A spatially explicit approach to assess the collision risk between birds and overhead power lines: A case study with the little bustard

Silva, Joao; Palmeirim, Jorge M.; Alcazar, Rita; Correia, Ricardo A.; Delgado, Ana; Moreira, Francisco

doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2013.12.026

Cited by 30 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…The BBMMs were used to estimate the utilization distribution (UD) of individual bustards along the movement route, incorporating the distance and elapsed time between successive fixes, as well as the location error and the Brownian motion variance (BMV; Horne et al 2007, Sawyer et al 2009). Since there is evidence that Little Bustards may migrate preferentially during the night (Silva et al 2014), we assumed that their migratory behaviour was likely to differ between day and night. For that reason we used a Dynamic BBMM, which is a version of BBMMs that considers changes in behaviour when moving, namely changes in speed and direction, which can be defined for different timewindows (12 h in our case, to differentiate the expected night and day periods).…”

Section: Habitat Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male post‐breeding movements and stopover habitat selection of an endangered short‐distance migrant, the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax

Alonso

Correia

Marques

et al. 2019

Ibis

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Migratory decisions, such as the selection of stopover sites, are critical for the success of post‐breeding migratory movements and subsequent survival. Recent advances in bio‐logging have revealed the stopover strategies of many long‐distance migrants, but far less attention has been given to short‐distance migrants. We investigated the stopover ecology of an endangered grassland bird, the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax, a short‐distance migrant in Iberia. Using high‐resolution spatial GPS/GSM data, 27 male Little Bustards breeding in southern Portugal were tracked between 2009 and 2011. We studied post‐breeding movements using Dynamic Brownian Bridge models to identify the main stopover sites, and generalized linear mixed models to examine habitat selection in stopovers. During their post‐breeding movements, males were essentially nocturnal migrants, making frequent stopovers while maintaining a relatively fast pace to reach more productive agricultural post‐breeding areas. Stopovers occurred in most post‐breeding movements (83%) regardless of the total distance covered (average 64.3 km), and most stopovers (84%) lasted less than 24 h. Birds used mostly agricultural non‐irrigated and irrigated croplands as stopover sites and avoided other land uses and rugged terrain. There was a negative relationship between stopovers and the proximity to roads, but not to power lines. The high frequency of stopovers during post‐breeding movements, despite the short distances travelled, together with the nocturnal migratory behaviour of bustards, may impose additional risks to a bird mainly threatened by collision with power lines in non‐breeding areas. We also conclude that even for short‐distance migrants, habitat connectivity between breeding and post‐breeding areas is likely to be a key conservation concern.

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Section: Habitat Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male post‐breeding movements and stopover habitat selection of an endangered short‐distance migrant, the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax

Alonso

Correia

Marques

et al. 2019

Ibis

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“…However, size does not appear to explain this low predicted impact, as other studies on small bustards (e.g. Little Bustard and Bengal Florican; Silva et al 2014, Mahood et al 2016) have predicted high impacts. Therefore, our study highlights the probable role of movement in risk exposure, as Karoo Korhaan are likely to be the most sedentary of all bustards studied to date in relation to power lines (e.g.…”

Section: Collision Impact On Other Bustardsmentioning

confidence: 54%

“…Therefore, our study highlights the probable role of movement in risk exposure, as Karoo Korhaan are likely to be the most sedentary of all bustards studied to date in relation to power lines (e.g. Alonso 2014, Silva et al 2014, Mahood et al 2016.…”

Section: Collision Impact On Other Bustardsmentioning

confidence: 76%

“…), Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax in Portugal (Silva et al . ) and Great Bustards Otis tarda across the Palaearctic (e.g. Alonso ).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies from around the world highlight the threat that overhead wires pose to bustards, with many species of conservation concern, e.g. Bengal Floricans Houbaropsis bengalensis in Cambodia (Mahood et al 2016), Little Bustards Tetrax tetrax in Portugal (Silva et al 2014) and Great Bustards Otis tarda across the Palaearctic (e.g. Alonso 2014).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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High power line collision mortality of threatened bustards at a regional scale in the Karoo, South Africa

Shaw

Reid

Schutgens

et al. 2017

Ibis

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Quantifying avian collisions with power lines at large spatial scales is difficult, but such mortality is of serious conservation concern for many bird species worldwide. To investigate effects on the Endangered Ludwig's Bustard Neotis ludwigii and two other bustard species, mortality surveys were conducted quarterly along high‐voltage transmission lines at five sites (total length 252 km) across the Karoo for 2 years and one low‐voltage distribution line site (95 km) for 1 year. Thirty bird species were found, with Ludwig's Bustards constituting 69% and other bustards a further 18% of carcasses (n = 679 birds). Significant explanatory variables of Ludwig's Bustard collisions were season (collisions more likely in winter), rainfall (less likely in drier areas) and year on transmission lines (highlighting variability between years). Season and proximity to roads were significant variables on distribution lines, with collisions more likely during winter and away from roads. Ludwig's Bustard collision rates (corrected for survey biases) were higher on transmission (1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.40–2.58 bustards/km/year) than on distribution lines (0.86; 95% CI 0.30–1.96), but these smaller lines are four times as extensive in South Africa and so probably kill more birds. Despite being much less abundant, Kori Bustards Ardeotis kori were the second most commonly recovered species, with collision rates of 0.10 (95% CI 0.05–0.19) on transmission lines in the Nama Karoo alone. Collision rates are highly variable but suggest mortality suffered by these two species is worryingly high. This adds to growing concern about the impacts of power lines on bustards globally, so given ongoing expansion to the power grid, collision mitigation measures should be implemented at all new power lines.

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The Changing Status of Steppe-Land Birds in the Lleida Plain of Catalonia

Mañosa

Bota

Giralt

et al. 2020

The Changing Status of Arable Habitats in Europe

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A spatially explicit approach to assess the collision risk between birds and overhead power lines: A case study with the little bustard

Cited by 30 publications

References 28 publications

Male post‐breeding movements and stopover habitat selection of an endangered short‐distance migrant, the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax

Male post‐breeding movements and stopover habitat selection of an endangered short‐distance migrant, the Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax

High power line collision mortality of threatened bustards at a regional scale in the Karoo, South Africa

The Changing Status of Steppe-Land Birds in the Lleida Plain of Catalonia

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