Conservation Evidence: Evidence Data

Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Provide or retain un-harvested buffer strips Four replicated studies from Canada and the USA found that wider buffer strips retained a bird community more similar to that of uncut forest than narrower strips. Two replicated and controlled studies from the USA found that several forest-specialist species were absent from buffers up to 70 m wide. Two replicated and controlled studies from the USA found that richness was higher in buffers <100 m wide, compared to wider strips or forest. A replicated, controlled study in the USA (6) found that thinned buffer strips had lower abundances of forest species than unthinned strips, but higher abundances of early successional species. A replicated study from the USA (4) found that species richness was similar between 20–50 m buffers and original forest. A replicated study from the USA found that bird abundances were higher in 20–50 m wide buffer strips than in original forest. A replicated study in the USA found no differences in productivity of birds nests between buffer strips wider than 350 m, compared to those thinner than 250 m. Whilst a replicated, controlled study from the USA found that predation of artificial nests was significantly higher in buffer strips compared with continuous forest, but that there was no diffrerence between narrow and wide buffers. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F161https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F161Tue, 15 May 2012 14:59:57 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Manage hedges to benefit birds The one study of six that investigated species richness found no difference in species richness between a UK site with wildlife-friendly hedge management and three control sites. Seven studies from the UK and Switzerland, five replicated, found that some species studied increased in relation to managed hedges or were more likely to be found in managed hedges, compared to other habitats. Two investigated several interventions at once. One replicated study found that species that showed positive responses to hedge management in some regions showed weak or negative responses in other parts of the UK. Four studies from the UK found that some species declined or showed no response to wildlife-friendly management of hedges. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F177https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F177Wed, 30 May 2012 13:46:53 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Plant nectar flower mixture/wildflower strips for birds Two replicated and controlled studies from the UK (one randomised) and a European review out of seven studies captured found that more birds used nectar/wildflower strips than crops or land under other management. Two studies of a replicated and controlled experiment in the UK found that no more birds used nectar/wildflower strips in winter than used land under other management. A replicated, controlled study from Switzerland found that Eurasian skylarks Alauda arvensis were more likely to nest in patches of fields sown with annual weeds than in crops, and were less likely to abandon nests in these patches. A randomised, replicated and controlled study from the UK found that field margin management affected their use by birds more than the seed mix used on them. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F189https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F189Sat, 16 Jun 2012 19:33:52 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Create uncultivated margins around intensive arable or pasture fields for birds A replicated, controlled study from the USA found that three sparrow species found on uncultivated margins were not found on mown field edges. A replicated study from Canada found fewer species in uncultivated margins than in hedges or in trees planted as windbreaks. Three replicated studies from the USA and UK, one controlled, found that some birds were associated with uncultivated margins, or that birds were more abundant on margins than on other habitats. One study found that these effects were very weak. Four replicated studies (two of the same experiment) from the UK, two controlled, found that uncultivated margins contained similar numbers of birds in winter, or that several species studied did not show associations with margins. A replicated, controlled study from the UK found that yellowhammers Emberiza citrinella used uncultivated margins more than crops in early summer, but use fell in uncut margins in late summer. Cut margins however, were used more than other habitat types late in summer. A replicated study from the UK found high rates of survival for grey partridge Perdix perdix released in margins. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F190https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F190Sat, 16 Jun 2012 19:47:53 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Create skylark plots for bird conservation A before-and-after study found an increase in Eurasian skylark Alauda arvensis population on a farm after the creation of skylark plots; a replicated, controlled study from the UK found higher densities of skylarks on fields with plots, compared to those without. No other studies investigated population-level effects. Two UK studies, one replicated and controlled, found that skylark productivity was higher in plots or in fields with plots than in controls. One replicated and controlled study from Switzerland found no differences in productivity between territories that included plots and those that did not. Two replicated studies (one controlled) from Denmark and Switzerland found that skylark plots were used by skylarks more than expected. A replicated and controlled study from the UK found that seed-eating songbirds did not use skylark plots more than surrounding crops. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F214https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F214Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:43:29 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Reduce management intensity on permanent grasslands for birds Four replicated trials and a review, of seven studies in total, found that some or all birds monitored were more abundant or foraged more on grasslands with lower management intensity than on conventionally managed agricultural grasslands. Four analyses from three replicated trials, of seven studies in total, found that some or all birds monitored were less or similarly abundant on grasslands with lower management intensity than on conventionally managed agricultural grasslands. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F219https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F219Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:37:47 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Set longlines at night to reduce seabird bycatch Six out of eight studies from fisheries around the world found lower rates of seabird bycatch on longlines set at night, compared with during the day, or with previously collected data. However, effects seemed to depend on the species caught. Two studies found higher rates of bycatch on night-set longlines, due to high numbers of white-chinned petrels Procellaria aequinoctialis or northern fulmars Fulmarus glacialis being caught at night. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F283https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F283Tue, 24 Jul 2012 13:04:04 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use prescribed burning on shrublands One controlled study from the USA, of eight captured, found that overall bird densities were similar between burned and unburned areas, whilst a replicated and controlled study found that species numbers and bird densities did not vary between areas burned in summer and those burned in winter. Three studies found that some species were more abundant on areas that were burned, compared to those managed differently, or not at all. Four studies found that the densities of individual species were similar or lower on burned areas compared to control areas or those under different management. A before-and-after study found that sage sparrows chose different nest sites before burning compared to after. A controlled study found no differences in greater sage grouse movement between burned and unburned areas. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F321https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F321Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:10:30 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use selective harvesting/logging instead of clearcutting Six studies of seven from the USA and Canada found that some species were more abundant in selective-logged forests, whilst others were less abundant, compared to both control stands and other managements. One study found that there were no consistent differences between selectively harvested and clearcut stands. A replicated study from the USA found a lower species richness of cavity-nesting birds in snags in selectively-logged stands, compared to clearcuts. A replicated study from the USA found that brood parasitism of two species by brown-headed cowbirds was higher in harvested stands compared to controls, but it was lower for two others. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F331https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F331Sat, 28 Jul 2012 13:49:15 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Manually control or remove midstorey and ground-level vegetation (including mowing, chaining, cutting etc) in shrubland Of seven studies, one controlled study from the USA, found that overall bird diversity was similar between chained areas, burned areas and controls. A replicated and controlled study from the USA found that overall diversity was lower on mown sites than controls, but that grassland-specialist species were present on managed sites. Five studies from the USA and Europe found than some study species were found at greater densities or abundances on sites with mechanical vegetation control than on sites with prescribed burning or no management, or that abundances increased after management. One study investigated several interventions at once. One study from the USA found that total bird densities were similar between chained, burned and control sites. A replicated controlled study from the USA found that mown sites had lower bird abundances than control sites. Three studies from the USA found that some species were less abundant on sites with mechanical vegetation removal, compared with burned or control sites, or showed smaller increases after management. One replicated, controlled study from the USA found no differences between areas cut in winter and those cut in summer. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F337https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F337Sat, 28 Jul 2012 14:58:09 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Apply herbicide to mid- and understorey vegetation Of seven studies, one replicated, controlled study in forests in Canada found that bird species richness declined after the treatment of deciduous trees with herbicide. Two of the four studies monitoring bird populations (two replicated, controlled before-and-after studies) these found that numbers of red-cockaded woodpeckers or male greater sage grouse increased in all or some herbicide-treated areas. Increases of sage grouse were larger at two areas without vegetation control. One study considered two species: one decreased while the other showed no response. Another found that bird densities increased equally in both control and treatment areas. Three replicated, controlled before-and-after studies in forests found that nest survival was lower where herbicide was applied to exotic shrubs or deciduous vegetation. One study also found lower nesting densities. One controlled study found northern bobwhite chicks higher had foraging success in herbicide-treated forest areas. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F346https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F346Sun, 29 Jul 2012 14:17:01 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Employ grazing in non-grassland habitats One of eight studies, a replicated, controlled study on savannas in Kenya found more bird species on grazed site, compared with unmanaged sites. These differences were not present during drought years. A before-and-after study from the Netherlands found the number of species in a mixed habitat wetland site declined after the number of grazing animals increased. Three studies (two replicated) from a variety of habitats in Sweden, the Netherlands and Kenya found that the overall number of birds, or the densities of some species were higher in grazed than ungrazed sites, or increased after the introduction of grazing. The Kenyan study found differences were not present in drought years. Four studies from several habitats in Europe and Kenya found that some species were found at lower densities, or not found at all, on grazed sites compared to ungrazed sites or those under different management. Five studies from several habitats from across the world found no differences in the abundances or densities of some or all species between grazed sites and those that were ungrazed or under different management. Two replicated studies from the UK found that productivity of northern lapwing and grey partridge was lower in grazed sites compared to ungrazed. One study examined several interventions at the same time. A replicated study from the UK found that songbirds and invertebrate-eating species were more common on rough-grazed habitats than intensive pasture, but that crows were less so. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F350https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F350Sun, 29 Jul 2012 15:22:08 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Raise water levels in ditches or grassland Of seven studies captured, one, a before-and-after study from the UK found that two wader species recolonised a site after water levels were raised. A third was found at very high levels. A review from the UK found that high-level agri-environment schemes designed to provide wet habitats were effective at providing habitats for waders and two replicated studies from the UK and Denmark found that northern lapwings were more likely to nest or nested at higher numbers on grasslands with high water levels. A replicated and controlled study from Denmark found that Eurasian oystercatchers did not nest at higher densities on fields with raised water levels and that raising water levels had no effect on nesting on restored grassland fields. A replicated study from the USA found that predation rate on Cape Sable seaside sparrow nests increased as water levels increased. A replicated, controlled and paired sites study from the UK found that birds visited grassland sites with raised water levels at higher rates than other fields. A replicated study from the UK found no differences in feeding rates on sites with raised water levels, compared with control sites. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F354https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F354Sun, 29 Jul 2012 16:25:13 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Control predators not on islands for wildfowl Six out of seven studies, mostly from North America found higher reproductive success of ducks when mammalian predators were removed. A before-and-after study found higher survival of captive-bred brown teal Anas chlorotis following feral cat Felis catus control. One meta-analysis from the USA and Canada found that ducks on sites with mammalian predator removal did not have higher reproductive success and trends in reproductive success were no more positive than on sites without predator control. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F386https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F386Wed, 08 Aug 2012 16:53:51 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use aversive conditioning to reduce nest predation by avian predators Five studies from the USA and Europe found reductions in consumption of eggs treated with various chemicals. A further ex situ study from the USA found that American kestrels Falco sparverius consumed fewer chicks when they were treated, but not to the point of losing body condition. Three studies from the USA found some evidence that treating eggs with some chemicals may have reduced predation of eggs after treatment stopped, or of untreated eggs, although two of these were only short term experiments and the third found that the effect was lost after a year. Four studies from the Europe and the USA found no evidence for conditioning, or a reduction in predation of wild (untreated) eggs. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F418https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F418Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:50:26 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Reduce inter-specific competition for nest sites of ground nesting seabirds by removing competitor species Four studies from Canada and the UK found increased tern Sterna spp. populations following the control or exclusion of gulls Larus spp. In two studies many interventions were used, making it impossible to tell which was responsible. One study from the UK and one from Canada found that controlling large gulls had no impact on smaller species. Two studies from the USA and UK found that exclusion devices successfully reduced the numbers of gulls at sites, although one found that they were only effective at small colonies and the other found that methods varied in their effectiveness and practicality. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F422https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F422Fri, 17 Aug 2012 16:21:39 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Clean birds following oil spills Three studies from South Africa and Australia found high survival of rehabilitated penguins and plovers or similar survival to un-oiled birds. However a large study from the USA and Canada found that rehabilitated common guillemots Uria aalge had significantly lower survival than untreated birds. Three studies from South Africa and Australia found that rehabilitated birds bred, with one finding that rehabilitated birds had similar breeding success to un-oiled birds. However, this study found that birds rehabilitated after a second spill were less likely to breed, whilst two other studies found that rehabilitated birds had lower success than un-oiled birds. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F448https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F448Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:12:49 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use visual and acoustic ‘scarers’ to deter birds from landing on pools polluted by mining or sewage Two studies found lower bird mortality or fewer birds rescued from toxic ponds when deterrent systems were used. Four of five studies found that fewer birds landed on pools with deterrents than controls, although one of these found that the effect was weaker for grebes compared to wildfowl and absent for waders. One study that used regular broadcasts of different sounds found that it had no impact on bird behaviour. Two studies investigated different systems and found that radar-operated systems were more effective than systems that worked at random intervals. One of these studies also found that loud noises were more effective than moving peregrine falcons Falco peregrinus models. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F452https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F452Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:32:11 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Reduce pesticide or herbicide use generally A single small study from the UK investigated population level effects of reduced chemical inputs, and found that the populations of some species increased when pesticide use was restricted alongside other interventions. Three studies, two replicated, one controlled, from the UK found that some or all species were found at higher densities on sites with reduced pesticide inputs, in one case with other interventions as well. Five studies from the UK, four replicated, four controlled, found that some or all species were not found at higher densities on fields or sites with reduced chemical inputs, or were not associated with reduced inputs. A controlled before-and-after study from the UK found that grey partridge Perdix perdix chicks had higher survival on sites with reduced pesticide applications. A replicated study from the UK found that reduced chemical inputs had a negative relationship with partridge brood size and no relationship with survival or the ratio of young to old birds. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F454https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F454Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:08:01 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Provide artificial nesting sites for raptors Nine studies from North America and Spain found that raptors used artificial nesting platforms, although one describes low levels of use and another describes use increasing over time. Two studies from the USA describe increases in populations or population densities of raptors following the installation of artificial nesting platforms. Three studies describe successful use of platforms, whilst three describe lower productivity or failed nesting attempts, although these studies only describe a single nesting attempt each. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F488https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F488Mon, 03 Sep 2012 13:23:17 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Provide supplementary food for hummingbirds to increase adult survival Four studies from the USA found that three species of hummingbird showed preferences for higher concentrations of sucrose (measured in weight/volume), consuming more and visiting feeders more frequently. A study from the USA found that black-chinned hummingbirds Archilochus alexanderi preferentially fed on sugar solutions over artificial sweeteners, and that increasing the viscosity of these solutions (so they appeared more like sugar solutions) did not affect their consumption. Two studies from Mexico (ex situ) and Argentina found that four species showed preferences for sucrose over fructose or glucose when equiweight solutions were compared. One found that birds also preferentially fed on sucrose over a sucrose-glucose mix, the other found no preference for sucrose over a glucose-fructose mix. A controlled study from the USA found that Anna’s hummingbirds Calypte anna showed a preference for red-dyed sugar solutions over five other colours, but only if different colours were presented at the same time. A replicated study from the USA found that rufous hummingbirds Selasphorous rufus preferentially fed on feeders placed higher, over lower ones. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F550https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F550Sun, 16 Sep 2012 09:33:20 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Translocate gamebirds Three studies from the USA found that translocation of gamebirds resulted in population establishment or growth, or an increase in lekking sites. Four studies from the USA found high survival of translocated birds, although one, from Alaska found that translocated birds had high initial mortality, which then fell to levels close to those in resident birds. Two studies from the USA found high mortality in translocated birds. Four studies from the USA found breeding rates that were high, or similar to resident birds, amongst translocated birds. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F572https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F572Sun, 30 Sep 2012 13:50:44 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Translocate raptors Six studies of three translocation programmes in the UK and the USA found that all three successfully established populations of white-tailed eagles Haliaeetus albicilla, red kites Milvus milvus and ospreys Pandion halieatus. However, the latest review of the programme to reintroduce red kites to England and Scotland reported that one of six populations was very small, with only four pairs, despite 90 birds being released. A replicated study in Spain found high survival and establishment of translocated Montagu’s harrier Circus pygargus fledglings. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F574https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F574Sun, 30 Sep 2012 14:09:28 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Translocate woodpeckers All five translocation programmes studied were for red-cockaded woodpeckers Picoides borealis in the southern USA. Six studies of four programmes found that >50% of translocated birds remained in their new sites, with two studies of the same programme reporting a large population increase. Birds from four programmes were reported as forming pairs or breeding, although some translocated pairs split up and some translocated nestlings were abandoned. One study found that translocated nestlings fledged at similar rates to native chicks. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F577https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F577Sun, 30 Sep 2012 14:34:11 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Release birds as adults or sub-adults, not juveniles Three replicated studies found that malleefowl Leipoa ocellata, houbara bustards Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii and cackling geese Branta hutchinsii released as sub-adults, not juveniles had higher survival rates. A replicated study from New Zealand found lower survival for black stilts Himantopus novaezelandiae released as sub-adults, compared with juveniles. Two replicated studies from Hawaii and Saudi Arabia found lower survival for Hawaiian geese Branta sandvicensis and bustards released as wing-clipped sub-adults, compared with birds released as juveniles. Three replicated studies found no differences in survival between ducks, vultures and ibises released at different ages, but a second study of the vulture release programme found that birds released when more than three years old had lower reproductive success than birds released at an earlier stage. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F636https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F636Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:39:47 +0100