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 pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in vultures

Abstract: Vulture populations across the Asian subcontinent have declined dramatically in the last 15 years and are now on the verge of extinction. Although the cause of the population decline was initially unknown, the decrease has recently been conclusively linked to the use of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac in cattle that inadvertently ended up in the vulture food chain. With the vulture numbers continuing to decline by up to 48% a year, the Indian, Nepali and Pakistan governments have recently banned the manufacture and importation of veterinary diclofenac. They have also suggested meloxicam as an alternate anti-inflammatory for use in cattle. This recommendation was based on extensive acute safety studies in the African White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus), which evaluated worst case scenarios of maximum intake based on a once in three day feeding pattern. However, the possible cumulative pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects in vultures receiving multiple daily doses of meloxicam over time were not assessed. At present very little pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic information is available to add further support for the safety of meloxicam in this animal species. This article discusses the oral and intramuscular pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in Cape Griffon vultures (Gyps coprotheres). Therapeutic drug monitoring was also undertaken in White-backed, Egyptian (Neophron pernopterus) and one Lappet Faced vulture (Torgos tracheliotos). In all these species, meloxicam was characterized by a short half-life of elimination. The rapid metabolism of meloxicam in combination with a short duration of effect in the studied species Gyps vultures shown in this study makes it unlikely that the drug could accumulate. This confirms the safety of repeated exposure to meloxicam in vultures of this genus.

Maintaining northern peatland ecosystems in a changing climate: effects of soil moisture, drainage and drain blocking on craneflies

Abstract: Carroll, M. J., Dennis, P., Pearce-Higgins, J. W., Thomas, C. D. (2011). Maintaining northern peatland ecosystems in a changing climate: effects of soil moisture, drainage and drain blocking on soil moisture and craneflies. Global Change Biology, 17 (9), 2991-3001 IMPF: 06.86

Linked indicator sets for addressing biodiversity loss

Abstract: The target adopted by world leaders of significantly reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 was not met but this stimulated a new suite of biodiversity targets for 2020 adopted by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in October 2010. Indicators will be essential for monitoring progress towards these targets and the CBD will be defining a suite of relevant indicators, building on those developed for the 2010 target. Here we argue that explicitly linked sets of indicators offer a more useful framework than do individual indicators because the former are easier to understand, communicate and interpret to guide policy. A Response-Pressure-State-Benefit framework for structuring and linking indicators facilitates an understanding of the relationships between policy actions, anthropogenic threats, the status of biodiversity and the benefits that people derive from it. Such an approach is appropriate at global, regional, national and local scales but for many systems it is easier to demonstrate causal linkages and use them to aid decision making at national and local scales. We outline examples of linked indicator sets for humid tropical forests and marine fisheries as illustrations of the concept and conclude that much work remains to be done in developing both the indicators and the causal links between them.

Habitat change and woodland birds in Britain: implications for management and future research: Habitat change and woodland birds

Abstract: There is increasing evidence that changes in habitat structure in the form of reduced understorey and loss of open habitats, both probably a result of increases in shading and deer browsing, may be responsible for causing recent changes in the composition of breeding bird communities in many lowland British woods and forests. In contrast, management of upland coniferous forests may prevent the attainment of mature and old-growth structures which would benefit community development in these new ecosystems. We suggest that the key challenge for woodland conservation policy is to create larger areas of both young-growth and old-growth habitat. These objectives need not necessarily conflict with each other, or with other multipurpose forestry objectives, provided that they inform strategic plans and are targeted at appropriate locations and scales. In the lowlands, the current large stock of middle-aged, often unmanaged and species-poor woodland provides an opportunity to restore or create new woodland habitats of high biodiversity value. The development of woodfuel markets may effectively increase the amount of young-growth but it is unclear exactly what habitat structures might be created. In the uplands, allowing more natural development of native woodland in mosaics with other habitats may provide opportunities for both old- and young-growth species. For the foreseeable future, deer impacts will continue to be widespread and probably increasingly severe in many areas. In view of the uncertainty about the implications of climate change for woodland ecosystems, a strong case can be made for attempting to buffer valued wildlife communities against damaging effects by creating and maintaining high structural diversity at a range of scales and increasing the area of woodland.