Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

About: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is a nonprofit organization based out in Sandy, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biodiversity. The organization has 670 authors who have published 1425 publications receiving 88006 citations. The organization is also known as: RSPB & Plumage League.

The provision of supplementary fresh water improves the breeding success of the globally threatened Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita

Abstract: The Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita is a globally threatened species with its main remaining world population breeding in an area of sea cliffs and coastal semi-desert steppe near Agadir in southern Morocco. Between 1998 and 2002, we showed experimentally that the small-scale provision of fresh water near the breeding colonies led to an increase in the productivity of the birds. The increase was greatest in years with low natural rainfall but was positive in all years tested. The supplementary fresh water appears to help buffer productivity against the impacts of low rainfall and its provision is now part of the ongoing conservation measures for this species.

Inter- and intra-annual variation in the occurrence of organochlorine pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyl congeners, and mercury in the eggs of a river passerine

Abstract: Failed eggs were collected from the nests of a river passerine, the dipper Cinclus cinclus, in Wales and southwestern Ireland during 1988–1992 and analyzed for up to 24 pollutants including 15 individual PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) congeners.

Reintroduction as a tool for population recovery of farmland birds

Abstract: Conservation efforts in the United Kingdom have increasingly sought to restore the populations and ranges of birds affected by changes to their habitat or by direct human persecution. One approach is reintroduction, although this is likely to be appropriate in only a limited set of circumstances, involving a small number of species. This paper reviews the use of reintroduction as a tool for conserving birds associated with lowland farmland, highlighting the benefits of this approach to conservation, as well as the potential dangers. Two case studies are presented to illustrate how different reintroduction techniques are required, depending on the species involved and the donor stock available. The internationally agreed, though not legally binding, IUCN guidelines for reintroduction projects are summarized, together with the requirements of The Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) in relation to the release of birds into the wild in Britain. Potential changes to current legislation are suggested, to prevent inappropriate and potentially damaging reintroduction projects from being carried out in the future.

The conservation value of degraded forests for agile gibbons Hylobates agilis.

Abstract: All gibbon species are globally threatened with extinction yet conservation efforts are undermined by a lack of population and ecological data. Agile gibbons (Hylobates agilis) occur in Sumatra, Indonesia and adjacent mainland Southeast Asia. Population densities are known from four sites (three in Sumatra) while little is known about their ability to tolerate habitat degradation. We conducted a survey of agile gibbons in Harapan Rainforest, a lowland forest site in Sumatra. The area has been severely degraded by selective logging and encroachment but is now managed for ecosystem restoration. We used two survey methods: an established point count method for gibbons with some modifications, and straight line transects using auditory detections. Surveys were conducted in the three main forest types prevalent at the site: high, medium, and low canopy cover secondary forests. Mean group density estimates were higher from point counts than from line transects, and tended to be higher in less degraded forests within the study site. We consider points more time efficient and reliable than transects since detectability of gibbons was higher from points per unit effort. We recommend the additional use of Distance sampling methods to account for imperfect detection and provide other recommendations to improve surveys of gibbons. We estimate that the site holds at least 6,070 and as many as 11,360 gibbons. Our results demonstrate that degraded forests can be extremely important for the conservation of agile gibbons and that efforts to protect and restore such sites could contribute significantly to the conservation of the species.

Automated data analysis to rapidly derive and communicate ecological insights from satellite-tag data: A case study of reintroduced red kites

Abstract: Analysis of satellite-telemetry data mostly occurs long after it has been collected, due to the time and effort needed to collate and interpret such material. Delayed reporting reduces the usefulness of such data for nature conservation where timely information about animal movements is required. To counter this problem, we present a novel approach which combines automated analysis of satellite-telemetry data with rapid communication of insights derived from such data. A relatively simple algorithm (based on radial and angular velocity calculated from fixes) allowed instantaneous detection of excursions away from settlement areas and automated calculation of home ranges on the remaining data. Automating the detection of both excursions and home-range calculations enabled us to disseminate ecological insights from satellite-tag data instantaneously through a dedicated web portal. The automated analysis, interpretation, and communication of satellite-tag and other ecological data offer clear benefits to nature conservation research and practice.