Modeling wetland connectivity for the protection of migratory waterbirds in Western Greece

Transcription

1 Plant Biology and ature Management Modeling wetland connectivity for the protection of migratory waterbirds in Western Greece Ronny Merken, Joachim Teunen, Faidra Bazigou & ico Koedam Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th 2012

2 Autumn & spring migration Greece Italy Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

3 Autumn & spring migration Greece Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) Italy Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

4 on EU European Union atura2000 network of protected sites

5 Field work mapping and birding - ground truthing: satellite Imagery + field photography p Σ ± 1100 km 2 Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

6 Field work mapping and birding - ground truthing: satellite Imagery + field photography p - typical vegetation classification CORIE EU - atura2000 Pylos Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

7 Field work mapping and birding - ground truthing: satellite Imagery + field photography p - typical vegetation classification CORIE EU - atura2000 (9 classes of stopover biotopes) Our classification Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

8 Field work mapping and birding - ground truthing: satellite Imagery + field photography p - typical vegetation classification CORIE EU - atura2000 (9 classes of stopover biotopes) Our classification - bird observations of 9 species during peak migration (April to mid May 2011) Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

9 Results suitability maps and disturbances Glossy Ibis suitability map - Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus Habitat : freshwater or brackish wetlands / wet meadows Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

10 Results suitability maps and disturbances Glossy Ibis suitability map - Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus Habitat : freshwater or brackish wetlands / wet meadows - disturbances: illegal hunting/fishing, dumping areas, roads, villages, grazing disturbance/presence of cattle Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

11 Results suitability maps and disturbances Glossy Ibis suitability map + disturbances roads - Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus Habitat : freshwater or brackish wetlands / wet meadows - disturbances: illegal hunting/fishing, dumping areas, roads, villages, grazing disturbance/presence of cattle Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

12 Results suitability maps and disturbances Glossy Ibis suitability map + disturbances roads - Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus Habitat : freshwater or brackish wetlands / wet meadows - disturbances: illegal hunting/fishing, dumping areas, roads, villages, grazing disturbance/presence of cattle Buffer around disturbance = smaller suitable habitat Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

13 Ongoing g work: Modeling wetland connectivity -Suitability maps = input for connectivity modeling -FLAP Model (Downs & Horner, 2008) - Flight Leg Allocation Problem: - all stopovers = nodes - all potential pathways = links Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

14 Ongoing g work: Modeling wetland connectivity -Suitability maps = input for connectivity modeling -FLAP Model (Downs & Horner, 2008) - Flight Leg Allocation Problem: - all stopovers = nodes - all potential pathways = links Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

15 Ongoing g work: Modeling wetland connectivity -Suitability maps = input for connectivity modeling -FLAP Model (Downs & Horner, 2008) - Flight Leg Allocation Problem: - all stopovers = nodes - all potential pathways = links Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

16 Ongoing g work: Modeling wetland connectivity -Suitability maps = input for connectivity modeling -FLAP Model (Downs & Horner, 2008) - Flight Leg Allocation Problem: - all stopovers = nodes - all potential pathways = links - Find optimal path between an origin destination - Fewest number of stops in the shortest distance - Given that birds have limited daily flight capabilities and carrying capacities of wetlands Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

17 Ongoing g work: Modeling wetland connectivity -Suitability maps = input for connectivity modeling -FLAP Model (Downs & Horner, 2008) - Flight Leg Allocation Problem: - all stopovers = nodes - all potential pathways = links - Find optimal path between an origin destination - Fewest number of stops in the shortest distance - Given that birds have limited daily flight capabilities and carrying capacities of wetlands Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

18 Expected output Migratory birds need good quality and connectivity of wetland stopovers We will provide : assessment of wetland suitability (species specific) suggestion of priority sites to better address protection schemes for migratory waterbirds - sites used in multiple pathways per species - sites without substitute sites the model allows us to use the Birds Directive in a migratory context It looks like an easy job for migratory birds, but we know it is a challenge we have to facilitate Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th /5

19 Thank You ico Koedam - Kenia Ronny MERKE et al. VLIZ Young Marine Scientists Day, Bruges, February 24 th 2012