Applying different methods for bird conservation across European countries

Kristina Cerman

Doctoral thesis

Abstract:

This study investigates the different methods that can be applied to contribute species conservation. Study covered 11 European countries, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia, and Spain. Study analysed the effectiveness of protected areas in conserving temporal changes of bird species richness in Czechia; effectiveness of conserving different bird diversity components (taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity) in Spanish protected areas; performed spatial distribution models (SDMs) of two endangered owl species in the Balkan Peninsula, covering 9 countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia) in the face of climate change; and quantified niche overlap and spatial distribution of five Columbidae species in different landscapes. In general, results showed that protected areas are effective in mitigating landscape changes and maintaining species richness, as well as covering different bird diversity components. Results were not as positive when it came to studying two endangered owl species, when it was revealed that their spatial distribution will shrink as a response to climate change. Finally, quantification of niche overlap showed there was intraspecific competition between five Columbidae species and that their overlap was mainly in urban areas. Main conclusion from applying different methods showed that each method had its limitations and strengths, however majority of the methods we applied had conservation implications and contributed to filling knowledge gaps in certain topics. Furthermore, our results provided valuable information for future conservation plans in these countries.

Keywords

avian conservation, protected areas, species distribution models, niche overlap, spatial distribution, birds

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 5. 2. 2023

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Federico Morelli

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Environmental Sciences

Doctoral programme / field:
Environmental Sciences / Applied and Landscape Ecology