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The Matsu Islands Tern Refuge comprises eight reefs located at a relay station on the East Asian bird migration route, and it attracts many transiting, wintering, or breeding birds to inhabit and live on the reefs every year. In order to understand the compositions of plant communities as a breeding habitat for seabirds, we investigated the plant communities of the eight reefs. A total of 130 plots of 10 × 10 square meters were established, from which we found 107 species of plants in 102 genera and 51 families. Among this, we found one critically endangered (CR) species, four vulnerable (VU) species, and three near-threatened (NT) species. The result of two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN) and indicator value (IndVal) showed 130 samples were divided into 11 vegetation types; most of the vegetation types had significant indicator species. We also use the two-way to present the plot of detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) by vegetation types and reefs. Moreover, this result reveals that these samples were more clearly cluster divided by islands. Our results reveal that the compositions and characteristics of plant communities were related clearly to the environmental factors for each reef in the Matsu Islands Tern Refuge. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that species composition of vegetation yielded high correlation with soil property, especially with soil pH. In addition, we found that the traces of bird activity is relevant to the characteristics and structures of plant communities. We found that the plant communities comprising low-grass shrubs would provide relatively soft nesting materials and sheltering effects for eggs or hatchlings for terns. Compared to low-grass shrubs, the traits of high-grass shrubs would not be beneficial to nest for breeding of terns on the ground, and no nested trace was found in these plant communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sicilian wetlands (Italy) are seriously threatened by human activities and ongoing climate change. The loss of these wetlands as migratory stepping stones could severely hamper the migratory flow of many bird species along the central Mediterranean. Targeted actions for the conservation of the avifauna require thorough knowledge of the utilization that waterbirds make of these habitats. Aiming to inform planning for more satisfactory bird habitat management and bird diversity preservation along the Mediterranean migratory bird flyway, in this study, we inventoried the avian metacommunity of the coastal wetlands in Sicily during the most critical period of the year (July–September) and used a multilevel analytical framework to explore the spatiotemporal dynamics in bird species assemblages. We recorded 73 bird species, of which almost 90% were migratory and 30 belonged to Annex I of the Birds Directive. At the metacommunity level, we found that all the biodiversity metrics were low in July and approximately doubled in the successive sampling sessions (August–September), where they showed little if any change. At the community level, we detected two main clusters of wetlands with regard to species richness, of which one (wetlands Baronello, Gela, Gornalunga, and Roveto) was characterized by higher levels of species richness in nearly all the sampling dates. The pattern of species richness in the Sicilian wetlands was most similar between the first and second half of August, while July was very dissimilar from all the other sampling dates. At the guild level, we found a significant increase during July–September in the number of the species belonging to the "Mediterranean" migration guild and the "divers from the surface" and "surface feeders" foraging guilds. At the species level, we detected a significant temporal sequence of the occurrence of waterbird species: two species were only early dwellers in July, ten species were only late dwellers in September, and twenty-six species made use of the Sicilian wetlands all summer long. The spatial distribution of the waterbird species differed significantly between any pair of sampling dates. Overall, the Little Grebe, the Spotted Redshank, and the Little Tern were the bird species with the highest site infidelity; by contrast, the Black Stork, the Broad-billed Sandpiper, the European Golden Plover, the Common Shelduck, and the Black-necked Grebe changed their spatial distribution among wetlands the least during July–September. Our study allowed us to detect (1) the wetlands and (2) the waterbird species to which the priority for conservation should be assigned, as well as (3) the exact time span during July–September when conservation measures should be mandatory, and not only advisable. These results provide a broader insight of the space–time patterns in bird species assembly in the coastal wetlands of Sicily during the critical summer period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During spring migration, nocturnal migrants attempt to minimize their travel time to reach their breeding grounds early. However, how they behave and respond to unfavourable conditions during their springtime travels is much less understood. In this study, we reveal the effects of atmospheric factors on nocturnal bird migration under adverse conditions during spring and autumn, based on one of the most detailed bird migration studies globally, using radar data from 13 deployments over a period of seven years (2014–2020) in the Levant region. Using ERA5 reanalysis data, we found that migratory birds maintain similar ground speeds in both autumn and spring migrations, but during spring, when encountering unfavourable winds, they put more effort into maintaining their travel speed by increasing self-powered airspeed by 18%. Moreover, we report for the first time that spring migrants showed less selectivity to wind conditions and migrated even under unfavourable headwind and crosswind conditions. Interestingly, we discovered that temperature was the most important weather parameter, such that warm weather substantially increased migration intensities in both seasons. Our results enhance our understanding of bird migration over the Levant region, one of the world's largest and most important migration flyways, and the factors controlling it. This information is essential for predicting bird migration, which—especially under the ongoing anthropogenic changes—is of high importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Placing wind turbines within large migration flyways, such as the North Sea basin, can contribute to the decline of vulnerable migratory bird populations by increasing mortality through collisions. Curtailment of wind turbines limited to short periods with intense migration can minimize these negative impacts, and near‐term bird migration forecasts can inform such decisions. Although near‐term forecasts are usually created with long‐term datasets, the pace of environmental alteration due to wind energy calls for the urgent development of conservation measures that rely on existing data, even when it does not have long temporal coverage.Here, we use 5 years of tracking bird radar data collected off the western Dutch coast, weather and phenological variables to develop seasonal near‐term forecasts of low‐altitude nocturnal bird migration over the southern North Sea.Overall, the models explained 71% of the variance and correctly predicted migration intensity above or below a threshold for intense hourly migration in more than 80% of hours in both seasons. However, the percentage of correctly predicted intense migration hours (top 5% of hours with the most intense migration) was low, likely due to the short‐term dataset and their rare occurrence. We, therefore, advise careful consideration of a curtailment threshold to achieve optimal results.Synthesis and applications: Near‐term forecasts of migration fluxes evaluated against measurements can be used to define curtailment thresholds for offshore wind energy. We show that to minimize collision risk for 50% of migrants, if predicted correctly, curtailments should be applied during 18 h in spring and 26 in autumn in the focal year of model assessments, resulting in an estimated annual wind energy loss of 0.12%. Drawing from the Dutch curtailment framework, which pioneered the 'international first' offshore curtailment, we argue that using forecasts developed from limited temporal datasets alongside expert insight and data‐driven policies can expedite conservation efforts in a rapidly changing world. This approach is particularly valuable in light of increasing interannual variability in weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary is a Ramsar site located in Haryana, India, which falls in the Central Asian flyway zone of the migratory birds. Its diverse ecological resources sustain a rich diversity of migratory and threatened birds. The species diversity, threat status, population trend and feeding guild of the avifauna in Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary, Haryana, India, was explored from October 2021 to October 2023. The data was collected every fortnightly using the line transects method. A total of 129 bird species belonging to 98 genera, 47 families and 17 orders were recorded. Order Passeriformes, with 45 species in 20 families, dominated the avifauna, followed by Anseriformes with 16 species, Charadriformes with 12 species and the rest of 15 orders. Anatidae was the most dominant family representing 12.40% (n=16). Among the reported species, 81 were residents, 36 were winter migrants and, 10 were summer migrants and 2 were passage migrants. One species was endangered and vulnerable in the threat status, while six were classified as near threatened as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (INUC) Red List, 2022. The bird sanctuary also supported 35 bird species with a declining population trend globally. The omnivorous and carnivorous feeding habits were equally dominant, followed by insectivorous and, nectarivorous and herbivorous birds, which were the least numerous. The presence of both resident and migrant birds of global conservation priority confirms the importance and conservation of Bhindawas Bird Sanctuary as a rich avifauna diversity habitat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) present significant threats to both animal and human health through their potential for cross-species transmission and global spread. Clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx highly pathogenic avian IAVs initially emerged in East Asia between 2013 and 2014. Since then, they have spread to Europe, Africa, and America via migratory bird flyways. However, beyond viral transmission primarily facilitated by migratory birds, the potential involvement of other intermediate factors for virus transmission remains poorly investigated. This study aimed to investigate the role of wild rodents as intermediary hosts in the ecology of avian IAVs in Gyeonggi province, South Korea. By capturing and analyzing 189 wild rodents near poultry farms and migratory bird habitats in 2013 and 2014 and employing serological assays and virus isolation techniques, we found no evidence of IAV infection among these populations. Our results suggest that wild rodents may not significantly contribute to the transmission dynamics of IAVs within these regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Sicilian wetlands (Italy) witness the migration of millions of birds every year. The anthropic exploitation of these wetlands, along with the exacerbation of climate variables, could soon prevent the occurrence of many waterbird species, especially in summer, and is already impacting their abundance. Our study delivers scientifically supported planning strategies to assist with preserving and restoring the avian diversity of the Sicilian wetlands and provide wetland managers with an effective methodological framework to step down their regional-scale approach to allow for the place-based planning of existing and project wetlands. In this study, we (a) formulated a general hypothesis about how wetland (functional and structural) traits influence avian diversity, (b) turned this hypothesis into a non-parametric Bayesian network, (c) disentangled the direct and indirect effects of the variables influencing waterbird species, and (d) simulated the changes expected to the levels of avian diversity as a result of numerous counterfactual and management scenarios. We applied our framework to the Sicilian wetlands as a whole; then, we downscaled simulations locally to a wetland of particular interest (Pantano Bruno). We found that (1) waterbird species are highly sensitive to wetland traits; (2) wetland traits have both direct and indirect effects upon alpha avian diversity; (3) the direct and indirect effects of wetland traits can be contrasting; (4) water level fluctuations (benefit), diversions (cost), and salinity (cost) are key factors for waterbird conservation; (5) these wetlands have the potential for hosting a level of alpha avian diversity that is double the baseline (from 19 to 38 species); (6) these wetlands are prone to ecological collapse if all traits deteriorate (from 19 to 6 species per wetland); and (7) the ecological information gained at the regional scale can be properly downscaled to the local scale to make inferences on single wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although some molecular epidemiological surveys on avian haemosporidian protozoa have been conducted in Turkey, it is of great importance to increase the number of studies on the subject in this country, which has important bird migration routes between Europe and Africa. Hatay province, which is the intersection point of many bird migration routes in the intercontinental crossing, is a very suitable geographical location for the investigation of avian haemosporidian protozoa in a wide variety of bird species that use it as a route. Therefore, this study was planned to survey Haemoproteus spp., Plasmodium spp., and Leucocytozoon spp. in migratory birds sampled from this province. The animal material of the study consisted of Ciconia ciconia (Ciconiformes, n:45), Ichthyaetus melanocephalus (Charadriiformes, n:2), Pelecanus onocrotalus (Pelecaniformes, n:5) and Pelecanus crispus (Pelecaniformes, n:1). Microscopic examinations revealed Haemoproteus spp. gametocytes (5.66%) in one white stork and two Mediterranean gulls. On the other hand, nested PCR assay targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene revealed the presence of Plasmodium/Haemoproteus spp. in 11.3% (6/53) of migratory birds. Leucocytozoon spp. was not detected by either microscopy or PCR. PCRpositive products were sequenced bi-directionally, and the GenBank and MalAvi databases were used for phylogenetic analysis and lineage identification of the isolates. This study revealed H-MYCAME08 lineage (OR227579, OR227580, OR227581, OR227582) in Ciconia ciconia and H-LARCRA01 [H. (Parahaemoproteus) larae] lineage (OR227577, OR227578) in Ichthyaetus melanocephalus, respectively. There are no studies investigating the haemosporidian parasites of these birds in Turkey, and studies on haemosporidian parasites of these species in different countries are also limited. Although the Haemoproteus MYCAME08 Cytb lineage has been demonstrated in ciconiform birds (Ciconidae) and the LARCRA01 lineage in charadriiform birds (Laridae), this study is unique in terms of reporting these lineages in different species in the same families. Inspired by this, we envisage that the expanding host range of Cytb lineages of haemosporidian protozoa is an indication that there is still a long way to go with avian haemosporidian protozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green-up of vegetation in spring brings a pulse of food resources that many animals track during migration. However, green-up phenology is changing with climate change, posing an immense challenge for species that time their migrations to coincide with these resource pulses. We evaluated changes in green-up phenology from 2002 to 2021 in relation to the migrations of 150 Western-Hemisphere bird species using eBird citizen science data. We found that green-up phenology has changed within bird migration routes, and yet the migrations of most species align more closely with long-term averages of green-up than with current conditions. Changing green-up strongly influenced phenological mismatches, especially for longer-distance migrants. These results reveal that bird migration may have limited flexibility to adjust to changing vegetation phenology and emphasize the mounting challenge migratory animals face in following en route resources in a changing climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) has impacted poultry and wild birds globally. The number of H5 HPAI virus (HPAIV) infection cases in wild birds in Hokkaido (Northern Japan) was high in the last two seasons, contributing to virus spillover to resident birds and poultry. Therefore, H5 HPAIVs in birds and mammals in Hokkaido in winter 2022–2023 and 2023–2024 were monitored and viruses were phylogenetically, antigenically, and pathogenetically characterized. Thirty HPAIV isolates were subtyped and pathotyped by sequencing the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of viruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA gene revealed that all isolated HPAIVs were categorized into clade 2.3.4.4b and divided into three groups (G2b, G2c, and G2d). Most isolates belonging to subgroup G2d clustered with isolates in winter 2021–2022 in Hokkaido. The other isolates were categorized into two subgroups, G2b and G2c, mainly composed of isolates in Honshu Island in winter 2021–2022 and 2022–2023, respectively. Two H5 HPAIVs isolated in Eastern Russia in spring and autumn 2022 were genetically close to most Hokkaido isolates (G2d), and a virus isolated in Hokkaido in November 2023 was also grouped in subgroup G2d. Further analysis of all eight gene segments identified six types of gene constellations. Cross-hemagglutination inhibition test indicated that the antigenicity of H5 HPAIVs isolated in the last several seasons was similar within them but slightly different from that in the 2010s. Three chicken breeds were intranasally challenged with four representative isolates to assess their pathogenicity. All chickens except one broiler chicken were dead until 5-day postchallenge with different pathogenicity of these viruses. The pathogenicity of one HPAIV strain was significantly lower in broiler chickens than in layer chickens. The mixture of multiple characteristics of HPAIVs in Hokkaido was confirmed by bird migration routes. Thus, many HPAIVs can be brought and scattered anywhere on Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) infection is a viral disease caused by arboviruses. It can cause epidemics of febrile diseases and meningoencephalitis, especially at the end of the summer season. In this study, we aimed to determine the risk factors of WNV encephalitis with a case–control study of the patients followed in our clinic. Materials and Methods: Among the patients who applied to our hospital with sudden onset fever, headache, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, maculopapular rash, viral meningitis, or encephalitis findings in late summer and early autumn, those diagnosed with positive WNV PCR and antibody tests were defined as WNV cases. In the same date range, patients with clinically compatible but negative serological and PCR tests for WNV in our hospital were considered as the control group. Results: WNV infection was diagnosed in 26 of 48 patients who were examined with a preliminary diagnosis of WNV infection, and the other 22 patients were considered as the control group. A statistically significant difference was found between the two groups in C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, 1-h erythrocyte sedimentation rate, alkaline phosphatase, platelet, and platelet distribution width (PDW). PDW >17.85% indicated WNV infection with 82% sensitivity and 91% specificity. PDW percentage >17.85 increased the risk of WNV infection by 6.1 times. The power of the study was calculated as 83%. Conclusion: The most common findings in WNV cases were fever and confusion. WNV infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with fever and confusion in September and October in settlements on the migration route of birds. The percentage of PDW in whole blood examination can guide the differential diagnosis of WNV cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important migratory bird habitat along the East Asian-Australasian route, the coastal wetlands along the Yellow Sea have experienced significant human losses and threats due to the impact of wind farms. In this study, the radar data was adopted to examine and analyse the spatial and temporal changes of the human-made characteristic areas that caused the change of the migration route of birds in the Yellow Sea from 2015 to 2022. The results show that the areas of impact zones in the study area on water of the Yellow Sea, during the last 8 years, increased 14 times, from 35.7 km2 to 506.3 km2. The areas of impact zones in the study area on land, during the last 8 years, increased almost two times, from 303.4 km2 to 544.2 km2, which also has a serious impact on the number of migratory birds. Therefore, China should carefully evaluate the impact and potential threat of domestic wind farms under operation and construction on birds and other wildlife, and provide scientific solutions for the site selection of new wind farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2020, clade 2.3.4.4b highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 and H5N1 viruses have swept through continents, posing serious threats to the world. Through comprehensive analyses of epidemiological, genetic, and bird migration data, we found that the dominant genotype replacement of the H5N8 viruses in 2020 contributed to the H5N1 outbreak in the 2021/2022 wave. The 2020 outbreak of the H5N8 G1 genotype instead of the G0 genotype produced reassortment opportunities and led to the emergence of a new H5N1 virus with G1's HA and MP genes. Despite extensive reassortments in the 2021/2022 wave, the H5N1 virus retained the HA and MP genes, causing a significant outbreak in Europe and North America. Furtherly, through the wild bird migration flyways investigation, we found that the temporal-spatial coincidence between the outbreak of the H5N8 G1 virus and the bird autumn migration may have expanded the H5 viral spread, which may be one of the main drivers of the emergence of the 2020-2022 H5 panzootic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wetlands of southwestern Siberia (SWS) are a crossroads of bird migration routes, bringing avian influenza (AIV) strains that were previously isolated in different regions of the continent to Siberia. It is known that Anseriformes that breed in SWS migrate for the winter to central Hindustan or further west, while their migration routes to southeast Asia (SEA) remain unconfirmed. Here, we mapped the molting sites of the migrating Common Teals (Anas crecca) via analyzing stable hydrogen isotope content in feathers of hunters' prey and supplemented the analysis with the genetic structure of viruses isolated from teals in the same region. Post-breeding molt of autumn teals most likely occurred within the study region, whereas probable pre-breeding molting grounds of spring teals were in the south of Hindustan. This link was supported by viral phylogenetic analysis, which showed a close relationship between SWS isolates and viruses from south and southeast Asia. Most viral segments have the highest genetic similarity and the closest phylogenetic relationships with viruses from teal wintering areas in southeast Asian countries, including India and Korea. We assume that the winter molt of SWS breeding teals on the Hindustan coast suggests contacts with the local avifauna, including species migrating along the coast to SEA. Perhaps this is one of the vectors of AIV transmission within Eurasia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: West Nile virus (WNV) outbreaks in birds, humans, and livestock have occurred in multiple areas in Europe and have had a significant impact on animal and human health. The patterns of emergence and spread of WNV in Europe are very different from those in the US and understanding these are important for guiding preparedness activities. Methods: We mapped the evolution and spread history of WNV in Europe by incorporating viral genome sequences and epidemiological data into phylodynamic models. Spatially explicit phylogeographic models were developed to explore the possible contribution of different drivers to viral dispersal direction and velocity. A "skygrid-GLM" approach was used to identify how changes in environments would predict viral genetic diversity variations over time. Findings: Among the six lineages found in Europe, WNV-2a (a sub-lineage of WNV-2) has been predominant (accounting for 73% of all sequences obtained in Europe that have been shared in the public domain) and has spread to at least 14 countries. In the past two decades, WNV-2a has evolved into two major co-circulating clusters, both originating from Central Europe, but with distinct dynamic history and transmission patterns. WNV-2a spreads at a high dispersal velocity (88km/yr–215 km/yr) which is correlated to bird movements. Notably, amongst multiple drivers that could affect the spread of WNV, factors related to land use were found to strongly influence the spread of WNV. Specifically, the intensity of agricultural activities (defined by factors related to crops and livestock production, such as coverage of cropland, pasture, cultivated and managed vegetation, livestock density) were positively associated with both spread direction and velocity. In addition, WNV spread direction was associated with high coverage of wetlands and migratory bird flyways. Conclusion: Our results suggest that—in addition to ecological conditions favouring bird- and mosquito- presence—agricultural land use may be a significant driver of WNV emergence and spread. Our study also identified significant gaps in data and the need to strengthen virological surveillance in countries of Central Europe from where WNV outbreaks are likely seeded. Enhanced monitoring for early detection of further dispersal could be targeted to areas with high agricultural activities and habitats of migratory birds. Author summary: Evidence for the drivers for West Nile virus (WNV) dispersal has been not clear in Europe. Here, we have comprehensively described the dispersal history of the currently predominant WNV lineage in Europe and estimated the contribution of key drivers of spread between and within countries. By fitting several phylodynamic and phylogeographic models, we found that 1) WNV in Europe has a greater lineage diversity than in other regions of the world. 2) Agricultural intensity had the greatest impact on both WNV spread direction and velocity. 3) WNV spread direction was specifically associated with urbanization and bird habitats. 4) Climate change and bio-diversity changes predicted viral genetic diversity over time. Our study revealed that to enhance preparedness for potential outbreaks, it is important to further define these drivers, and increase sampling for WNV in areas that appear to be a source of WNV in other countries in Europe, as well as in regions with known risk factors but where WNV has not yet been detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenological responses to climate change frequently vary among trophic levels, which can result in increasing asynchrony between the peak energy requirements of consumers and the availability of resources. Migratory birds use multiple habitats with seasonal food resources along migration flyways. Spatially heterogeneous climate change could cause the phenology of food availability along the migration flyway to become desynchronized. Such heterogeneous shifts in food phenology could pose a challenge to migratory birds by reducing their opportunity for food availability along the migration path and consequently influencing their survival and reproduction. We develop a novel graph‐based approach to quantify this problem and deploy it to evaluate the condition of the heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology for 16 migratory herbivorous waterfowl species in Asia. We show that climate change‐induced heterogeneous shifts in vegetation phenology could cause a 12% loss of migration network integrity on average across all study species. Species that winter at relatively lower latitudes are subjected to a higher loss of integrity in their migration network. These findings highlight the susceptibility of migratory species to climate change. Our proposed methodological framework could be applied to migratory species in general to yield an accurate assessment of the exposure under climate change and help to identify actions for biodiversity conservation in the face of climate‐related risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tundra of the East Asian Arctic is inhabited by at least three flyway populations of the tundra swan: the East Asian continental migratory flyway population of C. c. bewickii; the western Pacific flyway population of C. c. bewickii, and the western (American) flyway population of C. c. columbianus. The main objective of the present paper is to assess population trends by comparing information on the historical bird aerial survey in 1993–1995 (the only one conducted in the tundra of northeastern Asia) with the data of our aerial survey held in 2020–2021. Another aim was to estimate the proportion of breeding birds in different flyway populations. The size of the zone of intergradation of C. c. bewickii and C. c. columbianus in Chukotka and the level of hybridization have so far remained poorly studied; this issue requires clarification. The aerial survey data for 2020–2021 were processed using the QuantumGIS 9.16.5 software. The system included the following layers: a vector layer of the world map; routes of aerial surveys for 2020 and 2021; and polygons of counts for 1993–1995. The system made it possible to calculate the length of the survey. Estimates for each region were calculated for the extrapolation area given in the historical survey. Between 1993–1995 and 2020–2021, an increase in the numbers of all three flyway populations of the tundra swan was revealed on the breeding grounds. The East Asian continental flyway population increased 3.86 times versus 3.05 times for the West Pacific flyway population (while the documented growth of this population was 2.1 times, according to mid-winter counts over the same period). The Western (American) flyway population grew 2.5 times. We believe that the northern border of the summer range of the tundra swan has significantly shifted to the north, following the summer climate change and the northward shift of the subarctic tundra zone. Registration of nests and broods in areas where only nonbreeding birds were recorded during the historical survey is additional evidence of a northward displacement of the range. The Kym"yneiveem River (about 175.6° W) borders the areas of dominance of C. c. bewickii and C. c. columbianus. A switch in dominance has been triggered, as there is no zone where both subspecies would occur in equal proportions. The overlapping area of both subspecies extends for 600 km along the Arctic coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracking the flight patterns of birds and bats in three-dimensional space is central to key questions in evolutionary ecology but remains a difficult technical challenge. For example, complex aerial flight displays are common among birds breeding in open habitats, but information on flight performance is limited. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of using a large ground-based 4-microphone planar array to track the aerial flight displays of the cryptic Jack Snipe Lymnocryptes minimus. The main element of male display flights resembles a galloping horse at a distance. Under conditions of sufficient signal-to-noise ratio and of vertical alignment with the microphone array, we successfully tracked male snipe in 3D space for up to 25 seconds with a total flight path of 280 m. The 'gallop' phase of male snipe dropped from ca. 141 to 64 m above ground at an average velocity of 77 km/h and up to 92 km/h. Our project is one of the first applications of bioacoustics to measure 3D flight paths of birds under field conditions, and our results were consistent with our visual observations. Our microphone array and post-processing workflow provides a standardised protocol that could be used to collect comparative data on birds with complex aerial flight displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prescottiella sudanensis is a rare, asymmetrical desmid currently known from only a few countries in equatorial Africa. During the present study, P. sudanensis cells were found in water samples from Vogel Pan located in the far north-eastern side of Namibia, thereby expanding the known geographical distribution of the species. The location of the sampling site, which is situated in a direct line halfway between the Makgadikgadi pans and Okavango Delta towards the east (Botswana) and the Etosha pans towards the west (Namibia), suggests that migrating birds are likely vectors spreading desmids from one waterbody to another. In this paper a morphological description (including dimensions) and micrographs of P. sudanensis are presented, and the known geographical distribution of the species is discussed in relation to migration routes of birds. As the genus and species names are invalid according to ICN Art. 40.1, the names are also validated in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The city of Chennai in southern India lies directly under one of the most significant global flyways for migratory birds. Over the last forty years, however, this intricate regional topography of lakes and watercourses that supports millions of birds and other organisms has been drastically reduced. I develop the idea of "ecological decay" in relation to the Pallikaranai wetlands in southern Chennai to explore the multiple socio-ecological dynamics behind declining levels of biodiversity. I note how the colonial simplification of the landscape has been entrained within an accelerated impetus towards regional capitalist urbanization. Thus far, however, the question of biodiversity in Chennai has been largely framed through the analytical lens of European modernity. I consider in particular whether a modified urban political ecology framework might provide distinctive insights into the particularities of biodiversity decline in an Indian context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Natural wetlands supply food and shelter for many bird species and offer stopover sites that allow waterbirds to make long migratory journeys. Human impacts and ongoing climate change are however reducing the ability of wetlands to provide such essential services to avian diversity. Therefore, scientists are now forced to consider new approaches to the proactive management of remaining marginal wetlands so as to preserve the associated biodiversity as well. Because regional planning and wetland management are often debatable issues, we argue here that in silico simulation modeling, combined with field surveys and data collection, provides an appropriate methodology to address this matter effectively. Modeling and dynamically simulating the changes expected to the levels of avian diversity as a function of plausible counterfactual and management scenarios provides an informed and scientifically defensible basis for proactive conservation strategies. Such simulations present an opportunity to test numerous different scenarios, exploring their implications for the conservation of avian diversity, thus providing a well-grounded and realistic approach to dealing with inherent uncertainties in wetland management and waterbird conservation. The Sardinian wetlands (Italy) act as stopover sites for many migratory birds along the central eastern Mediterranean bird flyway. These wetlands are now severely threatened by human activities and climate change. Accordingly, we built a simulation framework to predict the effects of several counterfactual and management scenarios on the level of avian diversity in the coastal wetlands of Sardinia. We found that the alpha avian diversity (i.e., the mean number of avian species per wetland) is destined to (a) decrease due to the most likely increase in water salinity, water discharges, and tourism pressure; and (b) halve (from 14.9 to 7.4, with 9 wetlands out of 22 predicted to host only between two and five waterbird species) in the worst possible scenario. However, the results also showed that proper management strategies could prevent and reverse such outcomes. Restrictions on tourism activities, water desalination, prevention of future saltwater intrusions, and the prohibition of water discharges could markedly favor the avian diversity in these wetlands, with an expected increase in the alpha avian diversity from 14.9 to 24.8 (and 10 wetlands out of 22 predicted to host from 29 to 32 waterbird species) in the best possible scenario. The importance of our results could be emphasized in the management plans of these important wetlands, most of which belong to the Natura 2000 network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long‐distance dispersal (LDD) is a critical process in the distribution of less‐migratory organisms. Migratory birds are considered the principal vector of LDD, especially over extremely long distances such as between continents. However, there has been no evidence of LDD spanning thousands of kilometers, even via birds. In this study, we collected a freshwater snail attached to a Latham's snipe. This snail was identified as the genus Glyptophysa through morphological and molecular identification based on four genetic regions. Considering the migration route of the bird and the distribution of the molluscan genus, we conclude that the snail was attached to a bird which migrated over 4000 km across the ocean. This finding demonstrates the LDD on an intercontinental scale of an organism via a migratory bird, which many biologists have long presumed to occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Respiratory diseases are a health and economic concern for poultry production worldwide. Given global economic exchanges and migratory bird flyways, respiratory viruses are likely to emerge continuously in new territories. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the major pathogens involved in respiratory disease in Tunisian broiler poultry and their epidemiology. Between 2018 and 2020, broilers farms in northeastern Tunisia were monitored, and 39 clinically diseased flocks were sampled. Samples were screened for five viral and three bacterial respiratory pathogens using a panel of real-time PCR assays. The reemergence of H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza virus (LPAIV) in commercial poultry was reported, and the Northern and Western African GI lineage strain was typed. The infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) GI-23 lineage and the avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) subtype B also were detected for the first time in broilers in Tunisia. H9N2 LPAIV was the most detected pathogen in the flocks tested, but rarely alone, as 15 of the 16 H9N2 positive flocks were co-infected. Except for infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV), all of the targeted pathogens were detected, and in 61% of the respiratory disease cases, a combination of pathogens was identified. The major combinations were H9N2 + aMPV (8/39) and H9N2 + IBV (6/39), showing the high contribution of H9N2 LPAIV to the multifactorial respiratory diseases. This field survey provided evidence of the emergence of new respiratory viruses and the complexity of respiratory disease in Tunisia. A comprehensive and continuous surveillance strategy therefore is needed to better control respiratory pathogens in Tunisia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report 4 highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) clade 2.3.4.4.b viruses in samples collected during June 2023 from Royal terns and Cabot's terns in Brazil. Phylodynamic analysis revealed viral movement from Peru to Brazil, indicating a concerning spread of this clade along the Atlantic Americas migratory bird flyway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the study of migratory birds and the role they play in transporting various pathogens, including viruses and bacteria, across the world. Topics discussed include the impact of climate change on bird migration patterns, the potential risks to human health, and efforts to monitor and predict disease outbreaks associated with these avian journeys.

Phylogeographical studies combined with species distribution modelling can provide evidence for past climate refugia. During the Pleistocene, the Chaco phytogeographical province (ChPP) underwent changes in the distribution range, and the flora might have found refugia in different habitats according to their climatic requirements. This contribution aims to infer the effects of historical geoclimatic changes on the evolutionary history of Capsicum chacoense , the southernmost chilli pepper growing in the ChPP. We analysed 27 localities with plastid markers and 23 with nuclear markers, covering the geographical range of the species. We performed statistical phylogeography, in addition to current and past species distribution modelling. We found three haploclades, diverging 2.3–1 Mya, intermingled throughout the mountain ranges of the ChPP as a consequence of glacial cycles. According to the species distribution modelling, the expansion of the species distribution occurred during interglacial periods. We found two dispersal routes from south to north of the species distribution, concomitant with the migration routes of birds that disperse their fruits. The spatial distribution of genetic diversity showed the highest genetic diversity values at higher elevations. The main orographic systems of the study area were identified as areas of presumed population stability. Consequently, mountains are priority regions for conservation because they contain areas with high genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the diverse ecological and aesthetic aspects of Great Salt Lake. Topics include the intricate interplay between natural asphalt (tar seeps) and human-made asphalt, the impact of environmental changes on the lake's ecosystem, and the challenge of perceiving and appreciating landscapes that are often dismissed as "stinky" or "ugly."

Migratory divides separate populations of migratory animals, facilitating the evolution of intraspecific differences in migration strategies. Migration strategies are expected to be different for birds using different flyways and environments, but the knowledge regarding the impact of the flyway on individual migration strategies is scarce. By using satellite tracking and neckband resightings, we reveal the existence and structure of a gradual migratory divide between two European flyway populations of greylag geese Anser anser. Birds breeding at the far end of the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea coast use the Western Flyway, those breeding in the Gulf of Finland the Central Flyway and those breeding between these extremes scatter to the two flyways. By using Gaussian process modelling, we show that migration strategies differed between the flyways. The birds using the Western Flyway migrated earlier in autumn, performed longer annual migration and made a clear stopover during migration, whereas the birds using the Central Flyway flew directly to their wintering sites. The gradual migratory divide that also divides migration strategies provides insights into migratory divides on birds with learned migration. Distinct migration strategies in different flyways provide exciting possibilities to further study the factors driving migration strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bat movement and behaviour are still mostly understudied over large scales. High‐altitude, nocturnal activity makes visual identification of bats from the ground virtually impossible, dramatically hindering our ability to study their movement ecology. Despite the wide use of radar in aeroecology, its application to study specific taxa is limited due to incomplete target classification abilities. BATScan is a bat classifier for vertical‐looking radar data, which enables identifying bats and characterizing their unique aeroecology.We constructed the classifier using data from 10 radar deployments, covering a wide range of habitats on a central bird migration flyway over a 7‐year period, comprising ~18 million observations. We analysed animal migration above the Hula Valley, home to over 30 species of bats spanning a range of 5–150 g in size and exhibiting a variety of ecological characteristics. We distinguished bat‐labelled radar echoes for training according to phenology, morphology and movement ecology of bats, birds and insects. Several non‐bat datasets were constructed and joined to train classifiers under increasing levels of difficulty. Class imbalance in the resulting training data was handled using a generative adversarial network for up‐sampling the much smaller bat dataset.The resulting classification tool reached a high level of accuracy and precision, and was further scrutinized with an extensive set of ecological validations.Bats perform seasonal migrations over long distances, but little is known about the spatial and temporal characteristics of this movement, and the ability to study it at a large scale has so far been limited. We present the Israeli BATScan dataset, containing over 60,000 bat observations spanning the entire country and representing multiple habitats. Using this data, we produce an unprecedented large scale, highly detailed documentation of the yearly movements of bats on a major migration flyway, and distinguish this pattern from bird migration over space and time.So far, radar aeroecology dealt primarily with birds, increasingly with insects, and only rarely with bats. We present BATScan, a classification tool that can incorporate bats into the framework of radar aeroecology to finally enable a comprehensive description of animal aeroecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a list of books received between January 2023 and May 2024 in the field of conservation biology. The books cover a wide range of topics, including ornithology, conservation journeys, data analysis, academic poster design, biodiversity conservation, and more. The books come from various publishers and authors from around the world. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a declining migratory species that overwinters in sub-Saharan Africa and migrates to Europe each spring to breed. Most of the knowledge regarding its wintering grounds, the routes it follows and the sites where it rests and regains mass between migration flights has been obtained from the west and central European populations. In this study, we combined long-term bird ringing data, tracking data and citizen science data to estimate the numbers of Turtle Doves that migrate through Greece every spring and increase our knowledge of how the species uses resting sites after crossing the Mediterranean Sea. Approximately 16% of the European population migrates through Greece every spring, between the end of March and the end of May. On average, Turtle Doves arrive with very low body mass, and some stay on the resting sites for as long as three weeks to regain the mass loss. The extensive use of resting sites after the Mediterranean Sea indicates the probable importance of such sites for the species. Migratory routes, important stopover sites and wintering grounds for the Turtle Dove, a declining trans-Saharan migratory bird, are known mainly for populations in western and central Europe, but very little is known about birds using the eastern migration flyway. By combining long-term ringing data, tracking data and citizen science data, a comprehensive picture of the stopover ecology of the Turtle Dove's spring migration in the eastern Mediterranean is presented. Furthermore, a quantitative estimate of the number of birds that migrate over Greece during the spring migration is given. Approximately 16% of the European population migrates through Greece, passing through as early as the end of March, with the passage lasting up to the end of May. On average, the species arrives depleted after the crossing of the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, with no systematic refuelling event taking place in North Africa. Both tracking and ringing data indicate that the birds undergo an extensive stopover after the barrier crossing (as much as close to three weeks). Turtle Doves additionally show significant body mass gain during their stay, indicating the potential importance of stopover sites after the Mediterranean Sea for the conservation of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marker Wadden is a 1000 ha artificial archipelago developed, since 2017, as a novel ecosystem to restore dynamics in a large Dutch freshwater lake with limited natural dynamics. The newly created habitats should, at flyway level, strengthen populations of threatened bird species that depend on dynamic wetlands. The archipelago includes basins with sandbars and mudflats subject to wind tides. Situated at 3 km distance from the mainland, ground predators are lacking. During the first five years of colonization (2017–2021) six pioneer breeding birds represented significant portions (>5%) of national populations. Common Terns (Sterna hirundo) and shorebirds of pioneer habitats were instantly numerous. Ducks and Black-headed Gulls (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) colonized from year two onwards and in year five gulls became the most numerous breeding birds. Staging birds such as ducks (including 13,000 Eurasian Teal [Anas crecca]), shorebirds, and spoonbills (Platalea leucorodia) appeared in internationally important numbers. We conclude that the archipelago indeed has become an important site for breeding and staging birds and at flyway level, especially in the growing season. Therefore, artificial semi-dynamic habitats with mudflats and developed at a sufficiently isolated and large scale, may mitigate losses of natural pioneer habitat in freshwaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following severe anthropogenic pressure from rapid economic development, wetland biodiversity is now decreasing alarmingly, thus leading to adverse effects. Protected areas (PAs) can be crucial conservation tools to secure wetland biodiversity. However, whether these PAs exhibit high conservation efficiency in buffering wildlife and habitats from human pressures needs to be understood. Given their sensitivity to habitat quality and regional resource changes, threatened waterfowl could be suitable wetland ecosystem indicators. This study examined the conservation effectiveness of Henan Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve (HYRWNNR), which is a crucial region on the East Asia–Australia route for global bird migration. We performed Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling based on field survey data of the 19 threatened waterfowl species, and Human Impact Index (HII) was further mapped with waterfowls distribution to identify the conservation gap and priorities of the HYRWNNR. The results indicated that threatened waterfowl distribution were affected by both environmental factors and human pressure, and a conservation gap existed in the HYRWNNR. Two conservation scenarios were generated based on the spatial pattern of conservation priorities, and their corresponding management strategies were suggested. This study identifies conservation priorities from a novel perspective by synthesizing habitat suitability and human pressure, which can present basic information regarding the HYRWNNR management while supporting waterfowl conservation planning, ultimately promoting wetland habitats sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sardinian wetlands belong to the Sardinia‐Corsica corridor of the central eastern Mediterranean bird flyway. They supply the food and shelter for many waterbird species and act as stopover sites during migratory journeys. Despite policies and laws of the European Union, the Sardinian wetlands are severely threatened by anthropic activities and ongoing climate change, making the condition of the associated avifauna critical.We (a) inventoried the avian metacommunity of the largest coastal wetlands in Sardinia during the summer period, (b) investigated the metacommunity structure, (c) quantified the effects of wetland attributes on avian diversity at species and guild level and (d) predicted future changes in species composition of this metacommunity.We recorded 60 bird species (of which 21 belonged to Annex I of the Birds Directive). The metacommunity structure resulted was significantly nested and non‐modular. Salinity negatively affected the presence of 48 species out of 60, followed by tourism pressure (44 species), wetland isolation (42 species) and water discharges (36 species). The mean water level resulting from artificial regulation for anthropic activities was too high for 63% of the species, which disadvantaged primarily small waders, species feeding on invertebrates and trans‐Saharan migrants. In addition, water‐level fluctuations (that would favour avian diversity) were prevented by artificial regulation during the summer period in many wetlands, producing further negative effects on the avifauna. We found 45% of the recorded bird species at risk of disappearance from this avian metacommunity.Synthesis and applications. Our study indicates that, as things stand, the avian metacommunity of the Sardinian wetlands is destined to experience reductions in the short term and mid‐term. This decline will be accelerated by increased saltwater intrusions due to sea‐level rise. Nevertheless, the nested and non‐modular structure of this avian metacommunity would allow for pro‐active conservation measures (e.g. restriction for tourism activities, construction of artificial dune cordons to minimize saltwater intrusions, water‐level regulation that keeps into account also the ecological requirements of waterbird species) to counteract the effects of current and future threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracking technologies have widely expanded our understanding of bird migration routes, destinations and underlying strategies. However, determining the entire trajectory of small birds equipped with lightweight geolocators remains a challenge.We develop a highly optimized hidden Markov model (HMM) for reconstructing bird trajectories. The observation model is defined by pressure and, optionally, light measurements, while the movement model incorporates wind data to constrain consecutive positions based on realistic airspeeds. To reduce the computational costs associated with a large state space, we prune the HMM states and transitions based on flight and observation constraints to efficiently model the entire trajectory.The approach presented is based on a mathematically exact procedure and is fast to compute. We demonstrate how to compute (1) the most likely trajectory, (2) the marginal probability map of each stationary period, (3) simulated trajectories and (4) the wind conditions (wind support/drift) encountered by the bird during each migratory flight.We construct a version of an HMM optimized for reconstructing a bird's migration trajectory based on lightweight geolocator data. To render this approach easily accessible to researchers, we designed a dedicated R package GeoPressureR (https://raphaelnussbaumer.com/GeoPressureR/). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Each year, billions of birds migrate across the globe, and interpretation of weather radar signals is increasingly being used to document the spatial and temporal migration patterns in Europe and America. Such approaches are yet to be applied in the East Asian‐Australasian Flyway (EAAF), one of the most species‐rich and threatened flyways in the world. Logistical challenges limit direct on‐ground monitoring of migratory birds in many parts of the EAAF, resulting in knowledge gaps on population status and site use that limit evidence‐based conservation planning. Weather radar data have great potential for achieving comprehensive migratory bird monitoring along the EAAF. In this study, we discuss the feasibility and challenges of using weather radar to complement on‐ground bird migration surveys in the flyway. We summarize the location, capacity and data availability of weather radars across EAAF countries, as well as the spatial coverage of the radars with respect to migrants' geographic distribution and migration hotspots along the flyway, with an exemplar analysis of biological movement patterns extracted from Chinese weather radars. There are more than 430 weather radars in EAAF countries, covering on average half of bird species' passage and non‐breeding distributions, as well as 70% of internationally important sites for migratory shorebirds. We conclude that the weather radar network could be a powerful resource for monitoring bird movements over the full annual cycle throughout much of the EAAF, providing estimates of migration traffic rates, site use, and long‐term population trends, especially in remote and less‐surveyed regions. Analyses of weather radar data would complement existing ornithological surveys and help understand the past and present status of the avian community in a highly threatened flyway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration is an important part of the life history of avians. Understanding the migration routes of birds is of great significance to unravel the migration strategies and mechanisms of birds and helps to conduct important conservation work at key sites. Currently, there are still some deficiencies in the migration research of long-lived endangered birds such as cranes. In August 2018, two pairs (n = 4) of sibling juvenile White-naped Cranes (Antigone vipio) were tracked in Mongolia. Based on the tracking data, unusual migration routes of White-naped Crane were recorded during the juvenile and subadult stages. Three individuals died when exploring a new route during autumn migrations. These individuals used completely different spring migration routes each year in the juvenile and subadult stages, with the longest migration distance being approximately 4,495 km. There were significant differences in migration durations and stopover durations (P = 0.01) between spring and autumn migrations. Evidence of nocturnal migration by White-naped Cranes was recorded, and the longest continuous flight time recorded exceeded 19 hours. The results of this study will contribute to further understanding and research on the migration of this vulnerable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most unusual features of the avian magnetic compass is its sensitivity to weak oscillating magnetic fields (OMF) in the radiofrequency range. This effect, observed earlier in numerous experiments in European robins Erithacus rubecula and garden warblers Sylvia borin, is usually associated with the radical-pair magnetoreception in the eye, which is the mainstream biophysical model of the avian magnetic compass. We studied the effect of OMF on the orientation behavior of a long-distance migrant, the pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca. The OMF with an amplitude of 190 nT disoriented pied flycatchers, similarly to the species studied earlier. However, the application of OMP with an amplitude of 17 nT did not lead to disorientation in pied flycatchers when tested in round arenas: the birds showed their correct season-specific migratory direction. This finding is in stark contrast with previous results, obtained in garden warblers at exactly the same place and under the same conditions: garden warblers were disoriented by OMF which was an order of magnitude weaker. Moreover, the threshold of sensitivity to OMF amplitude in pied flycatchers is found to be higher than that in both species previously studied, the European robin and the garden warbler. We discuss the variable sensitivity of avian compass to OMF in the context of migration ecology of two long-distance African migrants, the pied flycatcher and garden warbler, and the short-distance migrant, the European robin. Significance statement: Birds are known to use a magnetic compass to determine the proper direction of their flight during seasonal migrations. Many previous experiments demonstrated that operation of this compass is disrupted by weak oscillating magnetic fields (OMF) in the radiofrequency range. Among the two bird species studied so far, a long-distance migrant, garden warbler, is more sensitive to OMF than a short-distance migrant, European robin. This might be a result of finer tuning of the magnetic compass of long-distance migrants, making it less robust to perturbations. In our experiments, however, the magnetic compass of another long-distance migrant, pied flycatcher, remained operational under OMF even stronger than that which disrupted magnetic orientation of European robins. This unexpected result demonstrates high variability of navigational systems of birds and raises questions about their adaptation to behavioral patterns of birds on their migration routes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]