New Publication on rewilding !

Perino, A., Pereira, H.M., [..], Cortés-Avizanda,A.,[...] and Wheeler, H.C., 2019. Rewilding complex ecosystems. Science 364, DOI: 10.1126/science.aav5570 

Abstract: The practice of rewilding has been both promoted and criticized in recent years. Benefits include flexibility to react to environmental change and the promotion of opportunities for society to reconnect with nature. Criticisms include the lack of a clear conceptualization of rewilding, insufficient knowledge about possible outcomes, and the perception that rewilding excludes people from landscapes. Here, we present a framework for rewilding that addresses these concerns. We suggest that rewilding efforts should target trophic complexity, natural disturbances, and dispersal as interacting processes that can improve ecosystem resilience and maintain biodiversity. We propose a structured approach to rewilding projects that includes assessment of the contributions of nature to people and the social-ecological constraints on restoration. 

New publication on Red Kite in Doñana National Park !

Sergio F, Tanferna A, Chicano J, Blas J, Tavecchia G, Hiraldo F. 2019 Protected areas under pressure: decline, redistribution, local eradication and projected extinction of a threatened predator, the red kite, in Doñana National Park, Spain Endangered Species Research. 38: 189-204

Photo: S. Sergio

Abstract: After a period of overfocus on reserve establishment, growing attention is being devoted to the capability of protected areas to maintain viable populations of endangered species. Here, we examined the trends and reproduction of the red kite Milvus milvus, a highly endangered raptor near-endemic to Europe, to illustrate the dual benefits and challenges faced by a national park to protect this iconic species. Over the past 4 decades, the kite population of southern Spain has declined steeply and become progressively confined to Doñana National Park and its buffering Natural Park. Population deterioration was also evident within the protected area through (1) spikes of rapid eradication of whole sub-populations from buffer areas, likely propelled by illegal poisoning, and (2) more gradual but steady deterioration of numbers and reproduction, especially in peripheral-buffer areas, probably caused by the interplay of several shocks related to food availability, habitat degradation, competition, predation, and chemical contamination. The result was a 46–55% decline with progressive confinement to the core National Park and an alarming effective population size <10 pairs. Demographic modelling suggested low adult survival and predicted further declines, with possible extinction over the next 2 decades. We outline tentative goals for management, but these will need urgent information on ranging and mortality to provide more efficient targets. These results illustrate how establishment of a large park can prevent regional extinction, but not necessarily guarantee species-safety, leading to protracted forms of extinction debt. We suspect that similar dynamics will become more widespread as anthropogenic pressures increase around protected areas and their performance-monitoring becomes more prevalent.

Yellow-Legged Gull campaign 2019!

Yellow-legged gull campaign on the starting blocks! It will be our 13th year and looking forward to see how the gulls did this year.

Storm Petrel on the local news!

The Storm Petrel was on the news today. Dr.a Ana Sanz-Aguilar of the GEDA explains the ecology of the species and its distribution in the Balearic archipelago!  Full interview in Catalan here