeria. This study aimed to identify the ecosystem services obtained by local stakeholders, describe the anthropogenic impacts and evaluate the vulnerability and threat levels of three Ramsar wetlands: Garaet Timerganine (freshwater), Garaet Annk Djemel & El Merhsel (brackish water) and Sebkhet Ezzmoul (salt water). A socio-economic survey was conducted of 70 randomly selected households (social group) and 24 people belonging to the local administration (focus group). Vulnerability and threat levels were analyzed. Provisioning and monetary value are the most relevant ecosystem services (water pumping, grazing, agriculture, area for recreation, plant and egg collection, salt mining). Indirect ecosystem services rendered by the studied wetlands (water treatment/flood control) are only known by the focus group. 95% of the surveyed locals believed that the studied wetlands have experienced significant degradation in recent years mainly by human activity. Our results revealed significant threats due to salt mining and the excessive water pumping practiced within the three sites. Natural stressors such as drying out, erosion and siltation also contribute to the disturbance of these wetlands.

Meadow-breeding waders in France: Population sizes, distribution and conservation challenges

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 16:13:38

de Emmanuel Joyeux, Sylvain Haie, Kevin Le Rest, Gwenael Quaintenne, Charlotte Francesiaz
In Wader Study, 129(3) (January, 2023)
En ligne : www.waderstudygroup.org[...]

In this study, we aimed to gather knowledge of the distributions, population sizes and trends of the six species of waders breeding in meadows in France: Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, Common Redshank Tringa totanus, Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata, Ruff Philomachus pugnax and Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago. France also hosts a population of Eurasian Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus but it mainly breeds on rocky coasts and we chose not to include this wader species as a grassland species. The populations of Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew and Common Snipe are decreasing and the Ruff hardly nests anymore in France. The intensification of agriculture is thought to be the main reason for these widespread declines, especially the associated earlier mowing, high densities of grazing livestock and the change of meadows into grassland monocultures. That said, certain small localized populations of Common Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit are increasing slightly. These two species rely on wet meadows that are maintained through local policy decisions. Agri-environmental schemes have not yet been efficient in increasing wader populations in France. More ambitious agri-environmental schemes on large areas are needed with monetary compensation encouraging farmers to postpone mowing and include wetlands or natural meadows. More regular and standardized monitoring of shorebird populations is also needed to compare and detect potential changes in numbers. A new national survey (LIMAT) has recently been implemented and will run over two years in France (2021–2022) to estimate the population size of waders and duck species in France. It has the ambition to be conducted every six years to detect population trends over time and aid conservation efforts.

High-resolution mapping of losses and gains of Earth’s tidal wetlands

Fri, 20 May 2022 18:18:50

de Nicholas J. Murray, Thomas A. Worthington, Pete Bunting, Stephanie Duce, Valerie Hagger, Catherine E. Lovelock, Richard Lucas, Megan I. Saunders, Marcus Sheaves, Mark Spalding, et al.
In Science, 376(6594) (May, 2022), 744-749
En ligne : www.science.org[...]

Tidal wetlands are expected to respond dynamically to global environmental change, but the extent to which wetland losses have been offset by gains remains poorly understood. We developed a global analysis of satellite data to simultaneously monitor change in three highly interconnected intertidal ecosystem types—tidal flats, tidal marshes, and mangroves—from 1999 to 2019. Globally, 13,700 square kilometers of tidal wetlands have been lost, but these have been substantially offset by gains of 9700 km2, leading to a net change of −4000 km2 over two decades. The authors found that 27% of these losses and gains were associated with direct human activities such as conversion to agriculture and restoration of lost wetlands. All other changes were attributed to indirect drivers, including the effects of coastal processes and climate change.

Rôle des infrastructures et des pratiques agroécologiques pour la conservation de la biodiversité dans les systèmes de grandes cultures en Camargue (2022)

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 11:21:06

de Pierre Mallet
Avignon : Université d'Avignon, 2022, 227

L’intensification de l’agriculture est une menace majeure pour la biodiversité. L’homogénéisation des paysages et les changements de pratiques réduisent la quantité et la qualité des habitats disponibles. Dans ce contexte, l’écologie des paysages peut être utilisée dans le but de proposer des modes de gestion agroécologique favorables à la biodiversité.
Dans cette thèse j’ai étudié les effets des interactions entre les bordures de parcelles et les pratiques agricoles ainsi qu’entre les bordures de parcelles et les milieux semi-naturels. J’ai pris pour modèle d’étude les paysages rizicoles du delta du Rhône en Camargue. Les paysages camarguais se caractérisent par de grands espaces de zones humides protégés en réserve, des zones de pâturage extensif et de marais à vocation cynégétique et des parcelles de grande culture. Selon leur localisation, ces cultures sont entourées de milieux semi-naturels ou dans des paysages d’openfields. En tant que zone humide majeure du bassin méditerranéen, il existe dans le delta du Rhône des enjeux de conservation de la biodiversité très importants. La Camargue est donc une zone d’étude intéressante pour travailler sur des modes de gestion agroécologique qui permettent de concilier la production alimentaire et la conservation de la biodiversité.
En étudiant l’effet de l’hétérogénéité du paysage le long d’un gradient d’intensité d’utilisation de produits phytopharmaceutiques, je montre que la présence de milieux semi-naturels surfaciques et de bordures de parcelles a un effet positif plus important pour la biodiversité dans les paysages agricoles intensifs. Ces milieux sont utilisés comme des zones refuges par différentes espèces. J’ai ensuite étudié l’effet des surfaces de bordures de parcelles le long d’un gradient de surface de milieux semi-naturels dans des paysages en agriculture biologique. J’ai ainsi mis en évidence le rôle d’habitat de substitution que peuvent avoir les bordures de parcelles pour les oiseaux nicheurs ainsi que leur utilisation comme habitat complémentaire pour les oiseaux hivernants. Cependant, la diversité des niches des espèces rencontrées dans les milieux agricoles camarguais induit des réponses contrastées aux variations de la quantité des différents types d’infrastructures agroécologiques. Afin de prendre en compte ces variations, j’ai modélisé l’effet de la plantation de haies dans le but d’optimiser la conservation de la biodiversité et la fourniture de services écosystémiques.
En conclusion, l’intensification agricole est une menace majeure pour la biodiversité, mais l’adoption de pratiques agroécologiques peut permettre de réduire ces impacts et même offrir des milieux favorables aux espèces. La prise en compte des milieux agricoles dans les programmes de conservation de la biodiversité en Europe est donc nécessaire.

A comparative study of biodiversity between natural, urban and agriculture environments in the Gediz Delta, Turkey (2022)

Mon, 30 May 2022 16:18:28

de Dilara Arslan
[S.l.] : Avignon Université, 2022, 162

Economic growth, demographic pressures, and lack of enforcement of environmental laws and protections have caused important levels of land-use changes and habitat destruction, threatening wetlands and their biodiversity around the world. Land-use changes have been the most important driving force on species composition changes in the last century. Mediterranean wetlands have been transformed by human activities over last the century and one-third of their surface area has been lost in the last decades. Understanding and quantifying the community-level responses to the land-use cover changes is essential for creating sustainable conservation management to protect species and ecosystems. The Gediz Delta is located in the Mediterranean basin of Turkey and offers the opportunity to understand better how agriculture and urbanization affect biodiversity with a good potential for generalization in other wetlands in the Mediterranean basin. This study's main objective is to better understand how land cover affects bird and reptile community assembly processes and which habitats in the Gediz Delta need special conservation attention. The study is divided into 3 components: First, we (a) evaluated the avian biodiversity changes in Gediz Delta from the 1980s-2019, and (b) compared bird and reptile communities in natural, agricultural, and urban environments. Finally, we (c) made a threat analysis and identified possible conservation actions for future management to reduce the effects of threats and improve the sustainable management of the delta.

East Atlantic Flyway Assessment 2020 (2022)

Tue, 10 May 2022 15:23:54

de Marc van Roomen, Geoffroy Citegetse, Olivia Crowe, Tim Dodman, Ward Hagemeijer, Kristine Meise, Hans Schekkerman
Wilhelmshaven (Germany) : Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative p/a CWSS, 2022, 258
En ligne : www.waddensea-worldheritage.org[...]

The East Atlantic Flyway stretches from Northeast Canada to North Siberia in Russia, southward along the coastlines of the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Eastern Atlantic Ocean all the way to South Africa. Many waterbird populations use this flyway during their breeding and non-breeding sea- sons. The Wadden Sea Flyway Initiative started an integrated monitoring programme together with Wetlands International and BirdLife International. Thanks to this programme we can document flyway trends for more than 80 waterbird populations of 66 species, based on bird counts at thousands of sites. Environmental data, including the presence of pressures and also the extent of conservation measures taken, have been collated from 115 important coastal sites in both Africa and Europe. Besides results from the ongoing general monitoring, this report brings together specific accounts about regions and sites (Russian Arctic, Wadden Sea, North Africa, Banc d’ Arguin, Bijagos archipelago, urban wetlands in Dakar and Lagos and coastal wetlands in Angola) and thematic chapters on the importance of monitoring vital rates of waterbirds and the differences in flyway trends based on non-breeding January data or breeding bird data.
Generally, the status of flyway populations using the coastal EAF appears relatively favourable, but with notable exceptions. In the long term, almost twice as many populations show an increasing or stable trend than a declining one. However in particular, arctic-breeding waders migrating over long distances show on average more negative trends than other taxonomic and functional groups. At the sites within the EAF used by waterbirds many anthropogenic pressures occur. The extent to which these pressures directly influence the conservation status of individual populations along the flyway, cannot be assessed from the current data, but fishing, agriculture, disturbance from humans, waste pollution and urbanisation have all large influences. Also, the flyway is already under significant impact from climatic change, and this is bound to intensify in the coming decades

Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 16:21:19

de Dilara Arslan, Kerim Cicek, Ömer Döndüren, Lisa Ernoul
In Land, 10(12) (December, 2021), 16
En ligne : www.mdpi.com[...]

Mediterranean wetlands are among the most threatened natural areas. The needs and demands of an increasing human population are modifying land use and converting natural habitats into artificial areas. In order to combat these trends, effective conservation planning needs to provide clear, systematic identification of threats to find sustainable conservation strategies. In this case study, we evaluated current threats in the Gediz Delta (Turkey) using a multi-method approach. First, we did a comprehensive literature review and stakeholder interviews to identify existing threats. We then did a complete survey of the Delta through intensive fieldwork. The threats were coded and ranked using the conservation standards. We used the threat ranking and field survey to map the most vulnerable areas of the Delta. The most commonly observed threats in the field were pollution and agriculture and aquaculture activities. According to the threat ranking, the most important threats are climate change and residential and commercial development. The habitats that are most at risk are agricultural grassland habitats. The results indicate a need to extend conservation actions in the inner part of the Delta. In addition, the multi-method threat ranking approach could serve as a model to improve conservation planning in other sites worldwide.

Close to the Madding Crowd: Waterbird Responses to Land Use Conversion in and Around a Mediterranean Urban Wetland

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 15:10:50

de Abdallah Aouadi, Farrah Samraoui, Laïd Touati, Riad Nedjah, Lynda Souiki, Boudjema Samraoui
In Wetlands, 41(6) (June, 2021), 85
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Investigating how Mediterranean wetlands respond to adjacent land use conversion, is an important first step in mitigating the impact of human encroachment and other environmental stressors. We monitored the composition and structure of waterbird assemblages, in a Mediterranean urban marsh, subjected to severe anthropogenic pressures. Remote sensing indicated that in the last two decades Boussedra Pond was subjected to landfill, resulting in a substantial reduction (~ 50 %) of the marsh, while due to a lack of urban planning urban built-up and agriculture areas expanded considerably in its surroundings. This precipitous reduction of the size of this urban pond threatens the diversity of its resident waterbirds which include the globally Endangered (EN) White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala, the Near-Threatened (NT) Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca, and many other staging and wintering migratory species. The long-term study suggested that breeding waterbirds species responded differentially to the loss and degradation of the marsh, as highlighted by the apparent resilience of the synanthropic Moorhen Gallinula chloropus and the disappearance of several breeding marsh specialists, such as the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus and the Western Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus. The study also points out the need for both a coordinated cross-sectorial land use planning and an immediate, affordable and sustainable wetland conservation action.

Habitat selection of foraging male Great Snipes on floodplain meadows: importance of proximity to the lek, vegetation cover and bare ground

Fri, 9 Apr 2021 18:17:49

de Michał Korniluk, Paweł Białomyzy, Grzegorz Grygoruk, Łukasz Kozub, Marcin Sielezniew, Piotr Swietochowski, Tomasz Tumiel, Marcin Wereszczuk, Przemysław Chylarecki
In Ibis, 163(2) (2021), 486-506
En ligne : onlinelibrary.wiley.com[...]

Drainage of wetlands and agricultural intensification has resulted in serious biodiversity loss in Europe, not least in grasslands. Consequently, many meadow birds have drastically declined, and the habitats they select for breeding currently rely on land management. However, the selection of habitats maintained by agriculture may contribute to reduced fitness and thus remain maladaptive for individuals, which makes conservation challenging. An understanding of the relationships between species’ habitat selection, food supply and land management in the context of species’ behaviour is therefore crucial for conservation. Lowland populations of Great Snipe Gallinago media are currently declining at a moderate rate, causing a conservation concern. We examined the daytime site selection (assumed as foraging sites) and food supply of radiotracked Great Snipe males breeding on a floodplain in NE Poland. Foraging sites were classified at micro- and macro-scale levels using the logistic regression in a use–availability design. On the micro-scale level, males selected moderate sward height and density, and a large amount of bare ground patches, and the importance of these increased as the breeding season progressed. On the macro-scale level, these conditions were associated with (1) meadows mown twice per season and grazed thereafter (associated with the most abundant food resources – earthworms) and (2) extensively managed pastures, suggesting the importance of grazing. Abandoned or late-mown meadows under agri-environmental schemes (AES) were avoided by foraging males. However, parcels with delayed mowing offer safe breeding sites for females nesting close to leks, unlike land-use types preferred by foraging males, which may act as an ecological trap. Effective conservation of Great Snipes on floodplain meadows requires precisely targeted AES schemes that will provide a mosaic of intensive and extensive land-use patches in the vicinity of identified leks.

Les produits des milieux humides, 3e édition (2021)

Tue, 13 Sep 2022 16:14:14

de Pôle-relais lagunes méditerranéennes
[S.l.] : Pôles-relais zones humides, 2021, 39
En ligne : 85.31.222.100[...]

Les milieux humides sont des espaces très productifs. Ces écosystèmes jouent donc un rôle indispensable dans l’approvisionnement de nos sociétés en procurant une grande variété de produits : agricoles (pâturage, élevage, céréales, etc.), aquacoles (pêche, pisciculture, conchyliculture etc.) et matières premières (bois, tourbe, etc.).

The Conservation Status and Distribution of the Breeding Birds of Prey of North Africa (2021)

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 15:35:06

de J R Garrido, C Numa, V Barrios, A Qninba, A Riad, O Haitham, H B Hasnaoui, S Buirzayqah, A Onrubia, A Fellous-Djardini, et al.
Gland, Switzerland : IUCN, 2021, 124
En ligne : portals.iucn.org[...]

This report summarises the results of a review of the conservation status of the 36 species of birds of prey that are considered to breed in North Africa according to the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. It identifies those species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level to guide appropriate conservation actions for improving their status.
All birds of prey having current or historic breeding populations in North African countries (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt).
There are 46 species of birds of prey within the assessment region. Of these, 10 species were excluded from this study as their distribution in the region is marginal, wintering or passage. The conservation status of the remaining 36 species was assessed and analysed. There are no species endemic to North Africa, though there are two (5.5%) possibly near-endemic species (defined as having ≥70% of their global range in the region): the Pharaoh eagle-owl Bubo ascalaphus and the sooty falcon Falco concolor. All species are typically from the Palearctic, but there are five breeding species (13.9%) with an Afrotropical origin, all of which very rare.
Overall, 12 of the 36 breeding raptors evaluated are threatened in North Africa. Four species are classified as Near Threatened (NT), three species are assessed as Regionally Extinct (dark chanting-goshawk Melierax metabates, cinereous vulture Aegypius monachus and Spanish imperial eagle Aquila adalberti) and 17 species as Least Concern. The current main threats to North African birds of prey are illegal killing, illegal trade, poisoning, and death because of human infrastructure such as power lines, which are reducing breeding populations. Another important threat is the use of pesticides and rodenticides in agriculture, which can have a negative impact on breeding success, reduce prey density and lead to secondary poisoning by consumption of contaminated corpses. In addition, loss of forest habitats, agroecosystems and wetlands due to the growth and spread of the human population is another major threat to raptors in the North African region, in one way or another potentially affecting most or possibly almost all of the species present there. There is a significant lack of information on distribution, population size and trends, as well as threats, with 42 % of species with unknown population trends. There is an urgent need for collaborative research and monitoring, especially on the size and distribution of breeding populations and the specific impact of threats on them.
This assessment can be considered a baseline for developing conservation actions and monitoring breeding and dispersing populations in order to understand their conservation status and to determine, protect and manage potential breeding sites and key dispersal areas.

Living Mediterranean Report – Monitoring species trends to secure one of the major biodiversity hotspots (2021)

Tue, 8 Jun 2021 10:32:38

de Thomas Galewski, Lorena Segura, Juliette Biquet, Eleanora Saccon, Nolan Boutry-Thivin
Arles (FRA) : Tour du Valat, 2021, 20
En ligne : tourduvalat.org[...]

The Living Mediterranean Report sheds light on the fate of one of the other major features of the Mediterranean basin: its extraordinary biodiversity, which has earned it recognition as the world’s second largest biodiversity hotspot. We conducted in-depth research to gather abundance records of more than 80,000 animal populations, belonging to 775 vertebrate species (birds, fishes, mammals, reptiles and amphibians), i.e. 26% of all species in these taxonomic groups present in the Mediterranean hotspot. This is probably the best-documented database on animal population trends available for the Mediterranean, with a volume of data comparable to that used to produce the Global Living Planet Index (Living Planet Report) 3. This impressive amount of data makes it possible to calculate an average abundance change index, representative of the region’s biodiversity, and to monitor its trend since 1993 which corresponds to the year following the Earth Summit in Rio where most nations made major commitments to biodiversity conservation. Sadly, nearly 30 years later the results have failed to meet expectations. The index shows a 20% average drop in vertebrate population abundance monitored in the region between 1993 and 2016. The declines recorded are even more dramatic for species living in marine (-52%) and freshwater (-28%) ecosystems, i.e. at sea, both offshore and on our coasts, and in our wetlands and rivers. Based on the incredible amount of information provided by naturalist experts through the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems, we can point to unsustainable practices threatening the survival of many species in these environments: overfishing (including by-catch), proliferation of dams on rivers, over-abstraction of water resources, pollution and loss of natural wetlands induced by intensive agriculture and aquaculture practices. Despite these worrying declines, there is some encouraging news from terrestrial ecosystems (forests, shrublands, grasslands, rocky areas and farmlands) where an increase in its index was observed. However, this positive trend must be interpreted with great caution as less data was collected for this ecosystem when compared to the other two biomes and some regions had less available data, notably in the South and East. There are definite increases, such as in several large mammal or forest bird populations, partly due to decades of conservation actions to strengthen their populations or protect their habitats. But the IUCN Red List also reveals that species in terrestrial ecosystems are more threatened than average, with one in four species at risk of extinction. The intensification of agricultural practices, which is leading to the loss of the biodiversity rich traditional Mediterranean agro-pastoral environments, is one of the main threats. No matter their ecosystem, most species are experiencing the effects of climate change head-on with an increase in the magnitude of these effects expected in the coming decades. A significant proportion of the species in the Mediterranean basin are endemic and have restricted ranges, meaning that they are particularly vulnerable to the degradation of environmental conditions. The climate emergency and the biodiversity crisis must therefore be considered simultaneously when looking for solutions. Despite a general downward trend in biodiversity in the Mediterranean basin, several measures and initiatives have saved numerous species from extinction and even made them flourish again. To move from small-scale increases to widespread biodiversity recovery, governments must ensure environmentally responsible governance, sustainable socio-economic models, and regulate the sustainable use of resources. Promoting nature- based solutions is crucial to mitigating the serious effects of climate change in the region.

Bioaccumulation of trace elements affects chick body condition and gut microbiome in greater flamingos

Mon, 7 Dec 2020 17:17:21

de Mark A.F. Gillingham, Fabrizio Borghesi, B. Karina Montero, Francesca Migani, Arnaud Béchet, Manuel Rendón-Martos, Juan A. Amat, Enrico Dinelli, Simone Sommer
In Science of The Total Environment, Online (11/2020), 143250
En ligne : linkinghub.elsevier.com[...]

Elevated concentrations of trace elements represent a major concern to wetland ecosystems, since river estuaries are geochemical endpoints that accumulate pollution. Although the negative impact of environmental exposure of highly toxic elements such as Pb and Hg has received substantial attention, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of the effects that these and other common trace elements have on natural populations. We used greater flamingos as a study system within three sites that represent a gradient of pollution. Controlling for environmental sediment exposure, we assessed if signatures of bioaccumulation in feathers for ten trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn and Zn) are associated with two known proxies of health: body condition and the gut bacterial microbiome. We found evidence of an adverse effect of Se, Hg, and Pb bioaccumulation on body condition. Furthermore, bioaccumulation of the elements As, Cu, Se, Pb and Zn influenced different aspects of the gut microbiome. Bioaccumulation of Se led to a shift in the microbiome composition, largely driven by an enrichment of Bacteroides plebeius, which is linked to the breakdown of sulphated polysaccharides of algae. Bacteroides plebeius was negatively associated with chick body condition, suggesting an adverse effect of a microalgae diet rich in Se. Pb bioaccumulation was linked with a decrease in microbial diversity (adjusted-R2 = 10.4%) and an increase in heterogeneity of the microbial community (adjusted-R2 = 10.5%), an indication of impaired gut homeostasis. As, Cu and Zn had more nuanced effects on gut microbiome heterogeneity according to breeding site and bioaccumulation concentration. Our results therefore suggest that in addition to well-studied elements, bioaccumulation of poorly studied elements also adversely affect health of natural populations.

Interdiction du plomb de chasse, une difficile mise en oeuvre

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 10:30:17

de Jean-Yves Mondain-Monval, Anthony Olivier, Olivier Cardoso
In Espaces naturels, 71 (Juillet-Septembre 2020), 36-37

Evolution of wetlands in Mediterranean region (2020)

Tue, 9 Jun 2020 15:19:11

de Christian Perennou, Elie Gaget, Thomas Galewski, Ilse Geijzendorffer, Anis Guelmami
[S.l.] : Elsevier, 2020, 297-320
En ligne : linkinghub.elsevier.com[...]

This chapter reviews the current state of knowledge of Mediterranean wetlands in the sense of the Ramsar Convention and their recent trends, largely based on the results produced by the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory. It shows an overall picture of continued loss and degradation of Mediterranean wetlands, in terms of numbers, diversity, surface area, abundance of wetland-dependent species, etc. Among the key factors explaining this situation are urbanization, the development of agriculture, dam construction, and increasing water consumption. The capacity of Mediterranean wetlands to provide ecosystem services has therefore declined. However, the countries continue to commit to the protection of wetlands and the number of sites designated under the Ramsar Convention continues to increase—although implementation of their management plans remains an issue.

Assessment and mapping of the Great Prespa Lake wetland habitat types in Albania - Final report (2020)

Mon, 25 May 2020 12:00:43

de G. Fotiadis, F.-N Sakellarakis, E. Mahmutaj, I. Shyti, S. Cano, R. Dobblesteijn
[S.l.] : Agriculture University of Athens, 2020, 40
En ligne : ppnea.org[...]

During the period from late spring until autumn 2019PPNEA conducted the first detailed study of wetlands habitats in Prespa. The six months study aimed to distinguish, evaluate and map the priority habitat types according to Natura 2000, that are directly affected by the water level of the Great and Lesser Prespa Lakes.
From May to September 2019, using phytosociological samples (relevés) methodology and the Braun-Blanquet method, around 62 relevés were carried out in the littoral and open water areas of the Great and Lesser Prespa Lakes. From the analysis it resulted that 24 different vegetation units are identified in the area of the Great and Lesser Prespa Lakes, of which there were found 11 associations and 13 communities (excluding agricultural, rural, ruderal and sparsely, or non-vegetated habitats).All the habitat types found in the sampling plots were classified according to the available codes derived from the Interpretation Manual of European Union Habitats. In total, five habitat types in Annex I of the Habitats Directive were detected in the study area. From which the habitat type 91E0 * Alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior (Alno-Padion, Alnion incanae, Salicion albae) is a priority habitat. This diversity of habitat types makes Prespa National Park an important area for conservation, not just in Albania but as well in a European level.
The habitat mapping study was built upon the results and experience gained in mapping the wetland habitats in the North Macedonian part of Prespa, which was conducted by the same team from Greece together with Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) and Society for Protection of Prespa (SPP), during 2018. The results from the wetland habitat mapping conducted in North Macedonia and Albania were used to create a transboundary map with priority habitat types according to Natura 2000, found in Prespa Lakes. The map is available for download here link at PPNEAs website.

Wetlands of International Importance: Status, Threats, and Future Protection

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 10:42:03

de Ting Xu, Baisha Weng, Denghua Yan, Kun Wang, Xiangnan Li, Wuxia Bi, Meng Li, Xiangjun Cheng, Yinxue Liu
In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(10) (2019)
En ligne : www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov[...]

The 2303 Wetlands of International Importance distribute unevenly in different continents. Europe owns the largest number of sites, while Africa has the largest area of sites. More than half of the sites are affected by three or four impact factors (55%). The most significant impact factors are pollution (54%), biological resources use (53%), natural system modification (53%), and agriculture and aquaculture (42%). The main affected objects are land area and environment of the wetlands, occurred in 75% and 69% of the sites, respectively. The types most affected by land area occupation are river wetlands and lake wetlands, the types with the greatest impact on environment are marine/coastal wetlands and river wetlands, the type with the greatest impact on biodiversity is river wetlands, the types most affected by water resources regulation are marsh wetlands and river wetlands, and the types most affected by climate change are lake wetlands and marine/coastal wetlands. About one-third of the wetland sites have been artificially reconstructed. However, it is found that the proportions of natural wetland sites not affected or affected by only one factor are generally higher than that of wetland sites both containing natural wetlands and human-made wetlands, while the proportions of wetland sites both containing natural wetlands and human-made wetlands affected by three or four factors are generally higher than that of natural wetland sites. Wetland sites in the UK and Ireland are least affected among all countries. Wetland management plans in different regions still have large space for improvement, especially in Africa and Asia. The protection and restoration of global wetlands can be carried out in five aspects, including management and policy, monitoring, restoration, knowledge, and funding.

Conservation of the island wetlands of the Mediterranean Basin (MedIsWet) .The Island wetlands of Sardinia (Italy). A technical report on the project and its outcomes (December, 2019)

Thu, 18 Nov 2021 17:44:08

de Mauro Fois, Alba Cuena-Lombraña, Gianluigi Bacchetta
Cagliari, Italy : Centro conservazione biodiversita, December, 2019, 30 + annexes
En ligne : medwet.org[...]

In general, factors responsible for losses and degradation of wetlands areas in Sardinia (and also worldwide) include disconnecting floodplain wetlands from flood flows, eutrophication, pollution, overgrazing, harvesting plants and animals, global warming, invasions of exotics, and the practices of filling, dying and draining, and habitat fragmentation due to the construction of road and harbour facilities. Eutrophication is widespread, which, together with effects of invasive species, reduces biotic complexity. The effects of urbanization will be detailed below in this section. For their multiple ecosystem services, the need for wetland conservation is widely recognized (i.e. the Ramsar Convention, Ramsar 2013) but has long been challenged by national development policies and short-term economic/politics priorities. Thus, drainage and conversion to an extensive agriculture are presently turning wetlands into deep anthropogenic landscapes and doing habitats change at too accelerating pace to have the chance of resilience. Generalizations and trends gleaned from this project should be considered as a starting point for developing world-scale data sets.

Impact du développement agricole sur les zones humides Maroc : Etude de cas dans le Haut Sebou (2019)

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 10:29:32

de Hajar Guejjoud
[S.l.] : Institut Agronomique Méditerranéen Montpellier, 2019, 77

L’agriculture constitue une des pressions affectant le plus les zones humides dans le bassin méditerranéen. Parallèlement, elle est considérée comme un des secteurs clé dans nombreux pays de cette région. Ceci est particulièrement vrai pour le Maroc qui s’est engagé, depuis une cinquantaine d’année, dans une politique agricole ambitieuse (ex. avec le Plan Maroc Vert), visant à promouvoir une agriculture intensive et productiviste. Ainsi, cette dernière contribue fortement au développement socio-économique du pays, mais souvent au détriment des nombreuses richesses naturelles dont il recèle. Par conséquent, ces pressions, notamment sur l’eau, ont engendré des effets néfastes sur les habitats naturels, y compris les milieux humides. Le présent travail a pour objectif d’évaluer l’impact du développement agricole sur l’état de ces habitats humides, à travers un cas d’étude local : la partie amont du bassin versant de l’oued Sebou. Ceci à l’aide d’une approche spatialisée (avec des données géoréférencées), permettant par exemple de suivre l’évolution des superficies en eau libre et de l’occupation du sol au cours des trois dernières décennies (1988-2018), en lien avec les macro-indicateurs socio-économiques pouvant influer sur leurs tendances (ex. la démographie, les politiques agricoles locales…etc.). Les résultats obtenus ont montré que beaucoup d’habitats naturels, notamment ceux des zones humides, continuent à décliner du fait de leur conversion directe, principalement pour des usages agricoles. De plus, l’intensification des pratiques agricoles, par la transformation des cultures pluviales en cultures irriguées ou permanente, contribue fortement à la dégradation de ces habitats naturels, à travers l’augmentation du nombre et de la capacité des sites pour le stockage des eaux de surface. Tous ces changements ont eu pour effet l’assèchement de certaines zones humides naturelles et l’altération de leurs fonctions écologiques, avec un impact direct sur leur biodiversité ainsi que les services écosystémiques qu’ils rendent à la société.

Delayed Recruitment of First Natives (2019)

Thu, 3 Oct 2019 15:54:07

de Jocelyn Champagnon, Thomas Blanchon, Lina Lopez-Ricaurte, Michel Gauthier-Clerc, Stefano Volponi
Arles : IUCN-SSC Stork, Ibis and Spoonbill Specialist Group, 2019, 43-45 (Special Publication 2)
En ligne : storkibisspoonbill.org[...]

Strong pressure exists on wetlands as a consequence of urbanisation, agriculture, fish farming, industry, hunting, recreation, forestry or military activities. As a result, the birds breeding sites are regularly destroyed or abandoned. However, new colonies can potentially emerge to compensate lost ones. As such, we can identify four critical aspects essential for new colonies formation: 1) Natal or breeding dispersal (De le Court & Aguilera 1997, El Hamoui et al. this volume); 2) suitable new sites that provide protection from disturbance and feeding grounds (Marion, this issue); 3) colony growth and 4) stabilization. Here we focused on the Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Camargue colony located in Southern France that is growing exponentially (Blanchon et al. this volume) to document the process of colonization. Specifically, we quantified early-life demographic parameters and compared them with those from older new born colony from Italy.

Agro-ecological project of Petit Saint-Jean (2019)

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 10:40:25

de Lisa Ernoul, Brigitte Poulin, Marc Thibault
[S.l.] : IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, 2019, 46-47

Since 2012, the Tour du Valat has been leading an innovative agro-ecological project in Petite Camargue, on the land of Petit Saint-Jean, which is located in the Gard Camargue, mid-way between Arles and Montpellier, and a few kilometres away from the historic city of Aigues-Mortes. The Petit Saint-Jean estate covers 100 hectares made up of three main components: pine forests (which have mostly disappeared from the rest of the territory) a mosaic of wetlands and sandy agricultural land. The Tour du Valat aims to put in place a showcase of land management practices that demonstrate the compatibility and advantages of integrating agricultural and nature conservation activities. The showcase also includes social and economic components to ensure the sustainability of the actions. The project is based on the principles of agro-ecology and permaculture; two complementary approaches founded on respect of the functioning of natural ecosystems, and in particular taking into account the rich and complex interactions that characterize them, in order to make agricultural production more respectful of the environment as well as more efficient in the long-term. At Petit Saint-Jean, chemical inputs are reduced to a minimum, while the use of renewable energies and materials are favoured (animal traction, solar pump, reuse of biomass, etc.) In the context of climate change, special attention is also given to water use for agricultural irrigation. The use of traditional and innovative water retention practices (mulching, drip, etc.) are being implemented as well as the selection of drought resistant varieties (southern France grape varieties for the vines, fruit trees adapted to Mediterranean climate, for example)

Minimum population size and distribution of Grey Crowned Cranes Balearica regulorum in Rwanda: an aerial and ground survey

Wed, 15 May 2019 16:55:01

de Olivier Nsengimana, Matthew Becker, Deo Ruhagazi, Jean Ferus Niyomwungeri
In Ostrich, 90(1) (January, 2019), 79-83
En ligne : doi.org[...]

The iconic Grey Crowned Crane Balearica regulorum is facing an increase in threats to its wetland habitat and poaching for the captive trade market. This has resulted in an enduring long-term decline in population numbers, which led to the species being listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. In Rwanda, Grey Crowned Cranes are threatened by human factors often driven by conditions of poverty, livelihood disadvantage and lack of conservation awareness. Previous population estimates suggested there were fewer than 500 Grey Crowned Cranes left in Rwanda. The Rwanda Wildlife Conservation Association and its partners have been working to eliminate the illegal trade and boost the population numbers in Rwanda. In August 2017, the first national census of Grey Crowned Cranes in Rwanda was carried out to serve as a baseline and to increase the accuracy of previous estimations. The survey was conducted over three days using both aerial and ground survey techniques. The results show that at least 487 Grey Crowned Cranes occur in Rwanda and include details on distribution and habitat type. Challenges for Grey Crowned Crane conservation at different sites are discussed, such as wetland transformation for agriculture, and illegal activities in protected marshlands. To ensure the long-term viability of this species, there is a need for upscaling of conservation efforts in key crane areas, continued monitoring of the crane population including trans-boundary collaboration, and strategies to promote the sustainable use of wetlands.

Proceedings of the IX Workshop of the AEWA Eurasian Spoonbill International Expert Group (2019)

Sat, 1 Jan 2005 00:00:00

de Jocelyn Champagnon, Thomas Blanchon, Lina Lopez-Ricaurte, Michel Gauthier-Clerc, Stefano Volponi
Arles : IUCN-SSC Stork, Ibis and Spoonbill Specialist Group, 2019

Strong pressure exists on wetlands as a consequence of urbanisation, agriculture, fish farming, industry, hunting, recreation, forestry or military activities. As a result, the birds breeding sites are regularly destroyed or abandoned. However, new colonies can potentially emerge to compensate lost ones. As such, we can identify four critical aspects essential for new colonies formation: 1) Natal or breeding dispersal (De le Court & Aguilera 1997, El Hamoui et al. this volume); 2) suitable new sites that provide protection from disturbance and feeding grounds (Marion, this issue); 3) colony growth and 4) stabilization. Here we focused on the Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia Camargue colony located in Southern France that is growing exponentially (Blanchon et al. this volume) to document the process of colonization. Specifically, we quantified early-life demographic parameters and compared them with those from older new born colony from Italy.
Keywords: Demography, Dispersal, Settlement, Immigration

Nesting ecology of the Hawaiian Duck Anas wyvilliana on northern Kaua'i, Hawai'i, USA

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 17:25:43

de Christopher P. Malachowski, Bruce D. Dugger, Kimberley J. Uyehara, Michelle H. Reynolds
In Wildfowl, 68 (2018), 123-139

The nesting ecology of the endangered Hawaiian Duck Anas wyvilliana was studied on Kaua'i, Hawai'i, USA between 2012 and 2014. Radio-telemetry and other nest-searching techniques (e.g. foot searches, chain drags) were used to locate and characterise nest sites, and to estimate dutch size and nest success. Nests were found in upland areas associated with a variety of land cover types, including forests, Taro Colocasia esculenta agriculture, managed wetlands, grasslands and scrub/shrub (n = 29). Topographic features associated with nest sites induded dikes, upland flats, dry wetland basins and mountain ridges. Distance between nests and water ranged from 0.1-100 m (mean +/- s.e. = 26.7 +/- 7.3 m; n= 22). Mean height of vegetation at the nests was 103 +/- 15 cm, and median overhead cover class was for 66-95% concealment (n = 21). Ground cover within 1 m of nests in forest and scrub/shrub habitat was dominated by Wedelia Sphagneticola trilobata, Uluhe Dicranopteris linearis, Barbas de Indio Andropogon bicornis and California Grass Urochloa mutica (n = 9). Dominant plant species around nests in Taro agriculture primarily included Wedefia, Shortleaf Spikesedge Kyllinga bretifolia and Nodeweed Synedrella nodiflora (n = 8); ground cover in grassland was dominated by Wedelia, California Grass and Guinea Grass Megarsus maxims (n = 3). Birds initiated 96% of nests during the eight-month period from October-May indusive, with 52% occurring during February through April (n = 23). No re-nests were confirmed; however, one radio-tagged female nested three times within a 14-month period, with nest attempts (two successful, one failed) six and eight months apart. Mean clutch size was 5.8 +/- 0.4 eggs (range = 4-9; n = 19), and dutch size was higher during the wet season (November-April; 6.1 + 0.4 eggs) than the dry season (May-October; 4.5 +/- 0.3 eggs). Nest success was 0.387 (95% CI = 0.150-0.623; n = 20). Causes of nest failure induded complete depredation (n = 1 ), flooding (n = 1), and abandonment due to partial depredation or unknown reasons (n = 6).

Global change effects on land management in the Mediterranean region

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 13:49:00

de Žiga Malek, Peter H Verburg, Ilse R. Geijzendorffer, Alberte Bondeau, Wolfgang Cramer
In Global Environmental Change, 50 (05/2018), 238-254
En ligne : linkinghub.elsevier.com[...]

The Mediterranean region faces signiﬁcant challenges to supply its growing population with food and living space. The region’s potential to do so in the future is even more uncertain in the light of global change eﬀects. Climate change will impact water availability in the region, which is already limited and often used at unsustainable rates. To investigate the eﬀects of global change and explore alternative development pathways of Mediterranean land use, we simulated two future scenarios with diﬀerent land, water and biodiversity management transitions. We adopted a land systems approach, where land use and land cover are combined with data on land management, irrigation and livestock density, taking into account the characteristics of Mediterranean multifunctional landscapes, speciﬁc agricultural products, such as permanent crops, and irrigation water demands. Future land system changes were explored using the CLUMondo model for diﬀerent development pathways of the region. We constrained the withdrawal of irrigation water based on existing freshwater resources. In a ‘growth’ scenario, we simulated a hypothetical future without consideration of environmental constraints and where food production and urban expansion are main priorities. The ‘sustainability’ scenario represents a future where limited water resources are extracted in a sustainable way and where areas of high biodiversity value are protected. The growth scenario projected signiﬁcant intensiﬁcation of land management, and loss of agro-silvo-pastoral mosaic systems. To achieve this, we calculate that the region would need to increase water withdrawal for irrigation signiﬁcantly, resulting in increased pressure on freshwater resources. The sustainability scenario presents a way of increasing food production and at the same time improving the state of water resources, wetlands and traditional landscapes. Achieving this future would require improvements of yields of rain-fed systems and eﬃciencies of irrigated systems. The results indicate that coordinated environmental policy together with appropriate market access are needed to steer the regions land management towards a more sustainable future while ensuring food production.

Lake Seyfe (Turkey) (2018)

Tue, 2 Mar 2021 17:43:38

de Serhan Cagirankaya, Burhan Teoman Meric, C. Max Finlayson, G. Randy Milton, R. Crawford Prentice, Nick C. Davidson
Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2018, 1185-1195
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Lake Seyfe is located in the tectonic depression of north-eastern Kırşehir Province and the centre of the Anatololian Region. Lake Seyfe is a Nature Conservation Site and Ramsar Site covering 10,700 ha. It is also recognized internationally as a Key Biodiversity Area, Important Bird Area, and Important Plant Area. The site supports rare bird species such as the great bustard Otis tarda, Eurasian crane Grus grus, ruddy shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, and large clusters of greater flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus. The site was designated as a Natural Site of First Degree in 1989. It was designated as a Nature Conservation Site in 1990 and part of the area listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 1994. The visitor center is located at Seyfe Village and is owned by the Directorate General of the Nature Conservation and National Parks. The Lake Seyfe Ramsar Site meets three of the nine criteria of the Ramsar Convention.There is no significant stream source at the site. Local people use the groundwater that feeds the lake for agriculture. Groundwater resources were sufficient until 2000, but have decreased substantially since 2002, and since 2007 the Ministry has forbidden any new uses of groundwater within the Seyfe basin. The water from the lake is brackish and contains sodium, so it cannot be used directly for agriculture, whereas the groundwater feeding into the lake is used for household needs as well as for irrigation.Management Structure Lake Seyfe comes under the competency of the Directorate General of Nature Conservation and National Parks of the Ministry of Forestry and Water Affairs and the Directorate of Forestry and Water Affairs of the Provincial Kırşehir for its designation as a Ramsar Site and its status as a Nature Conservation Site. The Ministry of Environment and Urbanization is also responsible for the site as it has a conservation status as a Natural Site. The area within the boundaries of the Ramsar Site is state property, while the area outside the boundaries of the Ramsar Site consists of state, village entities, and private property.

Nile River Basin (2018)

Tue, 2 Mar 2021 17:43:38

de Matthew McCartney, Lisa-Maria Rebelo, C. Max Finlayson, G. Randy Milton, R. Crawford Prentice, Nick C. Davidson
Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2018, 1243-1250
En ligne : doi.org[...]

The Nile, the World’s longest river, is well endowed with wetlands, including the Sudd, one of the World’s largest. The wetlands are not only biodiversity hotspots but also vital for the livelihoods and wellbeing of people. In total there are 14 Ramsar Sites in the basin and thousands of smaller, lesser-known wetlands. Many of these wetlands sustain rural communities through the provision of drinking water and by supporting fisheries, livestock and cultivation. There are a number of current threats to the basin wetlands, including inappropriate agricultural practices, overfishing, invasive species, and extraction of minerals and oil. Ambitious plans for hydropower and irrigation development, as well as rapid population increase and climate change, all pose future challenges to the sustainable management of the wetlands.

Ebro Delta (Spain) (2018)

Tue, 2 Mar 2021 17:43:34

de Carles Ibáñez, Nuno Caiola, C. Max Finlayson, G. Randy Milton, R. Crawford Prentice, Nick C. Davidson
Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2018, 1113-1121
En ligne : doi.org[...]

The Ebro Delta is located in the Western Mediterranean (Catalonia, NE Spain), and the delta plain has an area of 320 km2. Up to 80% of the delta area has been reclaimed (250 km2), mostly for rice agriculture (210 km2), and there is only 56 km2 of wetlands left. At the level of species the delta stands out for its ornithological and ichthyological fauna, as well as for its halophilous vegetation. A significant amount of these habitats and species are very scarce in the European and Mediterranean context. During the last century agriculture became the main human activity of the Delta and nowadays rice fields play a crucial role in its economy and its ecology. The ecological functioning of the Ebro Delta at present is largely dependent on and affected by human activities because of modification of the natural hydrological regime. There have been changes in the temporal and spatial patterns of water salinity, eutrophication, pesticide pollution, and changes in the spatial and temporal patterns of sediment transport and deposition in the deltaic plain. The reduction of sediment transport of the Ebro River is about 99% of that existing prior to the construction of reservoirs in the catchment basin. Under these conditions, the delta has stopped its growth and the coast is being strongly reshaped by waves, with rates of retreat as high as 10 m/year in the mouth area. Additionally, the sediment deficit and the relative sea level rise imply a loss of land elevation of the delta. The main future challenges in terms of conservation and sustainable management of wetlands in the Ebro Delta are: A better coordination and stronger involvement of the different administrations and stakeholders in order to plan long-term conservation goals integrating the whole delta. A strong program of wetland restoration in order to recover part of the coastal lagoons and marshes which were lost in the past. A plan for adaptation to climate change and sediment deficit, in order to reduce coastal retreat and keep pace with sea level rise by means of ecological engineering measures such as wetland restoration and enhancement of vertical accretion through the restoration of the sediment flux in the river. A comprehensive monitoring program measuring a set of indicators of ecological status of the main wetland habitats.

Tidal Freshwater Wetlands: The Fresh Dimension of the Estuary (2018)

Tue, 2 Mar 2021 17:43:34

de Aat Barendregt, C. Max Finlayson, G. Randy Milton, R. Crawford Prentice, Nick C. Davidson
Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2018, 155-168
En ligne : doi.org[...]

In the upper reaches of estuaries where rivers end, the constant input from the river creates permanent fresh water conditions even though tidal energy is still present. The physical, chemical and biological conditions differ from the brackish part of the tidal area due to the interaction of the tidal wave with the river ecosystem. Just like in the brackish estuary, tidal freshwater wetlands exhibit gradient variation from tidal flats to higher elevated forests. Chemical processes and accretion are prominent, creating wetlands with high turnover. Many tidal freshwater wetlands have been historically reclaimed for human use as cities, ports, and for agriculture. A diverse flora and fauna is represented and biomass in tidal freshwater wetlands is mostly very high. Because this system is at the interface of salt – fresh conditions, tidal freshwater wetlands are particularly susceptible to sea level rise and global warming.

Seasonal Movements and Multiscale Habitat Selection of Whooping Crane (Grus americana) in Natural and Agricultural Wetlands

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 10:32:18

de Bradley A. Pickens, Sammy L. King, Phillip L. Vasseur, Sara E. Zimorski, Will Selman
In Waterbirds, 40(4) (décembre 1, 2017), 322-333
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Abstract Eleven of 15 species of cranes (family: Gruidae) are considered vulnerable or endangered, and the increase of agriculture and aquaculture at the expense of natural wetlands and grasslands is a threat to Gruidae worldwide. A reintroduced population of Whooping Crane (Grus americana) was studied in coastal and agricultural wetlands of Louisiana and Texas, USA. The objectives were to compare Whooping Crane movements across seasons, quantify multiscale habitat selection, and identify seasonal shifts in selection. Whooping Cranes (n = 53) were tracked with satellite transmitters to estimate seasonal core-use areas (50% home range contours) via Brownian bridge movement models and assess habitat selection. Whooping Crane core-use areas (n = 283) ranged from 4.7 to 438.0 km2, and habitat selection changed seasonally as shallow water availability varied. Whooping Crane core-use areas were composed of more fresh marsh in spring/summer, but shifted towards rice and crawfish (Procambarus spp.) aquaculture in the fall/winter. Within core-use areas, aquaculture was most strongly selected, particularly in fall when fresh marsh became unsuitable. Overall, the shifting of Whooping Crane habitat selection over seasons is likely to require large, heterogeneous areas. Whooping Crane use of agricultural and natural wetlands may depend on spatio-temporal dynamics of water depth.

Mediterranean wetlands: archaeology, ecology, and sustainability

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 10:41:02

de Andrea L. Balbo, Julia Martinez-Fernández, Miguel-Angel Esteve-Selma
In Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water, 4(6) (November, 2017), e1238
En ligne : doi.org[...]

We propose a long-term view of the evolution of human?environment interactions within?Mediterranean wetlands, from prehistory to the present day, based on available published works. Our aim?is to consider the sustainable use?of these landscapes, past, present, and future, integrating perspectives from?archaeology, ecology, and?sustainable development. After briefly introducing the physiographic and ecological processes that characterize Mediterranean wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide to human populations, we consider their significance for three major questions in European archaeology: the Neanderthal extinction and the spread of modern humans, the introduction and spread of agriculture, human environmental impact since the Bronze and Iron ages. We then proceed with historical evidence of intentional transformation of Mediterranean wetlands by means of land reclamation, from the Classical to Medieval periods and into Modern times, before considering the current state of Mediterranean wetlands and the challenges they are facing in the present day. The preservation of wetlands has now become a priority issue at European level and generates concern for local communities and governing bodies, concerning biodiversity, maintenance of key services and?cultural?preservation. Based on the review of key events in the dynamic relationship?between human populations and Mediterranean wetlands, we?end by exploring available initiatives, tools and?strategies to assess and support their conservation, governance and sustainable development, present and future. WIREs Water 2017, 4:e1238. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1238 This article is categorized under: Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness Engineering Water > Planning Water Human Water > Water as Imagined and Represented

Linking watershed land uses and crustacean assemblages in Mediterranean wetlands

Fri, 8 Jun 2018 14:49:47

de Juan Diego Gilbert, Inmaculada de Vicente, Fernando Ortega, Enrique García-Muñoz, Raquel Jiménez-Melero, Gema Parra, Francisco Guerrero
In Hydrobiologia, 799(1) (2017/09/01), 181-191
En ligne : link.springer.com[...]

The watershed land uses in Mediterranean wetlands are essential to understand the functioning of aquatic communities. This study was designed to assess the relationship between watershed land uses, wetland characteristics and zooplankton assemblages (branchiopods and copepods) in 24 Mediterranean wetlands of the southern Iberian Peninsula, which greatly differ in both wetland land uses (olive groves, pasture, scrublands, and forest) and in their morphometric and limnological features. Firstly, results from a Principal Component Analysis allowed us to classify wetlands in two categories: impacted and non-impacted. Then, one-way Analysis of Variance was performed to test differences in zooplankton species richness and a Permutational Analysis of Variance was performed to test differences in zooplankton assemblages between categories. Lastly, a Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling analysis was chosen for the lake-by-species ordination. The results support the hypothesis that zooplankton richness and composition were negatively affected by watershed land uses, mainly agriculture practices. Moreover, species zooplankton assemblages were clearly linked to the two different wetlands categories. The present study puts forward the important role of zooplankton community for testing land use effects in Mediterranean wetlands.

Biodiversity impacts from water consumption on a global scale for use in life cycle assessment

Mon, 18 Sep 2017 16:58:22

de Francesca Verones, Stephan Pfister, Rosalie van Zelm, Stefanie Hellweg
In International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 22(8) (AUG 2017), 1247-1256

Purpose Agriculture is a major water user worldwide, potentially depriving many ecosystems of water. Comprehensive global impact assessment methodologies are therefore required to assess impacts from water consumption on biodiversity. Since scarcity of water, as well as species richness, varies greatly between different world regions, a spatially differentiated approach is needed. Therefore, our aim is to enhance a previously published methodology in terms of spatial and species coverage.Methods We developed characterization factors for lifecycle impact assessment (LCIA) targeting biodiversity loss of various animal taxa (i.e., birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians) in wetlands. Data was collected for more than 22,000 wetlands worldwide, distinguishing between surface water- and groundwater-fed wetlands. Additionally, we account for a loss of vascular plant species in terrestrial ecosystems, based on precipitation. The characterization factors are expressed as global fractions of potential species extinctions (PDF) per cubic meter of water consumed annually and are developed with a spatial resolution of 0.05 arc degrees. Based on the geographic range of species, as well as their current threat level, as indicated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), we developed a vulnerability indicator that is included in the characterization factor.Results and discussion Characterization factors have maximal values in the order of magnitude of 10(-11) PDF. year/m(3) for animal taxa combined and 10(-12) PDF.year/m(3) for vascular plants. The application of the developed factors for global cultivation of wheat, maize, cotton, and rice highlights that the amount of water consumption alone is not sufficient to indicate the places of largest impacts but that species richness and vulnerability of species are indeed important factors to consider. Largest impacts are calculated for vascular plants in Madagascar, for maize, and for animal taxa; in Australia and the USA for surface water consumption (cotton); and in Algeria and Tunisia for groundwater consumption (cotton).Conclusions We developed a spatially differentiated approach to account for impacts from water consumption on a global level. We demonstrated its functionality with an application to a global case study of four different crops.

Why geese benefit from the transition from natural vegetation to agriculture

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 09:46:03

de Anthony D. Fox, Kenneth F. Abraham
In AMBIO, 46(sup. 2) (2017/03/01), 188-197
En ligne : link.springer.com[...]

The energy and nutrient content of most agricultural crops are as good as or superior to natural foods for wild geese and they tend to be available in agricultural landscapes in far greater abundance. Artificial grasslands (fertilised native swards and intensively managed reseeds) offer far superior quality forage and higher intake rates than seminatural or natural grasslands. The availability of such abundant artificial food explains the abandonment of traditional habitats for farmland by geese over the last 50–100 years and favours no reduction in current levels of exploitation of agriculture. Continental scale spatial and temporal shifts among geese undergoing spring fattening confirm their flexibility to respond rapidly to broadscale changes in agriculture. These dramatic changes support the hypothesis that use of agricultural landscapes has contributed to elevated reproductive success and that European and North American farmland currently provides unrestricted winter carrying capacity for goose populations formerly limited by wetlands habitats prior to the agrarian revolution of the last century.

An overview of wetlands of Saudi Arabia: Values, threats, and perspectives

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 09:45:20

de Sami Al-Obaid, Boudjma Samraoui, Jacob Thomas, Hamed A. El-Serehy, Ahmed H. Alfarhan, Wolfgang Schneider, Mark O'Connell
In AMBIO, 46(1) (2/2017), 98-108
En ligne : link.springer.com[...]

The wetlands of Saudi Arabia are located in a water-stressed region that is highly vulnerable to climate and other global changes. Sebkhas, mudflats, mangroves, and wadis are the dominant wetlands in the arid regions of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. These unique wetlands are recognized as a sanctuary for biodiversity and for their economic services generated from mineral extraction, agriculture, and grazing. Despite their ecological values and societal services, the long-term permanence of Saudi Arabia’s wetlands faces strong challenges resulting from human activities associated with sustained population growth, habitat degradation, and coastal development. This paper consolidates a literature review of Saudi Arabia’s wetlands from local to global importance, highlights their biodiversity, and identifies threats and evolution of these vulnerable ecosystems in the arid Arabian Peninsula by focusing on the status of key freshwater taxa (Odonata, freshwater fishes, amphibians, and waterbirds) and documenting changes affecting important wetlands.
Keywords
Conservation Environment Global changes Management Saudi Arabia Sustainable use Wetlands

A literature review of Algerian salt lakes: values, threats and implications

Thu, 9 Feb 2017 10:18:40

de Fatma Demnati, Boujéma Samraoui, Farid Allache, Alain Sandoz, Lisa Ernoul
In Environmental Earth Sciences, 76(3) (2017/02/01), 127
En ligne : link.springer.com[...]

Chotts are salt lakes located in the arid regions of Northern Africa. These unique wetlands are recognized for their role in the migration and breeding of waterbirds and economic values generated from mineral extraction, agriculture and tourist activities. Despite their importance for flora and fauna biodiversity, they continue to face important threats due to human activities. This article consolidates a literature review of Algerian chotts from global to local importance. An in-depth view demonstrates the changes in land use of two large chotts in the southeastern region of Algeria: Chotts Merouane and Melghir. Land use images highlight a net expansion of agricultural lands, a decrease in grazing area around the lakes and a decrease of salt lake surface area. The local focus highlights the threats and changes of Algerian and Northern African chotts and proposes some perspectives for the future.

Agricultural Management and Wetlands: An Overview (2017)

Tue, 2 Mar 2021 17:43:34

de Mark Everard, Adrian Wood, C. Max Finlayson, Mark Everard, Kenneth Irvine, Robert J. McInnes, Beth A. Middleton, Anne A. van Dam, Nick C. Davidson
Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2017, 1-12
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Agriculture is the major driver of wetland loss or degradation globally. However, wetland agriculture is also a major contribution to human well-being across the world and a critical contributor to livelihoods, poverty reduction, and climate change adaptation, especially in developing countries. Indeed, it is through wetland agriculture that hundreds of millions of people interact with wetlands. In addition to their partial use or wholesale conversion as agricultural systems, wetlands also play a diversity of additional roles in agricultural management. Effective management of wetlands for sustainable agricultural use is a global priority, both due to the impact of wetland management on the water cycle and value of wetland productivity for human security and development. A key consideration for their sustainable management is that all services of wetlands are considered, as all are pertinent to overall ecosystem characteristics and integrity, the balance of benefits that they confer on diverse beneficiaries, and hence the net benefit that they provide to society now and into the future. The role of wetlands in agricultural productivity are diverse, including both direct uses and the indirect supporting, regulatory, and cultural services they provide, adding to the resilience and functioning of wider landscapes. Progressive recognition and internalization of these wider benefits into the policy environment is essential if sustainable agriculture and wetland use are to be achieved for the net security of humanity.

Évolution de l’occupation du sol dans les zones humides littorales du bassin méditerranéen de 1975 à 2005 / Trends in land cover change in coastal wetlands around the Mediterranean Basin: Survey findings from 1975 to 2005

Thu, 2 Feb 2017 09:52:18

de Coralie Beltrame, Christian Perennou, Anis Guelmami
In Méditerranée, 125 (2015), 97-111

Les zones humides méditerranéennes dans leur ensemble, écosystèmes de haute valeur pour la biodiversité, ont perdu environ 50 % de leur superficie au cours du xx e siècle. Par ailleurs, le littoral méditerranéen est soumis à de fortes pressions dues à l’urbanisation, au tourisme mais aussi au développement d ’infrastructures industrielles et de transport. Il y a donc dans les zones humides littorales méditerranéennes une convergence d’enjeux écologiques, sociaux et économiques. L’évolution de l’occupation du sol a été caractérisée dans 214 d’entre elles entre 1975 et 2005. En leur sein, la superficie des habitats humides naturels a diminué de 10 % en 30 ans, soit une perte de 1329 km². À l’inverse, les habitats humides d’origine anthropique ont augmenté de 105 %, c’est -à-dire un gain de 854 km². Pendant cette période, la principale pression directe sur les habitats humides naturels a été l’agriculture puisque 71 % des habitats humides perdus l’ont été au profit des milieux agricoles. L’urbanisation a eu un impact direct moindre mais elle a entrainé la conversion des terres agricoles périurbaines, qui se sont report ées vers les habitats naturels périphériques. Mots-clés : Méditerranée, zone humide littorale, SIG, télédétection, artificialisation, occupation du sol, pression agricole, pression urbaine / Overall, Mediterranean wetlands are very important ecosystems for biodiversity. Approximately half their area was lost during the 20 th century. The Mediterranean coast is also under heavy pressure due to urbanization, tourism and development of industrial and transport infrastructures. The Mediterranean coastal wetlands thus represent a convergence point of ecological, human and economic issues. Changes in land cover between 1975 and 2005 were characterized in 214 of them. The area of natural wetland habitats decreased by 10 % in 30 years, i.e. a loss of 1329 km². At the same time, artificial wetland habitats increased by 105 %, i.e. a gain of 854 km². The main direct pressure on natural wetland habitats was agriculture, with 71 % of them converted into agricultural areas. Urbanization had less direct impact but largely affected agricultural areas, which in turn were displaced onto natural habitats.

When Common Birds Became Rare: Historical Records Shed Light on Long-Term Responses of Bird Communities to Global Change in the Largest Wetland of France

Wed, 16 Nov 2016 17:07:30

de Thomas Galewski, Vincent Devictor
In PLOS ONE, 11 (Nov. 2016), 1-18
En ligne : journals.plos.org[...]

Many species have suffered large population declines due to the anthropogenic influence on ecosystems. Understanding historical population trends is essential for informing best efforts to preserve species. We propose a new method to reconstruct the past structure of a regional species pool, based on historical naturalist literature. Qualitative information collected from annotated checklists and reports can be relevant to identify major long-term community changes. We reviewed ornithological literature on the Camargue, the largest wetland in France. We reconstructed the entire breeding bird community from 1830 to 2009 and translated historical data into semi-quantitative data. This data permitted a calculation of a Community Commonness Index to measure the average level of abundance of species in a community. The Community Specialization and Community Temperature Indices were used to evaluate the potential long-term impact of land-use and climate changes on the composition of the regional bird species pool. We found a decrease in average abundance and specialization between 1950 and 1989, suggesting that changes in land-use negatively impacted the structure and composition of the local bird community by reducing species abundance and removing habitat-specialists (e.g. Southern Grey Shrike, Greater Short-toed Lark). These results are likely to be linked with a major loss of natural habitats in the Camargue between 1942 and 1984 when natural areas and traditional farmland were converted into intensive cultivated lands. We also found fluctuations among species with high versus low temperature preference. However, long-term effects of climate change on the bird community might be blurred by the impact of land-use changes. Overall, our results contrast with those obtained from well-monitored colonial waterbirds showing long-term increases. Our results plead for a more regular use of historical naturalist data when examining long-term changes in species communities as they allow the establishment of an older temporal point of reference and consideration of species not covered by traditional monitoring schemes. / où l’on présente l’intérêt de la littérature « grise » naturaliste (livres, compte-rendus, rapports de voyage…) pour retracer les variations démographiques historiques d’une population, d’une espèce ou d’une communauté d’espèces.

Ici on s’est intéressé à la communauté d’oiseaux nicheurs de Camargue que l’on a pu reconstruire depuis le début du 19ème siècle jusqu’à nos jours. Il a été possible de coder de manière semi-quantitative l’abondance de toutes les espèces à différents pas de temps. En utilisant cette méthodologie, on observe que la communauté a beaucoup évolué dans le temps avec notamment une diminution de l’abondance spécifique et une perte de spécialisation. En d’autres termes, si 2 espèces sur 3 pouvaient être qualifiées de communes au 19ème siècle, ce n’est plus le cas que pour 1 espèce sur 3 aujourd’hui. La diminution a principalement affecté les espèces spécialistes des milieux agricoles et pâturés (ex : Alouettes, Perdrix rouge, Chevêche, Petit-duc, Tourterelle des bois, Linotte et beaucoup d’autres) tandis que les oiseaux utilisant les milieux humides ont mieux résisté. Ce déclin s’est produit dans les années 1950-1980 à une époque où on enregistre une très forte perte de milieux naturels et semi-naturels en Camargue (pelouses et sansouires en premier lieu) ainsi qu’un changement majeur de l’agriculture camarguaise qui délaisse l’élevage extensif au profit d’une céréaliculture intensive. Cette étude met en évidence un déclin important des oiseaux des milieux agricoles bien antérieur et supérieur au déclin observé depuis 20 ans à travers les programmes de science citoyenne

Possible effects of ingested lead gunshot on populations of ducks wintering in the UK

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 16:01:37

de Rhys E. Green, Deborah J. Pain
In Ibis, 158(4) (October 2016), 699-710
En ligne : onlinelibrary.wiley.com[...]

Although the use of lead ammunition for shooting wildfowl and/or over listed wetlands in the UK has been banned, c. 70% of ducks shot in England (the only UK country with compliance monitoring) are still shot with lead and the proportion of ducks found dead with signs of lead poisoning from ingested gunshot has not declined significantly since the ban. However, there is little quantitative evidence of the impacts of additional mortality from lead poisoning on duck populations. For the eight duck species that winter in freshwater habitats in the UK, we found that inter-specific variation in mean population growth rate during the period 1990/1991 to 2013/2014 was significantly negatively correlated with two independent measures of the prevalence of ingested lead gunshot in the UK and Europe. This relationship was found for a wide range of different periods over which population growth was estimated, and also for annual growth rates in the period 1966/1967 to 2013/2014, derived from smoothed population trajectories. These findings support the hypothesis that ingested lead gunshot might affect population trend. An alternative hypothesis, that migratory short-stopping driven by climate change affected trends in numbers of ducks wintering in the UK, was not supported by simple or partial correlation results. The possible impact of ingested lead gunshot on the Common Pochard Aythya ferina, a species listed as globally threatened, is of special concern.

Adaptation services of floodplains and wetlands under transformational climate change

Wed, 9 Nov 2016 14:05:14

de Matthew J. Colloff, Sandra Lavorel, Russell M. Wise, Michael Dunlop, Ian C. Overton, Kristen J. Williams
In Ecological Applications, 26(4) (June 2016), 1003-1017
En ligne : onlinelibrary.wiley.com[...]

Adaptation services are the ecosystem processes and services that benefit people by increasing their ability to adapt to change. Benefits may accrue from existing but newly used services where ecosystems persist or from novel services supplied following ecosystem transformation. Ecosystem properties that enable persistence or transformation are important adaptation services because they support future options. The adaptation services approach can be applied to decisions on trade-offs between currently valued services and benefits from maintaining future options. For example, ecosystem functions and services of floodplains depend on river flows. In those regions of the world where climate change projections are for hotter, drier conditions, floods will be less frequent and floodplains will either persist, though with modified structure and function, or transform to terrestrial (flood-independent) ecosystems. Many currently valued ecosystem services will reduce in supply or become unavailable, but new options are provided by adaptation services. We present a case study from the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia, for operationalizing the adaptation services concept for floodplains and wetlands. We found large changes in flow and flood regimes are likely under a scenario of +1.6°C by 2030, even with additional water restored to rivers under the proposed Murray–Darling Basin Plan. We predict major changes to floodplain ecosystems, including contraction of riparian forests and woodlands and expansion of terrestrial, drought-tolerant vegetation communities. Examples of adaptation services under this scenario include substitution of irrigated agriculture with dryland cropping and floodplain grazing; mitigation of damage from rarer, extreme floods; and increased tourism, recreational, and cultural values derived from fewer, smaller wetlands that can be maintained with environmental flows. Management for adaptation services will require decisions on where intervention can enable ecosystem persistence and where transformation is inevitable. New ways of managing water that include consideration of the increasing importance of adaptation services requires major changes to decision-making that better account for landscape heterogeneity and large-scale change rather than attempting to maintain ecosystems in fixed states.

Can constructed wetlands treat wastewater for reuse in agriculture? Review of guidelines and examples in South Europe

Wed, 9 Nov 2016 14:05:10

de Stevo Lavrnić, Maurizio L. Mancini
In Water Science and Technology, 73(11) (May 2016), 2616-2626
En ligne : wst.iwaponline.com[...]

South Europe is one of the areas negatively affected by climate change. Issues with water shortage are already visible, and are likely to increase. Since agriculture is the biggest freshwater consumer, it is important to find new water sources that could mitigate the climate change impact. In order to overcome problems and protect the environment, a better approach towards wastewater management is needed. That includes an increase in the volume of wastewater that is treated and a paradigm shift towards a more sustainable system where wastewater is actually considered as a resource. This study evaluates the potential of constructed wetlands (CWs) to treat domestic wastewater and produce effluent that will be suitable for reuse in agriculture. In South Europe, four countries (Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain) have national standards that regulate wastewater reuse in agriculture. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that are based on CWs in these four countries were analysed and their effluents compared with the quality needed for reuse. In general, it was found that CWs have trouble reaching the strictest standards, especially regarding microbiological parameters. However, their effluents are found to be suitable for reuse in areas that do not require water of the highest quality.

Avoiding Loss of Agricultural Subsidies: Swampbuster (2016)

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 13:28:21

de L. Leon Geyer, Dan Lawler, C. Max Finlayson, Mark Everard, Kenneth Irvine, Robert J. McInnes, Beth A. Middleton, Anne A. van Dam, Nick C. Davidson
Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2016, 1-4
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Throughout past centuries, wetland loss has developed into a serious issue that carries profound environmental, economic, and political implications in the United States. According to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) , the lower 48 states have lost an estimated 53 % of their original wetlands over the last 200 years (NRCS 2013), largely because as the United States’ agricultural sector has grown and developed, a profound amount of wetlands have been converted into cropland in order to capitalize on their fertile, nutrient-rich soils. This deprives ecosystems of the “environmental functions of wetlands, such as flood control, sediment control, groundwater recharge, water quality, wildlife habitat, recreation, and esthetics” (NRCS 2013) and occurs because “historically, the economic incentives embodied in agricultural statutes have influenced wetland decline by increasing the profitability while reducing the risks of agriculture” (DOI 2013). In order to reverse this trend, efforts to protect wetlands were implemented through the Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Compliance provisions – widely known as “Swampbuster ” – as a part of the 1985 Food Security Act. Along with key amendments in the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, the statute encourages crop producers to conserve wetlands through financial incentives, substantially changing the working relationship between farmers and their lands. In order to effectively display how the loss of agricultural subsidies relates to wetlands, this article will detail specific Swampbuster provisions, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss future challenges that affect Swampbuster’s role in environment, agriculture, and politics.

Cattle Grazing in Wetlands (2016)

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 13:28:20

de Beth Middleton, C. Max Finlayson, Mark Everard, Kenneth Irvine, Robert J. McInnes, Beth A. Middleton, Anne A. van Dam, Nick C. Davidson
Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2016, 1-6
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Cattle grazing drives successional change in wetland vegetation by removing tall grasses and other vegetation. As a disturbance, cattle grazing in some ways resembles natural disturbances such as native mammal grazing and lightning-strike fire, which can support higher biodiversity in wetlands. To encourage rare and Red-Listed species, natural land managers sometimes incorporate a variety of techniques to remove tall vegetation including mowing, hand-cutting, burning and cattle grazing. As a farming practice, cattle grazing was once very common in world wetlands, but as agriculture intensified after WWII, small-scale farmers slowly stopped grazing cattle in natural wetlands. As a result, tall macrophyte and woody species have overgrown some wetland types once used as pastures for cattle.

Dispersal and Wetland Fragmentation (2016)

Mon, 15 Mar 2021 13:28:19

de Bradley J. Cosentino, Robert L. Schooley, C. Max Finlayson, Mark Everard, Kenneth Irvine, Robert J. McInnes, Beth A. Middleton, Anne A. van Dam, Nick C. Davidson
Dordrecht : Springer Netherlands, 2016, 1-7
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Wetlands provide habitat for a diverse array of aquatic and semiaquatic species, many of which provide direct economic and recreational value. Despite the ecosystem services provided by wetland fauna and flora, historical wetland loss has been dramatic. Wetland loss was >50 % in the USA and 60–70 % in Europe by the 1980s, with most losses resulting from agriculture and urban development. Although habitat loss can result from natural, stochastic events, anthropogenic habitat loss and subsequent fragmentation are among the most important drivers of biodiversity loss. One mechanism underlying the loss of biodiversity after habitat loss and fragmentation is the breakdown of wetland connectivity previously maintained by dispersal.

Economics of Land Degradation in Argentina (2016)

Fri, 6 Apr 2018 18:49:09

de Mariana E. Bouza, Adriana Aranda-Rickert, María Magdalena Brizuela, Marcelo G. Wilson, Maria Carolina Sasal, Silvana M. J. Sione, Stella Beghetto, Emmanuel A. Gabioud, José D. Oszust, Donaldo E. Bran, et al.
[S.l.] : Springer, Cham, 2016, 291-326
En ligne : link.springer.com[...]

Argentina is one of the countries with a vibrant agricultural sector, which provides both economic development opportunities and environmental challenges. Argentina was selected as a case study due to its rich land degradation data, its diverse agroecological systems, and rapid poverty reduction. The country also represents high human development index countries. This study reports the cost of land degradation, the cost of inaction and cost and benefits of taking action against land degradation. The total loss of ecosystem services due to land-use/cover change (LUCC), wetlands degradation and use of land degrading management practices on grazing lands and selected croplands is about 2007 US$75 billion, which is about 16 % of the country’s GDP. LUCC accounts for 94 % of the loss, underscoring the need for developing more effective land use planning and incentives land users to protect high value biomes. The returns to taking action against land degradation is about US$4 per US$ invested—justifying the need to take action to improve human welfare and environmental protection. The actions against land degradation include investment in restoration of degraded lands and prevention of land degradation through stricter regulation of agricultural expansion into forests and other higher value biomes. They also include reforestation and other restoration efforts; protection wetlands and restoration of degraded wetlands. The excessive use of agrochemicals also require action to regulate their potential off-site effects. Case studies also show that promotion of rotational grazing, extending conservation agriculture beyond soybean; tillage method and crop-livestock production systems offer promising strategies for addressing land degradation. The world has a lot to learn from Argentina—given its rapid poverty reduction and successful adoption rate of conservation agriculture using public-private partnership. If Argentina aims at maintaining its economic and social development, it will need to work harder to address its growth-related environmental challenges that affect the poor the most. Argentina is better prepared to face these challenges. This study will contribute to informing policy makers on the best strategies for taking action against land degradation and the returns to such actions.

L'utilisation des rizières par les canards hivernants (2016)

Fri, 1 Apr 2016 11:59:34

de Claire Agnès Pernollet
Arles : Tour du Valat, 2016, 276 p.
En ligne : www.researchgate.net[...]

Winter flooding of rice fields has been identified as a habitat management with potential advantages for both wintering ducks and farmers in Asia and North America. Through a set of empirical and experimental studies, we tested if similar benefits could be expected in Europe. The mean number of wintering ducks in five major rice production regions of Western Europe is positively related with the total wetland area (natural wetlands plus flooded rice fields), suggesting complementarities between these habitats for waterfowl conservation. Applying a variety of agricultural practices to 50 harvested rice fields in Camargue (France), we demonstrate the existence of vast amounts of duck food resources (ca. 500 kg/ha of rice and weed seeds remaining on the ground after harvest). Seed availability greatly decreases across the winter (-89% for rice seed mass and -69% for weeds), seed depletion being accentuated by ploughing. Winter flooding is the main determinant of nocturnal use of the fields by wintering ducks (on average 24 and. 0.3 ducks/ha in flooded and unflooded fields, respectively). In return, experiments show that waterfowl foraging in flooded rice fields enhance straw stalks reduction, but do not significantly reduce the weed seed bank. A cost-benefit analysis was eventually carried out to evaluate whether winter flooding in France would be economically realistic considering agronomic and environmental constraints and advantages. Harvesting rice in flooded fields is four times more profitable to farmers and more than eight times more profitable for the Camargue society than the traditional burning-ploughing (benefits-to-costs ratios for farmers: 4.15 vs. 1.02; for society: 6.67 vs. 0.78). Promoting winter flooding of rice fields in Europe would benefit both farmers and wintering ducks. In Camargue, in addition to be economically realistic for farmers, this practice is strongly desirable from an environmental conservation point of view, and should therefore be promoted. . / L’inondation hivernale des rizières a été identifiée en Amérique du Nord et en Asie comme une pratique offrant des avantages à la fois pour les oiseaux d’eau et les agriculteurs. Par une série d’études empiriques et d’expérimentations, nous avons testé si des bénéfices similaires pouvaient être espérés en Europe. L’inondation hivernale est le principal facteur explicatif de la fréquentation nocturne des rizières par les canards (24 canards/ha en moyenne dans les parcelles inondées et 0,3 dans les parcelles sèches). En retour, des tests expérimentaux montrent que les canards se nourrissant dans les rizières inondées diminuent le nombre de chaumes de paille, mais n'ont pas d'effet significatif sur la banque de graines d’adventices. Une analyse coûts-bénéfices prenant en compte les contraintes et les avantages agronomiques et environnementaux évalue la faisabilité économique de la mise en eau hivernale des rizières en Camargue. La moisson en rizières inondées est quatre fois plus rentable pour les agriculteurs et plus de huit fois plus pour la société camarguaise que le brûlage-labour traditionnel, qui n’est pas économiquement acceptable (ratio bénéfices/coûts pour les agriculteurs 4,15 vs 1,02, pour la société 6,67 vs 0,78). L'inondation hivernale des rizières en Europe est bénéfique à la fois pour les agriculteurs et pour les canards hivernants. En Camargue, en plus d’être économiquement réaliste pour les agriculteurs, cette pratique est fortement bénéfique pour l’environnement, et mérite d’être encouragée.

Foraging Habitat Selection of Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) on an Australian Temporary Wetland

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 10:28:36

de Iain R. Taylor, Sarah G. Taylor
In Waterbirds, 38(4) (DEC 2015), 364-372

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) populations have declined over much of their global range over the past 30 years and in Australia numbers fell by almost 40% between 1977-1981 and 1998-2002. In Australia, loss of wetland area and quality in relation to river regulation for irrigated agriculture are the main suggested causes. The species' diet has been quantified in many areas, but there have been no detailed studies of its foraging habitat requirements upon which to base conservation measures. This study quantified foraging habitat selection at Fivebough Swamp, New South Wales, an internationally important feeding and roosting site for non-breeding Glossy Ibis. Typical of many floodplain wetlands in southeastern Australia, Fivebough Swamp is temporary, flooding during the wet season and drying during the hot summer. Glossy Ibis showed a strong preference for feeding in areas of water couch grass (Paspalum distichum) less than 10 cm tall interspersed among open water, and avoidance of areas dominated by bulrush (Typha spp.), common spike rush (Eleocharis acuta) and open non-vegetated water. Water couch grass supported significantly higher densities of aquatic macroinvertebrate prey for Glossy Ibis than did the other habitats, including Gastrodpoda, Hemiptera and Coleoptera. Water couch grass can form dense contiguous mats of up to 50 cm in height above water level, which would be too high and dense for Glossy Ibis to probe through. In the absence of natural herbivores, livestock grazing by cattle (Bos taurus) at low stocking rates can be used to suppress this growth and maintain suitable conditions for Glossy Ibis.

Assessing the ecological integrity of endorheic wetlands, with focus on Mediterranean temporary ponds

Fri, 29 Nov 2019 16:04:37

de Maarten Van den Broeck, Aline Waterkeyn, Laïla Rhazi, Patrick Grillas, Luc Brendonck
In Ecological Indicators, 54 (July, 2015), 1-11
En ligne : linkinghub.elsevier.com[...]

EU countries are required to perform an assessment of all freshwater habitats larger than 50 ha by 2015 to meet the requirements set by the Water Framework Directive (2000). To achieve this, an array of indicators and multimetric indices has been developed to monitor European waters. In general, these indicators are developed for large water bodies, while they are still largely lacking for smaller wetlands. This is in contrast with the conservation value, valuable ecosystem services and the often unique biodiversity of these systems, and the fact that like large (>50 ha) wetlands they are also covered by the Ramsar Convention. In (semi) arid regions, such as the Mediterranean basin, small water bodies are often of a temporary nature, are abundant and provide an important source of water for the local people, their livestock and agriculture. The quantity and quality of temporary wetlands are, however, decreasing at an alarming rate worldwide. Although some monitoring techniques were recently proposed, there is still an urgent need for a consistent policy and a user friendly set of monitoring tools for temporary wetlands that can be applied in different regions. In the following review, we present a whole range of indicators used to monitor different types of freshwater habitats, and discuss how some of these methods could be applied to temporary wetlands. Finally, we formulate some recommendations for temporary wetland monitoring and conservation.

Unravelling trophic subsidies of agroecosystems for biodiversity conservation: food consumption and nutrient recycling by waterbirds in Mediterranean rice fields

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 16:00:46

de Juan G. Navedo, Steffen Hahn, Manuel Parejo, José M. Abad-Gómez, Jorge S. Gutiérrez, Auxiliadora Villegas, Juan M. Sánchez-Guzmán, José A. Masero
In The Science of the Total Environment, 511 (April 2015), 288-297

Waterbirds can reallocate a considerable amount of nutrients within agricultural fields and between agriculture sites and wetlands. However their effects on biogeochemical cycles have rarely been quantified. We estimated bird numbers, diet (from stable isotope analysis), food supply, and the food consumption on rice fields by overwintering waterbirds in one of the most important areas for rice production in southwestern Europe and a key area for various migrating and resident waterbird species. Herein, we modelled the nutrient (N and P) recycling in rice fields, and their transport to reservoirs. The energy consumption by waterbirds (96,605±18,311 individuals) on rice fields during winter averaged at 89.9±39.0 kJ·m(-2), with its majority (89.9%) belonging to foraging on rice seeds. Thus, the birds removed about 26% of rice seeds leftover after harvest (estimated in 932.5±504.7 seeds·m(-2) in early winter) wherein common cranes and dabbling ducks (four species) were the most important consumers. Waterbirds foraging and roosting in the rice fields recycled more than 24.1 (1.0 kg·ha(-1)) of N and an additional 5.0 tons (0.2 kg·ha(-1)) of P in the Extremadura's rice fields during winter. Additionally, we estimated that 2.3 tons of N and 550 kg of P were removed from rice fields and transported to reservoirs. The seasonal foraging of wildlife should result in a direct benefit for rice farmers by improving nutrient recycling through defecation by waterbirds with respect to artificial fertilisation. Additionally, rice fields located in the cranes' core wintering areas can provide sufficient food supply to induce habitat shift from their traditional wintering habitat in 'dehesas' to rice fields, which causes indirect socioeconomic benefit through reduced acorn consumption by cranes. Our modelling approach may thus be especially helpful for management decisions regarding rice agroecosystems in areas which are also important for the conservation of migratory waterbirds.

Day and Night Habitat Associations of Wintering Dunlin (Calidris alpina) within an Agriculture-Wetland Mosaic

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 12:05:40

de Blake A. Barbaree, Matthew E. Reiter, Catherine M. Hickey, Gary W. Page
In Waterbirds, 38(1) (MAR 2015), 40-46

Darkness comprises more than half of each 24-hr cycle during winter in California's Sacramento Valley, but no studies have assessed nocturnal habitat use by wintering shorebirds at this inland site. From February to May 2013, the day and night habitat associations of radio-tagged Dunlin (Calidris alpina) were compared between post-harvest flooded rice fields and managed freshwater wetlands in the Sacramento Valley. Dunlin had decreasing associations with rice during both day and night from February to April. Dunlin exclusively used rice at night until 25 March, when they shifted to wetlands. During the day, Dunlin were regularly associated with both rice and wetlands until 4 March, and they exclusively used wetlands beginning 25 March. Diel movements by individual Dunlin revealed that birds using rice during the day also used rice during the subsequent night. Our findings suggest that flooded rice, when available, may be more suitable as nocturnal habitat than managed wetlands, and the removal of water from rice fields in February and March causes Dunlin to either use wetlands exclusively or leave the area. Conservation of Dunlin, and likely other migratory shorebirds, may be enhanced by managing the agriculture-wetland mosaic in the Sacramento Valley to ensure that an adequate amount of shallow-water habitats remain during March and April, prior to spring migration.

Exploring the relationship between Ecosystem Management and the Provision of Ecosystem Services: a Comparative Analysis between the Hula and Camargue Wetlands (2015)

Fri, 1 Apr 2016 12:58:14

de E. Cohen-shacham
[S.l.] : Senate of Tel-Aviv University, 2015, 127 p.

Wetlands in Agricultural Landscapes: Present State and Perspectives in Europe (2015)

Fri, 1 Apr 2016 11:25:24

[S.l.] : Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic, 2015, 103 p.

Comment réconcilier agriculture et littoral ? Vers une agroécologie des territoires (2015)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:27

de C. Gascuel, L. Ruiz, F. Vertes
2015

Switch to non-toxic shot in the Camargue, France: effect on waterbird contamination and hunter effectiveness (2015)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:26

de Jean-Yves Mondain-Monval, P. Defos Du Rau, Matthieu Guillemain, Anthony Olivier
2015

Amphibian Community Responses to Playa Restoration in the Rainwater Basin

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 14:27:11

de Benjamin J. Beas, Loren M. Smith
In Wetlands, 34(6) (2014-12-01), 1247-1253
En ligne : doi.org[...]

Alterations to wetland hydrology associated with conversion of grassland watersheds to croplands can alter functional components that drive many wetland ecosystem services. Biodiversity provisioning is one of many services that can be negatively impacted by grassland conversions. Our objective was to compare amphibian communities of playa wetlands in native grassland versus cropland watersheds and to determine if restoration of cropland wetlands via sediment removal improved these habitats for amphibians. We collected amphibian species richness, water depth, wetland area, and emergent plant cover data from 34 playa wetlands in 2008 and 32 playa wetlands in 2009. Playas were selected to include those within natural grassland watersheds (i.e., reference playas), cropland watersheds, and restored watersheds within the Rainwater Basin (RWB) of Nebraska. While we did not detect a difference in amphibian species richness among land-use types in 2008, in 2009 (a dry year within the RWB) amphibian species richness averaged nearly two times greater in restored playas (3.18) compared to cropland playas (1.70). Average water depth (2008 and 2009) and playa area (2008 only) were best predictors of amphibian species richness. Restored playas provided the most reliable water availability for amphibians in the RWB where 90 % of the wetlands have been drained.

Terres de bocage : concilier nature et agriculture (2014)

Wed, 21 Feb 2018 16:25:56

de Gérard Ruven, Denis Clavreul
Lille Rennes : Éd. "Ouest-France", 2014, 249

Les bocages sont des paysages créés par les hommes, par des paysans qui les ont façonnés au fil des siècles pour répondre aux besoins d’une agriculture principalement liée à l’élevage. Les mosaïques de champs, de bosquets, de mares et de haies sont peu à peu devenues de précieux réservoirs de diversité biologique.
Partageant un intérêt commun pour ces espaces fragiles et menacés, les auteurs de ce livre, naturalistes, agriculteurs, chasseurs, techniciens et ingénieurs, livrent leur vision et leur connaissance du bocage. Ils en retracent l’histoire, décrivent ses composantes paysagères, la richesse de sa flore et de sa faune, et témoignent des activités humaines qui garantissent l’avenir de ces territoires si particuliers.
Avec cette publication, l’ONCFS propose au grand public une synthèse des connaissances acquises. Il assure la promotion des bonnes pratiques agricoles et propose des pistes de recherche et d’expérimentation.

Guide technique n°2. Gestion du parasitisme bovin et faune coprophage. (2014)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:33

de V. Henoux, Katia Lombardini
[S.l.] : Programme LIFE + Chiro Med 2010-2014, 2014, 56p ill phot coul

Agriculture, aquaculture et milieux humides : chiffres clés (2014)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:28

de Christian Perennou, E. Thiry, A. A. Messaoud
[S.l.] : Observatoire des zones humides, 2014, 34p ill cartes graph

The Delta Approach. Preconditions for sustainable delta management. (2014)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:27

de Delta approach
[S.l.] : The Delta Approach, 2014, 34p phot coul ill

3ème Plan national d'action en faveur des milieux humides (2014-2018). 3rd National Action Plan for wetlands (2014-2018) (2014)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:26

de Ministère de l'environnement
Arles : Tour du Valat, 2014, 6p ill phot coul

Atlas des garrigues. Regards croisés. (2013)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:32

de Collectif des garrigues
Prades-le-Lez : Ecologistes de l'Euzière, 2013, 360p phot coul

Evolution de l'occupation du sol en Camargue en 20 ans (1991-2011) (2013)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:32

de R. Gal, Paul Isenmann, C. Mebrek
[S.l.] : Parc naturel régional de Camargue, 2013, 35p ill cartes phot coul

Rapport annuel 2013 (2013)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:27

de FIBA
[S.l.] : FIBA, 2013, 34p phot coul ill

Socio-Economic Stakes and Perceptions of Wetland Management in an Arid Region: A Case Study from Chott Merouane, Algeria

Wed, 21 Jun 2017 13:29:26

de Fatma Demnati, Farid Allache, Lisa Ernoul, Boudjema Samraoui
In AMBIO, 41(5) (JUL 2012), 504-512

The objective of our study was to identify how actors from the main socio-economic sectors perceive their interactions and impacts on a sensitive wetland in an arid climate, specifically the salt pans of Chott Merouane in Algeria. The results revealed that there are three main economic stakes including agriculture, livestock production and salt mining, each activity providing a great benefit for local and national populations. The local population perceived that the current activities are conducted in such a way that they created conflict between socio-economic sectors and caused a threat for long term sustainability of the wetlands. The results highlighted the need to initiate an integrated management approach between the different sectors and to develop a shared vision for the territory.

Caractérisation des services rendus par les écosystèmes d'une zone humide méditerranéenne: l'exemple de la Camargue (2012)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:35

de M. Thollon
[S.l.] : Master 2 professionnel: biodiversité-écologie-environnement: Université Joseph Fourier Grenoble 1, 2012, * 40p+ann

A Concise Baseline Report. Lake Uromiyeh. (2012)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:34

de A. Lotfi
[S.l.] : Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project, 2012, 113p ill phot coul

Agricultura y conservación en Doñana: la importancia del arrozal para las aves acuáticas (2011)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:36

de G.M. Toral Jimenez
[S.l.] : Tesis Doctoral: biologia: Universidad de Sevilla 1 Estacion Biolgica de Doñana Sevilla, 2011, * 186p

Long-term changes in wetland area and composition in The Netherlands affecting the carrying capacity for wintering waterbirds

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:45:29

de Mennobart R. van Eerden, Gerda Lenselink, Menno Zijlstra
In Ardea, 98(3) (2010), 265-282

In The Netherlands, arising in geological time as the delta of the rivers Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt, a considerable change in landscape occurred during the Holocene period due to sea level rise. In more recent times this change was dramatically enforced by human actions. This started with the opening up of the large woods on higher soils, some 4500 years BP. It is estimated that the country was only populated then by a few thousand people. During the next 2000 years, the extensive forest clearing continued, and up to approximately 60% of the upland area changed into grazed woodland. Over-exploitation during the Middle Ages resulted in extended heathlands, which covered up to 40% of the total area of upland sands by 1500 AD. Today woodlands cover only 1 promille of the surface area it covered 7000 years ago. Wetlands remained undisturbed for a long period, but they have become seriously affected since the late Middle Ages; the construction of dikes, embankments and drainage have caused the area of wetlands to shrink dramatically. Especially when in the 19th and 20th centuries, as a result of the introduction of steam and later diesel and electric engines, large-scale projects could be realised. This led to the disappearance of many freshwater lakes and the almost complete loss of the area of brackish water, the natural link between sea water and freshwater. Although the influence of Man upon the Dutch landscape commenced some 4500 years ago, it is only during the last 600 years that wetlands have been affected. Particularly the last 100 years have been crucial with respect to drainage and cultivation. By reconstructing ancient landscapes, an attempt has been made to describe the species composition and numerical abundance of waterbirds, starting 7000 years BP. Two species have become extinct in the territory, many others show changes in abundance. The start of agriculture has caused a major change in the food provisioning of many herbivorous waterbirds. Over the last 7000 years, a sevenfold increase of the number of herbivorous waterfowl is estimated. On the other hand the number of fish-eaters, benthos-eaters and planktivorous waterbirds has declined, their available habitat now having diminished by 45%, 36% and 55% respectively with respect to the Late Subatlantic period, c. 850-1350 AD.

Recovery of zooplankton diversity in a restored Mediterranean temporary marsh in Doana National Park (SW Spain)

Fri, 8 Jun 2018 12:18:11

de Anna Badosa, Dagmar Frisch, Arantza Arechederra, Laura Serrano, Andy J. Green
In Hydrobiologia, 654(1) (OCT 2010), 67-82

Over 30 years after drainage for agriculture, a 2700 ha temporary marshland was recently restored in Doana National Park. We describe the recovery of zooplankton communities (copepods, cladocerans and rotifers) in 47 new temporary ponds excavated as part of the restoration project during the first two hydroperiods (April 2006 and 2007), and compare them to those of eight reference sites in the surrounding marshland. Major changes in the species composition and abundance occurred in new ponds between years. While rotifers and cyclopoid copepods dominated in terms of number of individuals in 2006, calanoid copepods and cladocerans were the most abundant groups in 2007. Rotifer species richness was significantly lower in 2007, but there was an increase in Simpson and beta-diversity in 2007 owing largely to a dramatic decline in the abundance of Hexarthra cf. fennica (rare in reference sites) from 93% of all rotifer individuals in new ponds in 2006 to only 32% in 2007. In contrast, species richness of copepods and cladocerans was significantly higher in new ponds in 2007, but there were no changes in Simpson diversity. beta-Diversity of cladocerans was also significantly higher in 2007. In 2006, the species richness of cladocera and copepods was significantly lower in new ponds than in reference sites, but by 2007 there were no differences in richness or Simpson diversity. Overall, 7 copepod, 13 cladoceran and 26 rotifer taxa were recorded in new ponds, including 80% of taxa recorded in reference sites. These results indicate that zooplankton communities can be rapidly restored in Mediterranean temporary wetlands, at least when large source populations in the surrounding area reduce dispersal limitation. They also illustrate the importance of comparing different metrics of richness and diversity in studies of zooplankton restoration.

Rice Fields and Waterbirds in the Mediterranean Region and the Middle East

Fri, 24 Feb 2017 12:06:06

de Violetta Longoni
In Waterbirds, 33(sp1) (2010), 83-96
En ligne : bioone.org[...]

In southern Europe, rice ( Oryza sativa ) is one of the most important agricultural crops. Relationships between rice fields and bird occurrence are well studied for some taxa while quantitative data are lacking for other, more secretive, species. Rice cultivation may be important in the conservation of some threatened birds; for example, agricultural flooded areas in northwestern Italy support 25% of the Italian population of Eurasian Bittern ( Botaurus stellaris ) although variation in farming techniques affect the suitability of fields for birds. Agricultural practices that benefit birds include avoiding intermittent flooding or dry cultivation, maintaining stubble during winter, allowing some weed patches to persist inside fields and along ditches and conserving natural vegetation in rice field landscapes. Additionally, biological and alternative cultivation methods seem to provide better environmental conditions compared to traditional methods. To promote environmental and conservation values of rice fields, BirdLife International coordinates a project throughout Europe for expanding environmentally-friendly rice cultivation. In some regions, rice fields are the only habitat available for wetland birds due to the scarcity or poor quality of natural wetlands. Despite interest in African and Middle Eastern birds and the geographical proximity of these areas to Europe, knowledge of birds and rice fields there is extremely limited. The fact that these regions are located along some of the most important migration routes in the Old World suggests that their rice fields may be used by large numbers of waterbirds.

Plant communities as a tool in temporary ponds conservation in SW Portugal

Fri, 8 Jun 2018 14:45:39

de C. Pinto-Cruz, J. A. Molina, M. Barbour, V. Silva, M. D. Espirito-Santo
In Hydrobiologia, 634(1) (NOV 2009), 11-24

Temporary ponds are seasonal wetlands annually subjected to extreme and unstable ecological conditions, neither truly aquatic nor truly terrestrial. This habitat and its flora have been poorly studied and documented because of the ephemeral character of the flora, the changeable annual weather that has a great effect on the small, herbaceous taxa and the declining abundance of temporary ponds. The objectives of this study are: (a) to define plant community diversity in terms of floristic composition of ephemeral wetlands in SW Portugal, (b) to identify temporary pond types according to their vegetation composition and (c) to identify those ponds that configure the European community priority habitat (3170* - Mediterranean temporary ponds). Vegetation sampling was conducted in 29 ponds, identifying 168 species grouped among 15 plant communities. Soil texture, pH, organic C and N content were measured, but only N and percent of clay appear to be related with the distribution of each community type. The results showed that ephemeral wetlands could be classified into four type: vernal pools, marshlands, deep ponds and disturbed wetlands. Vernal pools correspond to the Mediterranean temporary ponds (3170*), protected as priority habitat under the EU Habitats Directive. Submersed Isoetes species (Isoetes setaceum and Isoetes velatum) represents, together with Eryngium corniculatum, the indicator species for vernal pools. We identify also indicator plant communities of this priority habitat, namely I. setaceum and E. corniculatum-Baldellia ranunculoides plant communities. In this region, the conservation of temporary ponds has so far been compatible with traditional agricultural activities, but today these ponds are endangered by the intensification of agriculture and the loss of traditional land use practices and by the development of tourism.

Evaluation économique d'une zone humide: le cas du Diawling, Mauritanie (2009)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:08:56

de O.K. Ly, S.A.O.M. Zein
[S.l.] : IUCN Gland, 2009, 70p

La suppression progressive de l'utilisation de la grenaille de plomb pour la chasse dans les zones humides : expérience acquise et leçons apprises par les états de l'aire de répartition de l'AEWA (2009)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:04:18

de C., et al. Lehmann
Bonn (Germany) : AEWA, UNEP African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement, 2009, 29p

Recueil des fiches indicateurs de l'Observatoire National des Zones Humides (2009)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:49

de Observatoire national des zones humides
[S.l.] : Observatoire National des Zones Humides. Service de l'Observation et des Statistiques La Défense, 2009, 47p

Scoping agriculture-wetland interactions. Towards a sustainable multiple-response strategy (2008)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:17

de A. Wood, G.E. Van Halesma
[S.l.] : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO Roma, 2008, 155p* FAO Water Reports 33

Biofuels in Africa. An assessment of risks and benefits for African wetlands (2008)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:11

de S. Sielhorst, J.W. Molenaar, D. Offermans
[S.l.] : AIDEnvironment Amsterdam & Wetlands International Wageningen, 2008, 55p ill

La Brenne. La nature en héritage (2007)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:35

de E. Trotignon, J. Trotignon
[S.l.] : Alan Sutton Saint-Cyr-sur-Loire, 2007, 144p phot coul

Lead poisoning in wild birds from Southern Spain: a comparative study of wetland areas and species affected, and trends over time (2007)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:04:08

de R. Mateo, A.J. Green, H. Lefranc, R. Baos, J. Figuerola
2007

Actualisation du plan de gestion de la Merja Zerga (Moulay Bou Selham, Maroc). Diagnostic socio-économique. Rapport définitif (2006)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:08:33

de M. Naji
[S.l.] : Réseau Nord-Africain des Zones Humides RENAZH Rabat, 2006, 67p

Le Niger, une artère vitale. Gestion efficace de l'eau dans le Bassin du Haut Niger (2005)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:14

de L. Zwarts, P. Van Beukering, B. Kone, E. Wymenga
[S.l.] : Rijkswaterstaat RIZA Lelystad (NLD), Wetlands International Sévaré (MLI) & Institute for Environmental Studies IVM Amsterdam, 2005, 304p ill

The Niger, a lifeline. Effective management in the Upper Niger Basin (2005)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:14

Grit selection in waterfowl and how it determines exposure to ingested lead shot in Mediterranean wetlands (2005)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:05:33

de J. Figuerola, R. Mateo, A.J. Green, Jean-Yves Mondain-Monval, H. Lefranc, G. Mentaberre
2005

Agriculture and wetland cultural heritage (2003)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:11:33

de M.J. Vinals
2003

Politiques de l'eau en milieu méditerranéen. Le cas de la péninsule ibérique (2003)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:10:12

de M. Drain
[S.l.] : Casa de Valezquez Madrid & Universidad de Alicante, 2003, 272p* Casa de Velazquez 82

Documents d'objectifs du site Natura 2000 Camargue gardoise. Analyse agri-environnementale. Définition des enjeux. Propositions de mesures contractuelles pour la gestion des habitats d'intérêt communautaire (2003)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:06

de D. Antolin
[S.l.] : DAA: ingénierie agronomique, environnement et gestion de l'espace: Ecole Nationale Supérieure D'Agronomie ENSAT Toulouse, 2003, 56p

Agent-based simulations of interactions between duck population, farming decisions and leasing of hunting rights in the Camargue (Southern France) (2003)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:04:07

de Raphael Mathevet, F. Bousquet, C. Le Page, M. Antona
2003

Effects of cropping practices on the use of rice fields by waterbirds in the Camargue, France (2003)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:55

de C. Tourenq, Nicolas Sadoul, Nicolas Beck, François Mesléard, J.L. Martin
2003

Guide méthodologique de gestion des lagunes méditerranéennes. 3: Les activités (2001)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:10:58

de C. Bousquet, D. Moulis, C. Loste
[S.l.] : Région Languedoc Roussillon Montpellier, 2001, 100p 15fig 7tabl & 6encarts

Hungry herds. Management of temperate lowland wetlands by grazing (2001)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:23

de J.T. Vulink
[S.l.] : Directoraat-Generaal Rijkswaterstaat Lelystad, 2001, 394p ill * Van Zee tot Land 66

A review of the effects of agricultural and industrial contamination on the Ebro Delta biota and wildlife (2001)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:04:10

de S. Manosa, R. Mateo, R. Guitart
2001
En ligne : www.academia.edu[...]

Lead poisoning in the globally threatened marbled teal and white-headed duck in Spain (2001)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:04:08

de R. Mateo, A.J. Green, C.W. Jeske, V. Urios, C. Gerique
2001

Impact of land use in catchment and human activities on water, sediment and vegetation of Mediterranean temporary pools (2001)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:26

de Laïla Rhazi, Patrick Grillas, A.M. Toure, L. Tan Ham
2001

La végétation et les caractéristiques de l’eau et du sédiment ont été étudiées au Maroc pendant deux cycles hydrologiques (1997–1998 et 1998–1999), dans dix mares temporaires soumises à des perturbations anthropiques variées. Les résultats des analyses multivariées et paramétriques montrent que les perturbations avaient un impact significatif sur l’eau et le sédiment. L’agriculture dans le bassin versant conduisait à des teneurs fortes en azote et l’utilisation de lessives à des teneurs fortes en phosphore dans l’eau et le sédiment. L’extraction de minéraux conduisait à des profondeurs et des durées d’inondation supérieures. Les caractéristiques de la végétation étaient mieux corrélées aux variables hydrologiques (durée et hauteur d’inondation) qu’aux variables trophiques. Ces résultats suggèrent que l’agriculture dans le bassin versant contribue à modifier le sédiment mais son impact sur la conservation est limité. Toutefois l’attention devrait porter sur les effets à long terme de l’agriculture à travers les effets cumulatifs et sur les conséquences possibles des changements dans les pratiques agricoles.

Analyse des données du suivi des mesures agri-environnementales en Camargue gardoise. 1: Résultats et discussion & 2: Illustrations graphiques (2000)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:09:05

de B. Langevin
Montpellier : Montpellier SupAgro, 2000, 2vol 52+48p

Plan de gestion de l'Union Européenne pour le vanneau huppé = European Union management plan for the lapwing Vanellus vanellus (2000)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:35

de B. Trolliet
[S.l.] : Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage ONCFS Ile d'Olonne, 2000, 112p

Epuration des effluents de serre: Expérimentation de bassins végétalisés (2000)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:04:59

de N. Herbert
Arles : Tour du Valat, 2000, * 34p ill

Opération locale Plan du Bourg (1999)

Fri, 1 Apr 2016 13:22:28

de N. Hecker, J.-L. Lucchesi
Arles : Tour du Valat, 1999, 19 p. + annexes

Le problème des plombs de chasse dans les zones humides (1999)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:11:08

de C. Berion, J. Mougin
[S.l.] : Ecole des Mines Alès, 1999, 47p + ann ill

La intoxicación por ingestión de perdigones de plomo en aves silvestres: aspectos epidemiológicos y propuestas para su prevención en España (1998)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:08:51

de R. Mateo Soria
[S.l.] : Tesis doctoral: veterinaria: Universitat Autònoma Barcelona, 1998, * 205p ill

Integrating development and conservation in the Göksu Delta, Turkey. Final Report (13/10/1995-13/12/1997). Annexes 1-5 & Annexes 6-10 (1998)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:48

de Society for the protection of nature dhkd,
1998

Wildfowl damage to agriculture in Japan (1998)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:04:23

de S.J. Lane, A. Azuma, H. Higuchi
1998

Le delta du Nil. Densité de population et urbanisation des campagnes (1997)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:10:03

de S. Fanchette
[S.l.] : URBAMA CNRS-UMR6592 & Université François Rabelais Tours, 1997, 389p 80fig 17tabl 27phot * Fascicule de Recherches 32

Conditions d'apparition du ruissellement dans les cultures annuelles de la région lémanique. Relation avec le fonctionnement des exploitations agricoles (1997)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:49

de J.Y. Vansteelant, D. Trevisan, L. Perron, J.M. Dorioz, D. Roybin
1997

Propositions d'un outil de suivi de l'impact des mesures agri-environnementales en Camargue gardoise. Conception de l'outil et manuel technique (1996)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:11:20

de C. Aveline, A. Delahaye, S. Duclos, et al.
Montpellier : Montpellier SupAgro, 1996, 2vol 110+55p

Agriculture, environnement, réglementation européenne: Le cas de la Camargue (1996)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:11:06

de J.M. Biliato
[S.l.] : DEA: aménagement régional et urbanisme: Université Aix-Marseille III. Institut d'Aménagement Régional Aix-en-Provence, 1996, 136p 4fig cartes

Karavasta lagoon. Wetland management project. Participatory rural appraisal (PRA) (1996)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:09:24

de A. Inglis, A. Vaso, L. Gjiknuri
Arles : Tour du Valat, 1996, 126p* European Commission Phare Programme

Heavy metals incidence in the application of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides to rice farming soils (1996)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:05:20

de E. Gimeno-garcia, V. Andreu, R. Boluda
1996

Méthodologie de suivi de l'occupation du sol d'un bassin de drainage à partir d'une chaîne géomatique (1996)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:17

de A. Sandoz
1996

Ichkeul (Tunisie): lac et marais. In: Management of mediterranean wetlands. C.MORILLO & J.L. GONZALEZ (1996)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:00

de Alain Tamisier
[S.l.] : Ministerio de Medioambiente. Direccion General de la Conservacion de la Naturaleza Madrid, 1996, p353-363

L'aménagement durable des zones humides: respect de l'environnement et de la diversité biologique. In: L'aménagement des écosystèmes agro-piscicoles d'eau douce en milieu tropical. SYMOENS J.J. & MICHA J.C. (1995)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:02

de J.J. Symoens
[S.l.] : Centre Technique de Coopération Agricole et Rurale CTA & Académie Royale des Sciences d'Outre-Mer Bruxelles, 1995, p91-113* Cercle Hydrobiol Bruxelles Commun 61

Sustainable use of the wetlands: respect for environment and biodiversity. In: The management of integrated freshwater agro-piscicultural ecosystems in tropical areas. SYMOENS J.J. & MICHA J.C. (1995)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:02

de J.J. Symoens
[S.l.] : Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation CTA & Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences Brussels, 1995, p87-107* Cercle Hydrobiol Bruxelles Commun 61

Non-toxic shot and wetland shooting (1994)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:06:34

de British association for shooting and conservation,
[S.l.] : BASC Clwyd, 1994, 3p

Lead poisoning in waterfowl from the Ebro Delta, Spain: Calculation of lead exposure thresholds for mallards (1994)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:05:09

de R. Guitart, J. To-figueras, R. Mateo, A. Bertolero, S. Cerradelo, A. Martinez-vilalta
1994

Non-random foraging in certain bird pests of field crops (1994)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:03

de S. Subramanya
1994

A review of habitat changes in the Camargue: an assessment of the effects of the loss of biological diversity on the wintering waterfowl community (1994)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:00

de Alain Tamisier, Patrick Grillas
1994

For the last 50 years, drastic changes have occurred in the Camargue. The loss of c. 40,000 ha of natural areas (33,000 ha of wetlands) was related to the extension of agriculture, salt exploitation and industry. On most of the remaining wetlands (mostly private hunting estates), management involved division of the marshes into smaller dyked units and large inputs of freshwater, resulting in a decrease in mean water salinity and an increase in duration of flooding. The original unpredictable variations in water level and water salinity, a characteristic of Mediterranean seasonal marshes, has been replaced by a tendency towards predictable permanent freshwater marshes. Consequently the species composition of aquatic habitats has changed from diversified Mediterranean to monospecific continental-type communities. The higher plant biomass favours use by wintering waterfowl which are, in turn, probably limited by high hunting pressure. These changes result in losses of biological diversity at the intra- and inter-habitat, as well as at the Mediteranean and continental, levels. New concepts of conservation should be proposed which take into consideration the biodiversity of the delta as a whole, including private properties instead of isolated management plans for reserves only.

Population characteristics and production systems of water buffaloes in Greek wetlands (1993)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:05:22

de A.G. Georgoudis
[S.l.] : Greek Biotope/Wetland Centre Thermi (GRC) & Aristotle University. Faculty of Agriculture. Department of Animal Production Thessaloniki, 1993, 44p

An assessment of the irrigation project affecting the wetlands of Prespa, Greece (1993)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:32

de A. Psychoudakis, S. Papoutsi-psychoudaki, A.M.M. Mcfarquhar
[S.l.] : Greek Biotope/ Wetland Centre Thermi (GRC) & Aristotle Department of Agricultural Economics. School of Agriculture. Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 1993, 44p

Etat initial des prairies sous contrat OGAF en Venise Verte (Marais poitevin) (1992)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:06:49

de C. Bernard
[S.l.] : Direction Régionale de l'Environnement Poitou-Charentes & Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux LPO Rochefort, 1992, 28p

OGAF-Environnement canton de Tonnay-Charente. Etude écologique préalable (1992)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:06:23

de M. Caupenne, Muriel Daudon
[S.l.] : Ministère de l'Environnement. DIREN Poitou-Charentes & Ligue Française pour la Protection des Oiseaux LPO Rochefort, 1992, 35p+ann

Rencontres en Brenne. Mézières-en-Brenne (FRA) 04-07/06/1991 (1992)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:05:38

de EUROSITE,
[S.l.] : Eurosite Lille (FRA) & Réserve Ornithlogique de la Gabrière Tournon-Saint-Martin, 1992, 48p

Integrated management and conservation of wetlands in agricultural and forested landscapes (1992)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:05:33

de M. Finlayson
[S.l.] : IWRB Slimbridge, 1992, 104p ill* IWRB Spec Publ 22

OGAF-Environnement canton de Marennes. Etude écologique préalable (1992)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:58

de J. Terrisse, M. Caupenne
[S.l.] : Ministère de l'Environnement. DIREN Poitou-Charentes & Ligue Française pour la Protection des Oiseaux LPO Rochefort, 1992, 38p+ann

Agriculture-Environnement: OGAF Nord des Iles. Prise en compte de l'avifaune dans les modes de gestion des zones écologiques sensibles (1991)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:05:53

de F. Delage
[S.l.] : DAA: génie de l'environnement: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique Rennes, 1991, * 50p+ann ill cartes

Lead shot densities and settlement rates in Camargue marshes, France (1991)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:45

de D.J. Pain
1991

Wetlands of Greece: Values, alterations, conservation (1990)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:35

de S.E. Tsiouris, P.A. Gerakis
[S.l.] : Faculty of Agriculture of Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki. Laboratory of Ecology and Environmental Protection Thessaloniki (GRC) & WWF Gland, 1990, 96p 9tabl phot coul

Agriculture and habitat loss in Europe (1990)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:06:59

de D. Baldock
[S.l.] : WWF International Gland, 1990, 60p ill* CAP Discussion Paper 3

Agriculture et environnement en zones humides. Le Mas de La Cure (France) ou comment gérer des terres agricoles dans un espace protégé? (1990)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:06:39

de F. Boillot
[S.l.] : Conservatoire de l'Espace littoral et des rivages lacustres Aix-en-Provence (FRA) & Institut des Aménagements Régionaux et de l'Environnement IARE Montpellier, 1990, pochette & 3 fiches

The incidence of ingested lead shot in ducks of the Evros Delta (1990)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:45

de D.J. Pain, G.I. Handrinos
1990

3. Oiseaux d'eau et zones humides à vocation agricole (1987)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:03:49

de Office national de la chasse,, J.L. Tesson, V. Schricke
[S.l.] : ONC Paris, 1987, 27p ill

Du riz pour le sel, des taureaux pour les hommes (1984)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:04:18

de J.N. Lefranc
1984

L'aménagement de la Petite Camargue et l'assainissement des marais de la Souteyranne (1980)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:02:49

de R. Vassas, J. Vigneron
1980

Contribution à l'étude de la pollution des phytocoenoses aquatiques camarguaises par les résidus des produits phytosanitaires utilisés en riziculture et en viticulture (1973)

Mon, 26 Oct 2015 10:07:29

de A. Vaquer
[S.l.] : Thèse doctorat de spécialité: écologie: USTL Montpellier, 1973, * 107p

Proceedings of a conference on wetlands in relation to agriculture and wildlife management. Ottawa, june 27, 1957 (1957)

Thu, 14 May 2020 00:00:00

de W.W. Mair, R.C. Gilstorf, G.J. Matte, E.L. Paynter, D.A. Munro
[S.l.] : Canada. Departement of Northern Affairs and National Resources. National Parks Branch. Canadian Wildlife Service, 1957

An Approach to the Natural and Induced Evolution of Wetlands at La Mancha Húmeda (Central Spain). We Are Arriving Too Late...

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 16:17:37

de Luis Fernando Basanta Reyes
24
En ligne : www.intechopen.com[...]

An important part of the migratory population of european waterfowl, uses Spanish wetlands during their migratory trips and/or winter periods. In Spain, resident and breeding birds of this group, are important due to its number and some endangered species. Current populations have suffered a great decline since the middle of the last century, attributed, among other reasons, to the loss in number and quality of national wetlands. An area located in the center of Spain has been selected: a large plain called La Mancha;. The number of lagoons, different ecological types and the tablas or river overflows, have constituted the values to be recognized as one of the most important Ramsar sites in Europe, and a Biosphere Reserve. Evolution have been studied, due to natural causes and human actions: trying to eradicate malaria and the recovering land for agriculture, draining it through canals, ditches and wells, using it as landfill for solid waste and fecal and industrial water, and the extraction of water from undergroundb aquifers. These actions have destroyed, forever, 80% of the wetlands in this area. The effects on the associated fauna have been direct: its disappearance. The author is a direct witness to the development state of these wetlands over the last 50 years (1972-2023).

Mapping analysis of the wetland loss in Loukkos (Morocco) under agricultural managements

Tue, 27 Apr 2021 11:39:11

de Said El Falah, Mohamed Dakki, Ismail Mansouri
In Bulgarian Journal of Agricultural Science, 27(1) (2021), 186–193
En ligne : agrojournal.org[...]

The Loukkos large perimeter covers an area of 256 000 ha, 147 300 ha of which are useful agricultural areas and 42 000 ha of which are currently irrigated. In this study we analysed the impact of agricultural managements on wetlands in Loukkos (Morocco), using the mapping approach of the evolution in irrigated sectors of the Loukkos perimeter. As a result, 34% of wetlands, including two Ramsar Sites were negatively impacted. The conversion of natural ecosystems to agricultural fields, the overuse of water in irrigation and the urbanization are the most factors that threaten the wetlands’ surfaces. Finally, the mapping of the evolution of the irrigated sectors of the Loukkos perimeter made it possible to assess the current situation and the criticality degrees of the impacts with the estimation of the impacted areas. This mapping approach will facilitate the initi- ation for a more specific approach where the most sensitive and affected areas will be satisfied.

Seasonal variation in physicochemical characteristics and lead contamination of Lake Tonga and their effects on waterbird populations

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 16:46:43

de S. Naili, A. Boucheker, A. Gherib, R. Djelloul, A. Lazli
In Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 11(1) (2021), 103-112

Being the Ramsar site, Tonga Lake is one of the most important wetlands in Numidia for its habitat diversity and its fauna and flora richness. It is known as a wintering and breeding site for many waterbirds species. However, it is confronted with an increasing pressure linked to various anthropogenic activities. This study was carried out between December 2015 and August 2016 to assess the physicochemical quality and lead contamination of the surface waters and their impacts on the waterbirds population dynamic. Seven physicochemical parameters were considered (Temperature, pH, Electrical Conductivity, Turbidity, Dissolved Oxygen, TDS, and Salinity). Waterbirds monitoring revealed that 43 species were counted in winter and 26 in summer, with some endangered ducks, such as White-headed Duck, Marbled Teal, and Ferruginous Duck. The highest number of abundances was recorded in January (27,507 individuals). The results of water physicochemical parameters measurements showed strong mineralization, neutral to alkaline pH values, and high turbidity. The high lead values obtained from water samples have exceeded WHO standards. During the two seasons studied, correlations were identified, indicating a probable seasonal association between studied parameters (limnological and lead concentrations) and Lake Tonga waterbirds population dynamics.

Reed die-back, water level management and the decline of the Great Reed Warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus in The Netherlands

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:48:44

de J. Graveland
In Ardea, 86(2) (1998), 187-201

Several species of migratory marsh birds have declined in Central and Western Europe. An important question is whether this decline is primarily caused by loss of wetlands on the wintering grounds in Africa or by a decline in habitat quality in the breeding areas. Significant losses of Reed Phragmites australis beds have been reported in many European countries, presumably as a result of unnatural water level regimes and eutrophication. We studied the reed requirements of nesting Great Reed Warblers Acrocephalus arundinaceus in relation to reed availability in The Netherlands. Numbers of Great Reed Warblers have declined dramatically but the species is less dependent on marshland in its winter quarters than most other migratory marsh birds. Great Reed Warblers nested almost exclusively in reed standing in water and this type of reed has become scarce in The Netherlands. The present distribution of water reed indicates that the man-induced reduction in natural fluctuations of the water level has been an important factor in its decline. Water reed represents the first stage of the succession in a reed marsh. Eventually, loss of water reed will therefore affect the entire marsh bird community. Restoration of natural water level fluctuations seems the most effective course for remedial action, but will be difficult to accomplish because of the conflicting interests of nature and agriculture.

Group size and habitat use by Black-necked Storks Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus in an agriculture-dominate landscape in Uttar Pradesh, India

Fri, 8 Feb 2019 18:22:02

de K. S. G. Sundar
In Bird Conservation International, 14(4) (DEC 2004), 323-334

Group size and habitat use of Black-necked Storks Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus were studied over a 30-month period in an unprotected landscape with a mosaic of natural and man-made features in Etawah and Mainpuri districts, Uttar Pradesh, India. Group size was largely one or two and never more than a family of two adults and three young. Group size did not change with season or across habitat types. Black-necked Storks used habitats to different extents across years and seasons. Wetlands were preferred in all seasons and rice-paddies were preferred during the monsoon. The use of irrigation canals was consistent across seasons and was always in proportion to their availability. Irrigation canals and crop-fields, particularly flooded rice-fields, provided some additional habitat to Black-necked Storks, but catered to the population for a very small period of time. While some studies have demonstrated that flooded rice-fields are useful for wintering waterbird species, conversion of natural wetlands to crop-fields will not be advantageous to Black-necked Storks, and these habitats need to be preserved to conserve the species.

Black Harrier Circus maurus of the Fynbos biome, South Africa: a threatened specialist or an adaptable survivor?

Fri, 8 Feb 2019 18:21:52

de O. Curtis, R. E. Simmons, A. R. Jenkins
In Bird Conservation International, 14(4) (DEC 2004), 233-245

Black Harrier Circus maurus is a rare southern African endemic that may have lost over 50% of its core breeding habitat in the last century as a result of extensive land transformation by agriculture, invasive alien vegetation and urbanization in the Fynbos biome. We partially sun,eyed both the western (Swartland) and southern (Overberg) coastal plains of south-western South Africa, Over 3 years (2000-2002) for breeding Black Harriers, and found a distinctly polarized distribution. Nests were concentrated either along the coastal strip or inland in montane habitats, and generally absent from heavily cultivated and transformed inland plains areas. Limited evidence (direct observations, prey remains) suggests that harriers forage in cereal croplands but generally do not breed in these modified environments. We recorded breeding success at nests in coastal (Dune Thicket) and montane (Mountain Fynbos) habitats. Harriers bred successfully along the coast and nests were aggregated in loose colonies around wetlands. Harriers in montane environments bred poorly, took a wide range of prey, and were subject to high levels of nest predation. We propose that Black Harriers have been displaced from lowland Renosterveld and Fynbos habitats (characterized by better foraging and nesting opportunities), primarily by the advent and spread of cereal agriculture. The consenation and future research implications of this hypothesis are discussed.

An overview of integrated hydro-ecological studies in the MELMARINA Project: monitoring and modelling coastal lagoons-making management tools for aquatic resources in North Africa

Fri, 8 Jun 2018 14:50:38

de R. J. Flower, J. R. Thompson
In Hydrobiologia, 622 (APR 2009), 3-14

As landscape disturbance and climate conspire to accelerate global environmental change towards unprecedented levels in the twenty-first century, the populated coastal regions of many countries are facing major threats to sustainability. Coastal water resources are particularly vulnerable in dry regions. In view of the expected severity of future environmental change in the Southern Mediterranean Region, the European Commission supported an integrated multidisciplinary project, MELMARINA, on monitoring and modelling coastal lagoons in Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. This is a region where water management for people and for agriculture has been intense particularly during the twentieth century, yet long-term environmental monitoring and management of wetland ecosystems are under developed. Not only are biodiversity aspects at risk in coastal lagoons and wetlands but the goods and services that affect human welfare are also generally in decline. Co-ordinated hydro-ecological monitoring at key wetland lagoons was begun in 2003 with a view to establishing environmental baselines and calibrating site-specified hydro-ecological models. This article introduces the project and its results that range from lagoon typification and hydro-ecology to the application of hydro-ecological models. Detailed results and evaluations are presented in a linked series of themed scientific articles within this special issue. The present condition of the lagoons investigated essentially results from various hydrological modifications combined with eutrophication problems, yet all still remain valuable aquatic ecosystems. Adequate monitoring data are an essential part of reliable predictive modelling and, despite several data gaps, nutrient load reduction scenarios were undertaken to help target restoration aims. Implementation of aspects of the EU Water Framework Directive for achieving good ecological status of transitional waters is advocated. Nevertheless, as the twenty-first century advances the effects of global climate change are expected to amplify current stresses making intervention restoration and adaptation management even more imperative. Long-term sustainability depends upon detecting and measuring environmental change (long-term water quality and ecological quality) and incorporating the results into appropriate hydro-ecological models to facilitate the development of appropriate management initiatives.

Aquatic birds as bioindicators of trophic changes and ecosystem deterioration in the Mar Menor lagoon (SE Spain)

Fri, 8 Jun 2018 12:01:25

de J. M. Fernandez, J. M. Fernandez, M. A. E. Selma, F. R. Aymerich, M. T. P. Saez, M. F. C. Fructuoso
In Hydrobiologia, 550 (NOV 1 2005), 221-235

The Mar Menor is the largest coastal lagoon in the Western Mediterranean and it is an important site for wintering and breeding waterfowl. During recent decades several hydrological and land-use changes in the watershed have increasingly threatened the conservation of the lagoon due to the development of urban areas, tourism and agriculture. A dynamic system model has been developed at the watershed scale to estimate the annual load of nutrients reaching the Mar Menor-associated wetlands. At present, mean annual loadings of approximately 2000 tonnes of nitrogen and 60 tonnes of phosphorus are delivered to the lagoon. The simulation results emphasize the role of heavy rainfall events and floods in the formation of the total nutrient load. The composition of aquatic bird communities has been used to assess the nutrient impact on the lagoon food-web. The Great Crested Grebe is apparently the species most closely dependant on local trophic conditions. The related Black-necked Grebe, that dominates the waterbird plays a similar role, but its more opportunistic response to changes in food community of the lagoon resources, reduces its indicator value. The abundance of the two species of grebes seems to closely track the nitrogen load curve, especially during the first phase of enrichment, suggesting the existence of a direct trophic relationship. In the following phase, jellyfish blooms coincide with the bird decline. Jellyfishes seem to have a buffering effect towards nutrients, determining a bottom up limitation to other trophic compartments. In recent years, this buffering capacity has probably been overloaded, favouring the growth of new food resources available to the grebes. Unlike grebes, Mergus serrator, a typical piscivorous bird, does not seem to be affected positively by eutrophication since it shows a long-term stability in numbers or even a slight decline. Since this suspected decline would parallel a Iona-term reduction of fish catches, the species could be regarded as a potential indicator of habitat deterioration.

The Contribution of Groundwater Discharge to Nutrient Exports from a Coastal Catchment: Post-Flood Seepage Increases Estuarine N/P Ratios

Thu, 15 Mar 2018 14:17:28

de Isaac R. Santos, Jason de Weys, Douglas R. Tait, Bradley D. Eyre
In Estuaries and Coasts, 36(1) (JAN 2013), 56-73

Four months of daily nutrient and radon (a natural groundwater tracer) observations at the outlet of a heavily drained coastal wetland illustrated how episodic floods and diffuse groundwater seepage influence the biogeochemistry of a sub-tropical estuary (Richmond River, New South Wales, Australia). Our observations downstream of the Tuckean Swamp (an acid sulphate soil floodplain) covered a dry stage, a flood triggered by a 213-mm rain event and a post-flood stage when surface water chemistry was dominated by groundwater discharge. Significant correlations were found between radon and ammonium and N/P ratios and between radon and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) during the post-flood stage. While the flood lasted for 14 % of the time of the surface water time series, it accounted for 18 % of NH(4), 32 % of NO (x) , 66 % of DON, 58 % of PO(4) and 55 % of dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) catchment exports. Over the 4-month study period, groundwater fluxes of 35.0, 3.6, 36.3, 0.5 and 0.7 mmol m(-2) day(-1) for NH(4), NO (x) , DON, PO(4) and DOP, respectively, were estimated. The groundwater contribution to the total surface water catchment exports was nearly 100 % for ammonium, and < 20 % for the other nutrients. Post-flood groundwater seepage shifted the system from a DON to a dissolved inorganic N-dominated system and doubled N/P ratios in surface waters. We hypothesise that the Richmond River Estuary N/P ratios may reflect a widespread trend of tidal rivers and estuaries becoming more groundwater-dominated and phosphorus-limited as coastal wetlands are drained for agriculture, grazing and development.

Controlling the flood in the Senegal Delta: do waterfowl populations adapt to their new environment?

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:18:08

de Patrick Triplet, P. Yesou
In Ostrich, 71(1-2) (MAR 2000), 106-111

The delta of the Senegal river (320 000 ha) has been gradually dammed, mostly during the 1970-80s. From 1986, the Diama dam has stopped any backflow of salt water from the sea into most of the delta, and retains a large volume of fresh water which can be released into initially naturally flooded, bur now embanked, areas, including the National Parks of Djoudj (Senegal) and Diawling (Mauritania) and other lowlands often used for agriculture, mainly rice-fields. Landscapes have been deeply modified (vegetation overgrowing in wetlands, desertification process around), sometimes in a provisionally positive way (creation or development of flooded areas through irrigation or hunting management). The Anatidae overwintering in the delta have been censused since 1972: we analyse these census data, with emphasis on the periods 1972-1976 and 1989-1996 (when census methodology and coverage were similar), in order to define how Anatidae have adapted to the new environmental conditions. Three Afrotropical and two Palearctic species are holding on, in spite of marked yearly variations and sometimes a loss of habitat quality (Fulvous Whistling Duck Dendrocygna bicolor; White-Faced Whistling Duck D. viduata, Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus, Northern Pintail Anas acuta. Garganey A. querquedula), two Palearctic species showed significant but not fully explained changes in numbers (Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata increasing, Common Teal A. crecca almost disappearing), and numbers of two Afrotropical species decreased following the environmental modifications (Spur-winged Goose Plectropterus gambensis, and Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos even more markedly). In order to maintain or develop conditions favourable to these bird populations, it is necessary to supply the managers of protected areas with the resources needed to implement this aim. Also, the whole lower valley of the Senegal River (including the Lake of Aleg in Mauritania) must be taken into account in conservation measures, including non-protected areas potentially favourable to waterfowl. Such a conservation programme implies the co-operation of national and international bodies related to both nature conservation and wetland development.

Land use patterns within Wattled Crane (Bugeranus carunculatus) home ranges in an agricultural landscape in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:00:55

de Kevin I. McCann, Grant A. Benn
In Ostrich, 77(3-4) (NOV 2006), 186-194

The Wattled Crane Bugeranus carunculatus is one of the top five most threatened bird species in South Africa, with the main threat being the loss of undisturbed breeding habitat. A basic understanding of this species' use of its environment is needed to implement conservation action. This quantitative study focused on determining the home range size of active breeding pairs in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands of South Africa, and assessing the land use composition of these home ranges. Wattled Cranes were found to have an average home range size of 16.64km(2), consisting mostly of open natural grassland (mean of 75.5% of the overall home range of pairs). Other significant land use contributions to the home ranges were temporary irrigated and dryland cultivated agriculture. The core breeding area (wetland) of the home range constituted only 2.3% of the overall home range size, consisting of similar proportions of both wetland (48.9%) and grassland (51.8%) habitat. This indicates the dependence of Wattled Cranes on specific wetland habitats, surrounded by natural grassland. Wattled Cranes show home range sizes larger than other similar-sized crane species, suggesting that this may be as a result of their large body size and their occupation of highly transformed and fragmented habitats in an agricultural landscape. However, the occurrence of transformed land use types in home ranges suggests that breeding pairs tolerate some degree of disturbance within their home ranges. The home ranges do not appear to be currently restricted by surrounding land use types, indicating that factors other than habitat loss may be contributing to breeding site losses. The study has therefore indicated the need for closer working relationships between conservationists and agricultural communities to promote the conservation of valuable natural grasslands surrounding wetlands.

Longevity and larval development among southern bell frogs (Litoria raniformis) in the Coleambally Irrigation Area - implications for conservation of an endangered frog

Mon, 5 Feb 2018 14:58:27

de Reinier M. Mann, Ross V. Hyne, Paulina Selvakumaraswamy, Sergio S. Barbosa
In Wildlife Research, 37(6) (2010), 447-455

Context. With the flow of many of the world's rivers regulated such that water can be diverted for agriculture and human consumption, basic ecological information on the current status of key biota in significant floodplain wetlands and their response following inundation is needed. The maintenance of natural habitat to ensure amphibian survival is gaining increasing recognition, given the ongoing decline of anuran populations. Information on longevity, time required to emerge from the water and to reach sexual maturity, all provide important information about the required timing, frequency and duration of environmental water allocations to ensure successful recruitment among populations of southern bell frogs (Litoria raniformis Keferstein, 1867). Aims. The aims of this research were to establish the longevity of southern bell frogs in the Coleambally Irrigation Area (CIA) in the Riverina region of New South Wales, Australia, and to evaluate the capacity for southern bell frog tadpoles to survive and successfully metamorphose following an extended overwintering period. Methods. Skeletochronology studies were carried out using toe-clips taken from adult and juvenile frogs captured in irrigation channels and rice fields over two rice-growing seasons. For the metamorphosis assay, southern bell frog tadpoles were held back in their development by low temperatures and low food allocation for 290 days, before temperatures and food allocation were increased adequately to allow metamorphosis to occur. Key results. The study indicated that skeletochronological examination of toe-bones was a useful technique for establishing the age structure of southern bell frogs in this region. The oldest animals in the population were found to be 4-5 years old, although the majority of frogs were typically 2-3 years old. Also, the metamorphosis assay indicated that successful metamorphosis was the exception rather than the rule if tadpole development was held back by low food ration and low temperatures. Conclusions. If southern bell frogs reach sexual maturity only after 2 years, and the oldest animals observed in the field are 4 or 5 years old, then there is a very narrow window of opportunity-two to three seasons-for each individual to successfully breed. Implications. The implications for environmental flow management are that habitats for key species identified for protection such as the endangered southern bell frog will need water every 1-2 years to enable each cohort to breed and maintain the wild populations. The extent of the environmental flows needs to be adequate to ensure that water persists long enough for critical biological events such as anuran metamorphosis to occur during the spring and summer months.

Feral pigs: predicting future distributions

Mon, 5 Feb 2018 14:53:53

de Brendan D. Cowled, Fiona Giannini, Sam D. Beckett, Andrew Woolnough, Simon Barry, Lucy Randall, Graeme Garner
In Wildlife Research, 36(3) (2009), 242-251

Feral pig populations are expanding in many regions of the world following historically recent introductions. Populations are controlled to reduce damage to agriculture and the environment, and are also a recreational hunting resource. Knowledge of the area over which feral pigs may expand in the future could be used regionally to assist biosecurity planning, control efforts and the protection of biodiversity assets. The present study sought to estimate the future distribution of a recently introduced, expanding feral pig population in the remote Kimberley region of north-western Australia. An existing survey of feral pig distributions was enhanced and remote-sensing and weather data, reflecting or correlated with factors that may affect feral pig distributions, were collated and analysed. Relationships between feral pig distributions and these data were identified by using a generalised additive modelling approach. By the use of the model, the distribution of favourable habitat was estimated across the study region (89 125 km(2)). The potential future distribution of feral pigs in the Kimberley was then estimated, assuming only natural dispersal of feral pigs from areas of known feral pig status (cf. hunter-assisted movements or escape of domestic pigs). The modelling suggests that feral pigs could expand their distribution by realistic natural dispersal in the future (to 61 950 km(2)). This expansion possibility contains several strategically important areas (such as sea ports and biologically significant wetlands). This approach has the potential to improve biosecurity planning for the containment of the feral pig in the Kimberley and may have utility for other recently introduced invasive species in other regions. These results may also be used to improve pest-management programmes and contingency planning for exotic-disease incursions.

Drivers of wetland disturbance and biodiversity impacts on a tropical oceanic island

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 14:42:46

de Susan G. W. Laurance, Claudia Baider, F. B. Vincent Florens, Shyamduth Ramrekha, Jean-Claude Sevathian, David S. Hammond
In Biological Conservation, 149(1) (MAY 2012), 136-142

Wetlands are biologically important elements of landscapes and among the most threatened ecosystems on Earth. On the island of Mauritius, many remaining wetlands are being rapidly converted and fragmented by intense land-use demands. We surveyed 209 coastal wetlands on Mauritius to assess their biophysical attributes, land-use activities, and patterns of disturbance, to help identify factors that threaten wetland biodiversity. Most wetlands exhibited severe edge-related disturbances and more than half were fragmented. Plant species richness was highest in larger, unfragmented wetlands and lower in wetlands with degraded margins. Urban wetlands were smaller and more likely to be fragmented than those adjoining other land uses such as grazing and agriculture. Flooding of urban homes and infrastructure was more likely to occur near fragmented than natural wetlands. Ongoing wetland decline in Mauritius not only contributes to the loss of local biodiversity but reduces the larger ecosystem role these habitats play in regulating surface water and protecting adjacent marine habitats. (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of agricultural landscape and pesticides on parasitism in native bullfrogs

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 14:42:12

de Kayla C. King, J. Daniel McLaughlin, Monique Boily, David J. Marcogliese
In Biological Conservation, 143(2) (FEB 2010), 302-310

Native amphibian populations are shrinking worldwide, and both parasitic infections and environmental stress from agriculture have been implicated. We investigated the principal hypothesis that environmental by-products of agricultural activity mediate parasitism in native frogs. Bullfrogs were collected from wetlands with variable landscape disturbance and water quality and examined for helminth parasites. We predicted that pesticide pollution and landscape development would be significant factors shaping the parasite communities and populations. Parasite diversity and species richness were lower in wetlands impacted by both pesticides and land use. Two parasite groups, direct life-cycle nematodes and echinostomes, were common in polluted habitats, potentially increasing frog pathology and mortality risk. In areas with agricultural landscape and reduced forest cover, parasite diversity and species richness were low, perhaps because of less parasite transmission from birds and mammals. This result suggests that land development limits terrestrial vertebrate access to wetlands. Our results indicate that parasite abundance and community structure in wetlands are influenced by factors operating locally within the wetland and more broadly in the surrounding landscape. We suggest that parasite communities in amphibians are effective indicators of ecosystem health and animal biodiversity, and thus useful tools for conservation biology. Crown Copyright (C) 2009 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Large-scale habitat associations of birds in lowland Iceland: Implications for conservation

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 14:03:36

de T. G. Gunnarsson, J. A. Gill, G. F. Appleton, H. Gislason, A. Gardarsson, A. R. Watkinson, W. J. Sutherland
In Biological Conservation, 128(2) (MAR 2006), 265-275

Iceland is responsible for many internationally important populations of breeding bird species, yet very little is currently known about how these species use the habitats available to them. Lowland areas of Iceland, in particular, have undergone significant landscape changes over the last century, such as widespread drainage of wetlands and conversion to agriculture, changes in grazing pressure and recently, extensive afforestation. The impact of these changes on breeding bird species will depend on the relative importance of different habitats for each species, and the threats facing those habitats. Here we report the results of a large-scale survey of the factors influencing patterns of habitat selection of eight populations of Charadriiform bird species throughout lowland Iceland; oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, golden plover Pluvialis apricaria, dunlin Calidris alpina, snipe Gallinago gallinago, whimbrel Numenius phaeopus, black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa, redshank Tringa totanus and arctic skua Stercorarius parasiticus. Ordination analyses and multiple logistic regression models are constructed to explore the components of habitats that influence the distribution of these species. Five of the eight species analysed showed significant preferences for lowland wetland habitats and four significantly selected areas containing wet features such as pools and high water tables. These results allow us to identify future conflicts in land use that are likely to result from government-supported large-scale afforestation of lowland areas and hydro-electric developments. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Degradation, urbanization, and restoration: A review of the challenges and future of conservation on the Korean Peninsula

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 12:00:27

de Sang-Don Lee, Abraham J. Miller-Rushing
In Biological Conservation, 176 (AUG 2014), 262-276

Human history on the Korean Peninsula has left natural resource managers with a number of serious challenges regarding the preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem functions. The Korean Peninsula covers 222,403 km(2) and contains a mountainous interior, many islands, and biodiversity-rich coastal and marine areas. Biodiversity on the peninsula is not well documented, especially in North Korea, but the peninsula is estimated to host at least 100,000 species, and perhaps manyfold more. Roughly 6% of species identified to date are endemic, and among vertebrate species in South Korea, 29% of mammals, 14% of birds, 23% of freshwater fishes, 48% of reptiles, and 60% of amphibians are estimated to be at risk of extinction or have been extirpated from the peninsula. The situation is likely worse in North Korea. Species still occurring on the Korean Peninsula have survived near total deforestation of the landscape, heavy fishing, pollution, and, in South Korea, a period of rapid urbanization since the end of the Korean War in 1953. Conservation challenges are particularly dire in North Korea, where environmental degradation has impaired the country's ability to sustain agriculture, clean air and water, and other fundamental ecosystem services. Conservation faces significant challenges in South Korea, too, given the country's goal to continue to develop one of the world's most advanced and urbanized economies. Natural resource managers in both North and South Korea are pursuing large-scale restoration of forests, wetlands, lakes and rivers, and coastlines as a primary conservation strategy. In addition, South Korea is aggressively developing a "green economy" and is hosting international environmental meetings, attempting to take a leadership role as a convener of innovative thinking in conservation. North and South Korea are also implementing more common land protection techniques, such as the creation of national parks and other protected areas. These protected areas include the exceptional case of the 100,000-ha (250 km x 4 km) Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that forms the border between North and South Korea. The DMZ was not created for conservation reasons, but has provided an important refuge for many species. Other well-known protected areas include Jeju Island and Baekdu Daegan Mountain, both of which host many species important for conservation. Together, these conservation actions show promise and may allow the Korean Peninsula to preserve its biodiversity and regain some of its important ecosystem services. South Korea, in particular, provides an example for attempting to balance economic development and conservation in an area with a long history of human exploitation. North Korea is much farther behind in its conservation efforts, but is now beginning planning for large-scale restoration projects, which if implemented may help reverse its long trend of environmental degradation. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Artificial wetlands and surrounding habitats provide important foraging habitat for bats in agricultural landscapes in the Western Cape, South Africa

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 11:18:48

de Clelia Sirami, David Steve Jacobs, Graeme S. Cumming
In Biological Conservation, 164 (AUG 2013), 30-38

Agriculture and related habitat modification have been identified as globally important drivers of species loss. Habitat modification resulting from agriculture can, however, have both positive and negative consequences for animal species. The ecological trade-offs involved in agricultural development have often not been explored sufficiently well to identify mutually beneficial solutions. Bats, for example, have been strongly impacted by agriculture intensification, mainly through the destruction of forests and natural wetlands. However, artificial wetlands created primarily for irrigation in agricultural landscapes may provide foraging habitats for bats and thus contribute to both the conservation of bat species and the regulation of insect pest species. We studied the influence of artificial wetlands on bat communities in agricultural landscapes in South Africa. We used mixed models to assess spatial variations in species richness, total bat activity, and species activity across 30 landscapes. Each study site was centred on a 'focal wetland' and surrounded by various habitat categories: open habitat, vineyards, orchards and trees. Our results show a crucial role of wetlands for all bat species as well as a significant influence of wetland size and water cover on bat activity. However, we observed no significant difference in species richness and only small differences in activity levels between the 'focal wetland' and the surrounding habitats. The present study contributes to the body of literature suggesting that farm dams may act as biodiversity hotspots when properly managed. More generally, our analysis suggests that an in-depth understanding of the trade-offs between agricultural production and ecosystem integrity is important for finding mutually beneficial outcomes. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Predicting dispersal-limitation in plants: Optimizing planting decisions for isolated wetland restoration in agricultural landscapes

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 11:18:40

de Jessica L. O'Connell, Lacrecia A. Johnson, Benjamin J. Beas, Loren M. Smith, Scott T. McMurry, David A. Haukos
In Biological Conservation, 159 (MAR 2013), 343-354

Isolated wetlands are often degraded by agriculture, increasing sediment accretion and altering plant composition. Two common opposing wetland restoration practices are self-design vs. intensive revegetation. Self-design restores hydrogeomorphology without inoculating wetland taxa into restoration sites. Self-design may not meet restoration targets if dispersal-limited plants do not colonize restoration sites. Alternatively, intensive revegetation (hydrogeomorphic restoration combined with revegetation) is costly and time consuming. We investigated plant dispersal-limitation in 309 isolated wetlands among two agricultural landscapes in the U.S. Great Plains (the western High Plains (WHP) and the Rainwater Basin (RWB)) and three land-uses (reference, croplands, and previous croplands) to predict optimal restoration practices. We present analytical tools predicting whether self-design or intensive revegetation will be more successful elsewhere. In the WHP and RWB, perennial wetland cover was 61% and 31% greater in reference than in other land-uses. Distance to the nearest reference wetland explained perennial wetland richness in both regions, and area of reference wetlands within 15 km also was important in the WHP. Annual wetland species were over-represented in previous cropland wetlands and were less influenced by landscape isolation. We analytically identified dispersal-limited and cosmopolitan species in reference wetlands, with distance to reference wetlands and area of surrounding reference wetlands important in determining composition. Further, dispersal-limited plants in reference wetlands had greater cover in clustered than isolated wetlands in previous croplands. Plant community patterns in reference conditions may predict composition in restored wetlands. This aids selection of self-design or revegetation restoration approaches for individual plant species in isolated wetlands. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of land-use and conservation programs on wetland plant communities of the semiarid United States Great Plains

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 11:02:14

de Jessica L. O'Connell, Lacrecia A. Johnson, Loren M. Smith, Scott T. McMurry, David A. Haukos
In Biological Conservation, 146(1) (FEB 2012), 108-115

Depressional wetlands are predominant surface hydrological features providing critical societal ecosystem services in the semiarid United States High Plains. Critical wetland properties may be threatened because this 30 million ha short-grass prairie largely was converted from grassland to cropland. Further, the United States Department of Agriculture enrolled marginal cropland into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). CRP reduces topsoil erosion by planting permanent cover on croplands. In the High Plains, introduced tall-grasses primarily were planted in CRP, possibly reducing precipitation runoff, an important hydroperiod driver in wetlands. We assessed land-use influence on important wetland processes (wetland area, inundation, and plant composition) in 261 depressional wetlands called playas (87 each in native grassland, CRP, and cropland). Surveys spanned six states within three High Plains sub-regions (southern, central and northern). Playas averaged 8 ha in cropland and 16 ha in other land-uses. Plant composition in grassland playas was predominately native perennials, and upland plant cover equaled wetland plant cover. Cropland playas had fewer species/ha, generally more annuals than perennials and 80% greater exposed ground than other land-uses. CRP playas had 400% greater cover of introduced species (mostly upland perennial tall-grasses), which possibly inhibited catchment runoff, as CRP playas were inundated 56% less often than other land-uses. Therefore, tall grasses should not be planted in short-grass prairie CRP catchments, as they alter inundation frequency and vegetation communities in embedded wetlands. Conservation programs containing provisions to protect playas, including planting common native species and using grass buffers to control erosion into wetlands, should be promoted. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Farmland birds and resource protection in the UK: Cross-cutting solutions for multi-functional farming?

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 10:57:43

de Richard B. Bradbury, Will B. Kirby
In Biological Conservation, 129(4) (MAY 2006), 530-542

Farmland bird declines in Europe are well documented. In the UK, agri-environment schemes are key mechanisms for reversing the declines of birds and other farmland biodiversity, but recent reviews suggest that wet habitats might be a gap in provision by these schemes. Important resources provided by wet habitats include: (i) damp soil, for probing species; (ii) permanent water to provide water-dependent invertebrates, as a source of food; (iii) bare or sparsely vegetated ground in the draw-down zone, to improve access to food; (iv) rank emergent vegetation for nesting. However, wet habitats have been lost from farmland as a result of loss of ponds and filling of ditches, as well as the effective removal of water from fields by surface run-off, itself affected by soil compaction, and extensive under-field drainage. The efficient removal of water from fields can cause problems downstream, both through flooding, and diffuse pollution. Regular farmland pollutants include pesticides, nitrogen, phosphor-us and sediment, leading to environmental problems such as eutrophication and reduced quality of drinking water. Major new political instruments, such as the Water Framework Directive, will aim to reduce the impact of this diffuse pollution from agriculture. A variety of solutions to diffuse pollution, such as conservation tillage, buffer strips at field edges, and small constructed wetlands, could simultaneously provide some of the resources required by farmland birds. We suggest that future agri-environment schemes, to be truly multifunctional, could focus on bringing these diverse objectives together. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reversible effects of fertilizer use on population trends of waterbirds in Europe

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 10:53:53

de A. P. Moller, K. Laursen
In Biological Conservation, 184 (APR 2015), 389-395

Nutrients are often limiting primary productivity, and fertilizer use by agriculture increases primary and secondary productivity in marine environments. High levels of eutrophication due to fertilizer use can have negative effects on the distribution and the abundance of many organisms including waterbirds inhabiting freshwater and marine wetlands. Because nutrients, in particular phosphorus, can be stored in sediment, reversal of effects of eutrophication can take considerably longer time than the period during which effects of eutrophication build up. We quantified the effects of fertilizer use on 50 species of freshwater and coastal waterbirds monitored across Europe during 1982-2008 during the increase and the decrease phase of fertilizer use. More species were negatively affected by fertilizer use, and use of marine habitats during winter was the single-most important predictor of negative trends. The relative effect of fertilizer use on abundance of waterbird species was consistent during the increase and the decrease phase of fertilizer use. The effects of fertilizer use were statistically independent of the effects of climate change. Reversal of the effect of fertilizer use on population trends of waterbirds was almost three times as slow as the build-up of effects of nutrients on population size. These findings have management implications for the extent and the duration of fertilizer policies at local, national and international levels since these policies will partly determine the population trends and the population sizes of waterbirds. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of increased salinity and an introduced predator on lowland amphibians in Southern China: Species identity matters

Thu, 26 Oct 2017 10:52:35

de Nancy E. Karraker, James Arrigoni, David Dudgeon
In Biological Conservation, 143(5) (MAY 2010), 1079-1086

Approximately 30% of amphibian species are threatened due to a variety of factors affecting their habitats and physiology, yet contributions that interactions among factors make to population declines are not well-explored. Two factors, introduced mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) and increased salinity, may coincide in lowland habitats used by breeding amphibians. Mosquitofish have been introduced worldwide and can be significant predators of amphibian larvae. Salinization of wetlands is an increasing problem globally due to (1) application of road deicing salts in temperate regions, (2) irrigation practices associated with intensive agriculture, and (3) saltwater intrusion due to sea-level rise. We investigated the effects of mosquitofish (C. affinis) and increasing salinity on five species of lowland wetland-breeding amphibians from southern China. We exposed anuran hatchlings to four salinity levels and two fish treatments and all combinations of the two factors in a series of experiments. Four of the species were susceptible to predation by mosquitofish, two were sensitive to increased salinity at concentrations >6% seawater, and one was tolerant of both increased salinity and mosquitofish. We found no interaction between the predator and increased salinity. Salinization and mosquitofish represent significant threats to lowland amphibians in this region and, coupled with the ongoing loss and degradation of lowland wetlands, portend a bleak future for lowland amphibian populations in the region. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Skjern River Valley, Northern Europe's most expensive wetland restoration project: benefits to breeding waterbirds

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 10:05:09

de Thomas Bregnballe, Ole Amstrup, Thomas E. Holm, Preben Clausen, Anthony D. Fox
In Ornis Fennica, 91(4) (2014), 231-243

After circa 35 years of drainage and intensive arable tillage, the lower Skjern River, Denmark was re-engineered to its original meanders and flooding regime, creating 22 km(2) of lakes, shallow wetlands and seasonally flooded grazed wet grassland costing [SIC]38 million. The primary motivation was to restore the sediment/nutrient retention capacity of the river valley to reduce eutrophication of Ringkobing Fjord at its efflux. Secondary objectives were to (i) restore breeding and staging bird habitat, (ii) enhance the self-sustaining Atlantic Salmon Salmo salar population and (iii) improve recreational and tourist activities. Despite lack of specific success criteria, breeding waterbird numbers increased from 134 +/- 22.9 SE (n = 3) pairs before to 1,744 +/- 153 SE (n = 5) after restoration (although on average 1,004 of these were Black-headed Gulls Chroicocephalus ridibundus), species richness and diversity also increased. Twenty-nine waterbird species returned to breed, 10 of national or international significance (Danish Red List/European Union Birds Directive Annex 1 species) now ranking Skjern River amongst the top 10 most important breeding waterbird sites in Denmark. Currently, agriculture supports cost-neutral management of the restoration area, but whilst most expected wet meadow and marsh species had returned, lack of goal-orientated management targets resulted in some additional rare and threatened species remaining absent. Breeding pair density and diversity of other species could have been greatly improved by prior planning and management intervention but at additional cost.

Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea home range and habitat use during the non-breeding season in Assam, India

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 13:35:26

de Tsewang Namgail, John Y. Takekawa, Balachandran Sivananinthaperumal, Gopala Areendran, Ponnusamy Sathiyaselvam, Taej Mundkur, Tracy McCracken, Scott Newman
In Wildfowl, 61 (2011), 182-193

India is an important non-breeding ground for migratory waterfowl in the Central Asian Flyway. Millions of birds visit wetlands across the country, yet information on their distribution, abundance, and use of resources is rudimentary at best. Limited information suggests that populations of several species of migratory ducks are declining due to encroachment of wetland habitats largely by agriculture and industry. The development of conservation strategies is stymied by a lack of ecological information on these species. We conducted a preliminary assessment of the home range and habitat use of Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea in the northeast Indian state of Assam. Seven Ruddy Shelducks were fitted with solar-powered Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite transmitters, and were tracked on a daily basis during the winter of 2009-2010. Locations from all seven were used to describe habitat use, while locations from four were used to quantify their home range, as the other three had too few locations (< 30) for home range estimation. A Brownian Bridge Movement Model (BBMM), used to estimate home ranges, found that the Ruddy Shelduck had an average core use area (i.e. the contour defining 50% of positions) of 40 km(2) (range = 22-87 km(2)) and an average home range (95% contour) of 610 km(2) (range = 222-1,550 km(2)). Resource Selection Functions (RSF), used to describe habitat use, showed that the birds frequented riverine wetlands more than expected, occurred on grasslands and shrublands in proportion to their availability, and avoided woods and cropland habitats. The core use areas for three individuals (75%) were on the Brahmaputra River, indicating their preference for riverine habitats. Management and protection of riverine habitats and nearby grasslands may benefit conservation efforts for the Ruddy Shelduck and waterfowl species that share these habitats during the non-breeding season.

Wetland issues affecting waterfowl conservation in North America

Thu, 31 Aug 2017 13:34:20

de Heath M. Hagy, Scott C. Yaich, John W. Simpson, Eduardo Carrera, David A. Haukos, W. Carter Johnson, Charles R. Loesch, Fritz A. Reid, Scott E. Stephens, Ralph W. Tiner, et al.
In Wildfowl, Sp. Iss. 4 (2014), 343-367

This paper summarises discussions by invited speakers during a special session at the 6th North American Duck Symposium on wetland issues that affect waterfowl, highlighting current ecosystem challenges and opportunities for the conservation of waterfowl in North America. Climate change, invasive species, U.S. agricultural policy (which can encourage wetland drainage and the expansion of row-crop agriculture into grasslands), cost and competition for water rights, and wetland management for non-waterfowl species were all considered to pose significant threats to waterfowl populations in the near future. Waterfowl populations were found to be faced with significant threats in several regions, including: the Central Valley of California, the Playa Lakes Region of the south-central U.S., the Prairie Pothole Region of the northern U.S. and western and central Canada, the boreal forest of northern Canada, the Great Lakes region and Latin America. Apart from direct and indirect threats to habitat, presenters identified that accurate and current data on the location, distribution and diversity of wetlands are needed by waterfowl managers, environmental planners and regulatory agencies to ensure focussed, targeted and cost-effective wetland conservation. Although populations of many waterfowl species are currently at or above long-term average numbers, these populations are thought to be at risk of decline in the near future because of ongoing and predicted nesting habitat loss and wedand destruction in many areas of North America.

Spatial Assessment of Water Use in an Environmentally Sensitive Wetland

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 09:15:17

de Shahbaz Khan, Mohsin Hafeez, Akhtar Abbas, Aftab Ahmad
In AMBIO, 38(3) (MAY 2009), 157-165

Wetlands are among the most valuable ecosystems in the world and are crucial in supporting biodiversity. They also provide space for storing surface waters, where intense biological processing occurs that helps improve water quality. Human activities, particularly irrigated agriculture and urban developments instigating water diversions from rivers, have altered the hydrology of most wetlands. The Lower Murrumbidgee wetland, located in the Murrumbidgee River Catchment, is an example and is one of the significant wetlands across the Murray Darling Basin of Australia. Historic estimates show the volumes of water ranged from none in dry years to about 300 to 400 GIL (1 GL = 10(9) L) in an average and wet year, respectively. The flows reaching the Lower Murrumbidgee wetland have been drastically reduced by at least 60% because of the upstream diversions introduced during the last century. These reductions have adversely affected the health of natural vegetation and agricultural crops in the Lower Murrumbidgee floodplain. This article presents the results of the quantification of total water consumption of various land uses in the Lower Murrumbidgee floodplain using the remote sensing-based Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) modeling approach. The spatial analysis of actual evapotranspiration (ETa) shows that ETa rates are the highest (13-26%) for the red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) forests both in summer and winter days. However, in terms of total ETa volume, lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta) constitutes the most significant part, which is around 14-30% of the total ET, volume for the area. Actual evapotranspiration from winter cereal cropping areas following the summer ponding is the third highest consumer of water after the river red gum and lignum. Actual evapotranspiration from the fallow land is also significant, representing 5-28% of total ETa from the region. In view of the extent of the unaccounted flows in the overall water balance of the system, there is a need to upgrade measuring and reporting infrastructure by strengthening the institutional and management arrangements to better gauge the efficiency of environmental and consumptive water use. The state-of-the-art technology of remote sensing-based SEBAL modeling proved to have potential for measuring actual water use with reliable accuracy and can be used for assessing the environmental and productive use of water from wetlands in other regions of Australia.

Climate Change and Agricultural Development: Adapting Polish Agriculture to Reduce Future Nutrient Loads in a Coastal Watershed

Thu, 24 Aug 2017 09:10:05

de Mikolaj Piniewski, Ignacy Kardel, Marek Gielczewski, Pawel Marcinkowski, Tomasz Okruszko
In AMBIO, 43(5) (SEP 2014), 644-660

Currently, there is a major concern about the future of nutrient loads discharged into the Baltic Sea from Polish rivers because they are main contributors to its eutrophication. To date, no watershed-scale studies have properly addressed this issue. This paper fills this gap by using a scenario-modeling framework applied in the Reda watershed, a small (482 km(2)) agricultural coastal area in northern Poland. We used the SWAT model to quantify the effects of future climate, land cover, and management changes under multiple scenarios up to the 2050s. The combined effect of climate and land use change on N-NO3 and P-PO4 loads is an increase by 20-60 and 24-31 %, respectively, depending on the intensity of future agricultural usage. Using a scenario that assumes a major shift toward a more intensive agriculture following the Danish model would bring significantly higher crop yields but cause a great deterioration of water quality. Using vegetative cover in winter and spring (VC) would be a very efficient way to reduce future P-PO4 loads so that they are lower than levels observed at present. However, even the best combination of measures (VC, buffer zones, reduced fertilization, and constructed wetlands) would not help to remediate heavily increased N-NO3 loads due to climate change and agricultural intensification.

Floral free fall in the Swiss lowlands: environmental determinants of local plant extinction in a peri-urban landscape

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 13:57:22

de Ivana Stehlik, John P. Caspersen, Lea Wirth, Rolf Holderegger
In Journal of Ecology, 95(4) (JUL 2007), 734-744

1. Local floras are being depleted by a host of human activities, including habitat destruction and fragmentation, eutrophication, and the intensification of agriculture. Species with particular ecological demands or life-history attributes are more prone to extinction than species with a broader niche. 2. We used an old herbarium from the municipality of Kusnacht (Swiss lowlands) as a historical record for comparison with contemporary plant diversity. This comparison revealed that 17% to 28% of all vascular plants that occurred between 1839 and 1915 were extinct by 2003. 3. Species of different habitats and life-forms had significantly different rates of extinction: wetlands, disturbed sites and meadows lost most species, whereas forests and rocky habitats were least affected; aquatics and annuals were most prone to extinction, geophytes and hemicryptophytes were intermediate, and phanerophytes and chamaephytes were least affected. 4. Species adapted to nutrient-poor soils suffered highest extinction in all habitats, indicating that eutrophication poses an urgent threat to species diversity. Light and soil moisture requirements also had significant effects on extinction, but the direction of the effect varied by habitat. 5. When species were grouped into IUCN categories of the red list of Switzerland, the rank order of the observed extinction matched the red list assignment. 6. Because many of the remaining species had high estimated extinction probabilities and because extinction is often delayed (extinction debt), a substantial part of the remaining flora of Kusnacht is likely to go extinct in the near future. This will increase the dominance of the common species that already comprise 81% of the local flora. 7. The rates and patterns of extinction in Kusnacht are probably representative of surrounding Swiss lowlands and peri-urban landscapes in most developed countries. Studies such as ours can serve as a call for action and form a basis for future monitoring of biodiversity.

Diet of Mallards wintering in Greentree reservoirs in southeastern Arkansas

Wed, 23 Aug 2017 12:54:11

de C. B. Dabbert, T. E. Martin
In Journal of Field Ornithology, 71(3) (SUM 2000), 423-428

Loss of wetlands to agriculture and development negatively impacts waterfowl. Greentree reservoirs are forested tracts that are purposefully flooded to increase hunting opportunities for sportsman and to provide shelter for waterfowl such as Mallards (Anas platyrhynchus). These human-made wetlands can also make natural foods such as acorns and invertebrates available to Mallards. Food habits analysis conducted in 1959 indicated acorns composed 24% of the volume of diets of Mallards collected from a variety of habitats including agricultural fields, naturally flooded bottomland forests, and greentree reservoirs in Arkansas. However, changes that may have occurred in food use by Mallards in bottomland hardwood habitats in Arkansas since last examined are unclear. We examined foods used by Mallards in greentree reservoirs from November 1990 to February 1991 in southeastern Arkansas. Seventeen species of plants and 21 families/orders of animals occurred in the diet of Mallards. Mallards consumed 65% plant matter, primarily seeds of narrowleaf foresteria (Foresteria angustifolia), Nuttall oak (Quercus nuttallii), Pennsylvania smartweed (Polygonum pensylvanicum), and rice (Oryza sativa). Invertebrate taxa, constituting 6% or more of the sample by both volume and mass, included the orders Coleoptera, Diptera, and Isopoda. Diets of Mallards present in greentree reservoirs in our study indicate Mallards still use natural foods, though agricultural seeds were in close proximity to natural foods.

Using Landsat images to map habitat availability for waterbirds in rice fields

Thu, 10 Aug 2017 14:49:20

de Gregorio M. Toral, David Aragones, Javier Bustamante, Jordi Figuerola
In Ibis, 153(4) (OCT 2011), 684-694

Rice fields are an important habitat for waterbirds. Knowledge of the availability of this habitat is important since the reduction in the area of natural wetlands has converted rice fields into vital refuges. This paper presents a method for mapping habitat availability in rice fields according to different waterbirds' habitat preferences and examining its phenology during the crop cycle. Data from bird censuses carried out in the Do ana rice fields were analysed to determine the habitat preferences of 22 species of waterbird at different stages in the rice production cycle. Discriminant function analysis of seven Landsat images was used to classify paddy field stages. The phenology of habitat availability in rice fields during autumn and winter was examined. Waterfowl and waders preferentially used the 'flooded' and 'mudflats with water' paddy field stages, respectively, and the 'rice growing' and 'dry' stages were rejected by waterbirds. The area of preferred habitats within rice fields increased during autumn; subsequently, the area of the 'flooded' paddy fields decreased in January, whereas that of 'mudflats with water' remained available until March. The automatic classification of paddy field stages with Landsat images allowed habitat availability for different species of waterbirds to be monitored and provides relevant information for understanding behavioural and population responses in waterbirds that use rice fields. After examining the phenology of the availability of habitat and comparing it with dates of arrival and departure of migrant waterbirds, best crop practices could be defined to favour waterbirds (i.e. adjusting harvest, ploughing and flooding dates). Taking into account climatic change and loss of wetlands this method could help in the integration of agriculture and conservation, in particular in areas where there is no remaining natural wetland habitat.

Wintering Common Cranes (Grus grus) in the wetland complex of Hauts Plateaux (East Algeria)

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 14:08:24

de Moussa Houhamdi, Abdelaziz Bouzegag, Yacine Nouidjem, Hinda Hafid, Menoijar Saheb, Sihem Seddik, Mohamed-Cherif Maazi, Tayeb Bensaci
In Aves, 45(2) (JUN 2008), 93-103

The complex of the wetlands situated in the hauts plateaux of eastern Algeria, is dominated by a semi-arid climate and composed of about fifteen stretches of wetland of which five have international importance (Ramsar sites) and a suitable wintering district for the Common Crane Grus grus. These adopt a rather particular strategy of wintering by using Graet Tart (25500 ha) as a sleeping area. This east edge complex however represents the spacious wetland of this area. At daybreak, the majority of the Common Cranes (73 to 84 %) leave this wetland water to search for food. Their choice is into very diversified owing to the fact that most of the area is planted in cereals (wheat, Triticum durum and barley, Hrodeum vulgare). Thus these Commons Cranes disperse in three principals direction: 54.40 % take off to the West in direction of the other wetlands of the complex, 27.10 % towards the South and 18.50 % towards North. It seems however that the Eastern area which is dominated by the forests of Hraktas (forests of holm oak Quercus ilex and Alep pine Pinus alpensis) and occupied by smalls agglomerations is not a preferential destination of these large waders.We followed up closely these populations since their arrival in mid-October until their total disappearance from the area during March over six consecutive witnering seasons (from 2001-2002 to 2006-2007) enabled us to underline a brutal recrudescence of their population. These decreases are mainly due to the early draining and the very later setting in water of these wetlands. This is the consequence of the modification work carried out since 2003 in order to promote more intensive agriculture in the hauts plateaux.

Population size, distribution and protection of black terns Chlidonias niger breeding in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 10:30:26

de Wilfried Knief, Olaf Ekeloef, Claus Ivens, Walther Petersen-Andresen
In Vogelwelt (Die), 126(3) (2005), 195-201

Like in other parts of western central Europe populations of Black Terns breeding in Schleswig-Holstein decreased by 90% during the past 50 years, the present population being 100-120 pairs. The range of Black Terns in Schleswig-Holstein also decreased. At present, the remaining breeding sites can mainly be found in the marshes along the west coast. The higher central and eastern parts of Schleswig-Holstein are more or less vacated. The main reason for the decreases seems to be loss and degradation of habitats. In particular different types of small wetlands that are not inhabited by other water birds disappeared or were degraded. These wetlands had posed an amphibious character to the landscape. Transformation of grassland to arable land and intensification of agriculture on grasslands might also have played a role. Measures for developing suitable habitats and protection of Black Terns are proposed.

The return of a Bavarian native - Population trends of the Common Crane Grus grus in Bavaria

Mon, 30 Jan 2017 10:21:13

de Miriam M. Hansbauer
In Ornithologischer Anzeiger, 49(1) (JUL 2010), 25-40

The European population of the Common Crane Grits grits has increased significantly during the last 30 years because of specific conservation measures, habitat restoration, and changes in agriculture. The Common Crane bred in Bavaria, Southern Germany, until about 1890 but due to intensive wetland drainage and peat harvesting it ultimately disappeared as a breeding bird. During the last 10 years, pairs of Common Cranes have sporadically been observed, and in the North-eastern part of Bavaria (Oberpfalz) a total of six successfully raised young have been confirmed since 2006. During migration through Bavaria, cranes stop over for between a few days and several weeks During the last 20 years these passage numbers have increased significantly. The Common Crane needs wetlands for breeding, but also as nocturnal roost sites during migration and on the wintering grounds. Where it finds undisturbed habitats, the Common Crane is able to breed successfully. Because conservation measures for the Common Crane also protect wetlands and their associated biodiversity, the crane is a good flagship-species.