The rapid spread of invasive Eurasian Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto in the continental USA follows human‐altered habitats

Abstract

Understanding factors related to the range expansion trajectory of a successful invasive species may provide insights into environmental variables that favour additional expansion or guide monitoring and survey efforts for this and other invasive species. We examined the relationship of presence and abundance of Eurasian Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto to environmental factors using recent data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey to understand factors influencing its expansion into the continental USA. A zero‐inflated Poisson (ZIP) model was used to account for excess zero observations because this species was not observed on the majority of survey routes, despite its large geographical range. Model fit was improved when we included environmental covariates as compared with the null model, which only included distance from the route where this species was first observed. Probability of zero count was positively related to the distance from the first route and road density and was inversely related to minimum temperature and distance to coast. Abundance of the species was positively related to road density and was inversely related to annual precipitation and distance to coast. Random intercept by land‐cover type also improved model fit. Model fit was improved with the ZIP model over the standard Poisson model, suggesting that presence and abundance of this species are characterized by different environmental factors. However, overall low accuracy of model‐predicted presence/absence and abundance with the independent validation dataset may indicate either that there are other explanatory factors or that there is great uncertainty in the species’ colonization process. Our large‐scale study provides additional evidence that the range expansion of this species tends to follow human‐altered landscapes such as road and agricultural areas as well as responding to general geographical features such as coastlines or thermal clines. Such patterns may hold true for other invasive species and may provide guidelines for monitoring and assessment activities in other invasive taxa.

Rapid increase in numbers and change of land-use in two expanding Columbidae species (Columba palumbus and Streptopelia decaocto) in Algeria

“…Now, it is considered among the common bird species in several arid regions in Algeria [44,45]. These statements are naturally comparable with the well-known worldwide expansion patterns of the species, which has now colonized most of Europe and America, where its numbers are still growing even in areas where it had existed long time ago [46][47][48].…”

Bird Species Diversity of the Mitidja Plain (Northern Algeria) with Emphasis on the Dynamics of Invasive and Expanding Species

“…The rapid increase of both Columbidae species in our study area coincides with similar trends of these species in several other regions worldwide (Eraud et al 2007, Barnard & Thuiller 2008, Bonter et al 2010, Fujisaki et al 2010.…”

“…Apparently, the invasion and range expansion of this species is closely related to human activities. Among factors influencing its colonization are those related to the size, fragmentation and connectivity between patches of urban areas, as well agricultural practices and weather conditions (Eraud et al 2007, Fujisaki et al 2010, which applies for many alien species as well (Blackburn et al 2008).…”

Locating species range frontiers: a cost and efficiency comparison of citizen science and hair-tube survey methods for use in tracking an invasive squirrel

“…Publicly collected datasets, which have the capacity to monitor biodiversity over space and time or from sometimes inaccessible privately owned lands (Dickinson et al 2010), are a boon to species distribution science. Dickinson et al (2010) noted that the public can be particularly effective at recording the presence of species that are rarely seen or have low population densities and are therefore an asset in tracking the expanding ranges of invading species or wildlife disease (Eraud et al 2007;Koenig et al 2007;Peacock et al 2007;Delaney et al 2008;Fujisaki et al 2010).…”