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.

Factors influencing patch occupancy and within-patch habitat use in an apparently stable population of Willow Tits Poecile montanus kleinschmidti in Britain.

Abstract: Capsule Birds selected younger woodland patches with fewer conifers and higher soil moisture content; within these patches, they selected areas with higher vegetation cover at 2–4 m, and less bracken. Aims For an apparently stable population, to investigate habitat differences between occupied and unoccupied woodland patches and habitat selection within occupied woodlands. Methods We surveyed woodland patches for breeding Willow Tits in April 2006 in an area with an apparently stable population. Habitat was measured at points spread throughout each woodland patch and at points where Willow Tits were located. We compared habitat between occupied and unoccupied sites. In addition, within occupied sites, we examined habitat differences between Willow Tit locations and the points spread throughout the wood. Results We surveyed 65 woodland patches, of which 29 were occupied. Willow Tits were more likely to be found in deciduous woodland that was younger and had higher levels of soil moisture. Probability of oc...

Modelled sensitivity of avian collision rate at wind turbines varies with number of hours of flight activity input data

Abstract: Collision risk modelling of birds at wind turbines typically requires vantage point (VP) data to quantify bird flight activity. The number of VP observation hours required to provide such data, and the associated error in predicted collision rate, have not been formally assessed. Using the Band model and a randomization procedure, we examine the sensitivity of collision rate predictions for the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla to varying hours of input data on flight activity. Variability in collision rate decreased with increasing number of observation hours. However, at the asymptote in variability (about 62 observation hours) there was still considerable variability in predicted collision rate. VP watches are likely to be inherently variable, and collision rate predictions should assess the potential error associated with such results.

The environmental impacts of palm oil and its alternatives

Abstract: The destruction of ecosystems for vegetable oil production represents a major cause of global biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions 1. Over the last two decades, oil palm, in particular, has caused societal concern due to its high impacts on biodiverse and carbon-dense tropical rainforests 2–8, leading to calls to source vegetable oils from alternative oil-producing crops. However, given the high yields of oil palm, how does that damage compare with other oil crops that require more land? Here, we estimate the carbon and biodiversity footprints, per unit of oil produced, of the world’s five major vegetable oil crops. We find that oil palm has the lowest carbon loss and species richness loss per-tonne-oil, but has a larger impact on range-restricted species than sunflower and rapeseed. We go on to identify global areas for oil crop expansion that will minimise future carbon and biodiversity impacts, and argue that closing current yield gaps and optimising the location of future growing areas will be much more effective at reducing future environmental impacts of global vegetable oil production than substituting any one crop for another.

Recent changes in footpath width in the cairngorms

Abstract: Five popular footpaths which grew wider from the 1960s to the early to mid‐1980s were re‐measured in July 1990. Two did not widen further during 1986–90, but two continued to widen. The fifth path had not changed significantly in overall width since 1982, but had slightly less bare ground than formerly. The two paths which stopped widening are at lower and more sheltered locations, whereas the other three are high and exposed to an extreme climate, where plant growth is very slow. Changes in the five paths are discussed in relation to human use of the area. A substantial and/or prolonged decline in visitor numbers may be required if all five paths are to stop widening.