Teleconnection between the Reproductive Parameters of the Bearded Vulture and Macroclimatic Oscillations: Implications for Conservation.

The Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) is a scavenging bird of prey that was once widespread on the Iberian Peninsula. Its current distribution in Spain is limited to specific mountain ranges, including the Aragonese Pyrenees. The decline of the Iberian population has been linked to factors acting at a micro-scale level, such as the use of poisons, illegal hunting, and a decrease in extensive livestock farming. There are, however, other factors acting on a biogeographical scale that are not currently being considered and may also be affecting the viability of populations. The aim of this case study was to investigate the influences of large-scale environmental conditions on temporal variation in the reproductive parameters of the Bearded Vulture breeding population in the Aragonese Pyrenees. We tested the degree to which each of 26 macroclimatic oscillation indices with an effect on regional weather conditions were teleconnected with three reproductive parameters (hatching rate, fledging rate, and productivity). Two indices—the Tropical Northern Atlantic and East Atlantic/West Russia Pattern—were temporally correlated with Bearded Vulture reproductive parameters. The study results provide novel information to facilitate Bearded Vulture conservation because no previous studies have addressed this issue from a biogeographical and macroecological perspective. The results could have important implications for the management and conservation of the species and its successful reintroduction in other territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]